“Spoken like a lady who should be dating a car guy.”
Esther smiled at her friend’s attempt to lift her mood.“I’m going to call CAA and see how long it will be before they can come help me.Then, if it’s too long, I’ll attempt to change it myself.”She knew how, but she really didn’t want to.
“Are you okay?”Tiffany asked.
Esther blew out a breath.“No, not really.”She was feeling jittery.“But nothing’s hurt.I’m just shaken.”
“Call me back once you know what’s up with the roadside assistance.Or just if you need to hear another voice.”
“I will.”
“Esther, I’m praying for you.”
“Thanks.I’m sure I’ll be fine.”Eventually.Hopefully, it wouldn’t be too long.She pressed end on her call with Tiffany, and then scrolled to find the number for the emergency roadside assistance company as she sent her own prayer for safety and guidance heavenward.
Chapter 19
“Thisistheeasiestday I’ve had in a while,” Sean said from where he knelt next to a shelf, stocking it with automotive parts.
“It’s a bit boring,” Fred agreed.He’d rather be elbows deep inside a car, making it work properly.
“That’s not what I said.”
“Maybe not, but that’s what I heard.”Fred had his own box of things he was emptying onto a shelf while a crew of guys worked on installing the between-the-service-bays computers.The shop was basically done and ready for training to start.It just needed those computers configured and connected to the one at the service desk in the waiting area.“It looks good in here.”
“It’s the same as in Hatfield Falls, just smaller and cleaner.”Sean got up from the floor and started breaking down his box.
“That’ll change quickly enough.”A shop could only stay this clean until cars started rolling in, parts were replaced and oil was changed.But Fred had to admit that he loved how the brand-new shop shone with potential.If he stayed in Hatfield Falls, he’d like his new garage to look a bit like this shop did.He took out his phone and took a couple of pictures.
“What are you doing?”Sean asked.
“Recording design ideas for my new garage if I stay in Hatfield Falls.”And he really did want to stay in Hatfield Falls.Marydale was fine, but it wasn’t home, and he wasn’t sure if it ever could be home.
“If you don’t want to move, don’t.Mr.Drummond isn’t going to force you to.”
“I know, but Esther’s there.”That was the issue.A very big issue.One that he wasn’t sure he could or wanted to overcome.He placed his phone on the shelf next to where he was still stocking supplies.“I can’t imagine going to Friendly’s and seeing her and Steve and Maddie shopping together.”The thought both broke his heart and made him angry.
“Yeah, that’d be bad,” Sean agreed.
That was an understatement.
“And awkward,” Sean continued.“It’s definitely one of the dangers of dating in a small town.”
“True, but Esther and I never dated.”
“Maybe not, but it’s the same thing.She was your Esther and now she’s Steve’s.”Sean shot him an apologetic look as he said the last part.
Fred rubbed the back of his neck.How he wanted to her to be his Esther again!But he wouldn’t force his way between her and what God had for her.Even if that was Steve.He closed his eyes and sighed.
When he opened his eyes, he saw Sean watching him with a puzzled look on his face.
“Is something wrong?”he asked.
Sean shook his head.“Not really.I…” He pulled out his phone.“I installed that Bible app you mentioned, and then, started looking at stuff on it.”He tapped on his screen for a moment.“I read this yesterday.”
He handed his phone to Fred.The Bible app was open to a devotional plan that included an entry about the story of Abraham’s sacrifice.
“I think I get it now,” Sean said softly.“You know… why you would give up Esther.”
