ROUTE: Wilmington, IL to Canton, MI: 280 miles
Wednesday May 13th, I was taking a load from the previous consignee to our yard in Canton, MI. The load was scheduled to be delivered to Hazel Park, MI. The delivery appointment was for the next morning but there was another load that needed to be picked up that evening. A Local Driver would take it the rest of the way which is just 30 miles from our terminal. When I dropped off my other load on Tuesday evening this one was not ready so I bobtailed to the truck stop across the street. I was in no hurry to start my day as I figured that the assignment I would get would deliver on Thursday morning at the earliest and I would spend the night at our terminal since I had to fuel anyway. I was unaware of the next load until I woke up on Wednesday.
I started my day just before noon with a Philly cheesesteak for breakfast, as that was my first meal of the day. Even though the facility is a drop-and-hook it always takes more time than expected. I left there at 2:00pm and drove five-and-half hours to our terminal. The temperature changes quickly this time of year. It was warm in Illinois when I started my day and quite cold in Michigan when I arrived in the early evening. I fueled after arriving, dropped the loaded trailer and picked up an empty one. The next assignment had to be piced up no later than 9:00pm and it was half an hour away from our terminal. I had to rush to make it but I managed, if just barely.
BOOK REVIEW: The Bodyguard by Katherine Center (2022), ROMANCE – RATING (*****)
An amusing heartwarming enemies-to-lovers romance novel with subtle messages about grief and self-esteem.
Hannah Brooks is the main character. She’s an elite bodyguard despite her 5’6″ size and plain demeanor. Her boyfriend dumped her after the funeral services for her mom. After spending a month at the home office doing paperwork she’s given an assignment to head the protection detail for a famous movie start that is from Houston, TX, where their company is based. Jack Stapleton was voted Sexiest Man Alive. She doesn’t want the assignment as she was expecting something in an exotic location and not happy babysitting such a high profile individual. To make matters worse she’s to pretend to be his girlfriend as not to upset his parents since his mom is to start chemo therapy for a cancer diagnosis. Jack has an estranged relationship with his older brother after a car accident in Jack’s Ferrari killed their younger brother. An accident that motivated Jack to put his Hollywood career on hold for the past two years while he hid in his Montana ranch. The studio is putting pressure on Jack to fulfill his contract to a sequel to his very successful last movie.
As the gig develops both Hannah and Jack discover much about themselves and each other. Hannah is grieving her mother and Jack his younger brother. There are a slew of other characters that add fun subplots stories. Jack’s Barbie type Hollywood actress girlfriend. Jack’s lovely parents and his older brother. Hannah’s work related colleagues, including her ex-boyfriend and best friend, that also work for the company. Jack’s harmless stalkers. The whole Hollywood scene that Jack is part of and his dashing good looks.
Very entertaining with fun twists and a tearjerker Hollywood happy ending.
