SAMSON’S BABY

by Evelyn Glass

  He reached into his pocket for his wallet. “I’d better pay.”

  “Oh. Yes. My mind was elsewhere,” she said, rolling her eyes towards the bomb. She processed his payment and handed the card back. Their fingers touched under the card, and Zeke noticed Sophie blush. He smiled. She was so feminine under those work clothes. Her fingers were delicate under their gloves of grease.

  Still avoiding eye contact, she walked him towards his bike in silence.

  He pulled out a business card from the wallet and handed it to her. She met his eyes and took the card shyly.

  “Let me know if you find out anything important.”

  “Of course,” she said, rubbing the card between her finger and thumb. “I’ll call you... about the bomb.”

  She walked over to the rolling garage door and opened it. Dusk had arrived, and the street lights were casting an orange glow in the deep blue evening.

  “See you again,” he said with a smile.

  “Yeah, I’ll be in touch,” she said, grinning.

  Chapter Three

  Sophie

  Later that evening, Sophie finally made it out of the shop in time to run home for a shower before meeting the girls at Clancy’s Bar.

  After blow-drying her long honey-coloured hair she automatically went to pull it up into a ponytail but hesitated in front of the mirror. She ran her fingers through the ends and made a snap decision to wear it down. It was silky and fell in glossy waves down past her shoulders. She looked at the pair of jeans and black T-shirt on the bed and frowned. Tonight, she’d have to make an effort. It had been several weeks since they’d been able to meet up like this, what with Lydia’s study and Kristy’s late nights at the office, not to mention all of Sophie’s shop repairs. Life had been so busy for all of them. This was a special night. Still in her bathrobe, Sophie walked to her wardrobe; a place she rarely spent much time. Fashion never meant much to her – the simpler, the better. She sighed and flicked through the hangers. There was a little black dress that fit her like a glove, but that was a bit too Christmas party/funeral for a night out on the town. She pulled out a pair of skinny jeans, which was a start. She chucked her only pair of high-heeled boots towards the foot of the bed and began analyzing her hangers of shirts despairingly.

  There was a knock on the door. Before waiting for an answer, Lydia stuck her head around the door. “What you wearing tonight?” she asked brightly.

  “God knows,” Sophie replied flatly, still staring into the sea of nondescript garments.

  “Here,” Lydia said, throwing a floaty royal blue top towards her. Sophie caught it with a laugh.

  “It’s gorgeous, but it’s a bit tight for me,” Lydia said. “It’ll be perfect on you. And a bright color for a change!”

  Sophie laughed. “Thanks. I’ll try it on.”

  Lydia went back to her own frantic fashion session in her room, with funk music blaring and the hair dryer being switched on and off at short intervals as she created some kind of elaborate style. It was a different style every time with Lydia. Sophie admired that. She just couldn’t be bothered.

  She held up the thin, off the shoulder top and smiled. This could work. Not too girly, but showing a bit of skin and pulled in at the waist. After wearing a coverall all week, it felt good to remember she had curves where they were supposed to be.

  The top fitted like a dream and as she pulled on her heels and stood up straight, she liked what she saw. Her makeup was as scant as possible – a lick of lipstick and a quick swish of mascara would do. She was ready a whole thirty minutes before Lydia and sank a beer while watching a sitcom as she waited.

  Eventually, when Lydia burst out of her room, arms spread triumphantly and wrapped in neon pink fabric as if she was a prize Sophie had won in a contest, they were ready to head out.

  At Clancy’s they met Kristy, a cool, tall brunette, who looked good in anything she threw on – which tonight was a short black shirt dress and tan leather high wedge sandals – and the night was underway.

  After the first cocktail, Lydia and Kristy were busy eyeballing a good-looking guy at the bar and laughing. All Sophie could think about was Zeke Draper... and the bomb.

  “What’s up with you, Sophie?” Lydia asked, passing her a mojito. “Come on, lighten up.”

  Sophie smiled and took the drink. “I’m fine. I just can’t stop thinking about a guy that came into the garage today.”

  Lydia and Kristy nudged each other excitedly. “Oooh. Spill all. Was he hot?”

  Sophie shook her head. She shouldn’t have said anything. She’d never hear the end of this now. And it suddenly dawned on her that she really shouldn’t say anything about the bomb. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust her friends, just that if word spread, things could get messy. It was safer to keep that news inside the shop walls for now. At least until they got the information they needed.

  “Well?” Lydia was still waiting for an answer. “You like this guy, don’t you? It’s about time. It’s been ages since you and that creepy ex-boyfriend split up. You need some lovin’ girl.”

  Sophie rolled her eyes. Lydia was referring to Greg – the creep who ditched her for someone else and now wanted her back. He kept texting, calling and turning up at the shop, begging her to take him back. Never gonna happen.

  “I suppose this guy that came in today was cute... if you like that sort of thing,” she said.

  Lydia’s eyes widened with joy. “What sort of thing? Details. Come on.”

  Sophie sighed. “Tall, muscly, dark hair, biker...”

