“Overheating?” a voice came from behind her.
Nicole turned to see a wiry man who looked to be older than the Model T wiping his hands on a rag.
“Just enough to feel like I’ve been riding into Satan’s gates for the last half hour.”
He chuckled. “I’m Ned. Since I can’t do anything about the West Texas heat, let’s take a look and see what I can do about your truck.”
Though she had no idea why, she trusted Ned without an inch of the skepticism that came with every mechanic she’d ever had to deal with back home in Oklahoma. “Thanks.”
He took one look under the hood, did a quick glance, didn’t touch anything, bobbed his head, and shoved the rag into his back pocket. “Hose needs to be replaced.”
She wondered for a moment if he could diagnose everything that easily. Though it made sense, since he looked like he’d been fixing cars since the day they stopped using horses and buggies. “Oh, good. That’s much better—and faster—than needing a new radiator.”
The old guy chuckled softly. “Will be once I get the part from Butler Springs.”
Though she hoped that was the name of the supply house around the corner, somehow, she doubted it. “Will that take long?”
The old guy gave the engine one more look before stepping back. “I’ll call Harry at the parts depot. If he’s got it, I can run over and pick it up this afternoon.”
“Oh good.” Despite the miserable heat, she found her smile. “That’ll be great. I’m supposed to meet Morgan Farraday in Sadieville before end of day.”
Ned lifted his gaze to the sky then ran long scraggly fingers behind his neck. “Well, Miss, that may be a problem. You see, Butler Springs is over an hour and a half away.”
An hour and a half away, in each direction, plus repair time definitely constituted a problem. Before she could respond, the bell over the garage door clanged and another man stepped out carrying a small box under one arm. Broad-shouldered, with muscles that stretched every inch of his well worn t-shirt, bright blue eyes, and a lazy smile to match, she almost swallowed her tongue at the sight of him. Mr. Tall, Tan, and Handsome silently glanced from her to the open hood to Ned and back.
“Almost forgot you were still here.” Ned turned to the man. “This little lady is heading out to Sadieville. You heading that way?”
He bobbed his head and shifted to meet her gaze. “I’d be happy to give you a lift.”
“I, uh…” A million thoughts were racing through her mind, starting with getting to Sadieville was only half the battle. How was she supposed to get back for her truck? “When did you say the hose would be fixed?” she asked the old man.
“There’s no way I can get the replacement hose here and installed before morning.”
It took every ounce of restraint not to groan at the news. She sure hoped whatever housing the family had arranged, shewouldn’t need a vehicle to get there. Right about now, the handsome cowboy was her only option. “If I can put a few things in your vehicle, I’d be very grateful for a lift. That is, if it’s not a problem.”
A smile as wide as the Rio Grande stretched across his face making those blue eyes sparkle even brighter. “Not a problem at all. I’m Ryan, and I’m parked right over there.”
“Nicole. And thank you.”
“I’ll put these supplies away and come back to help.”
“No need.” She hurried around to the bed of her truck. Grabbed her overnight bag and her general tool bag that held her favorite hammer, along with a few other basic tools, leaving the rest locked in the bed’s tool chest. For a split second she wondered how safe was Ned’s?
“The rest of your stuff will be fine here with Ned.” Ryan appeared behind her, apparently reading her mind, and grabbed a bag for her.
“Thanks. Right about now I’m more worried about getting to my appointment on time than anything else.”
“Appointment?”
“With Morgan Farraday. I’m filling in for my brother, Mike.” Something seemed to flash behind those smiling eyes before he gave a brief nod, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. It would be a darn shame if this guy turned out to be one of those macho construction guys who thought girls belonged at the beauty salon or shopping mall.
After Ned’s reassurance that he’d let her know as soon as the truck was up and running again, she followed Ryan to his vehicle. To her surprise, he held the passenger door open for her, then circled around to the driver’s side. She’d been one of the guys for so long; she’d forgotten what it was like to be treated like a lady. She had to admit, it was kind of nice.
Settled in the truck, her safety belt in place, she took a few calming breaths. “I love my brother to death, but the man isn’t much of a talker. I’ve only caught one episode of the show, but I learned more about the town from it than from Mike.”
Ryan chuckled softly. “That sounds like Mike.”
“Is it as bad as my brother says?”
