by Tanya Agler
They reached his parents’ home. Mom bypassed the path to the front porch, perfect with its view of the Great Smoky Mountains, and headed toward the outbuilding in the back. The structure was more of a barn than a shed. His chest heaved. Of all the nights for her to bring up the Thunderbird.
Rachel skipped ahead of him. Mom unlocked the padlock and dragged the door open.
“Why tonight, Mom?”
Why’d she have to remind him of the travesty he’d done to his grandpa Ted’s ’64 Ford Thunderbird when he was hungry and rather cranky? Those pimento cheese sandwiches were calling his name.
“Georgie Bennett. That’s why.” Mom traced her finger along the car’s built-up layer of dust and frowned.
“Who’s Georgie Bennett?” Rachel opened the driver’s door and pretended to drive, her whirring sounds tugging at Mike’s heart.
“Your father’s best friend growing up. She knows a thing or two about cars.”
Rachel stopped and gazed right at him. “So she could make the car pretty again?”
Did he fall into this trap or what? An ambush had more warning.
“It wouldn’t be fair to ask her.” Especially since he gave her the order not to leave town, like some big-shot cop on television. He groaned. No cop in their right mind said that anymore.
“Rachel, why don’t you go wake up Grandpa Carl? Otherwise he’ll be up all night.” His mom’s soothing tone held an undercurrent of what was still to come. Mike’s stomach took a nosedive.
“I like looking at cars, too, you know, and Grandpa Carl can be a bear to wake up.” Rachel dragged one foot and then the other before walking backward toward the house she spent almost as many hours in as her own, if not more. Then she smiled that hundred-watt smile Mike loved so much. “He does give good bear hugs.”
After his little pitcher was out of earshot, Mike turned to his mother. “So you knew about Georgie?”
Mom pointed to the dull finish, beginning to rust in spots. “Friendship is like this car. Too much rust can damage what was once shiny and new.”
Yeah, yeah. Breaking his promise to Georgie about taking her to prom damaged their friendship beyond repair. And that was only the half of it. He hadn’t had the courtesy to tell her face-to-face. No, he’d sent his sister Natalie with a note. Matters had flat-out nose-dived after that. Georgie had caught him and Wendy MacNamara in the midst of some heavy-duty celebrating, if he wanted to put losing his virginity that way. The respect had drained away from Georgie’s eyes in that split second. But that was eleven long years ago. Since then he’d made more than his fair share of mistakes. In a way, he owed his ex-wife, Caitlyn, a thank you. After she deserted her family, he sucked in his gut and swore he’d be the best father he could be to Rachel.
He could only hope he was fulfilling that promise.
He let out the deep breath pent up from within. “But a little elbow grease can buffer out rust.”
His mother let loose a wide grin. “Exactly.” Then she frowned. “Getting you to talk to Georgie about the Thunderbird is only part of my pimento cheese bribe. I have to leave you in the lurch.”
“How could you ever do that?” He went over and side hugged her. “You and Rachel are my best girls.”
“Ruthy and Don Abbott, my maid of honor and your father’s best man, have a three-hour layover in Charlotte tomorrow before they fly home to LA.”
“Go. You haven’t seen Ruthy in a couple of years. I’ll find someone else to watch Rachel after school. I’ll call Natalie first.” At least Natalie had recently moved back to Hollydale. He missed his other sister, Becks, who lived in California.
“I already tried your sister on the off chance she might be free after she’s done teaching.” She worried her lip. “Everyone’s busy.”
“I’ll find somebody.” A pounding throb pulsated between his earlobes. “Go rescue Dad before Rachel talks his ears off. You know how Dad is when he wakes up.”
Mom laughed and started for the house. She stopped, rubbing her hand along his forearm. “Thanks for understanding.”
He watched her walk away. This single-fatherhood gig wasn’t easy. Not by a long shot. But Rachel’s smiles and giggles made it all worthwhile. Combining fatherhood with work, though? That was the hard part, compounded with how many people kept asking him to run for sheriff. The administrative duties of that job? No thank you. He had to solve these burglaries and make sure Donahue received the credit.
