honey?”
“Can I go to Florida with you and Grandma Hamlin?”
“Uh …”
“I can’t bear to stay here alone.”
Bethanne resisted the urge to remind her that Grant and her brother would be in town. And she had lots of friends. Annie was far from being alone. On the other hand, having her accompany them wasn’t a bad idea. “I’m sure your grandmother will be fine with it, and I’d love to have you.”
“Thanks, Mom,” she said, still sniffling.
“Do you want to come home and sleep in your old room?” Bethanne asked, thinking that what Annie really needed was to feel loved and protected.
“No … I’ll be okay now.”
“If I could, I’d give you a big hug.”
“I know. You’re the best mom in the world.”
Bethanne smiled sleepily.
“Thanks, Mom … Would you call Grandma in the morning and ask her?”
“Of course.”
“And I’m telling Dad, too.”
“If that’s what you want, go ahead.” Bethanne had no objection to Grant’s knowing her plans but she felt no obligation to tell him herself.
They spoke for a few more minutes and then Bethanne replaced the phone. Resting her head on the pillow, she closed her eyes, trying to go back to sleep.
This would be a fascinating trip across the country now that both her ex-mother-in-law and her daughter were coming…. Well, interesting at any rate. Bethanne drifted off as she began to make mental lists of the clothes she needed to pack and the people she needed to call.
Saturday morning she woke later than usual. Although it was a holiday weekend, she had a hundred things to take care of at work if they were going to head out early Wednesday morning.
After showering and dressing, she set off for the office. She’d wait until after ten to call Ruth regarding Annie.
While she was driving in Seattle traffic, her cell phone rang. The readout on her dashboard showed Ruth’s name and number.
Bethanne pushed a button on her steering wheel to answer the phone, and Ruth’s voice came through.
“Bethanne, where are you?”
“I’m in my car. What can I do for you, Ruth?”
“Would it be too much trouble to stop by the house this morning sometime … soon? I really hate to bother you.”
“It’s no bother. I’ll leave now.”
“How long will that take you?”
“Oh, about ten minutes, fifteen at the most. Is everything all right?”
“Yes, I … think so.” Her voice wavered slightly, indicating that everything wasn’t all right.
“I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Thank you,” Ruth whispered gratefully.
When Bethanne pulled up to the Hamlin family home, she saw two cars in the driveway. The first belonged to Grant, and the second she guessed was Robin’s. Brother and sister were double-teaming their mother. The poor woman needed backup.
Bethanne rang the doorbell, then let herself into the house. “Hello, anyone home?” she called out.
Ruth appeared immediately, and the relief that spread over her features the instant she saw Bethanne was almost comical. The older woman rushed across the room to grab Bethanne’s elbow. “Thank goodness you’re here,” she whispered.
“Bethanne,” Robin said in the tone she probably used to intimidate witnesses in the courtroom. “Tell me you aren’t serious about driving cross-country on some ludicrous scheme of my mother’s.”
At one time Robin might have intimidated her, too, but no longer. With a cool smile, Bethanne faced her. “Personally, I don’t think attending a fifty-year class reunion is all that ludicrous.”
Grant stood by the fireplace and seemed content to let his sister do the talking.
Robin didn’t give up. “You two don’t have a clue what you could be getting yourselves into. It isn’t safe out there. You’re both much too trusting. I simply can’t allow my mother—”
“I didn’t ask your permission,” Ruth told her daughter stiffly. She raised her chin to signal that she wouldn’t be browbeaten, nor would she change her mind. Robin could disapprove all she liked.
“Mother, for once be sensible.”
“Sensible?” Ruth repeated. “I’ve been nothing but sensible. It’s my life, and at sixty-eight I should be able to do what I want, when I want. If I choose to drive to Florida, then I will.”
“And I’m accompanying her.” Now might not be the best time to mention that Annie was tagging along, so she held back that information. “You don’t have a thing to worry about. We’ll be fine.”
Robin looked up at the ceiling as though her patience had reached its limit. “I can’t believe I’m hearing this.” Then, turning to Grant, she added, “A little help from you certainly wouldn’t hurt.”
“I figured you were doing well enough without me,” he said, grinning at Bethanne and his mother.
Ruth and Bethanne stood side by side, with their arms linked.
Ruth looked at her children. “Really, there’s no reason to worry. I have the route planned out, I joined AAA and I’ve made hotel reservations. I’ve rented a car, which I’m dropping off in Florida, and we’re flying back. I’m sure I’ve thought of everything.”
“Do you have a list of your medications?”
Ruth frowned. “I take one blood-pressure pill and that’s it—oh, and I have eyedrops. It isn’t like I need a permission slip from my physician to travel. You’re grasping at straws. Furthermore, you’re treating me like a child. I can take care of myself.”
“The roads aren’t safe,” Robin insisted, “especially for two women traveling alone.”
Again Ruth frowned. “If someone does kidnap and murder me, as you seem to expect, you can rest assured that I died happy.”
“Oh, honestly, Mother.”
“What about Bethanne?” Grant asked. “If she’s kidnapped and murdered, how would you feel then?”
“I’ve had three karate lessons,” Ruth said facetiously. “I’ll defend her.”
Grant burst out laughing. Robin, however, didn’t seem
