Page 30 of Love and Memories

“Hey, everything is going to be fine. One step at a time. Today, let’s just focus on getting you settled in at Anna’s.”

Bella climbed up into the truck and looked back at him. “How do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Make it sound like anything is possible.”

His gaze locked on her, and his mouth lifted on one side. The imperfect grin had her heart racing as he closed the door without answering her question.

This was happening. She was getting a ride from a stranger to another stranger’s house where she was going to live indefinitely while she waded through an identity crisis.

Travis settled into the driver’s seat like it was a chair at a table. She, on the other hand, had climbed in like a kid on a playground.

He started the truck and merged away from the sidewalk. “What kind of music do you like?”

“Matchbox Twenty,” she said quickly. “And Goo Goo Dolls.”

Travis glanced over at her. “You sound sure about that.”

“I am. I remember listening to their CDs in my room until the grooves wore off and they didn’t work anymore.”

“And how old were you?” Travis asked.

Bella closed her eyes as the buildings passed by. “Around fourteen, I guess.”

“So, you think you still like those bands?” he asked.

Bella shrugged. “I know I did once. I don’t think I would have stopped liking them ten years later.”

Travis pressed a few buttons on the radio before landing on an FM station. He turned the volume up on a Counting Crows song.

Bella sat up straighter. “This one.”

Travis bobbed his head. “If nothing else, your taste in music will stay timeless.”

“You like nineties alternative rock?” Bella asked. “What are the odds?”

Travis rested one hand on the top of the wheel and his elbow on the console between them. “I could have easily hated it since…”

Oh no. The way that sentence trailed off said the memory attached to it wasn’t good. It would be best to stay far away from that topic. “What do you like to listen to the most?”

Travis cleared his throat and stared out at the road ahead. “Matchbox Twenty and Goo Goo Dolls.”

Bella shifted to face him. “You’re kidding.”

“Not kidding. In fact, I played ‘Here is Gone’ at Barn Sour last Friday night.”

Bella stared at Travis, but he didn’t look her way. “You played?”

“Guitar. At a local bar.”

“You played the guitar?” Bella repeated.

“I did. Still do. Not while I’m driving, but otherwise I’m able to.”

Bella covered her cheeks with her hands. “I sing.”

“You do? Since when?”

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