The Road That Leads to Us (Us 1)

“Oh!” She jumped back like she’d been shocked. “I forgot to press in the clutch,” she muttered, even though I already knew that was her mistake.

“It’s okay,” I said, trying not to think about my poor car, “try again.”

She did it again and this time was successful.

We eased forward a few feet before the car stalled out.

“I really thought this would be easier.” She sighed, clutching the steering wheel.

“It takes time to learn,” I assured her.

She smiled at me apologetically. “I think you should take over driving for now. But I’m not giving up,” she warned me, “I’m going to learn how to do this. We need to find an empty parking lot or something.” She waved behind us at the gas station crowd. Three guys were gathered around drinking what looked like beer—I guessed it was five o’ clock somewhere—and laughing at her failed attempt.

Willow glared at them and gave them the finger.

“That’s my girl.” I chuckled.

She beamed at me and opened the driver’s door, climbing out so we could switch.

Once we were seated again, I asked her, “Where to now?”

“Today,” she began, “we’re going to find Palatka, Florida if it kills us.”

I laughed as I started the car and slipped my sunglasses on. “Sounds like a plan.”

Willow

A few hours later we pulled off the side of the road and I grinned triumphantly at the sign that boasted the name of the town.

Palatka, Florida.

“We did it,” I breathed, a pleased flush fanning over my skin.

“You did it. I drove.”

“Come on, come on,” I cried, stumbling out of the car. “We have to get a picture.” I turned to rifle through my bag for my camera.

Dean sighed, pretending to be mad at my demands for another picture, but I knew he secretly loved that I wanted to document every moment.

We took picture after picture in front of the small sign and once I was satisfied we had enough we got back in the car.

“So…” I began. “Now that we’re here, what do we do?”

He tapped his bottom lip in thought. A moment later his face lit with a thought and he grinned. “Give me some directions.”

“What?” I asked, confused.

“You know, like take the second left, first right, blah, blah, blah.”

“I’m still confused.”

He chuckled and draped his arm across the back of my seat. “Give me some random directions, and when they run out that’s where we stop.”

“Ohhh,” I drew out the word, “I’ve gotcha now.” I tapped my fingers against my knees and thought. “How about I tell you as you drive, that way you won’t forget what I say.”

“Okay.” He nodded.

He started the car once more and pulled back onto the road.