“Small homes, apartments, whatever you think would be best to meet the needs of the community.”
He gave a little chuckle before shaking his head. “I’m sorry. It’s a great idea, but I’m not interested in talking about apartments right now. I’d much rather discuss being partners. Lifelong partners.”
“Oh, I like the sound of that.” Debbie leaned in for another kiss, but he resisted, pointing a finger at her.
“But I don’t want our kids spoiled, like Cheyenne. They need chores and responsibilities.”
“Fine. We’ll come up with a list of jobs together.” She grinned as she pulled him closer. “But I’m going to spoil our kids Austin. I’m going to shower them with love and affection. I’ll read stories to them every night, play games with them, make them cookies after school, tickle their backs, and—”
Austin’s lips cut off her words.
She let out a lengthy sigh and leaned into him, determined to enjoy every second they had together.
Until the kids interrupted them, that is. And then she would make cookies with her family.
EPILOGUE
Tires screeched to a halt outside the open garage door.
Scott lifted his head and looked out front.
Rudy climbed from his patrol car and marched toward Scott. “What are you still doing here? You’re supposed to be on your way to pick up Debbie and Austin from the airport.”
“I know.” The words came out a grunt as he strained to tighten the final lug nut on the Ford Focus. He straightened. “But Mrs. Jacobson needed new brakes before her trip tomorrow.”
“That’s right she’s going to help her daughter who just had a baby.”
It didn’t surprise Scott that Rudy knew about Mrs. Jacobson’s trip. He was the most talkative and friendly deputy in the sheriff’s department. Rudy knew everything about everyone in Providence—good and bad.
“Well, it looks like you’re done now, so get moving. I’ll go pick up Mrs. Jacobson and bring her to get her car.”
Scott nodded and headed to the bathroom to wash up. “Rudy—”
His brother turned. “I know. I’ll get payment from her. Don’t worry, I’ll give her the old-lady-on-a-fixed-income discount.” He waved his arms overhead. “And I’ll be sure to lock up.”
“Thanks.”
Scott didn’t know what he’d have done these past three years without Rudy and Mary, the manager of the gas station and convenience store attached to the repair shop. The two of them had repeatedly stepped in to help Scott as manager of Knight’s repair shop. They verified his parts orders, checked his bookkeeping, and helped with all the paperwork.
They both knew what a struggle it was for him to make sense of blocks of texts and numbers on a page or computer screen, but they also knew he didn’t want to let down Charity Knight who’d put so much faith and trust in him to run the shop that her late husband had built.
After washing up and throwing on a clean shirt, Scott jumped into Debbie’s Cadillac Escalade and headed to the freeway. He still couldn’t understand why Debbie insisted he bring her SUV. She and Austin could have fit in his truck just fine.
As he drove, he thought about their wedding two and a half weeks ago. If it hadn’t been for the monkey suit Debbie made him wear, it would have been the funnest party the town of Providence had ever seen. Even though he felt stupid in his tux, Dallas and Cody sure looked sharp in theirs.
Lucia and Mia had been adorable little flower girls in their matching ruffly, pink dresses, and Savannah was a beautiful maid of honor. Her friend Caleb sure thought so too, judging by the way he couldn’t take his eyes off her.
Both Debbie and Austin had looked so happy, it had almost made Scott want to get married. Almost.
He couldn’t think about that yet though. He needed something to offer a woman first. Few women aspired to marry a mechanic with dyslexia. The simple fact he relied on others to help him do his job proved he wasn’t exactly a catch.
Austin’s parents, Alex and Nora Reed, had been gracious enough to stay at the house and take care of the kids while the newlyweds honeymooned in Greece and Italy. Scott’s parents had also helped by shuttling the kids to and from school and other activities. But Debbie and Austin’s two week honeymoon got extended four more days, and Austin’s parents had to return to Boise.
So his mom stepped in to take care of the kids. Dad had planned to pick up the newlyweds, but he ended up having a building inspection scheduled for today on the house he’d been renovating. And Rudy was on duty. Hence the reason Scott was on his way to the airport, despite being swamped at the garage since Eli left for college two weeks ago.
His phone rang just as he exited the freeway. “Hello.”
“Scott. Where are you?” Debbie’s voice came over the phone.
