Page 95 of Whirlwind

“Yes.”

“Oh. OH!” Her eyes bugged, a huge smile sweeping her lips. “So you were you in Nashville together buying bourbon—and that’s not all?”

“Yes, yes, we were, and that’s not all. He just invited me to go on another trip with him. I…I don’t know what to do.”

“Violet Hildebrand, this is the first time I’ve ever heard you say such a thing.” She laughed loudly, my head jerking at the rich unfettered sound. “You like him. A lot. That’s great. Wonderful. You’re going, right?”

“Who’s going where?” Tania swept past us holding a pitcher of booze.

“Violet just got invited to go on a trip.” Mom’s voice was loud.

“Mom!” I grabbed her arm. “I can’t leave you now with everything going on with Dad, the Grand—”

“Oh no, no, no, no. This is perfect timing for you to get away. Frankly, I don’t want you getting caught in the middle of this hot mess right now. Things need to cool down. Baby, you don’t have to worry about me. You’re always worrying about me.”

“She has us!” said Grace, squeezing Mom in a huge hug.

Mom squeezed her back. “That’s right, I do.”

So girl, you need to go,” Tania said, a hand hitched on her hip. “Wherever it is you’re going.” Tania and Grace joined Jill and Alicia, refilling their glasses.

Mom put her arm through mine. “Let me ask you this, are you expecting anything out of this trip from him other than a joyride? Are you hoping for something more afterward? Has he made you promises?”

“Oh no. No, it’s not like that.”

“It’s not?” A slight frown creased her features.

“We both just got out of relationships, and right now neither of us is looking for…”

“Right. Well, there you go. Obviously, you enjoy each other’s company, hmm?”

“We do.”

“Go, have fun.”

“Have fun?” Was it the alcohol? I didn’t expect this sort of what-the-heck-do-your-thing response from my mother. My mother usually needed to carefully chew on things before coming to an appropriate decision.

“Yes, Violet. Have fun. It’s time you did what pleases you, because you won’t have this time again. Right now, at your age, you don’t have any massive responsibilities yet. You need to be out there, exploring, enjoying yourself.”

“Your mom is right, Violet.” Lenore stood before us, her bright Beck eyes riveted on me, drilling me to the floor, boiling my pulse. “Now is your time for new experiences.”

“New experiences…” I bit my lip.

My phone rang. Wes.Thank you, Lord.“Ah, excuse me.” I answered my phone, stepping back into the kitchen. “Hey, you. What’s up?”

“Sorry to interrupt your ladies’ shindig, but have I got tasty news for you.”

“Ooh baby. Let’s hear it.”

“I dropped by Sissy’s before—”

“For some afternoon delight?”

“No, for Girl Scout cookies,” he said. “But she was busy packing for a trip to Mexico with some guy who’d just invited her. And I got the sense this guy is paying her for her company too.”

“You don’t sound too bothered or too surprised.”

“I’m not.”

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