Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27610 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27610 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
CHAPTER 1
Minnie
PRESENT DAY
“Thank you,” I tell the cashier behind the counter. I’ve stopped this morning for coffee and breakfast. The cute café is exactly what I needed. There’s only so much oatmeal, eggs, and toast a girl can take since she’s been on the road. I needed something hearty that I didn’t prepare myself. Living in a small van with an even smaller kitchen can make for a tight workspace. I also have to replenish my fridge every few days. It’s been a huge adjustment to say the least, one that I’m finding I like a lot.
“You’re welcome. Your order will be right out,” she replies. I nod, grab the coffee mug, and head to the coffee bar. Unlimited coffee as well as grabbing a to-go cup is exactly what I need, as well as the chicken and waffles I ordered. In another couple of days, I’ll be in my resting spot for the holidays. Along the way, I’ve stopped in Georgia, enjoying the mountains and crisp air. The campsite I stayed at even had facilities to catch up on everything you could think of—like a shower and laundry—and they even had an outdoor hot tub. I partook in the first two but didn’t in the latter. There were a bunch of kids, and while they seemed alright, the last thing I wanted was to be the only adult surrounded by a bunch of younger children.
I really should have adopted a dog before going on this adventure. Sure, it would mean stopping more often, which isn’t really a bad thing if you think about it. Then I’d also have a pal to hang out with when the weather gets rough, like it did in Tennessee. My two-day stay turned into three. I was also trapped in my van most of the time. My only saving grace from being bored out of my skull was my sister. The goodie basket she packed for me included a couple of word search books, miniature puzzles, and a new e-reader already synced up from my old one. Lennon is sneaky like that, going above what most would ever do. One day, if she’s ever fortunate enough, she’ll make the best mom ever. After what felt like being pummeled by wind and rain, waking up with the sun shining the next day made it feel like just a usual Florida thunderstorm, minus a lot of the humidity.
“Order for Minnie,” my name is called just as I finish doctoring my maple-flavored coffee with cream and sugar.
“That’s me, thank you.” I grab the tray with food, then hit the cutlery before I make my way to the outside seating. The weather is near freezing in Missouri today, yet it’s not stopping me from heading for the covered patio with outdoor heaters. In Kentucky, I stopped for gas, to take a look around, and then got back on the road. There wasn’t much that piqued my interest with the way I was traveling and knew I had to regain time from the overstayed welcome in Tennessee. Maybe on the way back to Florida I’ll take a detour and hit up a couple of the bourbon distilleries as well as the horse racing area.
I take my seat, pull my phone out, and scroll for a few minutes through my e-mail. Work, work, and more work. My sabbatical is clearly not being understood by my many clients. Which means I’ll have to respond to a few of these once I’m settled for the night. Especially the nine-one-one messages listed in the subject line. Try as I might to talk to every client, wrapping up their project, and making sure everyone is happy with their business, there’s never an end in sight. No one said it’s a pretty job. A lot of people don’t even understand my obsession with analyzing numbers all day, but I love it. Except for while I’m on a much-needed and long-overdue vacation.
I back out of my e-mails, pull up the camera app, and snap a quick picture of my meal before grabbing my fork to dive in. Then I take another one with my mouth full of food to send to my sister.
Me: Chicken and waffles never tasted better after cooking for yourself for nearly a week straight.
My body lets out a growl, causing me to look at my surroundings to make sure no one heard my obnoxiousness. Luckily, I’m in the clear and my stomach eating itself goes unnoticed by anyone. Digging into my plate of food is the only option. The minute the waffle infused with bacon hits my tongue, I let out a low moan, then immediately go for the chicken next. I’m unprepared for the flavors to hit my mouth: fried chicken with a hint of spice. Good lord, it’s so good a girl could orgasm right here in her chair.