He ran his hand over the Thunderbird insignia on the front hood. How many times had Grandpa Ted rattled the keys and Mike had come running? After he and Georgie became friends, his grandfather had let her tag along on their drives, where they’d often stop and hike along Timber River or throw in a line at Sully Creek. He sure had loved this car. Mike deserved the tongue-lashing he’d get if Grandpa could see the condition of his beloved Miss Brittany, named for the Brittany-blue paint gracing her exterior.
Mom had been right about rust. He should never have let Georgie leave Hollydale without apologizing first.
Georgie. She’d grown up since she left Hollydale. In high school she’d stumbled like a newborn fawn, getting used to her height, a good three inches taller than all the other girls. And now? He’d have been blind not to notice her. She’d never looked better. Time had helped her grow into her, uh, skin. Confident and beautiful, she’d have turned his head if there wasn’t a cloud of suspicion hanging over it.
He shook his head. Georgie had watched Grandpa Ted like a hawk whenever he worked on the car. If anyone could bring Miss Brittany back to her glory days, it was Georgie.
If he sold Miss Brittany as is, however, he’d still fetch a pretty penny. Enough so his mother would be off the hook for providing after-school care. Enough so he could afford to send Rachel to the Hollydale Dancing Academy, with its pickup service and group lessons. How perfect would that be for his little girl, who loved pink plastic purses, pink bows and pink nail polish.
He’d move heaven and earth to get things right with the ladies in his life. He’d ruined his friendship with Georgie. His mom had sighed but supported him when he’d brought home a pregnant Caitlyn, his new fiancée. And Caitlyn? She’d just plain left him and Rachel.
Providing something special for Rachel? Surely Grandpa Ted would understand that type of legacy if Mike sold the Thunderbird.
After Rachel went to bed, he’d list the car. No, scratch that. Tonight he had to line up child care so he could work tomorrow afternoon. Something had to be done to solve this rash of burglaries, and soon. He’d list the car tomorrow night. Wouldn’t get nearly as much for it in this condition, but something in the bank was better than nothing.
And Rachel’s smile would be worth the pain of turning over the keys and registration to a total stranger.
CHAPTER FOUR
GEORGIE CURLED HER toes inside her steel-toed boots, while keeping her closed-lip smile frozen in place. Good thing the man in front of her couldn’t register her blood boiling within her veins. Though he hid his chauvinism behind some veiled lies, she’d met his type before. Men who didn’t want a woman repairing their cars, even if their lives depended on it.
Heidi clicked her heels behind Georgie. “What seems to be the problem, Mr. Crabtree?”
Take away the tree, and the last name fit the disagreeable man to a tee. No doubt he’d find some polite excuse and leave, without a properly serviced car.
“I have an appointment with Max.” The man’s dark gaze didn’t meet Georgie’s. Instead, he glared at Heidi. “She’s not Max.”
Mr. Crabtree jabbed a finger too close to her chest for Georgie’s liking, and she opened her mouth to tell him so.
“Now, Dick.” Heidi beat her to the punch, and Georgie counted to ten. “You had better watch yourself. You know Max is like a brother to me, but I have to say it’s been a real pleasure working with Georgie again. Why, she’s teaching
Travis a couple of tricks he’s been downright giddy to try out. Besides, Max left Georgie in charge. If he trusts her that much, shouldn’t you?”
Turning around, Georgie softened her smile and mouthed a thank you to Heidi. Talk about a lifesaver over the past twenty-four hours. Sweet and caring, Heidi’s maternal side roared in defense of her friends and family. Then Georgie faced Dick Crabtree again, his nostrils flaring.
“Don’t matter none who Max left in charge.” He removed his worn baseball cap and scratched his bald head before planting the cap back in place. “If Max isn’t here, Travis can work on my truck. I trust Travis.”
“Mr. Crabtree.” Georgie took a deep breath and made her pitch. “I am most qualified to work on your Chevy. Once you drop off your key, I’ll run the diagnostic test and let you know what I find out. You can relax in our comfortable waiting room or you can grab a cup of coffee at the Holly Days Diner across the street. Your choice.”
“My choice is Travis.”
