“If you kept your eyes on the road the chances of living beyond that might be vastly improved for both of us.”

Martha laughed. “That was one of the things I loved about watching The Summer Seekers. You were hilarious. Anyway, as I was saying, you could live to be 106, in which case you’re only three quarters through. The best might be yet to come.”

“I doubt that, although I admit my zest for living is considerably enhanced by the prospect of pairing you up with a suitable candidate for your affections.”

“That’s not fair.” The sun was bright and Martha pulled her baseball cap farther down over her eyes. “I’m supposed to tolerate your matchmaking in order to brighten your days?”

“That would be a kind gesture.”

“I hate to disappoint you, but my affections aren’t up for grabs at the moment. As I was saying, if you were eighty-six, I could call our social media account ‘86 on 66’ or something.” Martha pondered. “Or maybe ‘86 meets 66. Or how about Old But Bold? No, that sounds rude.”

“We could call it ‘Martha finds a new man’.”

“We are not calling it that.”

“Martha’s Rebound Road Trip?”

“Maybe we’ll call it The Summer Seekers. That’s what we are. We’re seeking summer. Seeking adventure. Pick up that guidebook and start studying.” Martha felt more relaxed than she had in a long time. Kathleen’s confidence in her had boosted her self-confidence. “Don’t die of shock, but I’m starting to enjoy driving. I’m feeling happy.”

“I can tell. Your increase in speed appears to directly correlate with your elevated mood. Let me know when you hit a moment of ecstasy so that I can take the appropriate safety precautions.”

And now they were heading across Missouri on their way to Kansas with the sun on their faces and the breeze blowing their hair.

“Have you been looking at the guidebook? Is there anything in particular you’d like to see?”

Kathleen adjusted her scarf. “Yes. I’d like to see you with a man.”

“I meant sightseeing.”

“Well, that’s a sight I’d like to see.”

“Kathleen, are you going to embarrass me when we stop?”

“I aim to try. That was a pretty drive, by the way.”

Unable to shift the conversation, Martha pulled up at Devil’s Elbow and parked. “We’re going for a stroll to see the bridge and the Big Piney River and then we’ll get something to eat. We’re right in the middle of the Ozarks. Loggers used to float the logs down the river here and they had to negotiate this horrid bend, which is why it’s called Devil’s Elbow. I read that they didn’t have a barrier on the road originally. I think we both know where I would have ended up. Floating down the Big Piney River along with the logs.”