I clear my throat. “Mr. Cruzwas inviting you to lunch.”
“I… I don’t know.”
“What did the hotels say?”
She shakes her head and mutters, “They have to have ID and a credit card.” Then she looks embarrassed, like she didn’t mean to say it out loud.
Wait. She doesn’t have ID or a credit card? But her car is literally full of bags, boxes, and suitcases. How does she have all that but no ID?
Feeling it’s not my place to ask, I say, “Why don’t we go to lunch and put our heads together over a plate of faffle fries?”
“You don’t have to do that. I’m sure you’re very busy.”
I wave my hand around the now empty room after Mr. Kensington’s exit. “Yeah, as you can see, we’re bursting with business on this chilly day.”
She glances through the window into the garage bays. “But you have bays filled with cars.”
“And three siblings plus another full-time mechanic to deal with them. It’s just lunch, Kenna. One hour. I do get a lunch break from time to time. I mean, I know the boss.”
She laughs quietly. “Fine. But I’m paying. After all you’ve done, I will not be a charity case.”
I decide not to argue the point until we get the check. Because I have no intention of letting her pay. “Let me just tell someone I’m leaving.”
Amelia dances around the lounge while Kenna attempts to get her into her coat. I can’t help my mile-wide smile at watching them.
I’m so captivated by them, I bump into Mia while backing away.
Mia’s eyebrows touch her hairline. “Big brother, I’ve not seen you this smitten with a woman since… well, ever.”
I scoff. “Smitten?” I roll my eyes. “Please.”
“Carter, you aren’t fooling anyone. And it’s evident she feels the same. There’s an energy between the two of you.”
“We’re fixing her car, Mia. That’s it.”
“Oh, that’s it?”
It was a stupid thing to say considering what comes out of my mouth next. “Well, I’m taking them to Donovan’s while she figures out what to do.”
Mia grins like a six-year-old at the circus. “Great. We’ll hold down the fort. You three kids go have fun.”
I wave off her comment as I get my car keys. Then I look back at Kenna, who’s wrangled Amelia into her coat and is now waiting patiently, staring out the window. She absently tucks a strand of long hair behind her ear and zingers shoot through me.
Energy.
I look back at Mia, who’s still smiling like she’s enjoying a show, and roll my eyes once more.
Chapter Four
Kenna
Carter asks us to wait inside the back door while he retrieves Amelia’s car seat. I watch through the window as he gets it and goes over to a mid-size SUV. Nothing snazzy or expensive. Definitely a few years old. But it looks safe enough.
I stare at the car in wonder. Shouldn’t a business owner be driving something bigger? Something… flashier?
When he waves us over, I clutch Amelia’s hand tightly so she doesn’t slip. But the parking lot has been treated with salt since we arrived, and the ice has disappeared. I loosen my grip of her hand slightly but don’t let go. Do I need this tether more than she does?
Carter stands aside and lets me get Amelia situated in the back. When he holds the passenger door open for me, I say, “I figured you for an F-150 guy.”
