Faith grumbled as he told her to get out her pacifier. She pulled it from her bag and snuggled into her seat.
“Put your pacifier in and go to sleep, baby.”
With a sigh, she did as he ordered. And she felt herself drifting. But then her bladder alerted her to the fact that she’d drunk way too much this morning.
Shoot.
They’d barely even started their trip. Reuben wasn’t going to stop for her to pee.
“What’s wrong, Little Blossom?” he asked as he laid his hand over hers.
She opened her mouth, taking out the pacifier, and glanced over at him.
“Are you uncomfortable? You keep shifting around on the seat.”
“Um, well.”
“What is it?” he asked in concern.
“I really have to pee. Sorry!”
“Don’t be sorry, Little Blossom,” he told her. “When you have to go, you have to go. I’ll pull over as soon as I see a place.”
“Thanks, Daddy.” She moved around again on the seat. Silly bladder.
Why wouldn’t it wait?
It should learn some patience.
“Perhaps I should have put some diapers on you for the trip. Then you’d be able to sleep the whole way through.”
“Daddy! I don’t need diapers. I’m a big girl. I can hold on.”
Sheesh.
The sounds of goats bleating distracted her and she reached into her handbag to grab her phone.
“It’s Charlie!” she cried, answering it. “Merry Christmas, Charlie.”
“Merry Christmas, Faith,” Charlie replied. “Are you all right? Are you still in Minneapolis? I’m so sorry, I just saw your text.”
She’d thought it was weird that she hadn’t received a reply from him. He didn’t usually go so long without answering her messages.
“That’s okay,” she said, even though she wanted to ask him what he’d been doing that he hadn’t noticed her message. And why he sounded so tired. “We’re not in Minneapolis anymore, we rented an SUV and we’re driving to Montana. The storm cleared although the sky isn’t looking the best out there. Butwe’ll drive for a few hours today then stop for the night. And then get to Montana hopefully tomorrow night.”
“On Christmas Eve? Be careful. The roads sound scary out there.”
“They are. But Reuben is with me. He won’t let anything happen to me.”
“Of course not. He’s the best Daddy ever.”
Was it her imagination or did he sound sad? Maybe a bit envious?
Worry for him bit at her stomach.
“Are you all right, Charlie?”
“Me?” he said with fake-brightness. “Of course I am.”
