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This was an interesting development Bethanne had assumed that once he learned Annie intended to accompany them, it would be all the excuse he needed to deh he’d taken leave of his senses "I give up," she said, grabbing her briefcase and her purse "I can see I’, so I won’t waste any more time here" She stalked toward the door

"Robin," Bethanne said, halting her progress

"Yes?" she snapped, whirling around

"You ood trip"

But Robin just rolled her eyes and left the house, sla the screen door on her way out

As soon as his sister was gone, Grant started laughing "Well, she was in rare forun to tre on the trip of a lifeti before he spoke "You didn’t ht e had dinner" The comment was filled with accusation

"Was there any reason I should?"

"You’re planning to drive across the country with my mother," he said "Didn’t you think Robin and I were entitled to know?"

This was a repeat of the conversation she’d had with Annie "It was up to Ruth toto be chastised by her ex-husband

Grant’s response was a raised eyebrow, but he didn’t say anything else

"I was afraid Robin would make a fuss," Ruth said "I wish now I’d kept reed it would’ve been preferable had Ruth waited until they were on the road, but that see of you," Grant said, obviously deciding on a more conciliatory approach "I’d feel better about the three of you being on the road if you’d call er to make peace with her family

"Will you?" Grant posed the question to Bethanne

"I’m sure Ruth and Annie would be happy to keep in touch," she said curtly, reluctant to add her na her ex-husband didn’t sit ith her, despite his unexpected support

Grant held her look "I won’t be able to relax if I don’t know that the three most important women in my life are safe"

"We’ll check in," Bethanne eventually promised

"Thank you"

Bethanne drove to the office a few et Grant out of her mind She had to appreciate the fact that he hadn’t joined forces with his sister against theiven hilimmer of hope that a reconciliation was possible; the idea didn’t seeuessed, was a good sign

At her desk, she ements to leave the office for a feeeks She went hohtly depressed at the prospect of an empty house, and wondered what it would’ve been like if Grant had been there waiting for her with a glass of wine and a welco smile

Six

"Finally! We’re actually on the road," Ruth marveled as they reached the su the Cascade Mountains They were a littledue east

Ruth had the ator while Bethanne drove Annie had claimed the backseat; she’d been suspiciously quiet since they’d left Seattle Bethanne knew Vance had deeply hurt and disappointed her daughter The fact that he’d decided to travel in Europe for a year--and hadn’t bothered to tell her--could only feel like a betrayal Bethanne hoped that spending these weeks with her grand In ti that could have happened

She remembered when she’d told her parents she wanted to ed Bethanne to coo before she obtained her degree, he’d argued that itBethanne, however, had been unwilling to listen, unwilling to wait a day longer than necessary to be Grant’s wife And she’d refused to be separated from him; the university was in the town of Pull in Seattle She’d finish school later--only she never had

In retrospect, it had all worked out, but if she’d had her teaching degree who kno different her lifewas sure; with a career of her own, or at least the qualifications for one, she wouldn’t have felt so completely vulnerable when Grant asked for a divorce

Annie’s situation was different to that extent, anyway She’d graduate the following year with a business degree She’d gotten practical experience working at Parties and that would serve her well

Annie stirred in the backseat, sitting up and yawning She removed the iPod earbuds and stretched her ar her back "Where are we?"

"Just over the pass," Bethanne told her

"Already?"

"Have you been asleep?"

"I think I was," Annie hts"

"Oh, sweetie, I’ot off okay," shea cab He sent me a text from the airport and said he’d keep in touch"