“Contact number?” she muttered.
“I think you already have that too,” I smirked, but she glared even harder. “Fine,” I huffed. “852-6148. That’s a Camden number.”
“Camden huh?” she smirked. “What were you doing all the way out on Route 28? That’s nowhere near Camden.”
“Is that on your little form there?” I motioned with a flick of my finger.
Her face began to turn red, and I chuckled under my breath. “It was merely an observation,” she sighed.
“Un huh,” I nodded, amused. “So do I get the name of whomever is fixing my tire? Who do I ask for if I call to check on it?” I crossed my arms over my chest.
“Rachel,” she snapped.
“Rachel,” I let the name roll around in my mouth. She was a spitfire, that was for sure. Her head turned in my direction as her eyes snapped to mine. “So that’s your name? Rachel?” I smiled. I wanted to lighten the mood. This woman was beautiful in her own spunky way, and she intrigued me. The fact that she didn’t react when she heard my name was also a plus. She didn’t know my past, and she didn’t know what the future held. I could be me without the cloud hanging over us, and that right there was reason enough to keep whatever this was, up.
Chapter 3
Rachel
When Ryan’s friend pulled up to the garage the other night, he only offered a wave before slipping into the passenger seat and taking off. It was odd. For someone who seemed as interested as he was, he sure gave up easily, or so I thought. For the last four days he’s called every afternoon around lunch time under the ruse that he’s checking on my progress. At first I believed him, but then when he threw in the request to take me out to dinner, I knew it was all an excuse. He’d start the conversation the same every time.
“So, what are you doing tonight?”
“Sleeping,” I’d deadpan.
“Huh, I heard that’s good for you. Do you know what else is? Eating,” he’d sound so serious. “Why don’t you come out with me tonight and eat? I’ll even pay.”
“Like a date?” I’d sigh.
“If it makes you feel good to call it that, sure,” he’d chuckle.
“Then no,” I’d snap back. “I’m busy washing my hair,” I made up a different excuse every time, but that was what I told him yesterday when he called. Today, however, would be different. Today he was picking up his Jeep. I was finished, and now he wouldn’t have an excuse to call me.
I didn’t have much scheduled today and Dan had come in early. When I walked down the steps from my apartment over the garage, he was already hard at work.
“Morning,” I yawned as I ran my fingers through my hair and began pulling it up in a messy ponytail. It was supposed to be fairly warm today, and working in an unairconditioned garage was not something I was looking forward to. On these days I liked to start early, so by the time the place heated up I could take a break. These were the days where I worked early, and stayed late.
“Morning,” Dan stuck his arm out from under the Civic he was working on and waved. His feet were all I could really see as he worked to change the oil. “I can work through lunch if you need me to,” he called causing me to stop right before I entered my office.
“Why would I need you to work through lunch?” I leaned against the door jamb.
“No reason,” he chuckled. “Just figured I’d let you know.”
“Ohh Kay,” I drew the word out before shaking my head and shuffling the rest of the way through the door. I moved over to where my coffee maker was sitting on top of the small dorm fridge, and began making a pot. I needed the caffeine, and I needed it now. I wasn’t sure what was up with Dan, but at the moment I wasn’t going to let it bother me.
After starting the coffee, I sat down at my desk and began pulling up the schedule for the day. Ryan was picking his Jeep up at eleven, and I had two tire rotations coming in for the afternoon. Other than that, there wasn’t going to be much going on. I should send Dan home after he finishes what he’s working on, but I don’t have the heart. He’s trying to provide for his family, and I totally understand that. I haven’t told him that the garage is in debt so far that I feel like I’m drowning. I honestly don’t know how much longer I’m going to be able to keep him on. My dad’s legacy is slipping though my fingers, and I don’t know how to save it. I have this fear that one day I’m going to wake up and not be able to flip the closed sign that hangs in the door to open.
Right when the coffee finished, the phone on my desk began ringing. I furrowed my brow as I stared at it as if it would tell me who was calling. On most days it remained silent, but the last couple have been different, starting with the late tow days ago.
