She gave me a shrug and handed me her keys as if she surrendered. “You try, maybe it will start for you.”
I got in and tried to start it, hearing the click, but seeing that the lights were all working. “I think you’re going to need a new starter.”
“Dammit.” She leaned against the car as if all the life had been drained out of her. “When it rains it pours.”
“I know what you mean, but hey, let’s go over to my shop. I’ll try see if I can find you the part.”
“You work on cars too?” She gave me a sideways glance.
“Not usually, but I know my way around one. I’ve also got a few connections so maybe I can find you the part you need. Let’s go on over and see.” I turned to lead her to the shop and she grabbed her bag out of her car and then locked her doors. I chuckled. “It’s not going anywhere.”
She pulled her lips in tight as if she were trying hard not to laugh. “Guess not.” She let out another long breath and followed me across the lot to my shop. “I don’t think I’ll ever get ahead. At least business was good. Maybe I made enough to buy this starter thingy.”
We went inside to see that Monk had not only finished my client’s work, but it looked like he’d gotten his done as well. Good man. She followed me to the office, stopping to admire the bikes with a slack-jawed expression. “You build bikes from scratch?”
I waved her in and went to my desk. “Sometimes I do. Have a seat.” I grabbed my phone book and called up a friend of mine. He answered and put me on hold.
“How much is a part like that anyway?” She had that worried look on her face again and I knew how she felt. I’d had rough times with money myself. I worked my ass off to build a reputation for my repair shop and now it was referred to as the best bike shop in town.
My inspiration was always Tani. I never wanted to worry about providing for her. My dream was to build a home, in a peaceful neighborhood for us to make beautiful memories in - and that was exactly what I did.
Money was now the least of my worries. Yet in this moment, I’d trade yesterday’s financial troubles for the dread of losing my baby girl, in a heartbeat.
“I’m going to try and pull some strings for you.” I said to Sarah. Her eyes widened. “I’m good friends with this guy and he owes me a favor.”
She shook her head. “I appreciate it, really, but you don’t have to do that.” I held up my hand as my buddy got back on the phone and we had the deal done for a new starter before she could mouth another word of protest.
I hung up the phone. “You’re all set. The part will be here tomorrow, though, so looks like you’re at my mercy. How about a drink and then I’ll take you home?” She gave me a suspicious glance that told me she wasn’t sure. “Come on, Sarah, it’s been a rough day for me too and I don’t know about you, but I could use a drink right now.”
She seemed surprised by my admission, her eyes widened and her faxed relaxed into a more sympathetic expression. “I’d like that, and thanks again. Maybe someday I could return the favor.”
“No problem. I’m glad to help.” As we left the shop to head out to my truck I thought of a million ways I’d like her to help me, and wondered if she’d go for any one of them.
CHAPTER FIVE - SARAH
It’s just a drink.
I hoped if I kept telling myself that I’d believe it, but truth was I was curious to see what made Hunter Miller tick. He’d been so generous with helping me with my oven door and now the free car part. He seemed too good to be true. I guess a part of me was hoping to uncover the jerk he was hiding inside, so I could prove myself right.
He took me out near the lake area across the dam to a small bar called The Overlook Bar and Grill. “This place has great steaks, so if you’re hungry I’d like to buy you dinner.”
So much for just a drink, but as my stomach growled daring me to refuse I nodded. “Sounds good, but we’re splitting the check.”
We went inside and found a nice quiet table in the back and I realized why The Overlook had its name. The view from the window showed the gorgeous view of the treetops hundreds of feet below on the dry side of the dam.
“It’s beautiful out there.” I glanced around the room and thought that the restaurant was pretty nice for something you’d find in a small lake-area town.
“It’s Tani’s favorite, and the owners are nice people.”
Tani? I should have known the man had someone in his life, and before I could apathetically ask who she was, the waitress came up to take our order.
“Hey there, Hunter. You want your usual?” The waitress, who seemed like a nice enough girl was all smiles for him.
“Yeah, I do.” Hunter turned to me. “This is my friend Sarah. She owns the new bakery up town.” The waitress gave me a polite nod as Hunter asked me how I liked my steak.
“Well done, please.”
I let him rattle off an order and called out my drink request, all the while still wondering who Tani was and if she wore his ring. Surely didn’t give off the married vibe.