Chapter 25 He Turned It Down?
“I had something to finish,” Ryan said. “Our schedules won’t always line up. It’s easier to travel separately.”
Henry accepted that with a nod.
“Then take one of the cars in the garage. Whichever you like.”
“I’ll have a look later.”
“Why wait? Grace, show him.”
She rose without argument, leaving Ryan little choice but to follow.
A luxury sedan, a compact car, and Grace’s SUV occupied the garage. Two more vehicles sat beneath covers.
Grace folded her arms.
“Take your pick.”
Ryan uncovered the last two and stopped to admire them.
A sleek mid-engine coupe and a luxury convertible. Both beautiful, both extravagantly expensive. The coupe was worth well over four hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The convertible could cost almost twice that.
“Yours or your grandfather’s?”
“The sedan is Grandpa’s. The SUV and sports cars are mine. I use the SUV for work.”
Ryan looked at the compact, a relatively modest car worth a little over thirty thousand.
“The others are too conspicuous. I’ll take this one.”
“That’s the housekeeper’s car. She uses it for groceries.”
He looked back at Grace.
“So it’s one of the sports cars?”
“Yes. Don’t men love them? Park one somewhere and women come over asking for a ride. Saves you the trouble of approaching them.”
“Not really my thing. Why don’t you take a sports car and leave me the SUV?”
She rolled her eyes.
“Nice try.”
He considered the options, then shook his head.
“I’ll buy something. I don’t want that much attention.”
“You can keep whichever one you choose after the three months are up.”
He shook his head again.
“They’re great cars. Just not for me.”
Grace stared at him. She’d offered him a car worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, and he hadn’t even hesitated.
“What do you want?”
“Something in the thirty-to-forty-five-thousand range. Just to get around.”
“I’ll pay for it.”
“No need. We’re not a real couple. I’d rather keep things separate.”
“Can you afford it?”
“I’ve made some money treating patients.”
Surprise crossed her face.
“You practice medicine?”
“My mentor taught me. I’m not as good as he is, but I do all right.”
“And you’ve earned enough for a car?”
“Enough.”
“You must charge a lot.”
“Wealthy patients. They value their lives.”
She wanted to ask more, but stopped herself. Getting drawn into his life would only complicate their separation later.
She turned toward the house.
“Explain it to Grandpa yourself.”
“I will. And I’ll be away this weekend. I have something planned.”
Her steps slowed for an instant.
“Okay.”
Ryan watched her go, smiling to himself. She was probably relieved to have two days free of pretending to be happily married.
The next morning, he ate breakfast and took a cab to the meeting point.
Several rugged SUVs lined the curb. Chloe stood beside the open door of a boxy off-roader while Jason talked at her. She looked bored.
“Chloe.”
Her face brightened. She waved him over.
Jason turned.
“You took a cab?”
“Yeah.”
“Must be inconvenient, not having a car.”
The edge in his smile was unmistakable. Then he clapped his hands.
“Everyone’s here. Let’s go.”
Ryan headed for the passenger side, but Chloe stopped him.
“Will you drive?”
“Sure.”
As he started the engine, he glanced at her. She wore a T-shirt, shorts, and sneakers, with a ponytail tucked through the back of a baseball cap. The sporty clothes gave her a fresh, energetic look.
“Like what you see?” she asked.
“Not bad. I suppose I can be seen with you.”
She laughed and lifted a fist.
“If you weren’t driving, I’d knock you into next week.”
“With that little hand? You couldn’t crack a watermelon.”
“I could crack your skull.”
While they traded insults, the lead vehicle accelerated.
Jason’s voice crackled through the two-way radio.
“Same rules as always! Last one there cooks and serves everyone else.”
A race?
Before Ryan could object, Chloe lit up.
“Go! Pass them!”