After paying, and without another word to Barry, who looks as happy as a clam, I get into my car and fight tears as I start it and leave the parking lot, on the highway headed back to Bitterroot Valley.
I no longer have any desire to run errands. I can’t really afford the few things I wanted to pick up anyway, and I can live without them.
This is so fucked up.
I really have to find another mechanic. I can’t keep going to that creep. I’m pretty sure he’s raping me with the prices, and I can’t afford him.
I wonder if I could get a loan for a decent used car?
Or perhaps I’ll take some money out of my inheritance from Justin and buy a new car. It’smymoney, but I hate using it.
It seems that this time, I don’t have a choice.
I’ve just turned the curve that marks the halfway point between the two towns when suddenly, the car starts to grind and knock, then dies altogether. I barely manage to get it to the side of the road, out of the way of traffic.
Breathing hard, I stare straight ahead, both hands gripping the wheel.
Shit, I’m lucky I didn’t get in a wreck.
But now, I let the tears come.
Because I can’t afford another tow truck.
And I can’t afford another goddamn bill from that fucker, Barry.
Fuck. What am I going to do?
Chapter Six
BROOKS
It’s a nice day, and with fall pretty much here, there won’t be many days left to ride my motorcycle before it gets too cold and the snow flies. I’ve been putting in long hours at work, so I took the afternoon off and decided to ride around the valley. I took backroads from Bitterroot Valley over to Silver Springs, breathing in the fresh mountain air, feeling the bike beneath me, and letting the sun bake me a little.
I need to work on forgetting a certain blonde who’s had my attention for more than two decades. I’m still pissed at myself for buying the flowers for the porch. It was stupid.
But the following morning, when she walked past, she smiled. Her whole gorgeous face just lit right up, as if it were fireworks at Disney World.
And dammit, I’d do it again.
Fuck.
There I go thinking about her again.
I drive through Silver Springs, slowing down as I pass through the downtown area. It’s a tiny town, even smaller than Bitterroot Valley, and within minutes, I’m out on the highway, headed for home.
Slowing to go around a tight corner in the road, I notice a car broken down on the shoulder, and when I narrow my eyes, I see that it’s Jules sitting in the driver’s seat.
Crying.
Motherfucker.
Checking my mirrors, I slow and make a U-turn, then circle back and come to a stop behind her. After setting the bike on the kickstand and removing my helmet, I make my way to the passenger door so I’m not close to traffic and tap on the glass.
Jules startles and screams, but when she sees it’s me, she hits the mechanism to unlock the door, and I pull it open.
“Hey.” I frown as it looks like she’s fighting to catch her breath. “Are you okay?”
She shakes her head and wipes the tears from her cheeks. “Not good at being spooked. Fuck.”
