Their Blue-Collar Girl (The American Soldier Collection 4)

“I started out working pumping gas when I was fourteen then watched the mechanics do oil changes, brake pads, and eventually full engine repairs. One of the guys, Johnny, Sheriff Morgan’s cousin, worked on classic cars on the weekend for some big shot in the city. I used to hang out with the mechanic, and I guess I had a knack for it. By sixteen I was working as a mechanic and helping Johnny fix up these classic cars. I knew someday I’d have one.” He headed onto the highway.

“My dad had a cousin they called ‘Fast Freddie.’ He was a nut, a real crazy guy,” Lori told Charlie laughing. “He was always getting pulled over by the police, sustaining injuries from crazy stunts he did. I could tell you some stories about him. Anyway he owned a 1970 Plymouth 440 Barracuda.”

“Wow. Those are nice, do you know if it was a 6-cylinder or what?”

“Originally it was but that wasn’t good enough for ‘Fast Freddie.’ He did an extensive, full-body, rotisserie restoration and turned it into a 440 Big Block with a four-speed pistol grip. It was a gorgeous deep yellow color.”

“It must have been a beauty. You sound like you actually like this kind of stuff.”

“I do, I’ve always found it interesting. I was around it enough and I know from watching that it’s not easy work to do. Plus the closer you keep the vehicle to its original condition the better it is. Restoring vehicles is an awesome hobby. You should be proud of yourself for having this truck.”

“I am and I’m glad you like it and can appreciate my work.” He smiled at her. She just kept amazing him the more they got to know one another. Conversing with her was getting easy, despite that little tug on his gut forewarning him to be careful.

Charlie was enjoying the ride to Casper’s and Lori smelled wonderful. The fragrance was jasmine. He was sure of it, but it was light and clean smelling, not pungent.

“Ben was right. You do smell good.”

“Thank you, I’m glad you like it,” she told him then looked back out the window. Charlie was realizing more and more how wrong he was about Lori. She was shy, very ladylike, and proper as she sat in the passenger seat with her legs together, ankles crossed, and her hands atop one another on her lap.

“Ben’s a great kid. My brother Andrew said all his son Andy does is talk about Ben. They get along well, and if Maggie sends him to the same school, they’ll probably be in the same class.”

“That’s what Ben was telling Maggie and I. He likes your nephew Andy a lot, too. I’m glad to see him so happy.”

“Your dad said the three of you were traveling a lot, where did you go?”

Charlie noticed Lori hesitate and start fiddling with her fingers. He had no idea why she was so secretive and now he was curious.

“We were all over the United States, but I’ll tell you this much. I’m glad I’m back home with my parents and my mom’s cooking. She’s a great cook, you know? How about your mom? Does she cook all the time?” Lori asked. He got the hint that she wanted to change the subject. So he followed her lead.

“Yes, she cooks all the time. She taught me a lot about cooking. Maybe I’ll make you dinner sometime,” he offered with a smile as he searched the streets for a parking spot. The town was crowded and there were people everywhere. There were so many different tables and booths set up selling everything from homemade fudge to handmade jewelry. Dante mentioned there was a street fair going on as well.

“Trevor and Dante are meeting us here. I thought maybe you would feel more comfortable if just one of us showed up at your doorstep for our date.”

“That was nice of you.” She looked like she was going to say something but he saw Trevor waving him over toward an empty spot.

“There’s Trevor over there!” Charlie stated as Lori looked toward an older man, Trevor, and Dante next to a row of classic cars. He moved two orange cones out of the way making room for Charlie’s truck. People who were walking along the sidewalks stopped to check it out.

“Now that’s service,” Lori stated as Charlie gave her a proud smile.

“Every year the same spot and my good pal Al who owns the body shop right there. We’ve known one another for years,” Charlie said as he got out of the truck and then went around toward Lori’s side to open the door for her.

He held her hand, making it clear to her that he w

asn’t letting go of it as they stepped onto the sidewalk.

“Al, thanks a lot for the spot. This is Lori. Lori this is Al.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, miss.” He nodded his head and Lori smiled in return. Charlie and Al exchanged pleasantries a few moments as people continued to walk by.

“You look beautiful, baby,” Dante whispered, taking her into his arms and kissing her softly on the cheek. She shyly pulled back only for Trevor to approach. They looked so good. Trevor wore a dress shirt in black, dark jeans and cowboy boots with a matching black Stetson. Dante wore a black Stetson, too, but a royal blue button-down shirt and blue jeans. She glanced at Charlie and his dark green button-down shirt and jeans as he placed the black Stetson onto his head.

Three gorgeous, sexy cowboys stared at her.

“There’s a band playing down by the water. You probably wouldn’t have a chance of getting a seat near that place today for lunch,” Al told them.

“Maybe we’ll check it out anyway,” Charlie said as they said good-bye and continued on their way.

The sidewalks were crowded as Charlie took Lori by the hand, moving closer to her and whispering about the stores they passed, which ones were new and which ones were old. He even told her a little bit about the building structures and the builders who created the expanding town. It was very interesting and obvious to her that he enjoyed talking about it.