Hey, it looks like you need a handkerchief. A rugged male voice broke through her thoughts.
Zachary Drake settled onto the step beside her. Grease smudged his cheek and was smeared across the front of his otherwise white T-shirt.
He certainly was a handsome man. Her heart kicked at the sight of him. He looked tough as nails, as if growing up the way he had could never quite be taken out of him. But she knew Zachary Drake was as strong and dependable as the day was long.
He pressed a folded handkerchief into her hand. Only then did she notice that her cars hood was up. Hed been taking a look at the troublesome engine and she hadnt noticed him.
Ashamed and embarrassed to be caught crying, she rubbed the cloth across her eyes and down her face, wiping away the wetness of her tears. Dont tell me you have bad news about my car.
Okay, I wont. He caught hold of her right wrist. His touch was hot and unsettling. Youre bleeding.
Its nothing serious.
Im not too sure about that. Looks like a lot of blood to me. He stood and strode down the steps, his big body moving with an athletes power and ease. He disappeared in the shadow of his tow truck, parked behind her car in the alley.
She heard the click as he opened his trucks door and the crunch of his gait on the gravel as he returned.
Even without his motorcycle, which he frequently rode through town, Zach still looked a little untamed as hed always been in school. Maybe it was the way the wind caught his dark hair and whipped it across his brow, or the slight swagger to his walk.
Let me clean this up and well see whos rightif its nothing or not. He knelt before her, opened the first-aid kit on the step between them and reached for her injured hand.
At the first touch of the gauze to her cut, she winced.
Sorry about that. Its got to hurt.
It does, she lied, because that was the easiest explanation. She felt jumpy, as if every nerve had been laid open from his touch.
Its only Zach, she told herself. Ive known him forever. But her heartbeat picked up as he leaned closer, his fingers a warm touch on her skin.
He swabbed the blood away from her cut with careful brushes of the sterile gauze. Each swipe was gentle. Soon hed exposed the two-inch gash along the side of her palm.
See? I was right. His words were a smile of victory, but his gaze felt like something else, something deeper. This is going to require some expert care.
Youre a mechanic, Zach, not a doctor.
No, but I get a lot of scrapes, so I know how to take care of them.
That makes you an expert?
It ought to make me something.
Clumsy?
Watch what you call me. Im the only mechanic around, and lets face it, Karen, if your cars any indication, you need me. Badly. He dug through the small plastic kit and produced a sealed packet of antiseptic.
The air caught in her chest when he leaned even closer and rubbed the salve across the tear in her skin. Like a bees sting, sharp pain traveled the length of her cut. I hate to break it to you, but youll never be a doctor. That hurts.
Is that so? He lifted one brow as he laid a butterfly bandage across her wound, his voice warm with teasing. What are you? A wimp who cant take a little pain?
Thanks. I suppose youre one of those tough guys who never admit to a weakness like pain.
Youve got that right. He tore open another package and removed a bandage, a wide pad that covered her entire wound. His fingers were a warm pressure in the center of her palm as he made sure the adhesive stuck. There. An expert repair job.
How could it be that she was smiling? The weight on her chest remained, but it was easier to breathe, easier to find a way to face what she had to do. All because of Zach. Now I owe you two favors.
Good. I like it when pretty women are in my debt. He snapped the kit closed.
When he straightened, unfolding his six-foot frame, he towered over her, casting her in shadow. The sun gilded his hair and the width of one shoulder. The wind caught in his brown locks and tousled them.
He held out his hand. You look like a woman who needs a friend. Lucky for you, I just happen to be available.
Is that so?
Absolutely.
Karen fit her good hand to his. Her pulse jumped, leaving her shaken.
Normally when she was with Zach, she didnt react like this. But today, everything was off balance. She didnt know what was wrong with her.
Thanks, Zach. The words caught in her throat, and the lump of tears was back, thicker and hotter than ever. I appreciate the patch job. Now tell me whats wrong with my car.
Im still working, but I can tell you it looks like a cracked head. Were talking about a whole new engine.
The strength went out of her knees and Karen leaned against the banister post. She stared at her poor car.
