Page 8 of Longest Ride

“We’ll go a bit slower to make sure that doesn’t happen,” said Annie. “We’ll take it easy on the highway and we’ll be fine. I have no intention of going in any ditches.”

Lucy laughed but then pointed at Tammy who hadn’t touched her breakfast.

“Eat your breakfast, Tammy,” said Annie. “If you refuse to eat, then you won’t be going to the hospital to see Eldon. That’s something I’ll make sure of.”

Tammy sucked in a big breath and picked up her fork. “I’m sorry, Mama. I’m being a big baby.”

“Yes, you are, and if Eldon is depending on you, then you’d better pull it together for him. I know you can do it. You’re a strong girl, Tammy Traynor.”

“I can take care of him, Mama. I’m strong and I won’t cry at the hospital. I promise.”

“Attagirl.”

Gary’s New and Used. Calgary. Alberta.

Travis turned into the first used car lot he came to and drove up close to the office. Snow was coming down harder and the wind was gusting and creating white-outs.

He wanted to get going home. Drive south and try to outrun the storm, but they had to get rid of the bounty hunter’s wheels first.

Inside the warm office, Travis drummed up a salesperson, or it could have been the owner of the lot. The skinny guy with glasses and a bad haircut didn’t bother introducing himself.

“I’ve got a Jeep I want to trade in,” said Travis.

“Okay. Let me have a look at it.” The guy shrugged on a parka with fur around the hood and it reminded Travis that the boysdidn’t have warm coats or gloves. If they happened to get stuck on the way home, the boys wouldn’t be warm enough to walk any distance.

“Nasty day,” said the guy as he held the door open for them to go back outside. He flipped his hood up against the wind and they couldn’t see his face.

Travis pointed at the Jeep parked close to the office.

“Okay, a few years old, but looks to be in decent shape. How many clicks are on it?”

“Check for yourself.” Travis didn’t know because he’d never sat in the driver’s seat.

“Hundred and ten K,” said Virge. “Runs like a top.”

Travis smiled. Virge could be so funny.

“You trading for cash or for a newer vehicle?” asked the sales dude.

“Newer,” said Travis. “For the boys.” He tilted his head wanting me and Virge to pick something we liked.

We walked around a bit and we’d already decided we liked driving the Jeep a lot.

Virge pointed to an orange Wrangler that looked practically new and I nodded.

Dad wandered over to the sales guy—could have been Gary the owner—but he never bothered to tell us. “How much in the difference between the two Jeeps?”

“Umm…let’s see. I think I could let that orange beauty go for about twenty K plus your trade.”

“Bullshit,” snapped Travis. “Ten cash and we’re out of here. We’ve got to get ahead of the storm.”

“Fifteen,” said the guy.

Dad took a stance in front of the guy and hollered in his face. “You fuckin deaf? I said ten cash. Let’s go boys.”

“Okay, okay. I’ll take ten cash.”

“Damned right you will. I’m giving you a fuckin gift and you’re turning all greedy on me. How many fuckin deals have you screwed up in the past by doing that?”

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