A Bridge to Dreams Read Free Page A

past couple of years.”
    He scowled. It was worse than he thought. “I see,” he muttered.
    â€œI doubt it, unless you’ve had a ’68 VW recently.”
    â€œGood heavens.” With understanding, there came an astonishing sense of relief.
    â€œExactly. I’d hoped to keep it alive one more year, just until I had a chance to take this one little vacation.” She gazed at him wistfully. “Was that so much to ask?”
    â€œIt was a lot to ask of a ’68 VW. Why was the vacation so important to you?”
    â€œI’d never taken one.”
    He regarded her disbelievingly. “You mean to Hawaii?”
    â€œI mean ever, to anywhere. I am twenty-six years old and I have never been south of San Francisco. North, eastor west, either, for that matter. With seven kids in the family, we’re doing good to get everyone together on Sundays for church. We went on a picnic once. It rained.”
    â€œBut you just said you’re twenty-six. Surely you’ve been on your own for a few years now.”
    â€œI have never been on my own, not the way you mean. I am the baby in the family. I have six older brothers who regard the idea of my being out after dark as worrisome at best. When I finally got through school and started earning enough to get my own apartment, they took turns standing guard at night until I threatened to call the cops on them. Now they just keep calling until I get in. Heaven knows what they’d do if I ever…” Her voice trailed off in obvious embarrassment. “Well, you know.”
    He chuckled. “I certainly do. I think I understand why you wanted to get away.”
    â€œDon’t be mistaken. They’re really great brothers. I just wish they all had a couple of dozen kids of their own so they’d leave me alone.”
    â€œYou’re very loyal.”
    â€œYeah, that’s what I told Ruby.” Suddenly she blushed. He loved it. “You must think I’m an idiot talking about my car as though it were a person.”
    Actually, Brad liked that about her, too. Things obviously mattered deeply to her—cars, as well as people. It beat the shallowness he usually encountered all to hell. He leaned toward her. “Mine’s Ralph,” he whispered confidentially. “Of course, I don’t dare call him that in public. I’d be laughed off the racing circuit.”
    â€œThen those aren’t just publicity photos on the wall. You actually do race that car?”
    â€œI did up until a few months ago.”
    â€œYou quit?”
    â€œMore or less. My father had a heart attack. The doctors told him to lighten up his workload or die within the year. We have ten of these dealerships around the state. So, here I am, making my monthly pilgrimage. Between paperwork, problem solving and trying to keep my father from sneaking into his office, there’s not a lot of time left for entering Grand Prix events.”
    â€œYou’re very loyal, too. It must have been hard to give up something you obviously loved.”
    â€œI did it grudgingly, sort of the way you bought that car.”
    â€œBut you did it, just the same. I think what you did is very noble. I never gave up anything.”
    â€œExcept Hawaii.”
    â€œThat wasn’t noble,” she said ruefully. “That was a necessity and I did it kicking and screaming all the way. If I could have managed without a car, I would have.”
    Brad had a sudden inspiration. “When’s your vacation?” he asked.
    â€œThere is no vacation.”
    â€œI mean the dates. Have you told your boss you’re not taking off?”
    â€œNot yet. I think it’s called denial.”
    â€œThen don’t tell him. You’re going to have your vacation.”
    â€œBut I can’t afford to go anywhere.”
    â€œYou can take a vacation right here.”
    â€œThis isn’t a vacation. This is home. I don’t want to waste