by Leela Ash
There weren’t a whole lot of options and she let out a long, shuddering exhale, hoping for a miracle.
3.
Gavin climbed into his truck and slammed the door closed, frowning to himself as he left the barbeque. TJ had given him a lot to think about. He seemed confident that Gavin had a fated mate somewhere out there, while the others seemed to usually shrug off the idea in lieu of asking him about how things worked on Earth and relying on him to be the dependable smart guy who knew everything about everything.
But he had neglected his own desire to find his fated mate because everything else had seemed far too important. The others didn’t seem to realize just how much time and effort went into making sure everything ran smoothly. He didn’t resent his position, he just wished it had afforded him more time to think about what was truly important to him. Finding and making his own family.
As he took off driving, he made a sudden turn. Instead of going back to the house, he was going to head to the base and start planning out exactly how he was going to seek out his fated mate. He would have to take another look at the device; he had needed to do several rounds of repairs on it over the past few years in order to help the other Dragon shifters to seek out the potential descendants of the Sun Dragon and Loni origins. It had been shelved and collecting dust for the past few months as they developed the base and prepared for both an attack and a counter-attack should any evils in the universe be seeking the special children to plunge them all into chaos. Protecting them had been first and foremost on Gavin’s mind. He was delighted by the pure souls of the sacred children and would do anything to make sure they were safe.
If the device was still in working order, then he would be able to use it in his own quest to seek out his destined mate. Perhaps, he did have one after all. Wasn’t the second step to believe it was possible?
But what was all that stuff about letting it go? How was he supposed to let it go and stop thinking about the biggest issue he had ever faced in his life? That didn’t seem reasonable. Or realistic. He needed to man up and find the woman he was meant to be with. He was tired of being stuck on the sidelines.
Gavin was done wasting his time on things that weren’t going to help him be fulfilled in his own life. He had his own needs and desires, and he was going to start attending to them. The others were just going to have to deal with the fact that Gavin had his own life to live and try to count on themselves for once.
He was done being the go-to guy that everybody went to when they needed help. No more Mr. Nice Guy!
A blaring honk startled Gavin suddenly and he slammed on his brakes, looking frantically for the cause of commotion or a potential sign of danger. He was practically alone on the road, but his eyes wandered to the side of the road a few hundred feet ahead. He squinted. A car?
He sighed, readying himself to drive right by. He had things to do. Important things, such as securing his future with the mate he was fated to be with. There was nothing more important than fighting off the dark cloud of evil threatening to destroy everything that made the Dragon shifters who they were. This was part of his entire purpose. He was going to let himself finally believe that it was truly possible for him to be happy with his fated mate, and that she did, in fact, exist. And, maybe he could even begin to do what TJ had suggested and let go of his resistance. Stop overthinking it and just let it happen.
Gavin stepped back on the gas, preparing himself to ignore the crap show on the side of the road. Not his problem. He had things to do.
But when he approached, he accidentally glanced down from his truck and met the pleading eyes of the woman driving the car.
Like many other human women, she struck him with a peculiar form of beauty, and he hesitated before fully passing her by. She clearly needed help. And there was nobody around for miles.
“Damn it,” he mumbled, pulling off to the side of the road and sighing deeply.
He just wanted to get to the base and test the device, so he could start trying to find his fated mate. Why was it that it seemed the universe always seemed against his attempts to do so? Why couldn’t he just be able to find happiness? There was always something in the way. Whether being banished from his home planet for crimes he didn’t commit or simply not being granted the presence of his fated mate, it seemed that his happiness simply wasn’t something the universe wanted for him.
“Oh, wow, I can’t believe you stopped. I was starting to lose hope!”
Gavin tried to bite back his agitation as he stepped out of his truck and did his best to offer the woman a smile of reassurance. It was clear she was beside herself. He couldn’t leave her like this.
“Take a deep breath,” Gavin said, wincing. The woman had clearly been crying and had makeup running down her face. He glanced at the back seat of her car and was surprised to see it packed tight with what appeared to be everything she could possibly own. “What seems to be the issue?”
He meant to ask about the car, but there was a subtle undertone of concern. This type of emotional distress had little to do with the surface situation, he was sure of that. Something else was going on that made it difficult for this woman to function.
“I … my car won’t start,” the woman said helplessly, fumbling with her purse to wipe the running makeup from her face. When she looked at him again, her crystal-like blue eyes were clear, and she offered him a small, sheepish smile. Gavin froze in place, his senses fully awakened as he studied the woman. He was drawn to her, but it was probably only because he wasn’t used to seeing women in distress here. Not the way they often were on his own planet. “I don’t know anything about cars or why it might be acting this way. I guess I’m pretty stranded.”
“Your car won’t start?”
Gavin frowned, rounding the vehicle and taking a look under the hood. Everything seemed to be in working order. He sighed and shook his head, wishing it had been one of the more mechanically inclined shifters to have found this unfortunate woman. Gavin’s interest hadn’t ever been in the dangerous driving contraptions of Earth, though he had learned enough to take proper care of cars and trucks, and make sure they ran well. He could fix minor issues, but only if he knew what was wrong.
