William didn’t move.
I exhaled slowly. “I’m going to talk to her.”
William nodded once. “She won’t love it.”
“I won’t force it,” I said.
I crossed the lot and knocked lightly on the driver’s side door frame since the window was down.
Lydia startled, knee knocking against the dashboard.. Her cheeks were flushed, eyes bright with determination and embarrassment layered together.
“Oh,” she said. “Hi.”
“Hi,” I replied. “Rough evening?”
She glanced pointedly at her family. “You could say that.”
“Would you like help?” I asked.
The hesitation was immediate. Pride flared first, then logic, then something that looked a lot like relief.
“Yes,” she said. “Please.”
I got in on the passenger side, careful to keep my movements deliberate. The cab was smaller than expected since the seat had been moved forward as far as it could go due to Lydia’s height constraints. My knees were pressed against the dash as I put on my seatbelt.
“First,” I said, “let’s get some privacy. It’s easier to learn things without an audience.”
I caught William’s eye and tilted my head toward the inn. He understood immediately.
“All right,” he called. “That’s enough for tonight. We all have work to do.”
Jane protested softly. Kitty objected loudly. Mrs. Bennet hovered for several seconds longer before Lucy looped an arm through hers and guided her back inside, murmuring something that finally convinced her to retreat. Meri followed them inside.
The lot quieted.
Lydia let out a breath that sounded like it had been trapped for hours. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” I said. “Now. Start from the beginning.”
She restarted the engine, hands shaking just enough to be noticeable.
“Clutch all the way in,” I said. “Good. Now don’t watch your feet. Listen.”
“It sounds angry,” she said.
“It sounds impatient,” I corrected. “You want to let off the clutch and put on the gas in tandem, nice and slowly.”
She tried again. The truck lurched forward, then stalled.
She dropped her head back against the seat. “I’m terrible at this.”
“You’re new,” I said. “Everyone who is new at something doesn’t suddenly become an expert. It takes time and practice.”
She glanced at me, as if searching my face for judgment, and found none. Her mouth tightened with renewed determination.
We went around the lot once, very slowly. She stalled twice, but each recovery came quicker than the last. Her movements grew steadier, less reactive.
“That’s it,” I said. “Feel where it catches.”