  Kristy grinned. “If you don’t want him, I’ll have him – he sounds gorgeous. But something tells me you do.”

  Sophie shook her head. “No, I don’t. I don’t have time for a guy anyway, even if I did like him. And besides, he probably wouldn’t like me. I’m too much of a petrol head for most guys.”

  Lydia downed her drink. “I think most guys would love a mechanic girlfriend. Seriously. Anyway, let’s dance. Are you coming?”

  Sophie declined and sat back in her chair, sipping her mojito, while the other two wove their way into the mass of moving bodies on the dance floor. On an ordinary night, she would have joined them, but this was no ordinary night. Since the discovery in that exhaust earlier that day, everything felt different. She had a sense of urgency, like everything she did was meaningless and time-wasting until the would-be bomber was caught.

  Chapter Four

  Sophie

  “Have you heard anything yet?” Sophie asked, tossing a wrench back and forth in her palms.

  Stephan looked up at her as she waited for news in the office doorway. “About what, my little grease monkey?”

  “You know...” Sophie couldn’t bring herself to say the words again. She’d asked him every day this week. “… the bomb.”

  “Not since you last asked me.” He looked at his watch sarcastically. “All of twelve hours ago. I promise I’ll tell you as soon as the team gets back to me. They’re the best. Sometimes I miss working on that unit. Those guys were such a laugh but dedicated. Willing to die for their work. When Ruth came along, and then the first kid, I knew I couldn’t put them through that worry anymore, so that’s why I came out. If I’d stayed single, maybe I’d still be in that line of work... or killed.”

  “I’m glad you came out of the forces,” Sophie said, smiling. “I wouldn’t be working here otherwise.”

  Stephan sighed. “You could do better than this. Just not yet. I need you.” He laughed and winked at her. “And anyway, why are you so hung up on all this? Does it have anything to do with the fact that our would-be bomb victim is devilishly handsome and the leader of a bikers club? Is he your type? This is interesting. In all the years I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you lose it over a guy.”

  “Shut up,” Sophie said, smirking and turning a shade pinker. “It’s nothing like that. I’m just interested. This is the biggest thing I’ve ever stumbled across. Aren’t you curious? Or worried? I just want to solve this thin
g.”

  Stephan’s face grew serious. “You’re right, Sophie. I’m just messin’ with you. I do want to help that guy solve this. After all, he could still be in danger.”

  The truth was that, although Sophie would never admit it, there was something about Zeke Draper that she couldn’t shake from her mind and it truly annoyed her. Relationships, crushes, boyfriends, all that nonsense was for other people - people who’d had parents or siblings and who knew how to relate to others, how to care... how to love. The thought of getting involved with someone terrified her. She’d had one boyfriend, Greg, and that had been enough of a train wreck to put her off men for life. He was clingy and possessive and had nothing in common with her but insisted they were “meant to be.” If that’s what a relationship was, she’d give it a miss, thanks.

  Anyway, Zeke was so good looking, and in a powerful position at the club, and probably in his career from what she could tell. He would never be interested. She looked down at her uniform; it was baggy in all the wrong places, hid her feminine curves, and was smeared with dirt stains. It was the least flattering piece of clothing in existence. And her hair, it was always a bird’s nest at work. Zeke would just think of her as some scruffy chick in a shop. Nothing more.

  Yet, these thoughts hadn’t stopped him from riding into her mind the night before, on a glistening Harley, no less. She’d lain awake, unable to shake the whole bomb mystery out of her thoughts, until finally she’d drifted off into a slumber. In her dream, Zeke had ridden in and calmed her conspiracy theories right down until the only thoughts left were about the tight abs she’d noticed through his black T-shirt and his thick, black hair. He got off his bike and threw his Midnight’s Hounds jacket to the ground as he strode towards her. Sophie jerked awake at that moment.

  Argh, stop it, Sophie. Don’t be pathetic, she’d thought as she smothered her face in frustration with the pillow. Still, it was better than worrying about her ex who had it bad. He vowed never to stop trying until she could prove she was over him... until she’d moved on. It was sweet at first, but three months later it was just creepy. She was seriously close to calling the cops on his stalker ass.

  She shuddered and leaned into the dirty engine of the old Ford she’d left waiting with its hood up, begging to be fixed.

  Suddenly, there was a light tap on her shoulder, causing her to shriek and bolt upright; the only thing stopping her from banging her head on the open hood was someone’s hand landing on the top of her hair.

  “Careful,” a voice said, followed by a laugh.

  She turned around. Zeke Draper.

  “H-Hi,” she stammered.

  “Sorry I frightened you,” he said, grinning. “You seemed so deep in thought.”

  She sighed. “Oh, I just thought it might be someone else,” she said, avoiding eye contact and staring at the filthy engine.

  “Sorry to disappoint,” he said with a smile.

  “No, I’m glad it’s you,” she stammered. “I mean, there’s someone who shows up occasionally who I don’t want to see.”

  Zeke caught her gaze and held it. “Someone... threatening?”