“No,” the woman said, getting out of the car and standing with him.
Gavin studied her quietly, surprised by the effect her nearness had on him. Maybe it was just because he was so focused on finding a fated mate, but he found himself studying her secretly, trying to fight off his strange instinct to somehow get closer to her. Her energy was peaceful and calm, despite her fluctuating emotions, and he sighed inwardly, knowing somehow instinctively that this was the kind of woman who deserved to have a good man help her when she was stranded on the side of the road.
And, unfortunately, despite his goals for the night, apparently, Gavin was going to be that man.
“You don’t have to be so upset,” Gavin said, matter-of-factly. “It’s just a little car trouble.”
“I’m not–”
The woman cut herself off and sighed, looking away from Gavin and down to the ground. She was much prettier without the makeup smeared on her face. Gavin’s eyes lingered on her a moment longer and then he looked back to the car.
“Sorry,” Gavin said, suddenly realizing he had caused her already negative mood to plummet. “I just mean that everything is going to be okay. You do not have to feel so hopeless.”
“Yeah … thanks…”
The girl didn’t seem convinced, and Gavin pursed his lips thoughtfully, trying to figure out a way to console her. Then TJ’s method of getting what one needed came back into his head.
“It’s easy,” he said, trying to sound confident about it. He was still trying to put it all into practice for himself, but it seemed to be a valid way of ensuring that the emotional woman might find some comfort. “First, know what you want. You want your car to start again, right?”
She nodded, her eyes still brimming with tears.
“Good,” Gavin said, shift
ing uncomfortably. “Now, you have to believe it’s possible.”
“Of course, it’s possible,” she mumbled. “It’s more of a matter of whether or not it will happen today.”
“Believe it will happen today,” Gavin said. “And let go of whatever resistance you have trying to make you doubt yourself or focus too much energy on it. You can’t let it consume you. Things will unfold naturally if you let them.”
“What are you? Some sort of guru?”
Gavin gazed blankly at the woman and then decided to ignore her words. Guru? He would have to look that one up.
“Just stop worrying so much about it and things will get better. Maybe we can talk about something else and get the problem off your mind.”
“How is that going to get my car running again?” she asked, raising her brow at Gavin. He looked away quickly, confused by the strange stirring the gesture caused within his chest.
“It’s worth a shot, isn’t it?” Gavin asked, keeping his eyes fixed on the ground. He didn’t want her to see the way she had affected him. It felt far too personal.
“I suppose so,” she replied, looking down at her hands for a moment. “Well. Anyway. Let’s start with an introduction. My name is Naomi.”
She offered her hand shyly to Gavin, who took it reluctantly. Her skin was soft and sent a small buzz of pleasure through his body. Once again, he tried to avert his gaze and gave it a firm but gentle pump. He had never shaken hands with a woman before and was afraid of using an excessive amount of strength with her. It wouldn’t have been the first time, but men were usually more likely to hold back their reactions out of fear of looking like wimps.
“I’m Gavin,” he replied, doing his best to smile at her without revealing his inappropriate feelings. “It is nice to meet you.”
Naomi offered a weak smile and pulled her hand away, a subtle red tint coloring her cheeks. “Likewise.”
They stood quietly, studying each other for a few moments, each lost in their own thoughts. Gavin was unsure what to do with himself now. This was a fairly attractive woman, and he wanted nothing more than to get back to the base and figure out how he might be able to find a woman like her to be his fated mate. He was slightly anxious to leave, but he knew he couldn’t just leave her alone out here. If anything happened to her, he would feel personally responsible for it, and he would have a difficult time having that on his conscience.
“So, where are you going?” he finally asked, breaking the oddly comfortable silence.
“Oh … I’m going to get set up in Brookside,” Naomi said, turning her gaze away from him and glancing to the back seat of her car. Gavin followed her eyes and was startled to find himself locking stares with a small feline trapped in a box with bars on it. “My boyfriend and I … well, things aren’t really working out how I thought they would.”
“Boyfriend…?”
“Ex? I don’t know. I left him pretty suddenly. All of this seems like it’s a sign, though. Everything is going wrong. Maybe leaving was a mistake…”
The way Naomi’s energy grew disjointed at the mention of her boyfriend made Gavin uneasy. Whoever this man was, he had frightened her horribly. That was never a good sign. He felt a sudden fierce urge to protect her and Gavin squared his jaw.
“I’m not so sure that it’s a mistake. If you were unhappy enough to leave that way, maybe that should tell you all you need to know.”
“I’m so worried I’m doing the wrong thing,” she said. “I have never done anything this unplanned before.”
“That doesn’t mean it’s wrong,” Gavin said. “Everything is going to work out as it’s meant to, don’t worry.”
“If it wasn’t wrong, then why is all of this bad stuff happening to me?”
