Page 42 of Cowboys at Coconuts

Snickering, Alex said, “Actually, you kind of raised them.”

Suzy nudged Alex with her elbow. “Not helpful right now. What can we do to help?”

“You’re doing it. I needed to see both of you before I left.” Her eyes filled with tears. “Your friendship gives me strength.” Hope sniffled. “I can always count on you two. I’ve got to get this over with. Sorry to cut the evening short.” She waved Gus over. “I need to pay, Gus.”

He tore a ticket out of his pad and placed it on the table. Alex grabbed it. “This is on me. You’ve got enough to deal with. Go pack.”

Alex and Suzy hopped up for a group hug. “Text us if you get a chance,” Alex said.

“Yes, we’d love updates,” Suzy added.

“I’ll try. Forgive me if I forget. I’m going to be slightly preoccupied.” Hope placed her purse strap over her shoulder and took a deep breath. “As hard as this will be, I’m really looking forward to one-on-one time with my adopted dad. Paul has been great about this. I forgot to tell you Paul showed me grainy pictures of Larry and Montana. They were at a gas station. He sat on a curb, likely drinking liquor for his pain. From the blurry photo, it appeared that a trucker placed Montana in the cab of his semi.”

Suzy gasped and Alex’s eyes widened.

Shrugging, Hope said, “It looks like they separated for whatever reason.”

“You’re kidding?” Alex’s mouth fell open. “So this really could be Montana in Nashville?”

“Yep. It appears so. Wish me luck.”

Suzy teared up. “That’s the spirit, hon.”

“Travel safely. Good luck,” Alex shouted as Hope exited Coconuts.

Chapter 39

As she drove home from Coconuts, Hope’s heart thrashed.Tomorrow, we drive to Nashville.Rain pounded on the hood of her car, which only darkened her mood. Turning the windshield wipers to high, her thoughts skittered from bad to worse.I have to take this gamble.I can’t stand knowing Montana is lying in a nursing home unaware her husband is alive or possibly wondering why I’m not trying to find her. I wonder if she has good care, if she still has both of her pretty legs, or has any memory of me.

Gripping the wheel so hard her knuckles turned white, Hope focused on the road as she planned what to pack.What a gargantuan mess I’ve allowed by letting this charade continue.

~ ~ ~

Before the sun rose, Hope sprang out of bed, brushed her teeth, and threw on mismatched clothes but didn’t care. At this point, if her shoes coordinated, it would be a miracle.

Pacing as she awaited Larry’s arrival, she had changed the meeting location to her house so he wouldn’t need to leave his car unattended in the Hilltop parking lot. She knew Willow might meet them at Hilltop but feared Larry would want her to go with them. This way, she surmised he’d likely come alone.

She had packed toiletries in a disposable Wal-Mart bag adding blue plaid pajamas, socks, a phone charger, change of underwear, and another shirt since they’d have to spend one night. As she plunked the plastic bag by her front door she smiled imagining what type of designer bag, likely Chanel, Cheri would use for a trip.

Already on her third cup of coffee, Hope’s nerves were shot. Her thoughts swirled like a pinwheel as she wondered for the thousandth time whether she was making a huge mistake. Forcing the memory of the only mother she ever knew might have an adverse effect on Larry—or no affect at all.What if Montana remembers Larry but doesn’t remember me?Then what?That would cause even more confusion in this precarious situation.She threw up her arms.It’s too late now.

When the doorbell rang, she jumped and spilled coffee on her fake-tiled, vinyl foyer. Swinging the door open wide, Hope forced a confident smile. “Morning.”

“Mornin’.” Larry stood on the porch with one hand in his jeans pocket. His free hand held a dented silver thermos.

“Come in.” Hope glanced behind him, half expecting to see Willow.

After hesitating a second, he entered her nondescript house but stood planted in her tiny foyer. “Ready, Miss-Hope?” He glanced at his worn, brown watch. “We’ve got a mighty long drive ahead.”

“Yeah, I’m ready.” Hope pointed to her plastic bag by the door. “I was going to offer you coffee but it looks like—”

He held his thermos in the air. “Brought my own. Willow saw to that.”

“Nice of her. Um, let me go to the restroom one more time. Are you hungry?”

Shaking his head, Larry said, “Coffee and a cigarette are my usual breakfast.”

Hope turned away as she scrunched her nose. She had hated his smoking growing up. Now it would fill her vehicle unless she set ground rules up front.How can I ask him not to smoke since he has the shock of the decade coming? Alex wouldn’t have any problem telling him, but I can’t. I’ll deal with it.She forced herself to sound cheery.“Be right back.”

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