Chapter 1
“Yes, Mom, I’m sure,” I assured her as I tucked the phone in between my ear and my shoulder so I could resume packing.
“I know you think I worry too much, Mirabelle, but driving cross-country all by yourself is crazy.” I could hear the strain in my mother’s voice, and I understood it, I totally did, but I swear, my mom acted like I was eighteen instead of thirty-two. “Why don’t you let me buy you a plane ticket?”
I rolled my eyes, grateful that she couldn’t see the insolent act.
“I don’t want to fly, that defeats the purpose of this trip,” I replied, softening my tone. “I need to do this, Mom.”
I could feel the fight go out of her, even though she was in Florida and I was in California, it was that palpable.
“Okay, Belle,” she said on a sigh. “Just make sure you call me eve
