Swept Away in Wilde (Wilde, Nevada Beginnings 1)

Chapter One

June 1, 1980 – Kansas City, MO

In the parking lot of a roadside diner, Mary Kincaid unfolded the map on the hood of her car. Four hours ago she had left the only home she’d ever known with no clear destination in mind. She just had to leave.

What would Paul think when he returned to their apartment and all her stuff was gone? I really don’t care what he thinks. This is the best decision for me.

She gazed at the image of the continental United States, complete with all the major highways. Where to go from here? That was the question. She had enough money to live on for about three months. With her degree in journalism, her plan was to freelance. It was long overdue for her to start using her education. But she needed a story to sell. What should I write about? Another question. Too many for her to deal with right now.

As a car sped past on the highway, the map got caught in the breeze, fell to the ground, and blew out of the parking lot and onto the road. She chased after the map and finally caught it.

Her emotions got the best of her, and she felt the tears well up in her eyes. She’d kept her mind busy with the radio during the trip, not wanting to think of all she was leaving behind. It wasn’t just Paul. Her sister. Maude. She hadn’t called her. Tears welled in her eyes. Maude was her best friend and confidant.

For an instant this morning, she’d thought about asking her sister for her advice. But she didn’t because she was too embarrassed. Making up her mind to leave had taken her several nights of sleeplessness, but after the incident before Paul had left for work, she knew she didn’t have any other options.

She folded the map back up and put it in her purse. There had been no time to eat before she had left. Now, she was famished. A good lunch would help clear her mind. She walked into the diner.

“Anywhere you’d like,” the waitress said.

“Thank you.” She sat down in a booth far from the door and windows.

The waitress brought her a glass of water and a menu. “Welcome to the Shiny Penny. Would you like to hear the specials?”

She nodded, trying to put her best smile on. It was easy for her to do having had so much practice since childhood. Her mother’s voice rang inside her head. “No matter how one feels on the inside, Mary, you must stay cheerful on the outside. Nobody wants to know your troubles. We are an important and respected family in this community. We must keep up our appearances.” Those words had been repeated to her over and over since she was five years old.

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bsp; “—iced tea is included,” the waitress finished saying.

She decided on the meatloaf and mashed potatoes.

“Coming right up,” the woman said and headed back to the diner’s kitchen.

She opened her purse and brought out the photo of her, Maude, and their parents. The false smiles on her mother and father sickened her. Her smile was weak compared to theirs, and Maude didn’t smile at all the day the photograph had been taken.

Authentic. That was the word for Maude.

She had tried to get Maude to tone down her rebellion against their parents, but nothing ever worked. Maude hated their parents’ fabricated life they presented to everyone. So did she, but she had kept that to herself. Not Maude. Their parents hadn’t slept in the same bed in years, though to the clients of their law firm they seemed to be a happily loving couple with two wonderful adoring daughters.

Maude’s refusal to go to law school had been the beginning of the rift between her sister and their parents. But the gap continued to grow over the past few years. Maude was the black sheep in the family.

Until I moved in with Paul and took over that title.

Her father had glared at her. “A Kincaid doesn’t shack up, Mary.”

“I told you we were too lenient with her,” her mother had chimed in. “We should have never given into her getting her silly degree in writing.”

“It is a journalism degree, Mother, and it’s not silly.” Those were the first words of defiance she had ever spoken to her parents.

Their eyes had widened in shock.

Clearly only thinking of his and her mothers’ precious law firm, her father shook his head. “Your being just like your sister Maude. Where is my good girl? What happened to you?”

Her mother glared at her. “What will our clients think about this, Mary? Have you thought about that?”

“How will they know?”

“Springfield is big but it’s not that big. People talk. I can’t believe you are being so selfish.” Her mother’s tone had a sharp edge. “Are you pregnant?”

“Absolutely not. I can’t believe you would ask that.”

“It’s a logical question. At least we don’t have an unwanted baby to deal with. That’s some good news. We can fix this,” her mother said. “We just need to plan a wedding right away. No one will ever be the wiser.”

“I’m not ready to get married yet. This is 1980. This is how couples do things these days.” The argument had continued late into the night. She moved out the next morning. Thank God there had been no wedding. At least that was one smart decision.

“Here you go.” The waitress placed her lunch on the table.

“Looks great. Thank you.”

The food was delicious and satisfying. Finishing her meal, she spotted the payphone in the far corner of the diner.

I need to call Maude. She opened her purse and got several quarters to make the long distance call.

The operator came on and told her the amount for the first three minutes. She fed the coins into the phone, and the call connected. Ring. Ring. Ring.

“Hello, this is Maude Kincaid. Please leave your name and number and I will get back with you as soon as possible. If I like you, that will be quick. If I don’t…well, I wouldn’t hold my breath.” Maude started laughing before the beep sounded.

I can’t tell her everything on her answering machine. “Sis, this is Mary. Lots to tell you. Will try to call you later.”

She returned to the booth and found the waitress cleaning off the table.

“Would you like dessert? We have some of the best apple pie in the entire Midwest. We were written up in Travel and Leisure magazine last year.”

Being a writer, she couldn’t resist. “I’ll have a cup of coffee and the pie.”

“With cheddar cheese or homemade cinnamon vanilla ice cream?”

“The ice cream sounds divine.”

“And it tastes that way, too.” The waitress smiled and headed back into the kitchen.

She reached into her purse and brought out the map. She unfolded it on the table.

Where to go? East or west? She had no clue except that she wanted to get far away from Springfield. Let the Fates decide for me.

Glancing around the diner, she saw several booths and tables filled with other customers. Her mother wasn’t here. She didn’t have to keep up any appearances. She could be herself, be like Maude.

She smiled and left the booth. Closing her eyes, she spun around. With her eyes still shut, she brought her finger down to the map.