Twelve
Charlotte glanced at her watch. If she wasn’t so frustrated, she would’ve enjoyed the pretty view of the sun setting behind periwinkle clouds tinged with pink.
But the trip had been for naught. The gas station would be closed by the time she had the spare tire on. She wouldn’t meet the man who was potentially her father tonight. Plus, she’d likely have to invest in a new tire when funds were already tight.
Also, she was irked with Emerson, who hadn’t answered Charlotte’s voice mail or responded to her text about being stranded on the side of the road. Gunner was a better option anyway. Emerson only would’ve been able to offer a ride home. At least this way Charlotte would get her truck home tonight.
But she hated to bother Gunner. He already put in extra hours most days. He had a strong work ethic, and when he was in a groove with a horse, he didn’t like to quit. He also insisted on ending each training session on a positive note, and sometimes that took a while.
Although he didn’t seem like the sociable type, the trail guests seemed to love him. Since she usually helped untack and groomthe horses afterward, she’d witnessed the camaraderie. Some of the guests were a little anxious when they arrived, but they returned relaxed and confident. They often hung around, asking questions or spending time with their horses.
One group had been a family with two teenage girls. It was amusing to watch the girls sneaking admiring looks at Gunner and whispering behind their hands. They were completely smitten. Charlotte couldn’t blame them. He was an attractive man who exuded mastery with the horses. He was kind to the girls but seemed oblivious to their furtive glances and quiet giggles.
Lights flashed through the twilight in her rearview mirror. A pickup truck approached. Not the first vehicle to pass, but this one slowed to a stop beside her, engine humming loudly. Charlotte lowered her window.
A grizzled fortysomething man, wearing a Coors ball cap, leaned across his seat and called out the passenger window. “Need some help? I got a jack if you have a spare. If not, I could give you a ride. Headed into Weaverville.”
“Thank you, but I have someone coming.”
The man scanned the deserted landscape. When he glanced back over, he said, “I’ll just pull over and get it started for you then. I could have you back on the road in a few minutes.” His truck inched forward.
She bristled but kept her expression friendly. “That’s okay. He should be here any minute. You can be on your way.”
“I wouldn’t feel right about—”
The sound of a motorcycle drowned out his words. She glanced in her rearview mirror. Her shoulders sagged at the sight of Gunner pulling to a stop behind her.
The pushy man in the truck probably only meant to help.Some men were just clueless about how vulnerable a woman could feel in certain situations.
She dredged up a smile. “That’s him now. Thank you for stopping, but we’re—”
“Everything all right over here?” Gunner appeared, holding some kind of pipe. He stopped between the two vehicles, his back to Charlotte.
“Everything’s fine.” She unlocked her door and stepped out. “This man was just offering to help out.”
Gunner two-handed the metal pipe. “Thanks, buddy, but I’ve got it covered.”
The man took in Gunner’s protective stance. “Jeez, can’t a fella help a damsel in distress anymore?” Shaking his head, the guy took off and his tires squealed on the pavement.
Gunner frowned after him, then turned, his gaze raking over her face. “You all right? He didn’t hassle you?”
“He was probably harmless, but he was getting a little pushy about helping. I can’t say I’m sorry you pulled up when you did.”
He glanced at the flat rear tire. “Well, let’s get this spare on before it gets dark.”
Charlotte reached into her truck for the lug wrench and handed it over. “If you can’t get the lug nuts off, I can just have the truck towed tomorrow.” Though it was an added expense she really didn’t want to incur.
“They’re not rusted, so someone probably just put them on with a pneumatic wrench.” He set the lug wrench, threaded it with the long pipe, and stepped onto the extension, using his body weight. The lug gave way.
“You made that look so easy.”
“A little leverage goes a long way.”
Since he had it under control, she read the directions in the manual for removing the spare tire—more complicated than she’d imagined. But when he was finished with the lug wrench, she used it and some assembly bars to lower the spare tire from beneath the rear of the vehicle.
Gunner got down on the ground and detached it from the assembly.
“What do you do if you get a flat on your bike?”