  “Not really. Just...” She exhaled slowly. “Someone harassing. An ex. He’s been warned to stay away, but he still creeps in and watches me.”

  Zeke sucked in his lower lip as he nodded in thought. “You want someone to send him a clear message?”

  Sophie gasped. “Oh God, no, I don’t want him harmed. He’s annoying, but that’s all... I think.”

  Zeke’s expression softened. “I’m not some violent thug, but I can pretend to be when I need to. You’re helping me with this whole bomb investigation, so I’ll help you with your pesky ex.”

  Sophie smiled. “OK. As long as it really is just an act.”

  “Of course,” he said. “Anyway, I’m really here to see if you’ve discovered anything yet.”

  Sophie shrugged. “The team’s still looking into it, but Stephan says they’re the best. They’re just back from some mission, and they’ll look into those parts now. I tried to search the serial numbers myself, and I found a supplier of those cables. I’ve contacted him to see if he can help in the meantime.”

  “You did?” Zeke folded his arms and smiled at her. “That’s really kind. You’re a busy woman, you don’t need to get sucked into all this.”

  “I want to,” she replied and then blushed.

  “Listen,” Zeke continued, “I also came by because I wanted to take you out for a bite to eat... to say thanks for all your help, and sorry for putting you in danger.”

  Sophie laughed. “That’s the strangest offer I’ve ever had.” She bit her lip and looked at the floor as she considered it.

  “Don’t worry, it’s not a date or anything.” Zeke raised his hands as if surrendering. “I just wanted to say thanks. Besides, I’ve been to try Adolfo’s – the new Italian place downtown – and it’s much better to have company.”

  She smiled up at him.

  “Come on,” he said, grinning. “No strings attached. Just food. And friendship.”

  “OK,” she said as her heart skipped a beat and nerves went haywire in her stomach. What are you doing? You’re getting to know hot out-of-reach guy? Disaster beckons.

  “Great. Pick you up here tomorrow night?”

  “Yeah.”

  “What time?”

  “Six?”

  “Cool. See you then.” He turned and walked towards the door, his leather biker boots making a light tapping noise on the concrete floor. His black jeans cupped his ass to damn perfection, and Sophie swallowed hard as she watched him leave. This was trouble.

  ***

  Six o’clock arrived as Sophie waited by the shop door. She’d used Stephan’s shower room out the back to clean up and was wearing tight jeans and a black, lacy shirt. The finishing touches of pink lipstick, mascara and a spray of Miss Dior perfume made her feel feminine. It felt good sometimes to escape from the mechanic look.

  She could hear the throb of Zeke’s bike coming around the corner. That must be the Harley, she thought, listening to the low, rumbling vibrations. She was right. He pulled up at the sidewalk on his black and maroon-colored bike and reached to the back for his spare helmet, handing it to her without a word. She smiled and took the heavy helmet, pulling it on over her long, flowing hair.

  “Ready?” he called over the engine noise.

  “Yeah,” she replied, wrapping her arms around his waist.

  The ride to Adolfo’s was exhilarating. Sophie had fixed so many bikes, but she’d never ridden on the back of a handsome stranger’s one before. She allowed herself to enjoy that without cursing herself for acting like a schoolgirl with a crush. The breeze flowed through her hair and filled her lungs with freshness. Her hands were on Zeke’s abs, and she couldn’t help noticing the firm rippling of his muscles as they turned their bodies into corners with the natural movement of the bike as they rode. He wasn’t just fit; he was super fit. The faint scent of his cologne drifted over her every now and then when the breeze blew at certain angles. She couldn’t help smiling and caught the eye of a young woman on the sidewalk who was grinning at her between quick glances at the hot driver. Sophie felt like the luckiest girl alive, until the paced slowed down and she remembered he wasn’t actually hers, this was just a ride. With a mere acquaintance.

  They parked, and Sophie hopped off the bike, whipping the helmet off and trying to dampen down her overenthusiastic grin.

  Zeke grinned at her as he took the helmet under his arm. “Nice night for a ride, huh? Perfect breeze.”

  “Yeah,” she agreed, plunging her hands into her pockets and smiling at the ground.

  He gestured towards the entrance of Adolfo’s. “After you.”

  She walked coyly towards the door and before she could even say anything the owner rushed over, arms flapping happily. “Zeke, my main man,” he gushed. “Welcome, welcome. And who is this beauty on your arm?”

  Zeke clasped his friend’s hand in a loose han
dshake and smiled – a cheeky, cocky sort of grin that made Sophie’s cheeks flush with heat – and she looked away to avoid any awkward eye contact.

  “This is my friend... my new friend... Sophie. The city’s most awesome mechanic.”

  She blushed again. Why would he say that? He knew nothing about her work, other than the fact that she could change tires, but all the same, it was a nice thing to say.

  Once they were seated, Zeke cleared his throat and carved that now familiar cocky grin. “You look, Sophie... really good.”

  “You sound surprised,” she replied.

  “No, not at all. I just didn’t know if you were a girly girl or not.”