“Hello?” I picked up the receiver and twisted the cord around my finger. I know I should upgrade to a cordless, but my dad used this phone and it has sentimental feelings attached to it.
“Miss McKenzie?” the man on the other end questioned.
“Yes, this is she,” I slowly lowered myself into the chair behind my desk before the voice continued.
“I need to talk to you about the mortgage on McKenzie’s Garage. You’re the owner now, correct?” the voice lost all friendliness and became all business just like that.
“I am the owner, yes,” I swallowed against the tightening in my throat. “I made a payment just last week,” I knew I was still behind by several months, but I was hoping that my attempts were making some sort of impact.
“I see you’re still more than seven thousand behind here. What are you plans for making up this deficit?”
“I’m working on it. I’ll get you your money. I promise,” I begged. I had no idea where this money was going to come from, but I knew that the bank would have no problem kicking me out and taking everything away if I didn’t figure something out soon.
“You know your interest rate is going to rise if you don’t make a significant decrease in this total soon,” he sounded bored with me, and I’m sure that in the grand scheme of things, my little garage was nothing.
“Yes, I’ll…” but before I could finish, the call disconnected. “Great,” I muttered as I placed the receiver back in its cradle. I turned toward the now finished coffee, and poured myself a cup. I needed to get some caffeine into my system, and fast.
After putting a little cream and some sugar in my mug, I turned back toward my desk. I was going to try and get a little paperwork done and possibly figure out where I could cut costs again. My budget was so tight that I wasn’t sure I could squeeze any more funds out of even the biggest areas. Letting Dan go now was really my only option, and that wouldn’t even really make a difference.
As I sipped my coffee and scrolled through the books on my computer, I pushed one hand through my hair, causing small pieces to fall out of the ponytail on top of my head. I was so engrossed in what I was doing that I didn’t even hear him when he stepped into my office.
“Morning,” he called happily, causing me to startle and slop hot coffee onto my lap. “Shit. I’m sorry,” he rushed forward, and attempted to help me clean up the mess with the shop cloth I’d grabbed off the back counter.
“What is it with you and drinks?” I glared up at him. “First beer, and now coffee. You’re dangerous to drink around,” I huffed as I batted his hand away.
“Must be a sign,” his face morphed right in front of me to a cocky smile.
“A sign for what?” I grumbled as I wiped at my lap again. It was a good thing I lived upstairs. I could easily change if I needed to.
“That you should join me for breakfast,” he shrugged as he stepped back and leaned against the doorway. “I hear Emmy Lou’s has a killer omelet,” his smile flashed again as his eyes scanned down the front of me, causing a wake of heat to follow.
“I already ate,” I rolled my eyes as I started shuffling through the papers on my desk. I wanted to find his invoice, and get him the hell out of there.
“Well, how about coffee then since I made you spill yours?” he grinned.
“You don’t take a hint, do you?” I found the invoice and thrust it in his direction impatiently.
“About what?” he slowly pulled it from my grasp and began scanning over it, reading every single notation.
“I’m not going on a date with you,” I grumbled as I started to sit back down.
“Satisfaction guaranteed. Do you really mean that?” his eyes lifted from the paper to meet mine.
“Yes,” I huffed.
“Well, I’m not satisfied. I’d like to take my new tire for a test drive, and I’d like you to come with me to make sure that everything goes ok,” his smile dropped as he crossed his arms back over his chest, and pushed off the door.
“Are you serious?” I squawked.
“Yep,” he smirked as he took the keys from where I’d laid them on the corner of my desk and twirled them around his index finger. “I’d like to run through town, that way we can walk if there are any issues.”
“This is not what satisfaction guaranteed means,” I growled as I stormed past him and into the bay where Dan was working. “I’ll be back in five minutes,” I called as I yanked at my ponytail in annoyance. “Mr. Mitchell wants a test drive.”
“No worries,” Dan called as he waved from under where he was working.
