“Why didn’t you just go active?” he asked.
I shook my head. “I couldn’t leave my sister for that long. I had to be gone for boot camp, but it was in the summertime, and I arranged to have her friend’s parents take her while I was gone.”
Tommy looked confused. “What about your parents?”
I didn’t want to get into my sad life story with the guy who might be my boss. On the other hand, he seemed genuinely interested and concerned. I let out a slow breath. “My parents aren’t…great. I pretty much took over taking care of Allie when I was fourteen. I worked odd jobs until I started working for Jeff when I turned sixteen.”
“But you stayed in high school. Good for you.”
“I had to. I knew quitting school would be a one-way ticket to being exactly like my father. I didn’t want that. I wanted to make something out of my life.”
“I have no doubt you will.” Tommy glanced up at the clock on the wall. “Shit. Here I am, being nosy about your life story, and I’m supposed to be interviewing you. Charlie’s going to kick my ass if I’m late.”
I tilted my head. “Charlie?”
He looked me straight in the eyes and answered, “My husband.”
I didn’t miss a beat. “Well, you don’t want him mad at you.”
“You don’t have a problem with that?”
I shook my head. “No, sir. Why would I?” What I didn’t mention was the confusing feelings I was having for a certain hotel manager.
He grinned at me. “Why indeed. And it’s Tommy.” He stood and came around his desk. “Come on. I have a small task for you.” He headed back into the garage, where a late-model Harley Sportster stood on a raised lift.
“Do you know how to use the diagnostic software?” he asked.
I brightened. “Yeah. I went to a Harley show last year and got talking to one of the reps for the software company, and he let me play around with it. He used me as an example of how easy it was to learn to use the diagnostic equipment.”
“All right, show me what you’ve got.”
I hooked up the machine to the bike and ran the diagnostic check through all the systems. I checked the tablet and found the problem right away. “Looks like the fuel injectors are bad.”
Tommy was watching me quietly, his arms crossed over his chest. “That’s right. What’s next?”
Tommy let me use his tools and watched as I carefully removed the clogged injectors. I looked over at him, feeling a little embarrassed. “I forgot to ask if you had the replacement parts for these.”
Tommy went to the workbench behind him and picked up a box. “Got them right here.”
He brought them over to me, and I got to work cleaning up the engine and installing the new fuel injectors. It probably took me longer than it should have, but I was pretty satisfied with what I’d done. I stepped aside so Tommy could check my work.
He took his time looking over the engine, making sure everything was seated properly. Then he lowered the lift and started the bike. The sweet rumble filled the bay. After he turned it off, he was smiling. “Nice work, Zach. And that’s without the certification course.”
“Thank you,” I replied.
“Now, about the certification,” Tommy began. My heart sank because I knew I had to have it. He was a certified Harley dealer. He couldn’t have an uncertified mechanic working for him.
I blew out a breath. “I just came into some money, and I can probably get a student loan for the rest…”
Tommy put up a hand to stop me. “No need. The shop will pay for it.”
“What?” I wasn’t sure I’d heard him right. “You’re going to pay for it?”
He shrugged. “Not me. The shop.” He handed me a rag to wipe off my hands. “You’ll be a real asset to the team.”
“I…wow. I don’t know what to say.”
“Just tell me when you can start,” Tommy said with a lopsided grin.
