Excerpt

Prologue

Tears rolled down Wren's face and stained her pale pink graduation dress as she stood near the stage stairs and waited for her name to be called.

She angrily pulled her blue robe closed and jammed on her cap. Blake and I were supposed to move to Atlanta next week, find an apartment, and work together at the same company.

Wren swiped away the tears with the back of her hand. Blake Patterson is a shallow leech. I'm better off without him.

On the way home from the graduation ceremony, Mom said, "I'm sorry things didn't work out the way you'd planned, honey. You've been so heads-down for four years; why don't you take some time off?"

Wren nodded. "I need to do something completely different; you know, outside my safe, bookish cocoon."

Dad chuckled. "Have I got a deal for you, my brilliant daughter; but first, let's celebrate my favorite child graduating from college with highest honors."

Wren giggled. "Dad, I'm your only child."

"Of course, honey; that's because they broke the mold the moment you were born," Mom said.

***

At breakfast the next morning, Dad asked, "Did you mean it when you said you'd like to do something completely outside of textbooks and academia?"

Wren nodded and pointed at her mouth; she had taken a huge bite of her dad's famous blueberry pancakes.

After she had swallowed and dabbed the blueberry juice from her mouth, Wren said, "Absolutely; I'd love to do something new, and preferably outdoors."

Travis joined his daughter at the table; Carolina kissed his cheek then patted his shoulder as she refilled his cup.

Travis took Wren's hand. "I have a close friend whose daughter owns a food truck business. She's been attending events for almost four years and is the food truck chef. Her best friend drives the food truck and is the cashier. Susie travels in her pickup truck that is loaded with clothing, personal items, and sleeping bags because they prefer to stay in campground cabins to save money on lodging."

Carolina continued, "As sometimes happens, an attractive young man stepped in, and Susie's best friend eloped last week."

Travis nodded. "Susie needs a skilled driver to drive the food truck and manage sales as they travel to county fairs and other events; her first event of the new season is in one week."

Carolina added, "You could blog or even pitch some of the food truck magazines and write articles about your experience as a food truck vendor."

Wren furrowed her brow. "It sounds like an exciting series for articles, but I don't know how to drive a food truck."

Travis chuckled. "Of course you don't. Did I ever tell you how I put myself through college?"

"Only a million times." Wren smiled. "You were a truck driver every summer."

"You don't have to have a commercial driver's license to drive most food trucks, but by the time we're through, you'll be able to pass any practical driving test. What do you think?"

"That sounds great, but I should meet Susie first."

"Absolutely," Travis said. "I'll give Joe a call to see if he and Susie are available for lunch today."

"I have some ideas for articles." Wren polished off her pancake.

"I knew you would," Carolina said.

Wren spent the morning writing a pitch about a series of articles to send to food truck manufacturers and organizations.

Travis interrupted her a little before noon. "Ready to go?"

"Sure am." Wren grabbed her backpack.

As Travis backed out of the driveway, he said, "There is a weekend event at the local winery. We'll meet Susie and her dad there and grab some lunch at a food truck operated by an old friend of Joe's."

When Travis headed toward a middle-aged man with gray at his temples, Wren smiled at the tall young woman with her light brown hair pulled back into a single braid.

"Dad, that's Susan Bearden from high school. She was two years ahead of me."

After introductions, Susan said, "I remember you from high school, Wren. I loved reading the articles you wrote for the school paper."

Wren smiled. "I can't believe you remembered me. Of course, I remember you because you were our star softball player. I never missed a game."

Joe asked, "Ready for some good barbecue? Artie's been in the business for forty years and is the best there is. His grandson Hunter recently began working with him. Artie claims he's going to retire at the end of the season this year; I'll believe it when I see it."

"Mr. Artie is the reason I bought my food truck," Susan said as she and Wren strolled toward the food trucks. "My degree is in business management because I wanted to be a business owner. It's hard work, but I love learning. One thing I'd like to do is to rename my food truck. Its current name is Pedro's Tacos, and I can't tell you how many people want to tell Pedro how great his tacos are. You're a brilliant writer, so what would you name a food truck owned and operated by a young woman?"

Wren gazed at the vendor signs as they headed toward the food truck section. "If we use good ole Pedro as our inspiration, what do you think about Nacho Average Tacos?"

Susan burst out laughing. "That's absolutely perfect. So, do you know how to drive a food truck?"

"No, but my dad put himself through college driving trucks. He claims he can teach me to drive a food truck in two days."

"If you're interested, I'll loan you the food truck for two days while I schedule it for a new paint job on Monday." Susan chuckled. "Nacho Average Tacos; that is genius."