Dixie Cash (aka sisters Pam'la Cumbie and Jeffery McClanahan) has written her third Domestic Equalizers novel, I Gave You My Heart, But You Sold It Online
(Morrow, $21.95, 0060829710), which is just out. In the book, the
Equalizers--Salt Lick, Tex., beauty shop owners Debbie Sue Overstreet
and Edwina Perkins-Martin--try to solve a mystery involving a rodeo
superstar whose ex-girlfriend is running up a tab on his credit card, a
Texas Ranger and "the murky world of Internet dating and mating." Cash
has just begun touring and here Pam'la offers the first entries in an
ongoing journal:Friday, October 27
Dear Diary,
The day started with eager anticipation. We were going to be on the road by 10 a.m., arriving in Houston by 2 p.m.
As luck would have it, we had none at all. We didn't pull out of Arlington until 11:30 a.m. This would put us arriving in Houston at 3:30 p.m.
There are at least three things you should avoid in life:
1. When someone says, "taste this milk and tell me if it's sour," don't do it.
2. When a tornado is on the ground and coming in your direction, don't step outside to confirm this.
3. Never, but never arrive in Houston, on a Friday after 3 p.m.
I live in a large city, I've been to larger cities, but I was not prepared for the number of cars we encountered. Bumper to bumper; eight lanes, all going in one direction.
We didn't arrive at the hotel until 5 p.m., and we were due at the book signing at 5:30 p.m., clearly we weren't going to make it. We checked in, changed clothes and we were gone again.
After several desperate calls to Murder by the Book, near side swiping lane changes, we pulled up at 6:40 p.m.
That's when our luck changed. A room full of Dixie Cash fans had waited, and the staff couldn't be more understanding and kind.
The evening would have to be called a success and we even got back to the hotel in just under 15 minutes.
Who's put off by driving on Houston's Loop 610? Not I . . . but I'm not doing it again.
Saturday, October 28
Dear Diary;
Saturday morning, like General George Patton calling his troops to march, I called Jeffery at 6 a.m. and asked if she were awake, "I am now" came her sleepy reply.
"Good, get up, get ready, we're kicking this day in the ass."
We left Houston like we owned it and headed for the familiar territory of the Metroplex.
The next signing was at 5:30 p.m. We arrived home in plenty of time to rest, nap and watch movies.
The staff at Borders was so friendly and made us feel right at home. We had at least a dozen readers waiting for us and the end result: we signed lots of books!
Sunday, October 29
Dear Diary,
Today is really busy. We have an appearance at Barnes & Noble in Ft. Worth at 3 p.m. and a TV appearance at 7 p.m. at a Ft. Worth station.
The numbers of readers present was staggering. Clearly the most we had encountered.
When we finished speaking, a woman approached me whom I hadn't seen since graduating from Snyder High School. Behind her was a woman I hadn't seen since junior high in Andrews.
You just never know who is going to walk up and what surprise they hold.
I'm still wanting for the old boyfriend to step up, presenting himself on one knee, declaring that letting me go was the biggest mistake he ever made.
It'll happen and I'll throw my head back in laughter and say, "Do you have a card you can give me with your phone number?"
I'm supposed to be funny, not smart.
The TV gig was over in two minutes, literally. It took me longer to connect my mike. But hey, TV is TV, getting your name out there is what matters. Right?
Next week we head out for Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Diary, I'll let you know what happens.