But that baby...
Twenty minutes later, Ben stepped inside the convenience store as the woman and her daughter exited the restroom. He knew what was wrong with her car the moment he put it into gear and it made the same clanking sound he’d heard early this morning. She wouldn’t like the prognosis.
Don’t look at the baby. Just talk to the mom.
“Hi, ma’am, I apologize for not introducing myself earlier. I’m Ben Young.” Thankfully, his voice held steady. He extended his hand, then caught sight of the smudge of grease across his knuckles and jerked it back. He pulled a rag from his pocket and rubbed the offending spot.
“Amy Lawson.” The woman extended her hand and waited for him to take it.
Her grip was not as steady as her voice. She gave him a shaky smile.Is she afraid of me? Or does she fear all men?
Fear was not what he usually saw in people’s faces when they looked at him.
He released her hand and dropped his gaze. This would be easier if he didn’t look at her or the baby. Especially the baby. “Well, Ms. Lawson—”
“Call me Amy, please.”
“Amy, I’m afraid I have—”
“Oh Ben, I’m so glad I caught you.” A busty redhead in red high heels and a snug, low-cut jumpsuit stepped between him and Amy.
Ben bit back a groan and moved back. Debbie Wheeler was out of bed early for a Saturday.
“My car is making a funny noise. I brought it in for you to look at.” Debbie leaned toward him, exposing her cleavage.
Ben lifted his eyes to somewhere above her head and let his aggravation out in a controlled sigh. “I’m sure your car is fine, Debbie. I’m busy today, but Scott can check it for you.”
She pouted and pressed a red fingernail to his chest. “But Ben, you know you’re the only one I trust with my baby.”
He repressed a shudder. That was the problem. Debbie didn’t even trust her own brother, who was an excellent mechanic, to touch her Porsche. She came in almost weekly, insisting Ben check her car while she hovered near.
Behind Debbie, a smirk formed on Amy’s pretty face. Ben bit back a smile of his own. Judging by the broadening of Amy’s smile, he wasn’t as successful at keeping his eyes from rolling. Even this stranger could see how phony Debbie was.
“Later, Debbie. I’m busy today.”
He stepped around Debbie and took Amy by the arm, guiding her to the door of the repair shop. Before they walked through, he shifted his hand from Amy’s arm to the small of her back. He shouldn’t use a stranger like this, but he was fed up with Debbie and her expensive foreign sports car. Maybe if he acted interested in Amy, Debbie would get a clue.
If only I could be so lucky.
Amy shot him a sideways glance, eyebrows raised. Keeping his touch light, he hurried her through the door to the sound of Debbie’s heels clacking as she exited the gas station. As soon as they stepped into the repair shop, he dropped his hand and stepped away from her.
Amy took an additional step back.
“Sorry about that.” Hopefully, she’d realize the apology was as much for touching her as it was for Debbie’s interruption.
She gave him a tight smile. “If you’re too busy today to fix my car, maybe you could recommend someone else here in town.”
An unexpected sense of desperation seized him at the thought of her leaving. “I’m not busy. I said that because... well, never mind.” He raked his fingers through his hair. He couldn’t let her leave. “I’m working on your car today.”
Relief filled her face.
“But I’m afraid I have some bad news.” He grimaced, hoping to soften the blow. “And some worse news.”
Amy’s brow creased. Bouncing the fussy toddler on her hip, she closed her eyes for a long moment and took a deep breath. “Okay, let me have it.”
“You have a cracked gear in your transmission.”
“Transmission?” Her eyes widened, and her chin dropped. “Isn’t that expensive to replace?”
