Robin Lee Hatcher | Sweet Dreams Drive

Sweet Dreams Drive
Hart's Crossing #4

A devout life does bring wealth, but it’s the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that’s enough. — 1Tim. 6:6-8 (The Message)

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Al and Patti Bedford are the new parents of twins, which means they are severely sleep deprived, in debt up to their ears, and feeling very stressed out. Like so many other young couples, Al and Patti have gotten in over their heads financially while pursuing the great American Dream and the good life. With the arrival of their twins and all the new responsibility that entails, the cracks that have been below the surface in their marriage start to come to light. Was this what they signed up for when they got married? Neither one of them is sure.

Meet Amy from Sweet Dreams Drive

(Amy & Robin meet for lunch)

A special thanks to Kris and Susan L., high bidders for the “featured character” prize in the February 2006 “Under Construction” fundraiser on behalf of Cole Valley Christian Schools, Meridian, Idaho. They chose to have a Sweet Dreams Drive character named for their daughter, Amy.

A student at Cole Valley Christian School, Amy is a good big sister to Beth and enjoys figure skating, dancing, fishing, reading, and singing. She is very creative and one day may write a novel of her own.

Amy, I loved meeting you and your parents. I hope you enjoy seeing your name in print.

"This final novella in the Hart's Crossing series is as heartwarming as the first book was. Hatcher evoked some long forgotten emotions. Emotions from when I was like Patti—young and newly married and stressed out with the new baby. Patti and Al dance a hormonal waltz, until a purchase Patti makes brings it all to the surface. Poignant and endearing, Sweet Dreams Drive is highly recommended." — Novel Reviews

"I really don't care much for novellas...not much bang for your buck. But I have to say that I adore the Hart's Crossing series by Robin Lee Hatcher...and each story is adorable." — Deliciously Clean Reads

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Prologue

The sanctuary of the Hart’s Crossing Community Church was draped with blue satin and white netting. Candles flickered in candelabras. Soft music from the organ drifted to the rafters as guests were ushered down the aisle.

As a friend of the bride, Patti Sinclair sat on the left side of the church, although in a town this size, it didn’t matter. Everybody pretty much knew everybody. Patti hadn’t lived in Hart’s Crossing in seven years, but she had no trouble picking out familiar faces among the guests.

Close to the front sat Till Hart, the unofficial grandmother of the town. Hart’s Crossing was named for one of her ancestors. Miss Hart had the sweetest smile and kindest eyes of anyone Patti knew.

Next to Till sat Francine Hunter, Chuck and Steph Watson, and Ethel Jacobsen. The four women were all part of a group of quilters. What did they call themselves? The Huckleberries? No, that wasn’t it. She smiled as the name came to her. The Thimbleberries. The Thimbleberry Quilting Club.

Amazing that she could remember it all these years later.

One row behind the quilters were Nancy and Harry Raney. Who could forget the owners of the Over the Rainbow Diner? That was the place to hang out when she was a teenager. The only place.

She saw Police Chief Coble a couple rows further back. Who was that blonde beside him? Could that be his daughter? The last time Patti saw her, Cassandra had been a gawky kid in middle school. No more.

The music changed. Patti looked over her shoulder to see the mother of the bride being escorted down the aisle. Patti’s gaze shifted to the usher. The church went silent, and the world shifted on its axis.

The ceremony was half over before Patti fully recovered.
The wedding reception was held outdoors at Hart’s Crossing’s golf course. Patti congratulated the bride—Olivia, her best friend in elementary school—and the groom before moving to the refreshment table, where she was handed a cup of punch.

“Patti Sinclair. Is that you?”

She turned to see another familiar face.

“I’m Eric Bedford. Remember me?”

“Of course. You played the drums in the middle school band one year. That was the year Toby Kasner broke your nose with a drumstick.”

“Ouch.” He touched the bridge of his nose. “I’d almost forgotten.”

“I’ll never forget. Blood gushed everywhere. It was like a war zone.”

He laughed, then asked, “So where are you living now?”

“Nampa. How about you?”

“Right here. The old Bedford roots go pretty deep. Dad’s still farming. My brother got his degree and is teaching school here.” His eyebrows raised. “Speak of the devil. Hey, Al. Come over here.”

Patti turned her head, ready to greet Eric’s brother, and the earth tilted for the second time that day. That golden hair. Those green eyes. That crooked smile. Those broad shoulders.

“Al, this is Patti Sinclair. She used to live in Hart’s Crossing. Did you two ever meet?”

“Not sure. Maybe.” Al held out his hand. “Nice to see you again, Patti.”

If they’d met before, Patti would remember. Either that or Al Bedford had changed a lot in the past seven years.

Eric said, “She’s living in Nampa.”

“Do you like it there?”

She nodded, tongue-tied and breathless.

“Care to sit down?” Al asked.

“That would be nice.” Hopefully she could walk on her rubbery legs.

She didn’t know what happened to Eric. By the time she and Al reached one of the white plastic tables placed under a large canopy, Al’s younger brother was no longer around. Just as well, since the table Al chose had only two chairs. He held one for her.

So he was a gentleman as well as handsome. When was the last time she’d stumbled upon that combination?

“What do you do in Nampa?” Al sat in the other chair.

“I’m an editor at a small publishing house. I was hired part time while in college, and they offered me a full-time position after I graduated.”

“Do you like it?”

“Yes.” The way he watched her made her insides go all aflutter. She lowered her gaze to her hands. “Eric says you’re a teacher. What subject?”

“Everything. I teach sixth graders at the elementary school.”

His answer surprised her. For some reason, she’d expected him to say history or algebra or some other class taught at the high school level.

She asked another question. He answered and asked his own.

Patti shared about her mom’s divorce when she was in middle school. Al shared about the recent death of his grandfather, a farmer like his dad. She shared about her move to Boise at the age of sixteen and how difficult it had been to feel comfortable with city life, though she loved it now. He shared how eager he’d been to finish college and get his teaching certificate so he could return to Hart’s Crossing. She shared her love of books and the theater. He shared his passion for golf and basketball. She mentioned her cat. He told funny stories about his dog.

And in the midst of it all, there came a moment when Patti knew that Al Bedford was destined to be part of her future. At least she hoped so with all her heart.