Peanut butter for two, a date and a award

Before we read about where Wade is taking Vivi, I have someone to thank.

My dear buddy Marie gave me this lovely Friends award yesterday. Now, this is how good of a friend Marie is. Her post yesterday was about her lovely illustrations being rejected by card companies, and she spent a great deal talking about her lovely friends she was awarding. As someone had been rejected by dozens of publishing companies, I know how it can gut your soul and make you feel like you've been ripped to shreds. Marie has been my strongest supporter and encourager, and is a large part behind my book that is being published this weekend. Without her, I'd probably still be churning out book after book to get rejection after rejection.

Since I can't give her the award, I'll pass it on to these delightful Invisible Friends:

1) Grace
2) Bunny
3) Jen
4) Michelle
5) Cathy

I like ya'll. :)



Speaking of liking folks, the Fuzzy Duck and Rubber Chicken have gone on their second date!

Go here to read this fowl love story in the making!

And now, for Vivi and Wade.....
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Vivi's eyes flew open as the truck lurched to a stop. She blinked, trying to peel her dry tongue from off her lip. Curled up in the sun, she was so warm and.... Gasping, she shoved herself off Wade's shoulder and stared in horror at his shirt.

"Oh my God," she moaned, clapping her hands on her face. She wiped her mouth and flipped down the visor. Clicking open the mirror, she shrieked. "Oh my God!"

"Have a nice nap?" Wade stifled a laugh as he clicked off the engine.

Vivi refused to look at him. "I drooled on your shirt. I fell asleep on your shoulder and drooled on your shirt. Oh. My. God."

"It was cute." Wade's grin was brighter than the sun reflecting off the mirror.

"My mascara is smeared, my breath tastes terrible and my hair is disgusting," Vivi whined. Her stomach growled and she whimpered. "And now I sound like a truck engine. Why do you like me?"

Bursting into laughter, Wade slid out of the truck door. Vivi continued to stare at her mussed reflection, mentally going through her dance bag as she tried to remember if she had anything to repair the damage. Before she could check, Wade pulled the door open.

"Come on, Wimpy," he teased. "How can you be so tough on the dance floor and so fragile now?"

Vivi responded with her iciest glare. Wade snorted as he helped her down from the cab. Taking a deep breath of the warm air, Vivi clutched her stomach as it roared.

"Can we get something to eat?" she asked. Her head felt light and her stomach felt like it had been drained. "I'm really hungry."

"It's on the itinerary," Wade said. "Come on."

"Come where?" Vivi asked. She blinked, glancing around at the trees and brush that surrounded them at the bottom of the hill. A red shed peeked out from up on the hill, the other mark of civilization around the rocks and cactus.

"Do you have any jeans?" Wade asked, eyeing her tights and tennis shoes. "I don't want you to tear up your dance clothes."

Her eyebrows knitted together. Watching him suspiciously, Vivi pulled her jeans out of her dance bag and slid them over her tights and leotard.

"What are we doing?" she asked, narrowing her eyes as he flushed.

"It's a surprise," he said. Taking her hand, he pulled her up the hill. "Come on."

They had only gone a few steps when Vivi decided she hated grass.

They were almost to the top by the time she decided she hated the outdoors.

By the time they reached the shed, Vivi hated anything that didn't look like lunch. Panting, she glared at Wade. "I'm hungry and you take me hiking? What is that about?"

"Well, we had to get to the horses and the road's still washed out from the rain a month ago," Wade explained. "This was the quickest way."

Vivi felt her stomach drop. "Horses?" She turned to see a tall dark mare and painted stallion behind her, twitching his black tail as he snorted. "Horses," she repeated. "We've got horses."

Wade grinned and ducked into a side room. After some rustling, he came back with a bag over his shoulder. "How many times have you ridden a horse?" he asked.

"Zero," Vivi replied.

Wade nodded. He set his bag on the ground and pulled a saddle off a wooden stand. After brushing down the horse and shaking out the blankets, the painted stallion stood saddled and bridled. Wade tied the bag to the back of the saddle and reached for Vivi's hand. Pulling her over to the horse, he showed her how to climb up and hold the reins. Vivi sat stiff in the saddle, staring at the horse's main as if he might buck any minute.

"Does he bite?" she asked, watching the horse's yellow teeth roll around the bridle.

Wade chuckled and swung on behind her. Reaching around her, he slapped the bridle against the horses neck. "Ya!" he yelled. It was all Vivi could do not to scream as the horse sauntered out of the barn in a lazy trot. Clutching onto the saddle horn for dear life, she tried to keep her hysterical giggles at bay as they flew over brush and past scrub trees. After a few minutes, they reached a small clearing in the shade. Wade climbed off and pulled her down. Pulling the bag off the saddle, he unrolled a towel from a leather strap.

"Hungry, darling?" he asked. Wade spread the towel on the ground and tied the horse to a stump. Unzipping the bag, he pulled out the most glorious thing Vivi had ever seen in her life. Two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, Cheetos, oatmeal raisin cookies and a bottle of water.

"Oh Wade," she sighed, collapsing on the towel. "It's perfect. I love it." She held her hand out for her food, licking her lips greedily.

Wade handed her a sandwich and grinned. "I thought you would." Vivi tore into her sandwich, chewing with rapture as the peanut butter slid down his throat. Wade took a nervous swig of his water. His blue eyes met Vivi's.

"Can I ask you something?"

To be continued....

Stay tuned, Invisible Friends! This weekend is the release of my Christmas book and a new Kitchen Magic! Check in to see what's going on!