some of my dad. I miss him so much.”
“I’m flattered. I think of you as a daughter.”
They lay there watching the movie for a little while longer when Andrew spoke. “How long until you start speaking to Tyler again?”
She snorted. “A while. At least until dinner.”
“Understood.”
* * * *
They made it to Wall, South Dakota, without further incident. Tom found them a place to park. Nevvie was happy that Tyler volunteered to take the kids through the Wall Drug compound into the center courtyard where the fountain and other child distractions were located. It allowed her some peaceful time with Tom and Andrew. They would all meet up in an hour to eat, so Nevvie could enjoy child-free browsing time as the three of them wandered the various sections of the large establishment.
Andrew leaned in close to Nevvie. “Mind if I ask you a question?”
“Sure, shoot.”
He nodded toward a large group of men and women in motorcycle gear. “I’ve noticed a rather large number of motorcycle riders around. Are we sure this is a safe place to be?”
Nevvie hadn’t noticed, but now that Andrew had brought it to her attention, she looked around. She wasn’t concerned, although she could understand why Andrew might feel nervous since he had little experience around bikers. Most of the bikers were her age or older, not exactly criminal elements.
“Sturgis,” Tom said with a smile.
“It’s too early for Sturgis,” Nevvie countered.
He shrugged. “Probably another bike meet. Maybe a rally or something.”
“Oh,” Nevvie said. “Ooh! We’ll drive right by there, won’t we? I wish we had the bike. Can we stop in Sturgis and sightsee?” Then she smiled at the confusion on Andrew’s face. “Sturgis is like Mecca for bikers. There’s even a huge bike festival held out here every year. Don’t worry, Dad. Most of the people you see are like Tommy and me. Nothing to be scared of.”
“Unless they ride a bike like Tyler does,” Tom snarked.
Nevvie laughed and gently swatted him. “Be nice. Hey, give him credit for trying and getting his license.”
“Oh, I give him credit for not killing himself or you in the process, baby girl. Believe me.”
Nevvie picked up several books on the Badlands, Black Hills, and surrounding area. Tyler’s plans included spending several days in a Rapid City RV park, and using the Pilot to explore before they continued on to Yellowstone. Tom made several trips to the RV and back to ferry her purchases.
Adam came running up while she was perusing a jewelry display. “Mommy! Look what Daddy got me!”
He held up a mounted jackalope head. Tyler walked up to her, looking sheepish, with Mikey in his arms. “He fell in love with it, darling. I couldn’t resist.”
The fake animal, a legendary cross between a jack rabbit and an antelope, creeped her out. She didn’t mind the stuffed animal versions, but this one, apparently created from either a real or realistic-looking rabbit’s head and deer antlers, unsettled her.
“Um, okay.”
Tom had just returned from another trip to the RV. “I just—holy crud, what the heck is that?”
“Look, Tommy,” Nevvie said, struggling to keep her voice steady. “Tyler bought Adam a jackalope head.”
“Do you like it, Poppa?” Adam asked.
Tom tried, and failed, to contain his laughter. “Let’s go take it to the RV, sport.” He reached for another bag Tyler carried. “Boy,” he said low enough Adam couldn’t hear him, but Nevvie did. “You just don’t know how to stay out of the doghouse, do you?”
Nevvie rolled her eyes. “No, he doesn’t.” She reached for Mikey, then immediately passed him over to Tom while making a face. “Oh, wow. Please change him while you’re at it.”
“That’s where we were headed,” Tyler explained.
Tom grinned. “I’ll do it, Ty. You stay here and suck up to her.”
“I’ll go with you and help,” Andrew volunteered, taking the shopping bag from Tom.
“Let’s
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