Heidi cleared her throat. “My husband is servicing a fleet of diesel vehicles this week. It’s Georgie or no one.”
“Fine. Then it’s no one.” The man yanked his key ring off the counter. The front door rattled from the force of Crabtree’s exit.
Georgie rubbed her forehead. Not a great way to wrap up a Wednesday morning, or any other morning.
“Have you had to deal with men like him before?”
Heidi’s bluntness surprised her. She’d half expected Heidi to defend the customer, keeping in line with the old adage the customer was always right. Except when the customer couldn’t accept the fact Georgie was every bit as capable as any male mechanic around.
“Yes, even in this day and age, I still run into people who cut me short like that. It won’t be the last time, either.”
A howl came from the direction of Max’s closet office she’d confiscated for the time being. She hustled over to it.
“I’m taking Beau for a quick walk around the block. My calendar’s empty until after lunch. Might as well make good use of the time.”
“Aw, poor Beau. Do you think your mother will relent and let him stay at your place tomorrow?” Heidi’s eyes oozed concern.
Georgie shrugged and grabbed her smartphone off the nearby desk. “Only as much as I think Dick Crabtree will bring back his car and let me service it.”
Without another word she opened the door and greeted Beau, who wriggled happily all over. Gulping, she guarded her heart. Mr. Reedy wanted him back in a few days. No sense growing fond of Beau. Good thing the huge dog hogged the covers. Otherwise her heart would be toast.
She glanced around the small room, a pang of guilt threading through her. There must be a better solution than leaving him in this cramped space while she worked. She clicked on Beau’s leash. Maybe the walk would help her come up with something.
Outside, Georgie glanced at Beau, his shaggy tail wagging faster than wipers in a thunderstorm. “East or west?” His tail kept wagging, seeming as if it would never stop. “West it is.”
They hadn’t taken two steps when Beau whined for the Holly Days Diner across the street. “While I could go for some pie myself, let’s keep going.”
The surrounding maples lent cool shade for their walk. A couple snapping photos next to Hollydale’s largest oak took a picture of Beau. Georgie waved and progressed.
Turning right on Timber Road, Georgie soaked in Hollydale’s ambience. Beau tugged on the leash, and Georgie kept a steady pace until she found herself face-to-face with the town square and the stately gazebo, a magnet for weddings and where generations of Hollydale High students posed for their prom pictures. She’d been set to declare her feelings for Mike on those steps.
“Georgie Bennett!” Miss Louise waved while handing out slips of paper in front of her ice cream parlor.
Georgie hurried over with Beau leading the way. How many times had she and Mike shared a banana split here? “Miss Louise. I’ve missed you.”
The woman laughed. “Missed my sundaes, huh?”
Shrugging, Georgie wrapped Beau’s leash around her hand. “I missed you. You gave the best advice on being yourself. I’ll come back sometime without Beau.”
“Wait here.” Miss Louise shoved the rest of the coupons at Georgie and disappeared.
Georgie had no sooner handed out the last coupon when Miss Louise emerged with a cup and a cone, placing the cup on the sidewalk for Beau, who gobbled it up.
“Welcome back.” Miss Louise handed her the cone. “I gave Beau vanilla. For you, rum raisin, your favorite. Eat it before it drips. Don’t stay away so long next time.”
After a quick thank you, Georgie was on her way, savoring the treat. What started out as a quick walk turned into a marathon as others also stopped to pass the time of day with her and Beau.
Eventually she returned to Max’s, her heart feeling a good deal lighter.
Until Heidi broke the news that three other customers had canceled. She seethed and debated going another five miles with Beau.
“I’ll be with Beau, catching up on the paperwork.” Georgie escaped Heidi’s bless-your-heart smile.
Someone knocked, and Georgie blinked at the hour that had passed without her even coming up for air. “Come in.”
Heidi tilted her head toward the reception area. “Customer.”
Georgie had never been so happy to see Kitty Everson.
“Oil change, please.” Kitty smiled and threw the keys like a parent would to a newly licensed child.
Georgie caught them and returned her smile. “Thanks, Kitty.”