Naomi’s eyes were so sad that Gavin was speechless for a moment. The fierce urge to protect her suddenly expanded to her feelings, and he found himself searching for the words that might help her to combat her hopelessness.
“Well … I still think things are going to look up for you. And soon. You just have to let go of the belief that they won’t.”
“Let it go? Hm. Let it go.” Naomi closed her eyes and let out a soft sigh, allowing her shoulders to slump, relaxed.
Suddenly, a semi honked loudly and pulled up beside the car.
“What seems to be the trouble?” the driver asked, looking kindly from Naomi to Gavin.
“My car won’t start,” Naomi said quietly, looking from Gavin to the man driving. “I don’t know why.”
“Everything appears normal under the hood,” Gavin reported.
The driver looked up for a moment thoughtfully, then returned his gaze back to Gavin and Naomi.
“Can you do me a favor and try to start the car, ma’am?”
Naomi nodded and got behind the wheel, turning the engine. It was completely futile, and the key again refused to bring the vehicle to life.
“That’s what I thought. I saw you drive by the truck stop a few miles back and thought you were in some trouble. You’ve had your hazard lights on this whole way. Let me see your steering wheel, please.”
Naomi frowned and got out of the car to let the man poke around inside. “Do you leave the keys in this thing overnight?”
Naomi’s cheeks reddened.
“Sometimes…and I left my lights on the other night.”
The trucker sighed.
“There’s a piece missing here, if the key’s in too long it will totally drain your battery. It’s completely dead right now.”
Naomi sighed heavily. “Oh no…”
“Don’t worry, ma’am, it’s an easy fix. Just need a little jump, that’s all. I’ll get it all set up and get you back on the road. Next time, though, be careful about that kind of thing.”
“I didn’t even realize they were on,” Naomi murmured as the truck driver got out of the truck with some jumper cables. “I must have hit something when I was packing the car up and didn’t notice.”
“Happens to the best of us,” he said, smiling at her quickly. “Mind if we use your truck? Think my rig might be a bit big.”
Gavin blinked. “Sure. Of course.”
In just a matter of a few moments, the men had Naomi’s car started again and she smiled brightly, her eyes filled with tears.
“Thank you so much,” she said, her voice wavering with emotion. “I don’t know what I would have done without you two.”
“It was no problem, ma’am,” the truck driver said, climbing back in his semi and heading back down the road without another glance back at them.
“And you, Gavin, thank you so much for staying with me and trying to help me calm down. I can’t tell you how grateful I am. Please, take some money or…”
“Whoa, no. No way. No money. That is all for you. To start your new life. I was just doing what had to be done,” Gavin said, backing away. “Please don’t try to give me anything.”
“Well … is there at least a way I can contact you? So I can send you a thank you card or something?”
“A thank you card?” Gavin asked, frowning. He had heard tell of this custom but had never seen it in action. He was very curious what a thank you card might consist of. “I suppose that would be all right.”
He fished into his pocket for his wallet and pulled out a business card. He handed it to Naomi, who took it happily.
“Thank you so much, Gavin! I really don’t know what I would have done without you!”
Gavin couldn’t help but smile. It felt good to help this girl. He was suddenly glad he had taken the time to stop for her, especially now that all was said and done. Despite his bizarre attraction to her, he was happy. She was significantly calmer after speaking with him, and when the car had finally started, she had smiled radiantly, and he knew she was going to be all right. And that was a great feeling.
“You don’t owe me anything. Just carry that happiness with you into your new life,” Gavin said, grinning at her.
“I will,” Naomi promised. “You can count on
it.”
Gavin gave a small nod and climbed back into his truck. As he drove away, he couldn’t help but glance in his rearview mirror to look at Naomi, who was driving away as happy as could be. He felt a surge of warmth at seeing her go; a consuming, overwhelming feeling that was both startling and reassuring. Everything was going to be okay now. For the both of them. He could feel it.
4.
Naomi opened the screen door of the motel room and took a deep breath, the handsome stranger from the road still fresh on her mind. She had never seen a guy like that in her life. How had he just appeared that way? There was something strange about it. Almost kismet. It was a nice feeling, honestly, and she wasn’t sure she would ever have it again.
Still, she couldn’t read too much into it. There were handsome men all over the place. It was just nice that it had been this one who had promised to help her and stayed true to his word, comforting her and guiding her to peace of mind, despite having his own affairs to attend to.
He had even helped her feel better about moving, somehow. It was nice to be home after so long, though she still couldn’t bring herself to reach out to any of her old friends. After having ignored them for so long, she was too ashamed of herself to let them know she had learned they were right the hard way and should have swallowed her pride a long time ago. It was embarrassing.
“Meow.”
Gumbo wrapped himself between her legs reassuringly and she leaned down to give his soft body a long stroke. He purred against her and then went on his way.
She stepped outside of the room, considering her list of things to do. First and foremost, she needed a job. She had a lot of savings being a manager at a well-to-do business for quite a while. It hadn’t been her passion. But now that she had left, she knew she could begin to really try and find the parts of herself she had been missing during her relationship with Stu.
