“Are all of you okay?We’re not sure what happened.”
Evan stood and squinted at him.“Have you been running this machine all day?”
The man stared at Evan due to his less than perfect speech, though he seemed to get most of what he’d said.
“He’s deaf.I can interpret if you want.”
“How did he know what was going to happen?”
Mercedes signed and Evan responded.“It’s a hot day, and I noticed the bucket was up the entire time we were eating.The heat makes the hydraulic fluid expand.The pressure builds up in the hoses and can cause them to malfunction.”
When Mercedes told the man what Evan had said, his eyebrows slid closer.“I know that.We didn’t think it was that hot today.It’s Friday, and we all want to go home for the weekend.”
“The rhythm of the bucket was off.It was too jerky and shook in the wrong way.You get to know the feel of the machine once you use it enough.”Mercedes explained what Evan had said.
“We’re so glad you knew what to do,” the mom said, her voice shaky with gratitude.“You saved our boys.We want to thank you so much.”
When Mercedes interpreted, though Evan seemed to get the gist of what she was saying, he merely shrugged.“I’m glad they’re okay.”
The dad thrust his hand out and shook hard.“We want to repay you for saving them.”
Evan waved him off.“I work with this kind of equipment every day.It was second nature.”
The dad dug in his wallet, extracted a business card, and handed it to Evan.“Our family owns a restaurant here on the Cape.Please, stop by and get a free meal on us.It’s the least we can do.”
Mercedes glanced at the card.It was one of the nicer, more expensive restaurants in town.She’d only been there once, years ago, for some big celebration.They didn’t often spend that much for meals.She interpreted and Evan took the card.
“Thanks.I’m glad I was able to help.”
The family stumbled away, the boys still whimpering.When Evan turned to look at her, his eyes held a quiet intensity.She couldn’t believe he’d rushed in to rescue that family so quickly.He’d never even given a thought to his own safety.Her heart was still pounding after the rush, and she smiled at him.“You scared me.”
“I’m sorry.There wasn’t time to explain.I didn’t want you in harm’s way, and I needed to get the boys away from there when the arm came down.”
“It still amazes me that you knew.The people running the equipment apparently weren’t aware.”
He lifted one shoulder.“Like the guy said, it’s late on a Friday, and they all want to go home.My guess is they’re running behind schedule and didn’t take the necessary breaks the equipment needs in this weather.But I also feel things a little differently than others because I can’t hear.I have to use my other senses.”
Hadn’t she just been thinking that?“That makes me extra lucky to be with you and your super senses.Like a superhero.”
He raised his eyes to the sky and smirked.“Hardly a superhero.I don’t have a cape, and I definitely can’t fly.”
“I can make you a cape.It can match my cheerleader outfit.And flying is so outdated.Rescuing people is the new deal.”
Before he could respond, she jumped into his arms and hugged him.His arms automatically surrounded her, and she reveled in the feel of them on her back.When they eased back, she leaned in to kiss his cheek, but he must have been about to say something because he turned his head.Their lips met.It was only an instant before they both jumped apart and started walking back to the house.
His lips had felt heavenly, and she wanted more, but suddenly things between them were awkward as heck.
Chapter Twelve
Evan sighed as he stared out the window at the house next door.The one where Mercedes stayed.Last night, they’d said good night and knew they’d see each other the next day.If he could even face her today after that weird half kiss thing.Well, her lips had connected fully with his, but it hadn’t lasted long.Definitely not long enough for him.The sweet taste he’d gotten, no matter how small, had whet his appetite for more.Had she liked it?
Who was he kidding?She’d reacted to him saving the little boys.That was all.He didn’t want a woman who only wanted him due to a case of hero worship.Especially since he was no hero.
In the kitchen, he found his grandparents already at the table, drinking coffee.
“Want a cup?”his Pops asked, holding up a mug.
“No, thanks.I’m not a coffee drinker.”
