“Parents are good at worrying, no matter how old we are. I’m sure we’d be the same way if we were in their position.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right. Oh, hang on. They’re finally connecting me.”
I step to the side to allow her some privacy verifying her personal information. For a nursing student, I’m impressed with her choice of vehicles. It’s not a brand new car, but anyone that drives an Audi, including the A3 model, gets two thumbs up from me. I lean down to look at the tire and run my hand along the edge. This isn’t going to be a cheap fix by any means. The rim still looks good, but that’s all I can say about it.
“Well, this just stinks,” she says after a few minutes and joins me next to her car.
“Uh, oh. Not good?”
“Apparently, this town is much smaller than I thought. They have two wreckers but one is out of commission. And I’m the third ticket for the one that works. Can you believe there are two other people ahead of me? What am I supposed to do in the meantime?”
I could think of a few things, noting the way her pouty lips move when she speaks. Give me a break, okay? Guys think about this stuff all the time. While most won’t openly admit to it, it’s just the way we operate.
“How long are we talking about?” I’m okay hanging around for a little while but if we’re talking more than a few hours, I’m not sure on how I feel about that. Considering I still need to do the shopping, I really wanted to make it to Black Hill Bend before dark.
“They said it could be a few hours.”
I look down at my watch. I really hate to leave her by herself. Then again, this could be her way of telling me thanks, but no thanks, it’s time for you to go. This isn’t the vibe I’m getting from her, though.
“Did you tell them you’re hardly out of the road, which could lead to an accident?”
“Ohh, why didn’t I think of that?” She rolls her eyes. “See where my head is right now? They gave me the number for the towing company. If I give them a call, perhaps they can make an exception.”
“It’s worth a try.”
“What do I have to lose, huh?”
CHAPTER THREE
We both stand to the side while Sierra’s car is loaded up onto the back of the wrecker. I can tell how emotional she is just by watching the look on her face. She was fine earlier when we went to the little café around the corner for a quick bite to eat but the reality of it has finally set in. I wouldn’t wish being stranded like this on my worst enemy.
She gladly accepts my offer to give her a ride to the repair shop, which is less than a mile away. No way was I letting her get inside the wrecker with that dude regardless of how far of a drive it was going to be. While I’m sure he was harmless, seeing him bundled up in his winter attire, he looked more like the abominable snowman than the operator of a wrecker truck.
The streetlights have already come on, showcasing Christmas decor on every other light pole. They’ve obviously seen better days, considering a couple of the red bows are tattered or missing altogether, but there isn’t a single bulb not working down either side of the street.
Sadly, the CLOSED sign is hanging in the front window when we pull up to the tire repair shop. Thank goodness the owner is still inside and agreed to wait for us.
I feel like Sierra can handle it from here, but it’d look stupid if I waited in the truck. Not very gentleman-like at all. “Would you like me to come inside with you?”
“Would you? I’d really appreciate it. Not that I think this guy is going to try and feed me a bunch of garbage, but you know how it is. They think women don’t know anything when it comes to cars—”
“I don’t mind at all.” I don’t mean to cut her off, but she’s right.
The smell of cinnamon and apple spice meet my nostrils as soon as we walk inside. It’s almost laughable—repair shops are supposed to smell like oil and grease, not grandma’s house during the holidays. I spot the culprit…a cinnamon broom hanging on the door of the manager’s office. The longer I breathe in the smell, the more nauseating it makes me.
Sierra brings her hand up to her nose and I can tell that it’s overpowering for her too. No doubt, we’re both going to smell like an apple who got into a fight with a cinnamon stick when we get out of here. The guy is probably immune to it by now, but what I wouldn’t give for some fresh air. Especially when the heat system kicks on. Hot air mixed with cinnamon spice is downright disgusting.
“Sorry for closing up early, folks,” the owner apologizes. “The flu has been going around so I’m a couple technicians short this week,” he says.
She and I both exchange worried glances. Being a nursing student, I’d like to think she’s on top of taking her Vitamin C, especially with it being winter time when it seems most people are notorious for getting sick. As for me, I’m just going to cross my fingers and hope the germs stay away.
“Thanks for waiting on us to get here,” she tells him.
“Of course, ma’am.” According to the name stitched on his shirt, Mearle pulls out a clipboard and begins to take downthe information about her car. “Have you got your license and insurance information handy?”
“I sure do.” Sierra removes her wallet from her purse and gives him both cards.
“I’ve already shut off the copier so give me a second to get it warmed back up. Do you know what your tag number is right offhand?”
