Savannah came closer, peering at the car.“You know, these early Civics have a temperamental main relay that cuts out sometimes – especially on steep climbs, or when the tank’s low.”
Cara blinked.“Itislow!I was going to stop for gas when I got back to Hidden Valley.”
Savannah smiled gently.“That’ll do it.They get heat-soaked.Sometimes you can coax it back.”She crouched by the open door, and Jake’s heart hammered when she rested one hand on the seat right next to his thigh.
He had to clear his throat before he could make his voice work.“Want me to get out so you can—”
She shook her head.“It’s fine.”She reached under the dash and gave three sharp taps with her knuckles.“Try it now.”
He turned the key again, and this time the engine coughed, sputtered, and caught.
“Oh my gosh!”Cara exclaimed.“Thank you!”
Jake let out a low whistle.“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Savannah grinned up at him.“It’s a temporary fix.The relay needs replacing, but she’ll get home.”
He laughed softly, shaking his head.“You’re something else, you know that?”
“Just observant,” she said, rising to her feet.
Jake got out to stand beside her and only remembered Cara when she let out a shaky laugh.“Thank you both.I thought I’d broken it.”
He smiled.“You didn’t do anything wrong – in fact, you did everything right.We’ll follow you to the gas station, make sure you don’t run out of gas on the way, and then we’ll make sure you get home.”
“Thank you so much!I’m really sorry.I bet you guys want to get home, too.”She turned to Savannah.“You used to work at the diner in Hidden Valley, didn’t you?I remember you.”She shot a quick glance at Jake before turning back to Savannah.“I can see why you moved away – your husband’s awesome.”
Jake inhaled sharply, and Savannah’s gaze darted toward him for a second, but she didn’t say anything.
Cara’s eyes grew wide.“Oh no, did I put my foot in it?You’re not married, are you?Shoot.I’m so sorry.”
Jake laughed.“It’s okay, it’s not a problem.”He met Savannah’s gaze, and she nodded.
“It’s all good,” she said lightly.
“Do you want to call your dad and let him know we’re following you home?”Jake asked.
“Yep.I’ll do that now – before I go.”
“Take your time, we’ll be right behind you.There’s no hurry.”
They watched Cara get back into the Civic, and once she was on the phone, Jake and Savannah climbed back into the tow truck.
As the Civic pulled away, Savannah turned to him with a smile – she must have felt his gaze on her.
“What?”she asked.“What’s that look for?”
He didn’t know if he could explain it to himself, let alone to her; he was half impressed, half something else he didn’t dare name.
“Remind me again who the mechanic is here?”he asked.
She met his gaze, her lips curving.“Maybe we both are.”
And that gave him an in he’d forgotten to hope for.“There’s no maybe about it.And… I’ve been wanting to ask you, and tonight’s convinced me that I should…”
“Ask me what?”
He couldn’t read her expression in the darkness of the cab and didn’t have time to study her before turning his attention back to the road.So he trusted his gut – that she was curious, not wary – and went for it.
