“Hello, ladies. I’m Luke.”

The tall redhead stuck out a hand. “I’m Diana McTavish. Thanks for driving us. I don’t think any one of us could handle that thing. Anyone ever tell you that you look a lot like the pictures of Smokey when he was young?”

“Yes, ma’am, all the time.” He shook hands with her and turned to find a short brunette with blue eyes at his elbow.

“I’m Carmen. Tootsie told us that Smokey’s favorite nephew would be our driver.”

“How d’y’do.” He tipped his cap toward her. “The feeling went both ways. Uncle Smokey was my hero.”

“And I’m Joanie,” the blonde said.

“Well, it looks like we’re all here now, and we’ve been introduced,” Tootsie said.

Luke nodded and asked, “Could I help y’all with that luggage?”

“We’ve got it. We got the tour of the motor home last night. Tootsie has shown us exactly how much room we have and where we’ll be sleeping,” Joanie answered as she headed toward the RV.

“But thank you.” Carmen forced a smile that didn’t erase the sadness in her eyes.

“Looks like you’ve got baggage of your own.” Diana hung back. “You looked surprised to see us. Didn’t Tootsie tell you that she’d invited the neighborhood?”

“Not until about thirty seconds before you arrived.” He picked up his suitcase and the zippered bag holding his two-man tent. “But I’m fine with it if she is, and I assure you, I’m a safe driver. So are all y’all’s husbands military?” He opened the hatch and shoved his things inside.

“Was, is, were,” Diana answered. “I’m five years divorced, but my ex is still military. He and Joanie’s and Carmen’s husbands are part of a black-ops team that we can’t even ask questions about. Carmen got divorce papers two days ago. She’s in denial. Joanie’s still married, and her husband will be home for our daughters’ graduation from basic training in December.”

One divorced. One getting a divorce. One happily married.

He’d been looking forward to a few weeks of quiet introspection, not female drama. If his aunt could really drive this monster of an RV herself, he’d seriously consider hightailing it back to Houston.

But she’d only driven it home from the dealership less than two miles—taking it on a long trip was a whole different ball game. He’d feel horrible if anything happened to her because he was too stubborn to drive this circus.

For the past five years, Diana had been too busy with her job and taking care of her daughter to even consider another man in her life. Add that to the fact that Gerald’s new wife was jealous of any time that he spent with Rebecca, and Diana refused to even go out one time for fear that she might fall in love. What if the new guy in her life became more important than Rebecca? Or heaven forbid, if he wanted children. Diana loved her daughter, but just the thought of starting to raise another child gave her the hives.

Still, it had been nice when Luke sized her up and down like maybe he liked what he saw. Could that have possibly been a slight spark between them when he shook her hand? He looked to be about her age, which would put him up near forty, but men aged differently than women, so he might be a little older or maybe a year or two younger.

“Listen up,” Tootsie said when they were all in the RV. “See that sign hanging beside the door?”

Diana pulled her reading glasses from her purse and read aloud:

MAY GOD GRANT YOU ALWAYS

A SUNBEAM TO WARM YOU

A MOONBEAM TO CHARM YOU

A SHELTERING ANGEL SO NOTHING CAN HARM YOU

LAUGHTER TO CHEER YOU

FAITHFUL FRIENDS NEAR YOU

AND WHENEVER YOU PRAY

HEAVEN TO HEAR YOU.

“Amen,” Joanie and Carmen said in unison.

“Smokey gave me that sign for our first wedding anniversary. It hung above our bed through countless military moves. I’m grateful for y’all to help me get through losing Smokey. Now start up the engine, Luke, and let’s get this wagon train on the trail just like Smokey wants me to do.” Tootsie wiped a tear from her cheek. “Dammit! I promised Smokey I wouldn’t cry.”

“He understands,” Carmen said.

“I know, but this trip is to honor him, not to become a dramafest.” Tootsie sat down at the U-shaped dinette and took a candy bar from the full dish on the table. She peeled back the wrapper and said, “This is for you, Smokey. I know how much you loved Snickers.”

Luke started the key in the ignition, and Diana could almost hear the engine sucking up expensive gasoline. But if this is what would help Tootsie find closure for Smokey’s death, and maybe even help Carmen get through the denial stage, then she was all for it.

Luke surprised her when he drove the huge motor home out of the backyard and managed to make the turn onto the street without bumping a single curb. But what impressed her even more was how the crystal candy dish didn’t even slide across the table.

“Next stop, Texas City,” Luke called out over his shoulder.

“Actually it’s Oakridge Smokehouse Restaurant in Schulenberg. Smokey and I always stop there for lunch on the first day. They make great barbecue, and their pickles are amazing. Smokey was partial to their German sausage and sauerkraut. I can’t wait for y’all to see the inside of the place. It’s just like walking into an old barn,” Tootsie said.

“Sounds great,” Joanie said. “I love sauerkraut.”

“Not me.” Diana shook her head. “But barbecue sounds really good. Did you already make reservations at a campground for tonight?”

“The trip is all planned out. That’s what I was doing all afternoon on Wednesday. When we get over around Beaumont, I’ll be spending the evening with an old friend, Delores. We were a lot like y’all—close friends who stood by each other when our husbands left us at home for weeks on end. I’d invite you to go with me, but I’m selfish enough to want to have some time with her all by myself,” Tootsie told them. “And my friend Midge—I’ve known her since we were toddlers—lives up near Scrap. I’ll be seeing her while we’re there. Don’t mean to be desertin’ y’all, but she’s been pretty sick, and she’s my last living childhood friend. Enjoy the ride.”