Chapter 7
CLIO
I parked in front of the barn as Ernie had directed and grabbed the new shaft along with my toolbox.
I kept a standard one in my trunk but added a few extra tools from the shop specifically for this job.
I hadn’t made it ten feet toward the building before Sam came out to meet me. It was as if he’d been waiting.
Which was possible since Ernie had told me Sam requested my help in putting the new part in. He’d then told me to not linger because he was sure I needed to get ready for my date tonight with David Marsh.
I also needed to get back to pick up JT from school, feed him dinner, and get him ready for Ernie and Edna, who had been my go-to babysitters since I arrived in town.
Edna had happily taken on a grandma role for JT, spoiling him rotten.
Telling JT yesterday that he would be spending the evening with Miss Edna had been met with whoops of joy and telling me they were sure to bake cookies like the last time.
“Hey there, Sparks,” Sam called.
I stopped in my tracks because he was once again not wearing a shirt.
Damn.
Damn.
He had the nicest body I’d ever seen, hands down.
His shirt was in his hand, and he was using it like a rag to wipe off his sweaty, dusty chest. My ovaries jumped for joy while inwardly, I groaned.
“Sparks?” I asked.
He shrugged, then kept right on walking closer. And closer. And closer.
“Yeah. Like the spark plug.”
“Because I work on cars?”
He laughed, flashing those dimples, and his gaze took in every inch of me. “No, because you light me on fire. Like a spark plug. Get it?”
Heat pooled between my legs despite my resistance. “Oh, I get it, but you’re insane.”
“Uh huh. Crazy for you.”
I ignored that comment, even though my nipples heard and perked right up.
“Don’t you ever wear a shirt?” I wondered.
He shrugged. “It’s hot.”
It sure as hell was and getting hotter.
I tried to focus on anything but the way his jeans were low slung.
“Okay, Tarzan.”
“Tarzan?”
I shrugged. “He never met a shirt he wanted to wear.”
Sam laughed.
I needed to stop thinking about this guy's bare naked chest. “So, where’s the tractor?”
“In a rush for your date?” Sam turned and held out his hand. At first I didn’t know why, but then realized he wanted to carry my toolbox. After I handed it off, we went around the barn and along a fenced paddock.
A horse whinnied, and I heard hooves stomping. A female voice spoke soothingly.
“Not in a rush, but I have to pick up JT from school,” I replied. “I wait for him out front by–”
Sam stopped, and I almost slammed into him. “Who’s watching JT tonight while you’re on your date?” he asked. All playfulness was gone, and he looked remarkably serious.
“Edna and Ernie.”
His shoulders relaxed, and he nodded. “Good. They’ll keep a good eye on him.”
Before I could ask why he was so concerned about who I chose to watch my son, the horse whinnied again–a high-pitched sound.
“Sam?” A female voice called in what seemed like a strained attempt to sound calm, stopping us both. “I could use your horse whispering over here.”
“Sure thing.” Sam touched my lower back with his free hand and passed me back my toolbox. “Be right back, Sparks.” He winked before he jogged around the corner, somehow moving silently in a pair of cowboy boots.
I followed. In the paddock was a pretty Black woman in jeans and sturdy boots. She led a black horse by the bridle, but it was bucking and definitely skittish. I knew about cars, not horses, but it looked like she was having a tough time. Like leading a dog that didn’t want to be on a leash.
“Wait here, okay?” Sam tossed a look over his shoulder.
I nodded, then he hopped the fence with the grace of an Olympic hurdler.
I set my toolbox on the ground and rested my forearms on the top rail of the fence; the shaft laying across it as I watched.
Sam walked over with an easy gait. He reached for the leather bridle and talked with the woman for a bit, the two of them glancing at me once. Then she stepped away and came over to me.
“Hey, I’m Charlie.” She leaned on the inside of the fence. Beside her, I felt frumpy. She was tall and lean, and while she wore jeans and dusty boots, her pale blue blouse looked feminine and neat. I even picked up a soft floral scent.
I had oil under my nails and no doubt smelled like gasoline.
“Clio.”
“Heard you’re going to fix the tractor.”
“This’ll be my first, but I’m sure it won’t be hard.”
She looked my way with her dark eyes. “Your first?”
I smiled. “Tractor repair. I actually specialize in IndyCars.”
She cocked her head. “Race cars?”
I nodded.
“That’s really cool. I’m a vet. I specialize in horses although this one, Cletus–” she tipped her head toward the paddock “–is giving me trouble.”
“And Sam can help?”
She laughed. “Oh yeah. Just watch.”
We stood side by side, quietly watching Sam run his hand down the animal’s quivering flank. I could see his lips moving. He was talking to Cletus although I could only imagine what one said to a horse. Cletus’s ears flickered. Tail twitched. He shifted, kicked out a back leg.
Then Sam led him around the paddock, continuing to talk.
“See? He’s the horse whisperer around here.”
Watching Sam like this, without a cocky smile or a butter-won’t-melt-in-my-mouth attitude, made him seem more… real. Hotter.
“Does he ever wear a shirt?” I wondered to myself although Charlie heard and laughed.
“I hope not. That body’s God’s gift to women. It should be on display.”
Oh. Were they an item? Ernie had called him a player. I ignored the sour jealousy that bubbled up. I didn’t like the idea of her lusting after Sam.
She turned her head and winked. “Don’t tell Levi. My guy.”
I relaxed and smiled. “My lips are sealed.”
Sam led Cletus over to us. “I think you’re all set. He and I had a little talk, and he should be a little less sassy now.”
Charlie went and took the reins, and eyed the previously surly horse. Now, he seemed to be docile. “Thanks. Nice meeting you, Clio. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around.”
Sam hopped the fence again and grabbed the shaft from my hands. “Let’s fix that tractor, so you can go pick up your little man on time.”
Sexy, capable, and didn’t forget that my kid came first. Was I under his spell now like Cletus?