Lu gave me one slow, warning blink.
“Yeah, yeah,” I chuckled. “I’ll shut up, so you can meddle in other people’s lives. This truck cannot be finished quick enough for me. Right, Lorde?”
The dog gave a soft, sleepywoofof agreement.
“At least one of you are on my side.”
Lu was ignoring me completely now, her stance square. She was going to talk sense into this young man until he wised up and asked Jo out on a date. Or asked her to marry him, or live with him, or whatever plan she was set upon.
“I think you’re doing an awful lot of deciding things for her,” Lu said in a clear, reasonable tone. Like a school teacher who was a little disappointed a student hadn’t given his A+ effort on an assignment.
“And I think you should stop assuming things about her, and asking me things you should be asking her.”
Sunshine’s head shot up. He couldn’t have looked more surprised if a yeti had strolled into the shop looking for a snow mobile repair.
“Ask her if she’d like to go on a date,” Lu went on. “Ask her if you can try a long distance thing. Ask her if she’d consider staying in McLean for awhile as a home base for her road work. Ask her if she could come to like living in a small town. Ask her if you can visit her at her place. Ask her. All of that. Any of that.”
He was staring at his boots now, the rag in his hand along with the wrench, worry and hope wrestling his face into interesting expressions.
“Yeah,” he finally breathed. “I should. You’re right. I should. So…lunch?” He glanced up, a sparkle in his eyes.
“That’s what she said.”
“Thanks,” he said. “I’m not usually…”
“…stupid?” I asked.
“…so caught up about someone. I mean, I’ve dated, but when I saw her. Even from that first minute, it was like…” His voice faded out, his eyes got distant, and I knew he was seeing her, seeing that moment again, like it was water in a desert, gifts on Christmas, and puppies in bows all in one.
“All right, all right,” I grunted. “You win, Lu. He’s got feelings for her. Maybe not love at first sight, but it’s at least like at first fight.”
“Do you think someone can fall in love at first sight? Even if he’s been an awkward clod?” Sunshine asked.
She nodded. “Absolutely. Even awkward clods can be pretty charming. I know a few.”
Yeah, I knew that was for me. I chuckled. “Fine. Fine. I give up. You just stir this pot and mess with these poor people’s lives. I’m sure it won’t blow up in your face.”
Lorde gave another softwoof.
“Hey, Cal!” A man strode into the garage like he lived there. The other employees looked up from their work long enough to wave.
Sunshine nodded toward the newcomer.
Lu turned so her back wasn’t to the man, though I knew she would have heard him coming for some time now.
I watched the man too. He was just a little taller than Sunshine, his hair a little darker, and his clothes more business casual—a plaid button-down and clay-colored chinos. But the rest of him bore a sturdy resemblance to Calvin.
Brother? Cousin? Maybe uncle?
“Keith,” Sunshine said. “This is Lu Gauge. Lu, my brother, Keith Fisher.”
Keith offered his hand, with a “Nice to meet you,” and Lu shook it.
Lorde hopped up onto her feet and jogged over to Lu. The dog shook her head, making the tags on her collar jingle. It was her signal for wanting to go outside.
“When should I check back?” Lu asked Sunshine.
He glanced at the truck as if he could read a timer attached to it. “I’d say a couple hours? If you want, I can call and let you know when it’s done.”
