Page 143 of A Stop in Time
Settling his attention on me, Jed continues. “I wanted to see if I could bring my car in sometime this week. Hayden said you’ve got a good ear for tellin’ what might be wrong with an engine.”
“Sure.” I lean in, resting my forearms on the table. “Is it for your Cadillac Deville?”
Jed dips his chin in a nod. “Sure is.”
I frown in thought. “That’s a ’57, right?”
He grins. “Yes, ma’am. You sure know your classics.”
“I think I might have some parts on hand. Do you mind me asking you a few questions real quick so I can be ready for when you bring it in?”
“Not at all.”
After probing whether he’s noticed any odd sounds or a skip in the engine, I sit back in the booth seat. “Are you available to bring it by tomorrow morning? Sometime around eight? I can listen to it then and see if I have what it needs in stock.”
He nods. “Yes, ma’am. I can do that.”
“Great. I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”
“Thanks, Mac.” Jed beams at me before edging away to allow the waitress to slide our meals in front of us before she bustles off to tend to other customers.
The older man offers a little wave. “Sorry to bother y’all. I’ll leave you to your lunch.” Jed ambles away to his own table, sliding in across from his brother, Lee.
Steve stretches an arm along the back of his booth seat and settles his attention on me in a way that compels me to squirm. His expression is that of a proud parent.
“What’s that look for?”
“You’ve got more locals comin’ to ya every day.” He gives a slow nod. “Gotta feel good to know they’re doin’ this ’cause you’re lettin’ ’em in.”
My cheeks grow hot with discomfort under his scrutinizing study of me. “I like helping out, and it’s doing something I’m good at.”
His dark eyes sweep over me “So…tell me the truth. How you feelin’?”
I blink at the shift in his line of questions and tip my head to the side. My answer is slow, hesitant, while suspicion lines my tone. “Fine.”
His eyes sweep over my features. “You gonna start datin’ sometime soon?”
My eyebrows nearly hit my forehead. “Soon?” I let out a derisive laugh. “I’m more likely to bust a knuckle removing an oil pan than start dating anytime soon.”
“Why’s that?”
There’s no mistaking the aggravation in my tone. “Can we not do this?”
Steve’s features turn apologetic. “Sorry, Mac Mama. Just wanna see you smilin’ more. Happier.”
I point a waffle fry at him. “Definitely no on that one.” With a frown, I narrow my eyes. “You don’t think I’m happy?”
My question catches him in mid-lift of his thick burger, and he pauses. Studying me, he offers slowly, “I’d say you’ve got a content vibe about you.” A brief pause lingers. “I definitely think you’re happier now than you were when I first got here.” Wiggling his brows, he grins. “Obviously, that’s my influence.”
“Obviously,” I say drily.
His expression turns thoughtful. “But I think there’s somethin’ out there that can make your life even better.”
“And what’s that?”
He takes a big bite of his burger, making me wait until he chews and swallows.
With a wink, he answers. “Ah, Google MacDoogle, only time will tell.”