I could hear Ryan’s footsteps behind me as I walked toward where I’d parked his Jeep on the lot. I marched around to the passenger door, and yanked it open before begrudgingly climbing in. I glanced around quickly and noticed that other than Dan’s truck, the lot was empty. “How did you get here?” I was confused.
Ryan chuckled as he put the key in the ignition and turned the engine over, “My buddy dropped me off. I told him I’d find something to do until I could take the Jeep home.” He winked at me as he pointed toward my door. “Buckle up.”
I shook my head lightly as I flopped back against the seat and pulled the seatbelt across my lap. “We’re just going around the block. I think I’ll be ok.”
“Um, I don’t drive with anyone unless they’re wearing a belt,” his voice changed from teasing to serious right then, and rather than argue, I complied. “Thanks,” his smile was back, and he put the Jeep in gear and pulled out onto the main road, “and we’re going farther than around the block. We’re getting breakfast,” his smile stretched wider as he refused to look at me.
“So you kidnapped me?” I screeched as the Jeep sped up and began heading down the street toward Emmy Lou’s.
“Nope, borrowed. I’ll give you back in an hour or so,” he lifted a shoulder before turning into the parking lot. “I owe you a coffee, and I need to make up for the beer. You won’t tell me yes when I ask, so I figured this was the only way. Dan was ok with it,” he snickered.
“Wait! Dan was ok? You two set me up!” I stomped my foot on the ground like a child as I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned back against the Jeep.
“Oh come on,” he rushed around the passenger side and grabbed my elbow, tugging me toward the door. “It’s just breakfast. I’m hungry, and need to eat.”
Deciding it was better to give in than fight him anymore, I let him guide me inside. It was just breakfast, right? It didn’t mean anything. It couldn’t mean anything. I wouldn’t let it.
Chapter 4
Rachel
When we entered Emmy Lou’s, Ryan led me over to a table in the corner. The small diner was buzzing with the morning crowd, and the smell of sausage and maple syrup filled the air. My stomach growled when I sat down, and Ryan chuckled.
“What? I’m hungry now,” I snapped as he shook his head at me.
“Morning,” a petite woman came bouncing over and handed us menus. “The Lumberjack combo is on special today. What can get ya to drink?”
“Coffee’s fine for me,” I muttered without looking up.
“A water and an apple juice, please,” Ryan’s voice was pleasant.
“Comin’ right up,” she turned quickly and bounded back toward the kitchen.
“So, are you always this sour?” he kicked me lightly under the table to get my attention, “or it this just for me?”
My forehead crinkled as I looked up at him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I shrugged. “Maybe I don’t like being tricked,” I thinned my lips as I stared at him. It was the first time I’d really taken the time to take all his features in. His sandy blond hair was sticking out on the sides from the baseball cap he’d been wearing in the Jeep. He’d taken it off when we came in, and now it was resting beside him on the table. I didn’t even know guys still did that. His blue eyes sparkled in the sunlight coming through the nearby window, and tee shirt he was wearing pulled tight across his shoulders. The last time I’d seen him he was wearing hospital scrubs which completely hid any definition he had to his body, but this definitely didn’t. Low slung khakis hung on his hips, and a pair of brown leather flip-flops were on his feet.
“Fair enough,” he nodded, bringing me out of my daze. “I’m sorry I tricked you, but you intrigue me and this was the only way I could get you to come,” he smiled wide, showing off perfect white teeth. My stomach did this little flip as I watched him. His head tipped back down as he scanned the menu, and his jaw did this little flexing thing as he read over the specials. I don’t even think he was aware of it.
I sighed as I placed the menu off to the side. I knew what I wanted. I used to come here all the time with my dad, but I hadn’t been here in years. It hurt to remember our Saturday morning ritual of waffles and bacon. I knew part of my sour disposition was from the memories that haunted me. Ryan didn’t know about this, and didn’t deserve me taking it out on him. “I’m sorry,” I mumbled as I fidgeted in my seat. “Can we just… I don’t know, start over?” I turned to stare out the window, avoiding the look of triumph that was sure to spread across his face.
