A Place for Daydreams (Rosewood Beach #3)

Chapter 24

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Noelle parked her car outside Dean’s auto repair shop, her heart thumping in her chest.

He asked me out. He asked me out , she thought. I’m going on a date with Dean. An actual date.

A grin spread across her face. Ever since Dean had asked her out, she’d felt as though she was living in some kind of pink haze. She’d found herself singing in the shower or while she was doing the dishes. She felt buoyant and eager, and she’d started to count the hours until their date. Now that it had arrived, she was almost bursting with excitement.

She’d put on a cute outfit of dark jeans, light blue heels with a strap, and a pink blazer over a white sweater. She’d done her hair and makeup carefully, applying a pink lipstick and creamy brown eyeshadow. Before leaving her house, she’d turned back and forth in front of her mirror several times, giving herself a pep talk as anticipation bubbled inside her.

Now that she’d arrived at the auto repair shop, she felt nervous, but her eagerness was much stronger than her jitters. She got out of her car, grabbing her small purse and slinging it over her shoulder as she walked up to the front door of the shop.

She’d found it a bit odd when Dean had texted her earlier in the day and asked her if she would meet him at the shop for their date. He’d told her that he would be working, but they could start their date there and he could drive her to dinner in his car.

She glanced at the parking lot of the shop, noting that the only car there was Dean’s. She realized he must be working late on some kind of special repair, since all of his employees had already gone home for the day. She pictured him wearing his dirty mechanic jumpsuit, his hands covered in grease, and she smiled to herself. Even if he didn’t get a chance to get cleaned up before their dinner, she knew that she would take him even covered in car grease.

She pulled open the door of the repair shop, and a moment later she stopped in her tracks. Dean was standing in the lobby grinning at her. He wasn’t dirty or wearing a mechanic’s uniform at all—he was wearing an attractive navy sweater, dark slacks, and dress shoes. His unruly hair had been combed back, making it seem as though he’d really dressed up for the occasion.

“Good evening,” he said, his eyes warm. His tone was gentle and familiar, and she felt as though she’d known him for years. “You look amazing.”

“Thank you.” Her own voice was a little breathless. “So do you. I really like that sweater.”

They gave each other a slightly hesitant hug. She would have liked to give him a big squeeze, but she didn’t know what the protocol was for a first date—even if the man you were going out with was someone who was already your friend.

“Thanks. I knew it would be chilly tonight. I’ve got my leather jacket in my car if you end up being cold.”

She smiled, loving the idea of getting to wear his jacket. “Should we go?” She took a couple of steps toward the front door.

He shook his head. “I have something to show you first.”

“You do, huh?” She smiled, liking the way his eyes were gleaming almost mischievously. “What is it?”

“You’ve just got to see it. Come on.”

Curious, she followed him into the garage of the shop.

“Am I allowed in here?” she teased. “I thought it was against company policy for customers to be in the garage.”

He turned around and winked at her. “But you’re not a customer right now.”

“Oh, I see.” She laughed.

The garage was dimly lit, but she could see well enough to avoid tripping over anything. When they were about halfway across the room, Dean paused at a light switch panel.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

“Ready for what?”

“Nope, answer the question.”

“Okay, Mr. Mysterious. Yes, I’m ready.”

Dean flipped on the light switches and the garage was flooded with light. At the far end of the room was a car, and Noelle gasped when she saw it.

“Is that… is that a 1988 Porsche 911?” She hurried over to it, thrilled. “It is, isn’t it? I didn’t know you had one of these here. This is the exact year and make of the car that I worked on with my grandfather.”

Dean was beaming at her. “The one you never got to ride in, right?”

She turned back to him, suddenly realizing what was going on. “Did you fix up this car?”

He nodded. “Thanks to PT, my energy levels have gotten so much better, and I’m able to maintain strength in my hands for much longer. That’s allowed me to get back to my favorite hobby, restoring cars.”

“Dean, that’s wonderful.” She felt tears springing into her eyes. “I’m so happy for you. Really, that’s such great news.”

“It is. And I’m really grateful for all your help.”

She shook her head. “I was just doing my job. You did this for yourself by putting in the effort. I’m so excited for you.” Excited wasn’t even a strong enough word—she felt overjoyed.

“Come on and look at it,” Dean said, suddenly hurrying toward the car as if he was a kid who couldn’t wait to show it to her anymore. “It’s just gorgeous. I can’t wait to show you how it runs.”

“You got it running?” She felt as excited as he looked.

“Oh, yeah, it runs beautifully.”

“How long have you had it? I’m surprised you didn’t mention it when I brought up the Porsche that my grandmother and I fixed up.”

Dean shook his head, smiling. “I didn’t mention it because I didn’t have it then. I just got it a little while ago from a friend. I—well, I got the idea to fix it up so that you could ride in it. I mean, because you never got to ride in the one that you and your grandfather fixed up.”

She stared at him, her heart thumping. “Dean… you fixed this up for me?”

He nodded, smiling almost shyly. “I mean, it was for me too. I enjoyed it. But… well yeah.”

She bounded across the garage and gave him a massive hug, squeezing him even tighter than she’d wanted to earlier. “Thank you! This is… I don’t even have the words. This is amazing.”

“You’re so welcome. I thought it would be a great way to show you that… well, I would like to do things for you, Noelle. I’d like to help you out and make sure you have the things you need, and things that make you happy. I like being around you, and I know tonight is only our first date, but I hope things continue with us.”

They stood in the garage smiling at each other. She felt her heart fluttering in her chest like a bird that wanted to fly. “I hope so too.”

