"No time for perusing," she announces. "We're already behind schedule. At this rate we won't make it to Tucson until the middle of the afternoon."
Tucson? Tucson is our first stop? I was assuming we'd head north, but Tucson is in the southeastern corner of Arizona.
"Shoo," Grandma says to me and Dom. Rainbow takes the binder from her hands, present and ready like a third hand.
Hands-free now, Grandma makes the shooing motion. "Get on the road."
We back up. Dom bumps into the fold-out table, and my calves hit a chair. Looking around at the faces of my family, I suddenly feel extra grateful to be using the Bentley to start the road trip. Duke's face looks pained. He's already pulling his laptop from his bag, ready to work. My dad looks bereft, a king without his proverbial castle. He is always the boss, the ringmaster, running the show and ordering around everyone in his vicinity. But not now. He's here for the same reason as the rest of us, and he doesn't get to tell everyone what to do. He's our equal, and it's obvious he has no idea what to do next. Kerrigan retreats to the bedroom, flopping down onto the bed. She props her head on her hand so she can still sip her latte.
"You're driving this thing," Grandma says to my dad. "You look like you need something to do."
My dad probably has a response, but he holds it back. Wise man.
"And you." Grandma points at my mom. "You're riding shotgun."
I'd be shocked if my mom knows the term 'riding shotgun'. But, apparently she does, because she dutifully walks to the front of the massive vehicle and drops into the passenger seat.
"Settled." Grandma nods, pleased. Like a mother duck getting herbroodin a row.
Dom and I step down from the motor home, blinking into the bright sun. We turn around when Grandma says, "You'll need this." She reaches into a hidden pocket in her caftan, coming away with a key and tossing it at Dom. "Treat her well."
Dom catches it. "I won't treat Cecily with anything but the utmost care."
He sounds like some kind of earnest superhero. My heart smacks my breastbone.Traitor.
"That was sweet," Kerrigan yells from the bedroom. She's probably already watching the Moose-cam.
Grandma beams and grips the doorframe. The sun glints in her eyes, her excited smile. "You're a good man, Dominic. But I wasn't talking about my granddaughter." She waves behind our heads to the Bentley. "I was talking about my car. Bernice. She gets premium fuel only."
"Of course." Dom nods, hiding his smile. "I'll take good care of Bernice."
"You'll make it to our first destination before we do. I've already arranged for an early check-in."
"Thanks, Grandma," I say, holding the binder to my chest.
We turn for the car, but Grandma calls my name. Dom doesn't turn back with me. He keeps on walking toBernice.
"Yeah?" I ask. She has a sly look on her face.
"You're going to get therefirst," she repeats, emphasizing the word.
"I know," I drawl.
"So," she says, "It's a lot to ask of your new husband to go on a road trip like this. Make sure you properly thank him.That's the best marriage advice I can give. Keep himproperly thanked."
My face heats, and I know it's not the sunshine pouring down on me. "I'll be sure to say thank you."
"You'd better do more than that, Cecily." Grandma grins. She turns her midsection in a circle, but the boxy caftan keeps it from appearing too suggestive. "Give him the old razzle dazzle."
I swear I hear Dom cough lightly behind me. And me? I'll never forget the sight of my grandmother gyrating her hips in the doorframe of a motor home.
"Safe travels, Grandma," I say pointedly, refusing to acknowledge her lascivious suggestion.
She laughs and steps back from the door. Rainbow appears, leaning out and reaching for the door handle. Her eyes meet mine briefly before the door closes, and I fight the urge to shout a curse word at her.
Dom places our bags in the car's trunk. He lays the handwritten Just Married sign on top.
"What are the chances you didn't hear that last part?" I ask.
