Don't Make Me Choose Between You and My Shoes by Dixie Cash Read Free Book Online Page A

“I’m fine. I’m fine. I was just catching a little beauty sleep. I’m okay, really. Are we taking off yet?”
    Debbie Sue eyed her anxiously, the hand of dread closing around her stomach. She hadn’t forgotten Edwina telling her how the airsickness medication affected her. “We’re just now getting to the airport, Ed. We should be at our gate soon. Buddy, are you going to park close to the terminal?”
    â€œThere’s no point in me parking at all. Vic and I aren’t allowed to go to the gate. We’ll let you off at the curbside check-in.”
    â€œWhat? Drop us off? You can’t come to the gate and wait with us? Why?”
    â€œBecause, darlin’,” Buddy said. “After nine-eleven, the airport stopped letting all but passengers past the security check-in.”
    â€œTell them you’re a state trooper, practically a Texas Ranger,” Debbie Sue begged. “They’ll let you in. I don’t want to tell you good-bye at the curb.”
    â€œI’m not going to ask them to break their security protocol,” Buddy said. “Besides, by the time they cleared my credentials, it would be time for you to board.”
    â€œDammit to hell,” Edwina said as she removed the top from a small plastic bottle. She bumped two pills into the palm of her hand and tossed them into her mouth. “Damn terrorists. They’ve screwed up everything.”
    â€œNow, Mama Doll,” Vic said, “promise me you won’t make any wisecracks or do and say anything that isn’t PC.”
    â€œPC. Humph. That’s all BS as far as I’m concerned. They can all FO, if you want my opinion.”
    Dear God , Debbie Sue prayed silently, please don’t let us end up on the ten-o’clock news, or worse yet, in Guantanamo Bay.
    Buddy took an exit, made a left turn and parked at the curb. Turning halfway around in his seat, he pulled Debbie Sue closer to him. “I’ll call you on your cell. We’ll talk until boarding time. It’ll be just like I’m there.”
    â€œNot exactly,” she said, nuzzling his neck. “I love you, Buddy. Will you miss me?”
    â€œOnly every other minute. I love you, too, Flash.” They kissed tenderly, and for a fleeting moment, Debbie Suethought of staying home. How could she survive for nearly a whole week without Buddy, even in New York City?
    Buddy climbed out of the Silverado, reached into the bed of the pickup and heaved pieces of luggage to the ground.
    Vic opened his door in the rear compartment of the extended-cab vehicle and took Edwina’s hand. She scooted from the leather seat, missed the side step and fell to the ground in a heap.
    Vic and Buddy rushed to her aide, but she waved them away.
    Ignoring her protest, Vic lifted her to her feet and dusted off her bottom.
    â€œI’m fine. I’m fine,” Edwina said. “I just missed the step. It’s these damned shoes.” She bent over and started collecting the contents of her purse, which were scattered about her.
    â€œMama Doll, promise me you won’t take any more of those pills,” Vic said in a low voice.
    â€œWhat pills?” Edwina asked, swaying slightly.
    â€œThe motion-sickness stuff.”
    â€œOh, hell, my motion-sickness pills. I need to take them now if they’re going to work.” She stuck her hand into her cavernous purse opening.
    â€œShit. Edwina, listen to me.” Vic’s deep voice of authority would have gotten anyone’s attention, but to Debbie Sue’s horror, it had no effect on Edwina. She leaned into him and smiled seductively.
    â€œHey, sailor. You finished brushing dirt off my ass? Or do you want to give it another go-round?”
    Debbie Sue eyed her dubiously. “Vic, is she going to be all right?”
    â€œShe’ll be fine once she gets on the plane. She just needs to sit down and she’ll go to sleep.” Vic took her by the