And now we’re scrambling for feed for the horses. Thank God for the town of Pinecrest and people willingly helping out.
“I appreciate it.”
I shake his hand one more time and start the truck to head back to the ranch. Pinecrest is buzzing. Everyone is out, flitting back and forth between all the shops. It’s the busiest time of year for the town, and I love that the ranch is busy again.
It’s how it always should have been. I can’t fault Verne forlosing interest after Arlene died. After Casie died, I was the same way. I lost interest in everything. All I could focus on was raising Lennox. And even that I managed to fuck up royally.
I turn down the road to the ranch, the fields opening up in front of me. I roll the windows down and breathe in the fresh air.
I fucking love this place. Nothing but long stretches of road that lead to the mountains beyond. It helps clear my thoughts about the sexy brunette. I shouldn’t have stayed with her, but I couldn’t help myself. I don’t know who in their right mind would stand up someone as incredible as Joey.
What a fucking idiot. She deserves better than some guy on an app. Not that I’m above an app. Hell, I asked for her help to get on one to hopefully get over these feelings for her.
As I get closer and closer to the ranch—all relative considering the distance from town—I notice a stalled car on the side of the road. Steam is billowing out from under the hood. Hitting my blinker, I pull over in front of them.
When I get out of my truck, I’m shocked to see who is standing there.
“Joey?” She looks at me, relief written all over her face. “I think I know the answer, but is everything okay?”
She looks exhausted when she takes a few steps closer to me, phone in hand. “No, Sam. It’s not. My fucking car decided today of all days that it’s not going to function anymore!”
“Can I help?”
A woman yelling at me doesn’t rattle me. Nothing beats getting yelled at by a moody teenage girl. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.
“Do you know anything about cars?”
“Enough to get by, darlin’.”
Joey points a finger at me. “No calling me darlin’ today. I’m not in the mood.”
Brushing past her, I inspect the engine. I might not know aton about cars, but I can diagnose more than the average person. Enough to know she’s going to be forking over some dough to get this fixed.
“Well, you’re not going to like what I tell you.”
“How do you know?” Joey comes up beside me, bending over the engine.
There’s that damn sunshine smell again. How can one woman smell so fucking good? Does she know what one whiff of her does to me?
Standing to put some distance between us, I cross my arms over my chest. “It’s a blown head gasket. It’s why your engine overheated. You shouldn’t drive it until you can get it in to Vince.”
Joey smacks her hand on her forehead. “And how much is Vince going to charge me for this thing?”
“It’s not cheap.”
Joey throws her hands out to her sides. “Great. Just what I needed. How in the fuck am I going to pay for a new engine?”
“Not a new?—”
She cuts me off. “Not only do I have to worry about my car and how I’m going to get ittoVince’s, but Max wants to play tee-ball this fall and that’s not cheap. Not to mention he’s growing like a weed and needs new clothes and shoes every other week. Then there’s the cost of Pre-K in town and before I know it, I’ll be sending him to college.”
“Isn’t he?—”
Tears well in her eyes as she ignores me. “How am I supposed to manage all of this on my own? Max’s dad is an absolute deadbeat, so it all falls on me. And how many times can I ask my brother and parents to help before they get sick of me?”
“Can I?—”
“Fuck!” she shouts, kicking the tire. “Why the fuck is this happening? Stupid piece of shit car!”
