Chapter 5
Chapter Five
JANE
After Ian left to go grocery shopping, I peered outside.
The snow had slowed to plump flakes floating down from the sky.
He’d somehow arranged for someone to plow the driveway.
That made up my mind. I knew the roads would be plowed.
Maybe it had been a while since I’d lived through a full Maine winter, but I could certainly handle a drive in this weather.
It wasn't sunny or clear, but I had good winter tires.
I didn't want to stay cooped up in the house by myself.
Although I felt like I could breathe a little easier once he left, it was impossible not to be aware of him.
I was beyond annoyed with myself that I was so drawn to him.
The awareness was an almost constant prickle over my skin.
All of Thea’s brothers were handsome, but only Ian had gotten to me when I was younger.
Oh, I hadn't really crushed on him. I’d always been too guarded to let myself crush on anyone.
Although I had to admit he was cute. Because he was.
Even though he was too handsome for his own good, he was nice then and even nicer now.
For a flash, I wanted to lie to myself and pretend he’d been a jerk, but he never had. “He just never really noticed me,” I muttered to myself.
I felt like I was crushing on him now. And that was fucking ridiculous. I gave my head a shake. I hadn't told Ian, but I planned to go check out my parents’ house. Maybe it would be easier to get the power and water turned on than I’d thought.
He'd even asked me about my grocery preference, and I’d brushed him off, telling him not to worry about me.
He’d eyed me curiously. I figured he was going to stock up anyway because he was that kind of guy, and apparently, he felt some sort of responsibility to me or to Thea on my behalf.
Whatever. I couldn’t spend my mental energy on what Ian thought.
That fell into the category of ridiculous.
I slipped into my down jacket and my winter boots, which I had wisely packed, and started my car. I scraped the ice off my windshield while the engine warmed. Whoever had plowed the drive had done a good job. I only had to shovel a little bit of snow away from the front of my car.
A few minutes later, I was driving through Haven’s Bay.
I couldn't help but smile at the picturesque little town.
Even on a snowy day, shoppers were out in the downtown area.
The festive holiday decorations glimmered through the lightly falling snow.
I was tempted to stop in at a few shops, but I decided against it.
Perusing the shops could wait for a better day.
Only minutes later, I slowed to turn off the main road onto the street that would lead to my parents’ house, my old childhood home.
They had moved away after I finished high school.
For a while, they used the home during the summer.
But a few years back, my father had a stroke.
He had recovered well, but the stairs were a challenge for him.
They'd emptied the house out and buttoned it up while they decided what to do. They’d finally opted to put it on the market.
I was tasked with checking on the house, getting rid of any last boxes that were still here, and making sure it was ready to be put on the market.
The pace of the snow had started to pick up again, but I felt like I had my snow driving skills back up to speed.
I was handling the roads like a champ until I turned into my parents’ driveway and promptly bumped into something solid.
That bump sent me off track in the unplowed driveway, and I bounced into a tree on the opposite side of the drive.
The car came to a jolting stop. “Fuck,” I muttered.
My pulse had lunged ahead when I lost control.
After a moment, it slowed as I realized I was merely listing to the side of the driveway.
I thought I might as well see if I could back up.
Putting my car in reverse, I lightly feathered the gas pedal.
The tires spun on the snow. It was only then I realized I didn't even have Ian’s phone number.
I had Thea’s, and I could always call a car service place.
“Dammit.” I rested my forehead against the steering wheel.
I was relieved it was early in the day, so I had plenty of time to solve my little problem. I was certain I just needed someone to pull me out of the deep snow, and I would be on my way again.
I decided against calling Thea. I knew that meant she would call Ian, and my pride wasn't ready to deal with the I-told-you-so from him.
I called the car service that came with my insurance.
The friendly lady on the other end of the phone told me she would see who she could get there and gave me an ETA of an hour.
“Okay, thank you,” I said through my gritted teeth.
I’d had the foresight last night to stop and get gas at the last service station on the highway before I took the exit for Haven’s Bay, so I could wait an hour or more if needed in my heated car.
I had my phone, so I could even read a book.
I tapped open my reading app but discovered I was too distracted to focus on the plot.