“Deal,” his excitement was infectious, and when I glanced back at him I couldn’t help but smile. He was holding his hand out over the table for me to shake, and when I reached for it his smile grew even wider, if it was possible. He nodded before going back to his menu, and then began rummaging in his pocket. I didn’t know what he was doing, but it wasn’t really my business either.
The waitress brought our drinks shortly, took our order, and then disappeared as Ryan was setting what looked like a pen of sorts and a small notepad on the table. I stared for a moment before sipping my coffee. Ryan didn’t even look in my direction as he set something else on the table. I watched as he used a small cylinder type device to prick his finger. He placed it against a small square plastic type thing and waited.
“I’m diabetic,” he offered a half smile as he removed his thumb and stuck it into his mouth. I nodded slowly before tipping my head to the side.
“For how long?” it slipped out, and I knew it was none of my business.
“Since I was little,” he shrugged before glancing down at his supplies, nodding in approval, and writing in the notepad. “I have to keep up with my sugar levels and what I eat,” he explained as he wrote something else, and then slipped everything back into his pockets.
“Oh,” I nibbled my lip.
“Don’t look at me like that. I’m fine,” he sighed as the waitress brought over our food and he took a bite of eggs. I write down what I eat, that lets me know how much insulin to take. I’ve been doing this since I was in grade school and I’m a nurse,” he rolled his eyes and then sipped the juice.
“Doesn’t juice have a lot of sugar?” I didn’t know much about this, but I knew that apple juice was given to people when their sugar was low. Orange juice was better, but I assumed he just wasn’t a fan.
“Yes, and my sugar was low this morning hence the reason I said I needed to eat. Please don’t turn this into something that it’s not,” he begged as he closed the subject and took another bite of food.
“My dad and I used to come here every Saturday for breakfast,” I blurted. I felt like I needed to share something personal since I’d practically invaded his personal stuff. “We’d s
it at the counter over there, and eat waffles,” I smiled but it was forced. I didn’t talk about my dad, but something about Ryan made it easier. I couldn’t place why, but once I started it seemed I couldn’t stop.
I rambled for what felt like forever as I told him about my father and the garage. How he ran the business that I was now losing. How he met my mom, and how they lived upstairs until they had me. I told him about Dad dying, and trying to keep up his legacy. He sat there listening to me purge myself of all the burdens I’d been carrying around for years. I’d never told anyone half the stuff I was telling him, and he just nodded along and listened. It felt freeing to let it go, but when I finally finished we just sat there. I didn’t know how to follow up the conversation, and Ryan wasn’t looking at me anymore. He was staring out the window just like I’d been doing with a blank expression.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to unload like that,” I murmured as I picked at my waffles. I’d eaten half of them, and was now full.
“It’s ok,” he whispered before bringing himself back to the present. “I’m glad you did,” he smiled softly before reaching across the table and wrapping his fingers around my wrist. He tugged my hand in his direction before releasing my wrist and grabbing my hand. “How about dinner?” his lips curved up and that crooked smile that I fought so hard to resist was back.
“You don’t’ give up, do you?” I shook my head at him.
“Well, now that we know each other’s life stories the least I can do is buy you dinner,” he teased. “No tricking this time, promise,” he released my hand and placed his palm over his heart. “Please?” his bottom lip curled down in a pout as his eyes twinkled with mirth.
“Fine,” I groaned as I let my head tip back so I could stare at the ceiling. “I’ll go, but you have to get me back to the garage so I can get enough work done to take a night off,” I narrowed my eyes at him before breaking into a smile.
When we finished eating, Ryan paid the bill and drove me back to the garage. It was a quiet ride, and he spent most of it in what seemed like deep thought. Every once in a while I would glance in his direction and it would seem like he was lost in his head. I didn’t really know him that well, so I didn’t question it.
Beautiful Goodbye Page 3
