Chapter 39

It didn't take long to unload the car, and the most pressing thing to deal with then was finding a hot shower. We washed the days of desert camping away but instead of lingering in the rejuvenating water, our stomachs reminded us it had been way too long since our last meal. I cut my shower short and got into some comfy clothes before heading into the kitchen to try to figure out something for dinner.

With my head stuck in the fridge, I eyed the miserable selection in front of me: a couple of shallots, parsley which needed to be used soon, tomatoes at their ripest. Gabe promised to set the table if I could come up with a miracle and left to unpack our bags.

I moved to the pantry and found penne pasta and vodka. An idea stirred in my head, and I smiled, thinking of my father's favorite recipe-Penne alla Vodka, a perfect ending to our adventure.

Soon the kitchen was filled with mouthwatering aromas.