Working on Kitty’s Mercedes was sheer pleasure, almost as fun as the year Georgie had spent renovating classic cars, like the Thunderbird Mike’s grandfather had owned. Ever since, she’d taken on similar restoration projects as a side business. She was finishing up the oil change for Kitty’s car when Heidi came into the service area and waved her inside.
“Beau and I had ourselves a real nice time on a walk.” Heidi patted her rather broad midsection and rang up Kitty, who departed with a wave and a blown kiss. Heidi turned back to Georgie. “My doctor, and my waistline, thank Beau for the exercise.”
“I don’t suppose...” Heidi and Travis’ fenced-in yard had been the site of many delicious barbecues before she had left Hollydale.
Heidi shook her head, her gray curls flying every which way. “No, ma’am. I see that look.” She cleared her throat, a sheepish smile spreading over her face. “Anyhow, I talked to Travis last night. I had a feeling your mother would look none too kindly to a big loveable mutt. Travis and Pretty Boy, his golden retriever, were like this for fifteen years.” She crossed her middle and index fingers. “Travis took the loss real hard, and he’s not ready for another dog in his life. Besides, on Saturday afternoons, we like to head out on our bikes. We explore the mountains. We go to the beach. Sometimes we head straight here on Monday mornings. Sorry, sweetie, but we can’t leave on the spur of the minute with a dog.”
Georgie nodded. Since she’d been home, nothing came easily. “It can’t be good for him to be stuck inside a cramped room all day.” A dog like Beau was meant to run free and be himself.
She stopped. She didn’t want to pass Beau off on someone else. He was the best thing to happen to her since her return. If Mike Harrison hadn’t believed she was a common criminal and if there weren’t a female named Ginger in his life, she might have moved him to the top of her potential dogsitters list. Wasn’t so long ago Mike was turning female heads in the high school hallway. Georgie, though, had considered it her personal responsibility to keep his head a reasonable size, making sure he didn’t get overly cocky. Now, all these years later, he was all the more attractive, with his uniform showing off muscles that hadn’t been there when she left. Not that she’d been looking at him. Not with him being married to Ginger.
“How about a compromise?” Heidi nar
rowed her eyes and blew out a deep breath. “On your way to work, you drop him off at our house. We haven’t boarded up our dog door. When you’re done, pick him up. If Travis agrees, that is.”
“Agrees to what?” Travis walked in and winked at Heidi.
“Beau uses our yard while Georgie’s at work.”
Travis covered the distance to the desk, grabbing the cloth hanging off his pocket and wiping his hands. “Why the fuss? Fred Reedy will be out of the hospital soon. He’ll pick up Beau then.”
Georgie glanced at Heidi, who gave a slight nod. They’d both seen Mr. Reedy before Mike accompanied him to the hospital. A strong wind would knock Mr. Reedy down.
“I talked to him last night,” Georgie explained. “They want to send him to assisted living for rehab. But nothing’s been decided yet.”
“Oh.” Heidi popped her arms on her hips, and Travis backed up.
“You can use our yard, but that’s it.” His Adam’s apple bobbed, and he shrugged. “Don’t think bad of me, Georgie. Pretty Boy meant the world to me.”
“That’s okay, Travis. I’ve never had a dog before. It’s nice.” There was something special about taking care of another being. Something new, something unexpected.
“Thanks, Georgie. Come on, Heidi. Time for a coffee break. Let’s grab a cup at the diner.” He and Heidi left with her waving a goodbye.
The cowbell on the front door jangled not long after, and in walked a little girl, no older than eight or nine, with brown ponytails. Georgie blinked. The girl had the biggest brown eyes, just like Mike Harrison. Was this his daughter?
“My name is Rachel, and I have a business prep—I mean, proposition.” She stumbled over the big word before she broke out into a wide smile.
Georgie’s emotions were all over the place. She hoped this wasn’t Mike’s daughter. Coming face-to-face with Mike Harrison’s daughter would mean coming face-to-face with Mike Harrison’s wife. She wasn’t ready for that yet.
Georgie moved to the front of the desk, her gaze flying to the door. “Aren’t you a little young to be here by yourself?”
