They looked at each other and shrugged.
“Did either Kimi or Vi mention the urge to travel?” Carson asked.
“We get to several of Chase’s PBR events during the year. Don’t know if the boy will make it to Vegas this year. But besides that? Not really. Vi mentioned it’d be fun to take a family trip to Disney World with Quinn and Libby and the grandkids.”
“That’d be my idea of hell,” Carson grumbled. “God knows I love the grandkids, but there are so many of ’em we’d have to rent out the whole damn hotel.”
“Kimi is content to stay home,” Cal said. “Says she traveled enough after she graduated from the nunnery.”
“What about Carolyn?” Charlie asked.
“That’s the thing. I don’t know. We’ve never really talked about it. Like Kimi she’d rather stay home. But I wouldn’t mind hittin’ the open road and seeing some sights.”
Carson remembered that was the exact moment he decided to buy a RV. That way he and Carolyn could take off whenever they wanted and they’d still have the comforts of home.
In fact, he remembered thinking it was the most brilliant idea in the history of ideas. And since he was feeling more than a little smug, he decided he’d keep this fantastic idea to himself, lest one of his brothers take it and steal his thunder.
He’d make the purchase a surprise. He had a few months to research the best model. Next summer he’d just drive it on home. He couldn’t wait to see the look on her face.
But five months later, when Carson pulled up in front of the house and honked the horn, he hadn’t expected Carolyn’s expression to border on horror as she walked down the porch steps.
After hopping out the driver’s side door, he bounded up the sidewalk toward her. “Isn’t she a beaut?”
“What in…” She closed her eyes and inhaled slowly. He recognized the posture as Lord give me patience but he’d seen it directed at the kids, not at him.
Maybe she was just stunned he’d done something so thoughtful.
“Sugar, come on and see the inside. You’re gonna flip. It’s got everything.”
His ears must’ve been playing tricks on him because he swore he heard her mumble, “Including a maid?”
He pointed out the front area. “The seats are plush. Like sittin’ in my easy chair drivin’ down the road. And above us? We just slip a piece of padded wood across and it becomes an oversized bunk.” He led her to the kitchen. “I figured you’d love the full sized stove and oven. And the table folds down so it can be a living area or an extra bed.”
“Handy. I can make whoever is sleeping there breakfast in bed.”
“Exactly.” He paused. Wait a second. Was that…sarcasm?
Nah. He had to’ve misheard her.
“Down here you’ll find the bathroom.” He led her down the short hallway and pulled the folding door open. “With a corner shower it’s bigger than standard. Same with the toilet.” He gestured to the cabinet beside the door. “There’s a compact washing machine and dryer in there.”
She didn’t seem too impressed.
“Check this out.” Carson opened the door to the bedroom. “A king-sized bed. And look at all the storage.”
“For laundry, cleaning and cooking supplies no doubt.”
“No, I think it’s mostly closet space. But you can put whatever you want back here.” He perched on the edge of the bed and patted the mattress. “Shall we break it in?”