The Gardens of Digby Green: Avoca

Green’s mind apparently fixed on one direction: West.

Ray’s stomach disapproved of skipping breakfast, and he wasn’t seeing many opportunities to grab lunch. The upcoming road sign was the second he’d seen that listed the distance to Omaha. His leave was running out.

No, he couldn’t quit. Wouldn’t. He had to know if his Rose was alive when Digby Green left Rose’s Roses.

What would he do when he had the answer? Would it even be the truth? A shudder slid down his spine. He could think about that later.

The Chrysler’s gas gauge needle dropped below a quarter-tank. Ray tightened his jaw and chewed himself out for not topping up the tank in the middle of the night. He closed the distance on the next road sign, which featured the logo for a Pilot Travel Center. Avoca wasn’t far. How full was Green’s tank?

Digby made a growling sound in his throat.

The trucker ahead of him showed no sign of wanting to change lanes, and a rig with a cattle trailer had pulled just far enough beside his pickup to cut off Digby’s chance to try passing. He had places to go and addresses to find. His pace would slow unavoidably on the country back roads, so he didn’t need these hindrances, not when he was this close.

The driver ahead downshifted, releasing a cloud of dark exhaust, then activated his blinkers at the exit ramp. A towering sign, visible above the trailer roof, marked the Pilot Travel Center lot.

Digby followed. He could use a chance to stretch his legs.

Brake lights and blinkers glowed ahead. Ray glimpsed a tall business sign and kept a sharp eye on Green’s movements in the traffic lanes. Apparently, he wasn’t the only one who needed gasoline. As usual, drivers with rigs, and those with cars who chose to stop at the restaurant got different areas designated on the lot.

Digby Green proceeded to the gas pumps.

Ray chose a pump lane where he could see Green fill his tank, but hopefully wasn’t near enough to alert the man. His empty stomach snarled at him. Should he stick to the snack items he could grab before the cash register, or could he afford the restaurant wait time? Everything depended on what Digby did.

The Gardens of Digby Green: Avoca is an installment of a short story which posts on Fridays. You can find the first part and read from the beginning, here.

Find a link to purchase the Heartland Treasures anthology here.