Turning on the radio, I listened to the news, but I made the mistake of checking my email and narrowed my eyes when I saw yet another email from my now former boss.
I sighed. Apparently, he wanted more help with the last paper.
I had no idea how that man ever got tenure, but then wasn’t that the way of the world?
Hapless men succeeding from the effort of the women who did the behind-the-scenes work.
I took a deep breath, and my fingers hovered over my phone screen as I considered replying. After a moment, I had the sense to close my email and lower my phone. I actually did not work for him anymore. I smiled to myself. I didn't even need to reply.
The car service texted me to tell me someone could be there in the promised hour, but no sooner because they were dealing with several other calls that had come in sooner. The news rambled along as I waited. Perhaps a half an hour had passed when I heard a sound behind me.
I turned in my car seat to look around and saw a vehicle behind me. “Oh, awesome! They're here early.”
It wasn't a tow truck, though. It was an SUV, but maybe they were just checking on me to see what I needed. I clambered out, walking through the knee-deep snow to find Ian glaring at me as he stepped out of the SUV.
“What the hell are you doing?” he opened with.
“What the hell are you doing?” I lobbed right back at him.
“When I got back to the house and realized you'd been crazy enough to leave in this weather, I figured you came here. I knew the driveway wasn't plowed, and as far as I can tell, you’re stuck.”
I rolled my eyes. “It's fine. Not a big deal. I've already called a car service.”
Ian muttered something under his breath. The snowfall had let up yet again, so I had a clear view of his eye roll. “You're coming with me.”
“I'm not coming with you. I’ll wait for the car service.” I crossed my arms.
“Fine. Then I'll wait with you.”
“Oh my god, you're kidding me,” I muttered. “Don't you need to drop the groceries off?”
“I already have,” he ground out. “Let’s wait in my SUV.”
Determined to out-contrary him, I retorted, “No, I’ll wait in my car.”
“Fine, I'll sit with you in your car.”
“What if I don't want you to sit with me in my car? Oh my god, you're such a man!” I exclaimed as he walked through the snow, stopping in front of me.
“I am a man, so it only stands to reason I am such a man.”
“You know what I mean. I wasn't making that comment as a factual statement.”
He shrugged. Just then—hallelujah—the car service showed up early. “Oh look, they're already here. I don’t need you to wait. I'm sure they can get my car out, and I’ll drive back myself.”
I glanced longingly over my shoulder at my parents’ long driveway that was blanketed in snow and the dark house that sat at the end. The energy I’d summoned to figure out how to get the utilities turned on blew away with a gust of wind. Ian waited with me as the car service guy got out.
As soon as he got closer, I recognized him. “Joe!”
Joe Martinelli smiled over at me. “Well, hey, Jane. How’s it going?”
I eyed my car and shrugged as I glanced back at him. “Minus my car being stuck, I’m fine.”
Joe grinned. “I’ll help with your car.” His eyes shifted to Ian, and for a second, there was a thread of tension.
Ian cast an easy smile. “Hey, Joe, good to see you.”
Joe dipped his head. “Same here. How’s life?” We chatted briefly before he asked, “How’s Thea?” His tone was casual, but we all knew the question was loaded.
Joe and Thea had been high school sweethearts until her father forbid her from seeing him. She’d been heartbroken over it. Joe’s family owned the town’s only automotive repair place, and her father had considered him beneath her. I had no idea if Ian had an opinion on any of that.
Ian replied, “She’s pretty good. I’m sure she’d love to catch up.”
“Maybe sometime,” Joe said lightly, and that was that. He shifted his attention to my car.
Moments later, Ian had moved his SUV. Joe hooked up the tow truck and pulled my car back to the center of the snow-covered drive.
He got out and did a quick circle around my car before looking over at me and shaking his head. “What's wrong?” I asked.
“Your tire rim is bent,” he explained.
“What does that mean?” I said, ignoring the sinking sensation in my stomach.
“You need a whole new rim and the tire to go with it. You can’t drive on it now.”
“Are you kidding?” I muttered as I rounded my car.
Ian was right behind me and peered down at the tire in question on the front passenger side. “Definitely not driving this. It also looks like your oil pan got torn off.”