Dylan arches a brow over his cup rim. He lets a mouthful of ale slide down his throat, then sets his cup beside hers.

“We need a new deal.”

“We do?” He nuzzles her neck. Nibbles her earlobe.

She nods. “How does this sound? We don’t make promises that we shouldn’t keep.”

He lifts his head and hums positively. “Agreed. Can I add to it?” He tucks a wisp of hair behind her ear. When she nods, he says, “We own our mistakes and never regret an opportunity missed.”

“That’s a good one. Makes me think of something else someone once told me.” She hooks a finger in his belt loop and tugs. He fits himself between her legs and she lifts her face. “We live our best life.”

“Absolutely, so long as we get to enjoy the side trips along the way.”

“Side trips are the best when they’re with you.”

He couldn’t agree more. He lowers his mouth to hers. “Dance with me, Joy,” he murmurs against her lips.

“Only if you’ll sing to me.”

He kisses her. “Always.”

JOYRIDE

JOYRIDE

I knew a girl once

Away from home.

She’s coming undone

Heading east from the sun.

She’s been on the run.

Oh, her heart has been broken,

Lost in her labyrinth mind.

Now she’s going on a joyride.

Sixty-six is where you’ll find

The girl with her hand wrapped in mine.

Naked lips with eager sighs

For a simpler life she has tried.

She lives a lie,

Yes lives a lie.

But it’s her I see.

Now it’s up on the wall,

All my love.

I knew a girl once

Treated unfairly,

Thought she was for me.

Patience, you see,

It’s a bitter thing.

Oh, she’s taking asylum,

Living someone else’s life.

Now she’s going on a joyride.

Sixty-six is where you’ll find

The girl with her hand wrapped in mine.

Naked lips with eager sighs

For a simpler life she has tried.

She lives a lie,

Yes lives a lie.

But it’s her I see.

Now it’s up on the wall,

All my love.

COMING SUMMER 2021

COMING SUMMER 2021

No More Words

Book One in the No More Series

AUTHOR NOTE

AUTHOR NOTE

Route 66 is a historic highway many of you have traveled. Quite a few landmarks and locations referenced in Side Trip are sites (and side trips) along the route. Others, such as Rob’s Diner, Desert Adventures, all of the bars Dylan sang in, the swimming hole and campground south of Oklahoma City, and any other place mentioned in the story where you might be scratching your head wondering how you missed it on your own road trip, are figments of my overactive imagination.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS