Page 33 of The Roads We Follow

I feel him trying to catch my eye as if he wants me to weigh in, but I’m currently too busy trying to figure out the best way to forfeit swimwear time so I can engage in espionage.

“Everything I’ve planned on the road includes you, as well, Micah,” Mama confirms. “You’re a welcome and honored guest. Plus, you may like to check out the place where your mother once bribed a service attendant to turn their backs so we could break in and have ourselves a decent shower and soak after being on the road for days. For payment, she offered to draw the attendant any picture she requested.”

“My mother did that?” He doesn’t even try to keep the suspicion from his tone.

“Sure did. On our first road trip together in 1975.” Mama winks.

Just as Micah says, “I’ll grab my shorts,” I’m saying, “I think I’ll stay back.”

Our eyes lock, and I don’t miss the hint of surprise in his.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Raegan,” Hattie dismisses. “This isSpa Day. You can’t miss it.”

“Really, I’ll be fine,” I say, feigning a yawn. “Micah can go on ahead, and I’ll stay back and have some downtime in the bus. I brought some vacation reads to pass the time. Don’t bother locking your stuff up, Adele,” I offer, hoping she can’t hear the tremble of fear in my voice. “I won’t be going anywhere.”

“No way, you’re not missing out to play security guard for Adele.” Hattie narrows her eyes suspiciously and uses her mom-tone. “Shecan toss her stuff in the bedroom safe like everybody else. Now, go get your suit on. We’re not leaving without you.”

“I never asked Raegan to stay back for my sake,” Adele defends in a semi-calm voice. “I simply asked Micah what his plans entailed.”

Hattie turns and cuts her gaze to Adele. “Oh, please, if you’re too blind to see that the reason Raegan offered is because you’re constantly asking menial tasks of her all the time, then you’re in more denial than I thought.”

Adele jerks her head back. And so do I. I’ve never heard Hattie stick up for me like this. At least not in a very long time.

“Oh,I’mthe one in denial?” Adele prods. “Perhaps we should take a look at your—”

“That’s enough, girls,” Mama’s voice is stern as she swings her gaze from them to me. “Raegan, get your stuff. We’ll meet you outside.”

Moments later, the lot of us head out into the streets of Hot Springs, Arkansas—one Farrow superstar mama wearing a yellow sunhat and dark glasses, three irritable sisters in swimsuit cover-ups, and one bus driver in camo board shorts who is watching me like a hawk.

9

Raegan

Our stroll isn’t much longer than the length of a block, but the sticky heat outside is an indication of just how efficient the AC is inside our home on wheels. I really wish I was still in it. Even after Hattie’s odd defense of me in the bus, it’s hard not to feel irritated at her as she prances ahead of me on the sidewalk without a care in the world, wearing a sheer swimsuit cover-up over a bikini that offers little to the imagination. Adele’s modest one-piece, on the other hand, might as well be a winter turtleneck. If there are two more opposite personalities in all the world, I don’t know them.

I check the knot of my sarong at my waist, wishing for the hundredth time that I’d taken the extra ten minutes to shave my legs prior to leaving home two days ago. I can’t say for sure when the last time I shaved was, but I’m positive these legs are not swimsuit ready.

When we approach the front of the street and face the elaborate bathhouses, Mama points to the one with the dome on top—the Quapaw. “This is the one!”

“Oh goodie,” I hear Adele mutter under her breath as Hattie cheers. “I can’t wait.”

Micah reaches out to hold the door for our family parade as we file in by birth order, leaving me to enter in front of him.

“What’s wrong?” His voice rumbles low against my ear.

I do my best not to react to the scattering of goosebumps along my neck. “Nothing’s wrong.”

“Then why did you suggest staying back on the bus?”

“Because I like to read in peace.” I glance over my shoulder at him.

If there’s a universal face that says liar-liar-pants-on-fire, then he’s wearing it proudly. “Or perhaps you were hoping to make a phone call in peace?” Micah’s pace slows down, separating us a bit from Mama and my sisters.

“What phone call?” I ask, confused.

But instead of offering clarification, he answers with a question of his own. “How long were you and Tav together?”

Nowthiswarrants my full and complete attention. “What?” I spin around to face him, misjudging our proximity by nearly six inches when the door closes at his back and bumps him closer.

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