Kate had just pulled her Durango onto Hwy 290 after having another lovely breakfast with Zach at Sunset Grill. She was getting used to their routine. Even though he wanted her to stay over more, she thought they had found a nice balance with her visiting a few nights a week, then returning to her trailer in Spicewood. She relaxed back into her seat for the drive when her phone rang through the hands-free system and she saw Margaret’s name pop up on the console.
“Hello!” Kate said brightly.
“Are you sitting down?” Margaret asked.
“Well, in a way. I’m driving.”
“Good,” she charged on. “I have some big news for you. Big. We’re pushing up your launch date because there’s a major chain that wants your book in all of their stores nationally!”
Kate swallowed hard. “What? That’s amazing! Who?”
“Target. And that’s not all. They’re in the process of launching a new branding campaign with author events on site, and they want you as one of the first authors to kick it off.”
Kate could hardly believe it. “Seriously? That sounds great, but what exactly does that mean?”
“It means we’re busting our butts to get your book out in time so you can go on a national tour,” Margaret said.
“National tour?” Kate asked as she held the steering wheel a bit tighter.
“Yes. My team has it all organized. We’ll be sending you the calendar by the end of the day. You’ll start in two months.”
“Oh my gosh! That soon?” Kate buzzed with excitement.
Margaret was all business. “Now, normally we’d coordinate hotels and rental cars, but since you have your trailer, we can just give you a stipend to book RV spots if that’s okay with you?”
“Um, yes!” Kate was thrilled. She could hardly believe the good fortune. “Once I have the dates I can start lining it all up.”
“One more thing,” Margaret said before she finished. “The tour is going to last a year.”
“A year?” Kate was incredulous.
“Yes, I know that’s a long time, but Target insisted on a full year commitment in order to launch the new branding properly. Is that going to be a problem?”
Kate replied without thinking, “Yes. No. I mean, that should be fine.”
“Good. Then we’ll send you the details and contract by email and I’ll be in touch soon.”
Margaret hung up and Kate sat stunned in her seat. A year-long book tour? Target stores nationwide?
She was beyond excited. Getting paid to travel all over the country in her Airstream? It was unreal. Then, as she watched the Hill Country scenery move past, a heaviness hit her. What about Zach? Away from him for a full year? She shuddered a bit wondering how he would take this news. And, what about Lillie? She had moved there from the Pacific Northwest to have the baby in the Hill Country and be closer to Kate. She hated the thought of disappointing her sister, or missing out on any moments with Emma. Just as her family was coming together, she was going to leave?
Kate decided to wait on telling Zach until she was sure. She instinctively dialed her best friend for advice.
Caroline answered on the first ring. “Well, Howdy-do! What’s shakin’, bacon?”
“You’re never going to believe this,” Kate said, and then launched into the whole story.
“Oh, my lawd! Gurl, you have some luck!” Caroline drawled in fascination. “I take that back. It’s not luck because you deserve every bit of it.”
Kate laughed. “Thanks, Car. But it’s still pretty unbelievable. I’m just glad that my home is on wheels and I can take it with me!”
Caroline laughed with her. “Things happen for a reason.”
“Only thing, I’m worried about telling Zach,” Kate said.
“Really? Why?”
“He’s been hinting more and more about me staying with him in town, and even though I like our one to two nights a week sleepovers, I know he wants more.”
“Well, I suppose there’s only one way to find out, sugar,” Caroline tried to reassure her. “Just gotta rip that Band-Aid off and hope for the best.”
“And what about Lillie…” she trailed off.
“Lillie is a grown woman with a wonderful support system, thanks to you. I’m sure she’ll be right as rain.”
Kate sighed deeply. “They always say when one thing goes well in your life, something else has to give.”
“Speaking of…” Caroline trailed off with a dramatic pause. “You may have a visitor soon.”
“What? Who?” Kate asked.
“Yours truly, of course,” Caroline said, but her voice was no longer sing-song.
“What’s going on, Car?”
“I’ll explain when I get there. But I need to come visit for a week or so. Do you think you could help me find a place to stay? Maybe the adorable trailer that Lillie stayed in at your park?” Caroline asked hopefully.
“Of course! I’ll see about it as soon as I get back. When are you coming?” Kate asked.
“Next week?” Caroline said, quickly adding, “I know it’s short notice, but I could use some time with my dear friend.”
“You’re welcome anytime, Car. I hope you are okay?” Kate ventured.
“Oh, I will be. You’ll see. Can’t keep a Southern woman down for long,” Caroline said. “I’ve got to run, but just let me know about the rental. I can give you my credit card if you need.”
“No worries. I’ll handle it and text you once I have it confirmed,” Kate said.
They hung up and Kate didn’t know what to feel. The excitement about her book tour took a backseat to her worry for her friend. She’d never known Caroline to be so muted. There was a heaviness in her voice that alarmed her and made her wonder what had happened.
* * *
It was after midnight, and Kate had been tossing and turning in bed, unable to get to sleep. The excitement of the book tour opportunity, and the dread of telling Zach and Lillie, kept her mind buzzing. She finally gave up and got out of bed to sit at her dinette. Her shades were drawn closed, and when she flicked the microwave light on, the warm glow made the space feel even more cozy.
She looked at her phone and decided to try to call Lillie. It would be early morning in France, but she knew her sister liked to wake up to the sunrise. She couldn’t wait any longer and pressed the button on the phone, listening for a long moment before she heard the first ring.
“Sis?” Lillie’s soft voice answered.
“I hope I didn’t wake you?” Kate fingered the frayed edge of a placemat.
“No, I’m out on the patio having my quiet time before Emma wakes up. Are you ok?”
Kate took a deep breath. “Yes, but I have some news, and I just couldn’t wait to share with you.”
“Is it about your book?” Lillie asked.
“Yes. They want me to do a national book tour at Target stores!” Kate could hardly contain her excitement.
“Oh! That’s fantastic! I’m so happy for you!” Lillie said.
“But, there’s a catch,” Kate continued. “That’s why I’m calling.”
“Okay…”
“It’s a year-long tour that starts in a few months.” Kate stated.
“A whole year? Wow… that’s a long time.” Lillie said.
“Yes, and I’m a bit conflicted about leaving you and Emma for that long,” she finished.
“Sis, you don’t need to worry about us. I have Paul, and we have our friends and community that we’ve built up in the Hill Country,” Lillie’s voice was tender. “I appreciate your concern, but you should definitely take this opportunity. Honestly, it’s like you were preparing for it by living in an RV already.”
Kate breathed out relief. “I’m so glad you understand. I didn’t want you to think I was just abandoning you after you moved down here.”
“I know that’s not the case, and I also know that your talent shouldn’t be confined to one place. This is an incredible opportunity for you to share your books with a wider audience, and I love this for you!” Lillie gushed. “Tell me more!”
Kate opened up her laptop to the email from Margaret, and filled her sister in on the itinerary, cities she’d visit, and the preliminary logistics. Then, she opened up the contract.
“So, I guess I’ll sign the contract…” she trailed off.
“Do it. I’m so proud of you!” Lillie said before they hung up.
Kate felt relief and excitement as she read through the contract. She created her electronic signature and clicked through all the boxes until she reached the last one. With a quick prayer, she clicked finish.