“I need to visit the restroom. You two young things get to know each other in my absence.” Kathleen headed away from them and Martha stared after her with exasperation, which mounted when she turned and found Josh laughing.

“It’s been a while since I was described as a ‘young thing’. She’s quite a character.”

No kidding.

“She really is.” Martha spoke through her teeth. “One of a kind.”

“She’s eighty? That’s quite something. She was telling me about your adventure.”

As long as that was all she’d told him. If she’d mentioned that Martha needed a rebound relationship Kathleen’s next adventure on Route 66 would be a dip in the Big Piney River. Forget Devil’s Elbow, it would be courtesy of Martha’s Elbow. In her ribs.

“Yes, it’s been a dream of hers to do Route 66. I applied for the job of driving her, so here we are. How about you?” She needed to fill the time until Kathleen came back, and she’d rather they talked about him than her.

“I—needed a change of scenery.” He drained a can of soda and tossed it into the bin, his aim perfect. “This seemed as good a way of getting it as any.”

Why had he needed a change of scenery? None of your business, Martha. She wasn’t interested, she really wasn’t. “You’ve come from Chicago?”

“Vermont. I was staying with friends.”

“You hitchhiked all that way? Isn’t that dangerous?”

He shrugged. “Not so far. Everyone has been friendly and helpful.”

“I suppose having muscles helps,” she said and then saw amusement in his eyes and her face grew hot. “I just meant that you probably don’t have to worry too much about—Oh never mind.”

Her mind was going in directions she didn’t want it to.

She was definitely going to kill Kathleen.

“How about you?” He leaned against the wall, as comfortable as she was uncomfortable. “How are you finding the driving?”

“It’s been great,” she lied. “A bit hair-raising in Chicago, but getting easier.”

“You have a nice set of wheels there, that’s for sure.” Josh nodded to the car and she was relieved that Kathleen had insisted on hiring a small, sporty car rather than a big SUV. There was no room for an additional passenger.

Finally Kathleen emerged and Martha decided this was her cue to end this exchange before something embarrassing happened.

“Safe travels, Josh.”

He held her gaze for a moment. “Perhaps we’ll meet again farther down the road.”