Page 33 of A Way Out
“When I was a kid I lived in Texas,” Travis said from next to Maria in the backseat, “and we used to vacation in the Ozarks in Oklahoma. I’ve never been to this part before. It is pretty stunning.”
“I lived in Little Rock for a time,” Cash offered up. “I’ve vacationed here too. Felt like paradise when I was a kid.”
Maria had no idea that the entire band had a connection to this place.
“It’s kind of funny that our first single is about getting out of here,” Oz said as he followed the GPS map to their destination.
“Really?” Maria asked. She’d thought Oz wrote that song.
He nodded. “Parker wrote it about his fear of never getting out of the town he grew up in.”
“Guess he and Lacey aren’t planning to move back anytime soon, like Holly and Sam are, huh?”
Oz shrugged. “Maybe his perspective is different now that he has gotten out.”
“I don’t know,” Travis said. “I left Texas over ten years ago, and I still have zero desire to ever go back.”
How did Maria feel about going back to Washington? She’d shown up on her sister’s doorstep last weekend with no clue how long she’d stay, but she supposed she’d always expected she’d return home at some point.
But did she want to?
No, she really didn’t.
She didn’t have a plan. No idea where she might settle if she didn’t go back. Plus, as uninvolved as Vic was, he was still Riley’s father, and Maria would prefer they have some sort of relationship.
She rubbed her forehead. Life was so complicated sometimes.
“You okay?” Oz asked.
She glanced up and caught his eye in the rearview mirror. Of course he would notice that small action. He noticed everything. It was unnerving and also flattering and sent butterflies fluttering in her belly. Every time.
“I am,” she said, tossing him a reassuring smile.
He looked doubtful, but he let it drop and turned his focus back to the road.
Finally, they arrived at a rustic lodge perched on hilly terrain, with triple decks overlooking a stream that cut through the rock and undergrowth. Holly and Sam had rented this place for the family, they had said, but really it was the two bands and Maria. Although she supposed the bands were family, both literally and figuratively.
Holly hadn’t invited their parents—they wouldn’t have come anyway—but she had invited their other sister, Ava. Was she here? Maria’s eyes felt hot. Of course, they’d all been together for Maria’s wedding, but that had been different.
That hadn’t been her wedding; it had been her mother’s. She’d simply stood in as the bride. And Ava had flown in from New York, attended all the obligatory events, and left halfway through the reception, claiming she needed to catch a red-eye flight because she had to work the next day.
On Sunday.
Holly’s presence hadn’t been much better. She’d hardly spoken to anyone, even Maria, and then her date had cheated on her and broken up with her at the end of the night.
Lord, please don’t let Holly’s wedding be anything like mine was.
Truth be told, Maria didn’t believe she even had to send up that prayer. Holly and Sam were so very obviously in love, even if something did go wrong at their wedding, it wouldn’t matter. And Maria knew without a doubt that they’d still be together ten years from now.
Happily together.
She, Oz, Cash, and Travis piled out of the rental car, Maria unbuckled Riley from her car seat, and headed inside.
“You made it,” Holly shouted a scant moment before she practically tackled Maria, hugging her until she squeaked.
Riley giggled, and when the two sisters separated, Riley was in Holly’s arms.
“I’m so glad you are here,” Holly said warmly. “Come on, I’ll show you your room so you can drop off your luggage. Then we’ll come back down and I’ll introduce you to everyone. Are you hungry? We didn’t really do a full meal tonight, but there are enough appetizers to feed an army. Plus wine. All the wine.” Holly laughed and burbled on, and Maria didn’t interrupt. It was nice to just follow along and let her sister guide the way.
