For Hannah’s sake, he hoped it was good news. But for his own, he hoped the repairs might keep her in Bear Creek for a day or two... just long enough to give him a chance to win her heart.
Because he’d already lost his heart to her.
The diagnosis, when it came, was straightforward.
“It’s the suspension,” Roy confirmed, stepping out from under the car. “The control arm’s bent, and there’s damage to the bushings, too. Must have hit something pretty solid.”
Hannah’s face fell, but she nodded once, accepting the information. “Can it be fixed?”
“Oh, sure,” Roy said. “But we’ll need to order the parts. They’re not something I keep in stock, especially for a model this old.”
See?his bear said smugly.Fate found a way.
Caleb ignored the smug satisfaction radiating from his bear and focused on keeping his expression neutral. The damage was real. The delay was unavoidable. That was all that mattered.
“How much will it cost?” Hannah asked, her voice steady despite the slight tremor in her hands.
Roy wiped his hands on a rag. “Let me work up a quote for you. Shouldn’t take long.”
As Roy disappeared into the office, Hannah stood hugging herself, shoulders hunched against the cold. The garage wasn’t heated well, and her clothes were still damp from the rain. A violent shiver ran through her, visible even from where Caleb stood.
The need to hold her, to warm her, to protect her, surged through him. His bear growled with approval as Caleb stepped closer.
“You’re freezing,” he said, keeping his voice casual.
“I’m fine,” she replied automatically, but her chattering teeth betrayed her.
Caleb unzipped his jacket. “Here, take my sweater.”
Hannah looked at him strangely, her brow furrowing. “What? No, I can’t...”
“My jacket’s kept me dry,” he explained, his tone matter-of-fact, “and I’ve got a T-shirt under the sweater. I won’t miss it.” He gestured toward the small restroom in the corner of the garage. “Why don’t you go change while Roy works out your quote?”
She hesitated, glancing between him and the restroom, but another violent shiver seemed to make the decision for her. “Okay. Thanks.”
Caleb slipped off his jacket, aware of her eyes on him as he pulled the sweater over his head. The weight of her gaze made his skin warm despite the chill air. He handed her the sweater, the dark gray wool still carrying his body heat.
“Thanks,” Hannah murmured, the briefest shy smile flickering across her face before she turned and walked away.
As the restroom door closed behind her, Roy reappeared, raising a questioning eyebrow. “So,” he said, a wide grin spreading across his face, “your mate?”
Caleb shrugged, running a hand through his hair. “I sensed her on the road,” he said simply. “And there she was.”
Roy chuckled, clapping him on the shoulder. “Well, the part is going to take a couple of days, so you have some time to get to know her.” His grin widened. “And to win her heart.”
Caleb looked toward the restroom door, and he finally allowed himself a small glimmer of hope. Fate had stepped in.
Before he could respond, the door opened, and Hannah stepped out wearing his sweater.
The sight robbed him of breath. The sweater was far too large for her, the sleeves rolled up at the wrists, the hem reaching mid-thigh. But seeing her wrapped in something of his, surrounded by his scent, did things to him, primitive things that made his bear rumble with satisfaction.
Staring, his bear warned.
Caleb jerked his gaze away as Hannah approached, though it took every ounce of his willpower not to devour every part of her with his eyes. The neckline gaped slightly, revealing the delicate curve where her neck met her shoulder. His bear growled, wanting to press his nose there, to breathe her in, to mark her with his scent.
While Caleb wanted to press his lips to her skin and trail kisses lower...
Enough,Caleb ordered himself and forced himself to look at the floor instead.