A new engine. There was no way she could afford that. No way at all. Its still working, right? How much longer can I drive it?
Hard to say. Zach raked one hand through his thick hair, stepping closer, casting her in his shadow again. Id say you have anywhere from an hour to a week. It just depends. I can find you a rebuilt engine if moneys a problem.
Moneys a problem. This was the last thing she needed. Are you sure it doesnt need a new belt or hose or anything cheaper?
Im sure. I can order a rebuilt engine and have it here in a couple of days. Since youre my favorite customer, you wouldnt have to pay for it all at once. I trust you.
A dangerous move. I could be a bad credit risk. Ive got a balloon payment on the building coming up at the end of next month. Karen sighed, feeling the weight of stress clamp more tightly around her chest. Even if I scrape everything together to pay for it, itll be tight for a long time.
I know what thats like. He lifted a big round car part from the ground and dusted it off. Take some time to think about it and let me know if you want an estimate.
She looked at the raised hood of her poor car and the grease-coated engine beneath. How long will it take you to get all these parts back where they belong so my cars running again?
Ten minutes tops.
I have a few errands to do. Ill be back. Thanks again, Zach.
Thats what Im here for. Hey, Karen, are you going to be okay? Do you want me to call someone for you? Your grandmother or your sister Kirby?
No, Im fine. She had to be. She had no other choice.
But she suspected Zach didnt believe her as she hurried down the alley.
She didnt believe it herself.
Chapter Two
An emergency call came when he was finished with Karens car. The early 70s model with a rusting olive-green paint job managed to start after several attempts. There was no doubt about itthe car needed serious help.
He shut off the ignition, tucked the spare key back into place behind the visor and climbed out into the scorching sunshine.
Karens scent from her car seata combination of baby shampoo and vanillaclung to his shirt. A sharp ache of longing speared through him, old and familiar, and he ignored it. Over the years hed gotten good at ignoring it. The scent tickled his nose as he ambled across the gravel lot. He ignored that, too.
The coffee shop looked like it was quieting down. The group of tourists must have headed out, now that their bus was as good as new. He didnt have time to step inside and wait for Karen to get back from her errands, not with an elderly womans radiator boiling over in this heat.
There was nothing else to do but to hop into his truck and let the air-conditioning distribute the faint scent of vanilla and baby shampoo.
Great. That was going to remind him of Karen for the rest of the afternoon.
When hed been patching up her cut, hed been close enough to see the shadows in her dream-blue eyes. He hated that there wasnt a thing he could do to comfort her.
Anyone could see a woman as fine as Karen belonged with a man like Jay, a man with a big future ahead of him. And even on the off chance that Karen didnt marry Jay, it wasnt as if Zach had a chance with her. Not a man whod grown up on the outskirts of town in a rusty old trailer.
He took a ragged breath, vowing to put her out of his mind. He checked for traffic on the quiet street and pulled out of the alley.
As he drove down the main street, he saw Karen coming out of the towns combination florist and gift shop. His pulse screeched to a stop at the sight of her. She didnt see him, walking away from him the way she was, so he could take his time watching her. Karen was fine, all right, and as beautiful as a spring morning. Head down, long light brown hair tumbling forward over her face, she carried a live plant that was thick with yellow blossoms.
No, he wasnt going to wish, he wasnt going to want.
Some things werent meant to be.
Zach headed the truck east away from town and did the only thing he was allowed to do for Karen McKaslin. He said a prayer for her.
Karen watched as her grammas spotless classic Ford eased slowly into the cemetery parking lot. The rumble of the engine broke the peace of the late afternoon.
She stood, squinting against the brilliant sun, and left Allisons flower-decorated grave. She waited while her grandmother parked her car and then emerged, clutching a bouquet of white roses.
I recognized your rattletrap of a car in the lot. Gramma held her arms wide. Hows my girl?
Fine. Im just fine. Karen dodged the bouquet and stepped into her grandmothers hug. More warmth filled her, and all the worries bottled up inside her eased. I shouldnt have left you with the shop like that. I shouldnt have let you bully me.
