Page 31 of Edge

I blinked at her in surprise. “Are you serious?”

“Yes,” she nodded. “It just sits in the driveway, taking up space and costing us yearly taxes. No one ever drives it, so it probably needs a tune up and a new set of tires, but it’s in good condition. Do y’all want to come over and take a look at it?”

I was at a loss for words, so I deferred to Edge. “Sure. When’s a good time?”

“We can go now if that works for you.” When we both nodded, she pointed to her SUV. “Hop in. If you don’t drive away in your new car, I’ll bring you back.”

“Thank you,” I said and climbed into the back seat. It didn’t take me long to realize her SUV was the same kind as the loaner I was driving. As she drove to her house on the property, I noticed several more of the same exact SUV parked in various driveways. “Do you guys get some kind of deal on these SUVs?” I asked. “It seems like there’s a lot of them around here.”

Ember laughed. “Sort of. My dad buys them in bulk. Most of them are business vehicles, but he adds extras to his order for anyone who wants to buy one. Usually, they’re white, but hechose black the last time, and now we look like a fleet of federal agents at any family gathering.”

She pulled into her driveway a few moments later. She also had a Cape Cod style house, though hers was much bigger than Edge’s. I was torn between gawking at her house and watching her walk to the covered vehicle parked at the end of her driveway.

“Here it is,” she said and started removing the cover. Edge went to the other side of the car to help her. Moments later, the cover was off, revealing a shiny, white sedan that was much nicer than I was expecting. In fact, it was so nice that I couldn’t possibly accept her offer to give it away for free.

“Before you say no, I want you to know I didn’t pay anything for this car. It was given to me. So, I’m not losing anything by giving it to you. Actually, I’ll be saving money because I won’t have to pay the taxes on it anymore,” she said.

“But you could sell it and get a decent amount for it,” I countered.

“I could, but I don’t need the money. I’d rather give it to someone who needs it and maybe make a difference in their life.”

“That’s very kind of you.”

“There was a time in my life when the help of strangers saved me from a horrible future and changed my life in ways I never thought possible. If I can do something like what they did for me, even if it’s on a smaller scale, I’m going to do it,” she explained. “So, shall I go inside and get the keys?”

My vision blurred as my eyes welled with tears. “If you’re sure,” I said, my voice clogged with emotion.

“Of course I’m sure,” she said and pulled me in for a hug.

“Thank you,” I whispered and tried to get a handle on my emotions.

She went inside to get the keys, leaving Edge and me alone in the driveway. “I can’t believe this,” I said.

He smiled. “I can. Ember’s one of the nicest people I know. She’s like Irene in a way. Helping others is something she genuinely enjoys and it comes naturally to her. Years ago, she convinced her dad to let her grow hydroponic plants and organic fruits and vegetables to create jobs for a large group of people who had recently become unemployed.”

“I feel like this is too much,” I admitted.

“I understand why you feel that way, but as far as Ember’s concerned, it’s not. She wants you to have it. If you don’t take it, she’ll have someone park it outside of your trailer and leave the keys on your doorstep.”

“He’s right,” Ember said, reappearing with the keys in her hand. “I would totally do that.”

“Thank you doesn’t seem like enough,” I told her.

“The smile on your face is all the thanks I need,” she said and held out the keys. “Here. Take these and go enjoy your new car.”

I took the keys from her and hugged her once more before I nervously climbed into the driver’s seat. Although she said the car had been sitting in her driveway for a long time, its interior was clean and it had a fresh smell inside. Evidently, someone took care of the car even though no one was driving it.

I was still in a state of disbelief when I started the car and backed out of her driveway. Edge had to direct me back to his house, but it was a smooth ride the entire way. I highly doubted the car needed much work, and I was beyond grateful for the gift.

“Can I ask you something?” I asked when we pulled into Edge’s driveway.

“Sure.”

“Ember is Phoenix’s daughter, right?”

“She is,” he confirmed.

“What did she mean when she said she had to rely on the kindness of strangers to help her?” It was none of my business, but for my own sanity, I needed to know why strangers helped her instead of the MC.