He nodded, unable to speak while he broke the lug nuts free. In between, he managed, "Yep. Been taking care of the place. Live on the next property over. So I've known Vera for years." He paused, then looked up. "Knew. Sorry."
"Yeah." I wasn't quite ready to talk about Gran. "So, um... you got a name, cowboy?"
"Luke Barrett. How about you, princess?" The crooked smile proved he had no clue who I was.
I looked him over again, trying to make my memories mesh with the hunk before me. "Violet Dawson."
His attention returned to the wheel. "Mm. So what do people call you for short?"
"Violet."
He laughed, not even looking up. "Well, that's a mouthful, isn't it?"
"Yeah, I guess. Never really thought about it."
Finished with the last of the bolts, he finally slid the jack under and began lifting my car. "This your first time to Cats Peak?"
"Nope. Lived here when I was younger. Well, middle school."
"Don't remember ya." He yanked off the ruined tire and turned for the little replacement. "Homeschooled?"
"Something like that." Time to shift the subject a bit. "There a place around here to get a new tire?"
Like a professional, he spun the wrench in his hands, securing the lug nuts back into place. "Yep. We got a grill, a feed store, a vet clinic, and a repair shop. Oh, and the gas station. That's pretty much it."
"Post office?"
He shook his head. "Next town over. So you stayin' for a while?" The car began to sink as he extracted the jack.
I took it from him as soon as the car was free. "Few weeks, at least."
"Gonna be bored up there in that big ol' house alone. Most of us meet up at the grill in the evenings. No beer, but it's as close to a bar as we get. Be happy to introduce you around."
"Thanks," I said, securing the tools back where I'd found them. I had no interest in becoming pals with these people. "Still gotta pack up Gran's things and see how much work the place needs. Last time we talked, she said it wasn't good."
When I headed back for the tire, Luke beat me. A big, strong hand grabbed the edge and hiked it against his hip, not caring about the grease and dust. He gave me a knowing look, then turned for the truck he'd left idling on the side of the road.
"No need to mess up your new car, ma'am. I'll just follow you up to Mike's."
For a moment I wasn't sure if I was offended or flattered. "And what would I have done if you hadn't come along?" The tone of my voice wasn't exactly sweet.
He heaved the tire into the bed. "Cooked in that car while you waited for roadside service?" The smile he turned on me was charming. "Just tryin' to be a gentleman, Miss Dawson. Not sure your nails could take the abuse and there's not exactly a place in town to get them fixed."
He had a point and I knew it. I didn't like it, but I knew it. If it had been anyone else who'd stopped to help... "Ok, so how do I pay you back, Luke?"
Crossing his arms over his chest, the man leaned against his tailgate. It took everything I had not to drool. Damn, Luke had grown up nicely. That posture made his arms look larger than life. It also proved that his shirt was a smidge too tight. When his eyes drifted down to my shoes and back up, I barely noticed. Oddly, I also didn't care.
"Let me buy ya lunch, and we'll call it even."
"No." I lifted my chin to keep the smile at bay. "Mr. Barrett, this is the twenty-first century. You either work for it or pay for it. You don't get both."
"Miss Dawson, this is Cats Peak, Texas. Out here, we ain't changed the calendars from the 1950s. Man's pride takes a beating if he lets a woman pay."
"I see." I rubbed at a little grease on my hand. A gift from the jack. "Shame. I figured it'd hurt more getting turned down."
He chuckled, the sound rich and deep, but pushed himself away from the back of his truck. For a moment I was confused, until he opened the back door of the cab and grabbed a rag. Inside, the country music was still going.
"Prolly would. So's that your way of saying you'll let me buy you lunch?"