You were powerless to stop me. Gramma stepped away, squinting carefully, measuring her with a wise, sharp-eyed glare. Dont try to fool me, young lady. You dont look fine. You look like youre missing your sister.
She was my best friend.
I know. Grammas voice dipped, full of understanding. Let me go set these on her grave. She loved white roses so much.
Tears burned in Karens throat, and it hurt to remember. She remained in the shade of the oaks, so that her grandmother would have time alone at Allisons grave.
Karen watched as the older woman ambled across the well-manicured grounds, through lush green grass and past solemn headstones.
Sorrow surrounded this place, where bright cheerful flowers and a few colorful balloons decorated graves. At the other end of the cemetery, she could see another family laying flowers on a headstone in memory.
Time had passed, taking grief with it, but Karen didnt think anything could fix the emptiness of Allisons absence in her life or in her family. Not time, not love or hope.
She waited while her grandmother laid the flowers among the dozens of others. She waited longer while the older woman sank to her knees, head bowed in prayer.
In the distance, a lawn mower droned, and overhead, larks chirped merrily. It was like any other summer afternoon, but this day was different.
Now that Ive given thanks for the granddaughters I still have, Im ready to go. Gramma took Karens hand. I closed the shop for you, so theres no sense hurrying back this late in the day just to open it for an hour. Why dont you come home with me and give me a hand?
You know I cant say no to you.
Good, because I promised your mother that I would make sure suppers on the table tonight, not that anyone will feel much like eating. But since shes my daughter, Ill do whatever shell let me do. And if thats to make my famous taco cheese and macaroni casserole, then so be it.
What about Mom? Dads busy with the harvest. Maybe I should run home first and see how she is. Make sure she isnt alone.
One of your sisters is with herKirby, I think. I called from the shop before I came here.
Karen felt the sun on her face, the wind tangling her hair and the disquiet in her heart. So many responsibilities pulled at her, but she could feel her grandmothers love. Because they were standing in a cemetery with both life and death all around, she nodded, unable to say the words.
There was never enough time on this earth to spend with loved ones. It was a truth she couldnt ignore, not after losing Allison. Time was passing even as she let Gramma lead her toward the parking lot where their cars waited in the shade.
Do you need me to stop by the store and pick up anything? Karen asked as she opened her car door.
I already did. No grass grows under these feet, Gramma answered, her blue eyes alight with many emotions.
Karens throat tightened, and she climbed into the drivers seat. Even with the windows rolled down to let in the temperate breezes, she could still smell the scents of mechanics grease and Old Spice, evidence of the man whod sat behind this wheel only hours ago.
A rumble of a powerful engine drew her attention. In her rearview mirror she caught sight of Zachs blue-and-white tow truck rolling up the driveway.
She turned the key in the ignition and gave the gas pedal a few good pumps, and the engine started and died. Started and died. Started and coughed to life. Gramma was parked at the edge of the lot, patiently waiting.
Karen put her car in gear and pulled around, having only enough time to wave to Zach as he rumbled into one of many empty parking spots. He lifted a hand in return. The tips of yellow blossoms waved above the dash, and she sped away, somehow touched beyond words.
She knew without asking that hed brought flowers for her sisters grave.
Is this why you asked me over? Karen turned to her grandmother the minute she stepped foot inside the kitchen door. Dont tell me youve taken up Mom and Dads cause?
What cause, dear? Gramma set her purse and keys on the nearby counter.
Trying to show me how wrong I am to call off my wedding. Trying to control her anger, Karen pointed at the sunny picture window. Over the top of the short cedar fence, she could see Jay mowing his mothers lawn next door. Im not going to be pressured about this.
Im not trying to pressure you. Gramma circled around the polished oak table and headed for the refrigerator.
No, but silence speaks volumes. Karen turned her back on the window. She wouldnt let the guilt in. You think Im going to forgive him and marry him anyway, just like Mom does. Like everyone does.
I respect your choice, either way. Gramma set two cans of diet cola on the counter. Of course, Jay is awfully handsome. Hes dependable and easy on the eyes.