Page 128 of To Believe In You
Jade chirped a hello and proceeded into the lounge. “Whoa.” She stopped short, leaving Matt to edge around her. “This is nicer than Grandma and Grandpa’shouse.”
Couches, a big TV, and the windows were the main features of the front area, with storage drawers beneath the seats, canister lights in the ceiling above, and strip lighting in the higher space down the center of the vehicle. In the kitchenette, Lina’s spread of appetizers and baked treats waited on the table in the four-person booth.
He’d once thought Lina cooked to handle stress, but the fridge stocked even more food, evidence that she turned to the kitchen when she was happy too.
Beyond, the walkway narrowed past the bathroom, bunks, and to the master suite. John had drawn the long straw, so the drummer and his wife got the room for the first leg of the tour.
Matt had asked the guys to leave the blinds open, so the dump truck was visible from the lounge. Outside, John had accompanied Erin to examine the industrial truck. With Matt’s family far enough inside, Gannon stood near the front of the lounge with his arm around Adeline, waiting for the realization. But Matt’s guests were too busy inspecting their immediate surroundings. Matt answered their questions and led them deeper into the bus.
When the tour brought them back to the lounge and no one had bothered to notice the elephant just outside the room, Matt called up to the driver. “Hey, Jimmy, think we’ve got enough room to show them the pop-outs?”
“Room?” Pete motioned toward the window. “The lot’s hu—” His expression narrowed with confusion. “What is that?”
Gannon grinned, and Adeline bit her lip, smiling.
Dad turned, hands in the pockets of his winter coat as if the furnishings were too nice to touch. “Huh. Wasn’t expecting a delivery today. Were you?” He looked to his older son, who was already headed for the exit.
Lina bumped Matt’s arm with happy energy as she took his hand.
Dad surveyed the lounge again and chuckled. “Far cry from the van you first left in, back when you three packed up to try your luck in California.”
“Those werenotthe days.” Matt scratched his neck and shot a glance at the truck.
Pete had probably noticed the absence of the driver by now, if John and Erin hadn’t outright told him what the truck was doing there. If they’d held their peace, would he go to the office in search of the non-existent worker before circling back to tell Dad about the mystery?
“Maybe you ought to go see about the truck.”
Gannon pressed the back of his wrist over his mouth, clearly suppressing laughter, and led Adeline outside.
Dad waved a hand. “Oh, he can handle it.”
“Yeah, but …” Matt coughed, and Lina’s face pressed his shoulder, probably turned to hide a great big grin. “Go see about the truck.”
Dad cocked his head, then looked to Mom. “You know anything about this?”
“I’m as bewildered as you.” Happily bewildered, judging by the crinkles framing her eyes.
Krissy gave him her wide-eyed, what-did-you-do-now? look.
He shrugged in answer and followed his parents from the bus.
Tim smirked as he watched, his hair kicked up in the breeze. Next to him, Gannon and Adeline cuddled arm in arm, eyes shining with amusement. Ahead, Dad took Mom’s hand as they rounded the front of the bus.
John and Erin stood near the dump truck, John motioning to make some point. When they caught sight of Matt’s family, they stilled, holding hands and watching.
Dad peered up at the new truck much like Jade had the bus. He shuffled, pivoting back toward Matt with a question in his eyes.
Matt held up the key. “Now I’m not the only one with a cool ride. Except, I have to share mine with a bunch of people, and it’s a rental. This is yours.”
Krissy squealed behind him and jostled his shoulders.
Dad hadn’t moved. Matt stepped forward, offering him the key.
Pete, speechless for once, looked from the truck to Matt and back again.
Mom nudged Dad, whose nose had turned pink. Tears glimmered in his old man’s eyes. “You didn’t need to do this, Matt.”
“I did. I totaled your last one.”