Neither of them said anything for a few more moments, and then Dean grinned.

“You want to come on a drive with me?”

“Yes!” she almost squealed. “Oh my gosh, yes please.”

Dean helped her into the passenger side of the car, and she liked that he was acting like such a gentleman. She found it gracious and endearing. He hurried around to the other side of the car and got into the driver’s seat.

“Are you going to be too cold with the top down?” he asked her.

She shook her head. “Even if I am, it’ll be worth it. Besides, didn’t you offer me a jacket earlier?”

“I did.” He grinned. “It’s behind your seat there. Put it on whenever you feel like it.”

He started the engine, and they exchanged a look of excitement. Using a remote control, he opened the door of the garage and drove the Porsche through it.

“Where do you want to go?” he asked her.

“Anywhere,” she said, almost breathless. “I just want to spend some time in this car.”

With you, she thought. I think I’d go anywhere with you.

“Perfect. Wherever the wind may take us.” He chuckled. “My favorite kind of driving.”

He drove the car along Rosewood Beach’s Main Street for a while, and they waved at people they knew. The lights of shops and restaurants were glowing warmly in the dusk, and appetizing smells wafted through the air. Noelle’s stomach grumbled, and she knew that dinner was going to taste particularly good when they got around to eating it.

But first, they had driving to do.

Dean took the car farther and farther away from the heart of town, out toward the roads that led along the coast. It was a beautiful night, and as soon as the sun finished setting, the stars came out overhead, speckling the sky like diamonds.

“Such a beautiful car,” she murmured, tracing her finger along the edge of her open window. “That engine sounds great.”

“Oh, man.” He laughed. “I don’t think I can handle this. You’re beautiful and you’re kind and you say things like, ‘That engine sounds great.’”

She laughed, feeling thrilled that he’d called her beautiful. “Well, it does. And this night is incredible. It’s not too cold, and it smells all spicy like autumn always does.” In the next moment, she shivered as a gust of wind rushed over the car.

“Not too cold, huh?” he teased, noticing her shiver.

“Well, not until this moment.” She grinned and reached around behind her for Dean’s jacket. She slid it on, noticing that it smelled like him, a kind of warm, musky smell. She took a deep breath, enjoying the feeling of no longer being cold and wearing the jacket of the man she had such a crush on.

“You look great in my jacket,” he said, glancing at her as he drove.

She smiled. “It’s a great jacket.”

For a few moments, they were both quiet, but they kept stealing glances at each other and smiling. The stars twinkled overhead and the fragrant wind rushed at their faces. Noelle felt a mixture of excitement and peace that was wonderful, and not like anything she’d ever experienced before.

Unexpectedly, Dean turned the car to the left and started to drive it down an unmarked road.

“What’s through here?” Noelle asked, glancing up at the pine trees that had suddenly darkened the road.

“You’ll see.” He smiled at her and then turned to face the road as he navigated the car through difficult twists and turns. They seemed to be going deeper into a forest, and Noelle listened intently to the sound of owls hooting and the wind sighing in the pine branches.

Then, all at once, the road opened up to a breathtaking overlook. There was a small parking lot just in front of an old stone wall. Beyond the wall was a sheer drop and a magnificent view of the ocean.

“Oh, Dean,” she breathed. “This is wonderful.”

“I thought you’d like it.” He looked as pleased as if he’d made it himself. He parked the car just at the edge of the wall and they sat quietly together for a while, watching the moon light up the tossing waves with flecks of silver.

Her heart was full as she sat there beside him. She was beginning to get hungry, but she didn’t want to suggest that they turn around and leave. They seemed to be in the midst of some kind of enchanted moment together, and she didn’t want it to end.

“Noelle?”

“Yes, Dean?” She turned to him with a smile, her voice as soft as his.

“I… when I first got my diagnosis, I was devastated. It was a huge blow. I didn’t understand why something so bad had happened to me. And I know there’s still a lot I need to learn how to deal with, but now I’m happy that everything worked out the way that it did.”

“Because it made you stronger?”

“Because it led me to meeting you.”

Her heart did a somersault. “Oh. I?—”

She didn’t know what to say, and it didn’t matter. In the next moment, Dean leaned his face in toward hers and gently kissed her.

“I’m so happy that everything led you to me, Dean,” she whispered. “Even though I wish you didn’t have to deal with your diagnosis. And I’m so happy my path led me here to Rosewood Beach.”

“It feels like it was meant to be, doesn’t it?”

“It does.”

They shared a smile and then they shared another kiss. Then Dean’s stomach growled loudly and they both burst out laughing.

“Time for dinner, I guess.” Dean chortled. “What do you think? Should we go out exploring in a neighboring town, or do you want to go back to Rosewood Beach for dinner?”

She considered it for a moment. “Rosewood Beach. There are quite a few restaurants there I haven’t tried yet, and I’d like to. And besides, you’re so good at helping me get to know our town.”

“Rosewood Beach it is,” he said. “Sounds great to me.”

He turned the car around and they headed back toward Rosewood Beach. For a few minutes, they drove in silence, both of them seeming to be in a kind of daze. Noelle felt as though her whole body was glowing with happiness. She glanced over at Dean, wanting to look at him to convince herself she wasn’t dreaming.

He reached over and took her hand in his.

“Yes?” he asked, smiling.

She nodded. “Yes.”

They talked on and off as they drove back to the twinkling lights of Rosewood Beach. Sometimes they sat quietly and enjoyed the sights and smells of the beautiful evening. Sometimes they chatted about things they both felt excited about. The entire drive back, Dean never once let go of her hand.