Psyching herself up for a conversation she’d assumed she’d dodged, she swung around, phone pressed to her ear.
Isabel was racing toward her down the walk in front of the church, leaving her father to follow at a much slower pace.
No surprise.
He was probably as skittish about another meetup as she was after that firestorm on Tuesday.
“I saw you in church!” Isabel skidded to a stop in front of her, excitement dancing in her eyes. “But I didn’t see you afterward. I thought you might have gone to the hall, and I asked Dad if we could too, but he said we had to go home today even though we usually stay for donuts. Now I’m glad we left.”
If she’d had any lingering doubts that he’d hoped to avoid her too, his cautious expression put them to rest as he approached. It was clear he didnotshare his daughter’s enthusiasm about this encounter.
He stopped a few feet away. “Good morning.”
“Morning.”
Isabel hopped from one foot to the other. “Who are you talking to on the phone?”
“My sister. I had a little problem.” She motioned toward the flat tire. “She’s trying to find Marv’s number. I’m hoping he can swing by and change it if he’s available.”
Aaron’s forehead rumpled as he examined the tire. “He isn’t. He’s out of town.”
Double crud.
“Is there another garage nearby?”
“Bandon would be the closest place, but most of those shops are closed on Sunday.” He fisted his hands on his hips, shifting aside the subtly patterned sport coat that sat oh-so-well on his broad shoulders. “I’ll change it for you.”
“Oh, I couldn’t ask you to—”
“Devyn?” Lauren came back on the line. “I found the number. I should put this in my phone for future emergencies. Ready?”
She held up her index finger to Aaron and swiveled away. “It won’t help me. I just found out Marv is out of town.”
“Shoot. He’s my go-to person for everything car related.”
“Any other suggestions?” She kept her voice low.
“I’m not familiar with any other garages. Besides, Marv would have helped us on a Sunday because he knows me, but I doubt most other places would. You may have to ask someone in the congregation to change it for you.”
“Aaron Steele already volunteered, but I hate to take advantage of him.”
“Let him help, Devyn. Otherwise, we’ll have to leave the car there until we can round up someone tomorrow. And I know you wanted to pick up your main dancer for the show this afternoon so you could work with her one-on-one at the fellowship hall. Besides, look on the bright side. Aaron is a lot hotter than Marv.”
Like she didn’t know that.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“I’ll see you when I see you.” The line went dead.
Taking a deep breath, she swiveled back to the father/daughter duo.
Aaron had already removed his sport coat. “If you’ll pop the trunk and hold my jacket, I’ll get this done. It won’t take long.”
She gave his pristine dress shirt and knife-crease slacks a dubious once-over. “I don’t want you to mess up your church clothes.”
“That’s what washing machines are for.” He held out his jacket.
Apparently the discussion was over. He was going to do this.
