Page 102

As we were leaving, I whispered to her, “Bring your spoon.”

“Right. My spoon.”

Welcome Center. Oklahoma/Texas line.

We stopped for a few minutes at the welcome center when we got to Texas and Tammy wanted me to take her picture in front of the sign.

“I never thought I’d make it all the way to Texas, Travis. Can’t believe today is the day we’ve been waiting for.”

“Yep, I’m hyped for it too.”

We took the dogs for a run in the designated area and gave Outlaw extra hay to keep him amused for a few more miles. He’d be out of the trailer by tonight and in his own stall at our new home. Not our forever home, but one that would do until a better one came along.

Amarillo. Texas.

We stopped for lunch in Amarillo, and after we ate at Taco Bell, I pulled into a Harley Dealership that was on that same strip of businesses and led Tammy to the ladies’ clothing section.

“What am I getting, Travis?”

“Try on the leather jackets. You probably take a small size.”

A female salesperson wandered over to help us and Tammy pointed at me.

“Let her try on black jeans, one of the leather jackets, a pair of boots and a purse she likes with outside access. I’ll get her some t-shirts while y’all are doing that.”

The salesperson wearing a Harley t-shirt smiled and said, “Sure. I’m happy to help her. Is she your daughter?”

I nodded to avoid explaining.

I picked out a half dozen Harley tops in Tammy’s size, and as soon as she’d tried on the jeans and established what size fit her properly, I added another pair of black jeans and two pairs of denim. She had no clothes and I wanted her to look good for my own purposes as well as to boost her self-esteem.

“How do you like this jacket?” she asked me. She’d picked one with a lot of zippers and some studding.

I smiled. “That the one you like?”

She nodded.

“Yep, get that. Did you try on the boots?”

“I like these and they’re comfortable.” She pointed to a pair next to her chair.

“Get them. I got you some shirts, so just pick out a couple of bandanas and a purse with outside access and we’ll check out.”

“I don’t know what you mean about the purse, Travis.”

I wandered over to the purses, picked one up and showed her what I meant. “See this opening?”

Tammy nodded.

“The purse is made this way so you can grab your gun without opening your purse and fishing around inside.”

Tammy smiled. “Am I getting my own gun?”

“You are. Pick a purse you like and bring it to the checkout.”

She ran her hand over the leather of a couple of them and picked a black one with studs and a zipper that matched her jacket and boots.

I paid for everything at the cash and carried one of the bags. Tammy carried the other two. “Why do I need so many clothes, Travis?” she whispered to me on the way to the truck.