“I don’t want you to leave me,” she added softly.“I called Tiffany while I was on my way to Marydale.She assures me that she’ll make sure we’ll have a nice house there if that’s where you have to be for work.”
He chuckled.“Wewill have a nice house?That sounds like you’re looking for more than a hayride date.”
“Oh, the tow truck is here!”
He could see the flatbed rig approaching.“About the looking for more than a hayride date?”
She giggled.“I’m looking for the whole hayrides, concerts, holidays, movie nights, worship services, kids, pets, everything together for ever package.Now, I have to go.They can’t put my car on the tow truck if I’m in it.”
Her end of the call went silent as Fred made a U-turn to come up behind her car.She was his.Forever his Esther.Thank you, God, for giving her back to me,he prayed as he put his car into park.
“Hey, do you need any help?”Fred asked as he joined the tow truck driver in front of Esther’s car.
“No, this looks like an uncomplicated job.”His brow furrowed.“Do you work at Drummonds?”
Fred nodded.“I do.I was just out at Marydale helping set up the new shop there.”
“Oh, I heard they were getting one there.It’ll be nice to have a place there.How soon are they opening?”He asked as he got down on the ground to attach the tow strap to Esther’s car.
“It’s looking like the official opening will be in February, but the soft opening while we train people will be in January.”
“Nice.Do you know if they’re still hiring?I have a cousin who’s just finishing her red seal out in Alberta but is looking to move back home.I’ve heard good things about working for Drummonds.”He opened Esther’s car door, turned the key in the ignition, set the transmission to neutral, and tied the steering wheel with the seatbelt to keep it going straight when he started up the winch to pull it onto the flatbed.
“I honestly don’t know if they’re still taking applications.I’m sure it’s on the website.I’ve just recently been added to the team getting the place up and running.”
“No worries.I’ll shoot her a text to look into it.”He went to start the winch whirling.“She’ll be happy to hear there’s a possibility of working for Drummonds.They don’t lose mechanics very often.”
No, they didn’t.The Drummonds were great to work for.
“I suppose you want this taken to Drummonds in Hatfield Falls?”The driver looked to Esther for confirmation.
“Yeah, that’d be best.Oh, and when you get there, if Parker is there, could you let him know that I’m fine and with Fred?”
The guy shrugged.“If I see him, I’ll relay the info.Fred, huh?Bennett?”
“Yep, that’s me.”
“I was in Brandon’s class.”He extended a hand.“I’m Martin Smith.How’s your brother doing?”
“He just opened an art studio in town.”
“No way!The Weekend Wandereris his?”
“Yep, it is.”
“I’ve driven past there a few times and wondered whose place that was.I’ll have to stop in there sometime and sayhi.We took a photography class together back in the day.I can snap a good selfie or social media pic, but he had something special.”
“I couldn't agree more.He’s expanded into doing some art pieces and not just photography.I’m sure he’d be happy to have you visit.”
Martin started working on tying down Esther’s car, which had successfully made it onto the back of his truck.“I’ll be good to go here in a minute or two.I’ll drop both the car and the message at Drummonds.”
“Thanks.”Fred turned with Esther’s hand in his to head back to his car.“So forever, huh?”he asked her.
“If you’ll have me.”
“I don’t want anyone else.”He paused at the passenger door with her between it and him.“You know, my dad knew after one date that he was going to marry my mom.Looks like we have him beat.We haven’t even had a date yet, but, yes, Esther Adams, I accept your proposal.I will gladly marry you.Whenever you think we should say our I do’s, I’ll be there.”
“As if you won’t help plan the wedding,” she scoffed as she wrapped her arms around his neck.“You were the only one of your brothers who never scorned the idea of getting married.”
