Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 67492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
I leave the car running and follow her to the shed. She opens the door and goes to lift the tire, but I gently maneuver her out of the way with my hand on her arm. “I’ll get it.” I lift the tire and turn back to my SUV. I’ve got it loaded and am sitting back behind the wheel before she returns to the SUV and slides into the passenger seat.
We’re both quiet on the way back to the hospital. When I pull into the spot behind her car, she removes her seat belt and turns to face me. “Thank you for taking me to get the tire. How much do I owe you?” She reaches into her purse for what I assume is her wallet.
I place my hand over hers, and she stills. Even in the dim lighting of the car, I can see the question in her eyes. “I was happy to help you, Blakely. You don’t owe me anything.”
“Thank you, Oliver.” She hesitates, then pushes open her door. I do the same and open the back of my SUV and grab the tire. “I can get that.”
“I’m sure you can, and I’m glad your dad taught you, but I’m not letting you change your own tire.”
“Because I’m a woman?” she asks, her hands on her hips as she glares at me.
“No, because I’m a gentleman, and if you were mine, my wife or my daughter, I’d want to know there was a decent man out there who stopped to help you.”
She opens her mouth to reply, but no words form. Instead, she nods, and I get to work changing her tire.
“You know, this is how my uncle Maverick met his wife,” she says, leaning against the car. “She had a flat. He helped her out.”
“Rest assured, I’m not looking for a wife.” My tone makes it obvious there is no further room for discussion on the topic. She lets me work in silence, and ten minutes later, I’m tossing the flat tire into her trunk.
“Thank you again. I appreciate all your help. Are you sure I can’t pay you?”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her to organize this damn gala on her own, but something keeps me from voicing the words. “I’m sure. Be safe getting home.”
“I will. I’m going to call my dad and have him meet me at his shop for a new tire.”
“That’s good. Driving around on that donut isn’t the best idea.”
“Thank you again. Good night.”
“Good night.” I step back, allowing her to get into her car, and I continue to stand here until I can no longer see her. Shaking out of this weird fog this day has been, I climb back into my warm car and head home.
CHAPTER
THREE
Blakely
As I pull out on the road, I tap my steering wheel. “Call Dad,” I say, and my car replies that it’s calling Dad. The phone barely rings before he picks up.
“Hey, sweetheart.”
“Hi, Dad. I got a flat. Do you happen to have my size tire at the shop?” I ask, even though I know he does. He’s a mechanic, but I also know he likes to be prepared for anything and he keeps a couple of tires for mine and Mom’s vehicles around just in case. Honestly, he might have one for each family member. It wouldn’t surprise me.
“I do. Where are you? I’ll come help you change it.”
“I’m on my way to the shop. The spare is on already.”
“Proud of you, baby girl.”
“Thanks, but I didn’t change it. Dr. Thompson was insistent he do it for me.”
“I think I like this Dr. Thompson fellow,” Dad muses.
“He’s a grump.”
Dad laughs. “Even better. He’s not trying to hit on my baby girl. Drive to the shop, kiddo. I’ll meet you there.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“Love you, Blake.”
“Love you too.” I end the call, pressing the button on my steering wheel, and a few minutes later, I’m pulling into Dad’s shop. It’s been a while since I’ve been here. I used to love coming to work with my dad, even when I had to wear wiener pants. I’m chuckling to myself when Dad knocks on my window, scaring the hell out of me.
“What’s so funny?” he asks.
“Just thinking about my wiener pants.”
He grins. “I have so many stories for your future husband.”
“I thought I was never allowed to get married?”
He sighs. “I know it’s going to happen, and I want it to happen for you. I’d never want you or your siblings to miss out on a love like I have with your mother. The issue is you finding that man. The one who will work hard to love you.”
“I think you’re mixing up the family motto, old man. I know you’re getting up there in years. It’s okay. Your secret is safe with me.”