CHAPTER THREE
We both stand to the side while Sierra’s car is loaded up onto the back of the wrecker.
I can tell how emotional she is just by watching the look on her face.
She was fine earlier when we went to the little café around the corner for a quick bite to eat but the reality of it has finally set in.
I wouldn’t wish being stranded like this on my worst enemy.
She gladly accepts my offer to give her a ride to the repair shop, which is less than a mile away.
No way was I letting her get inside the wrecker with that dude regardless of how far of a drive it was going to be.
While I’m sure he was harmless, seeing him bundled up in his winter attire, he looked more like the abominable snowman than the operator of a wrecker truck.
The streetlights have already come on, showcasing Christmas decor on every other light pole. They’ve obviously seen better days, considering a couple of the red bows are tattered or missing altogether, but there isn’t a single bulb not working down either side of the street.
Sadly, the CLOSED sign is hanging in the front window when we pull up to the tire repair shop. Thank goodness the owner is still inside and agreed to wait for us.
I feel like Sierra can handle it from here, but it’d look stupid if I waited in the truck. Not very gentleman-like at all. “Would you like me to come inside with you?”
“Would you? I’d really appreciate it. Not that I think this guy is going to try and feed me a bunch of garbage, but you know how it is. They think women don’t know anything when it comes to cars—”
“I don’t mind at all.” I don’t mean to cut her off, but she’s right.
The smell of cinnamon and apple spice meet my nostrils as soon as we walk inside.
It’s almost laughable—repair shops are supposed to smell like oil and grease, not grandma’s house during the holidays.
I spot the culprit…a cinnamon broom hanging on the door of the manager’s office.
The longer I breathe in the smell, the more nauseating it makes me.
Sierra brings her hand up to her nose and I can tell that it’s overpowering for her too.
No doubt, we’re both going to smell like an apple who got into a fight with a cinnamon stick when we get out of here.
The guy is probably immune to it by now, but what I wouldn’t give for some fresh air.
Especially when the heat system kicks on.
Hot air mixed with cinnamon spice is downright disgusting.
“Sorry for closing up early, folks,” the owner apologizes. “The flu has been going around so I’m a couple technicians short this week,” he says.
She and I both exchange worried glances. Being a nursing student, I’d like to think she’s on top of taking her Vitamin C, especially with it being winter time when it seems most people are notorious for getting sick. As for me, I’m just going to cross my fingers and hope the germs stay away.
“Thanks for waiting on us to get here,” she tells him.
“Of course, ma’am.” According to the name stitched on his shirt, Mearle pulls out a clipboard and begins to take down the information about her car. “Have you got your license and insurance information handy?”
“I sure do.” Sierra removes her wallet from her purse and gives him both cards.
“I’ve already shut off the copier so give me a second to get it warmed back up. Do you know what your tag number is right offhand?”
Sierra looks at me and I shrug my shoulders. I’m not sure why she’d think I would know but I volunteer to go back out and snap a picture with my phone. It’s the least I can do while she finishes up the paperwork with Mearle.
When I return, I can’t help noticing the saddened expression on her face. Did something happen while I was away? I was literally gone for two minutes, three tops.
“Is everything okay?” I whisper when Mearle steps around the corner..
“He says he won’t be able to even look at my car for at least two days. Once he’s had a chance to assess the damage, he’ll then have to order the parts, which will take another couple of days to get here. What am I supposed to do in the meantime?”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask if she’d be willing to fill in as my fake plus-one, but I don’t want to scare her away. We’ve hardly known each other, what, a couple hours at most. Then again…
“Can you see about renting a car?” I suggest. “Surely there’s a rental place nearby.”
“Closest place is at the airport,” Mearle walks back into the room and give her cards back. “I suggest calling ahead, though. It’s a good possibility they’re sold out.”
I think about the car my brother has reserved that he’ll likely not be able to use now. I haven’t gotten any updates from him in a while, but I really doubt the rental company would release the vehicle to her. Not if there’s others ahead of her on a wait list.
It’s a great idea, but then I’d have even more explaining to do. If the situation weren’t already bad enough, I don’t need to make it any worse.
“I’d just book a flight it that were the case. But then I’d have to figure out how to get back here when my car was fixed.” She rubs her forehead as if she’s giving the situation a little more thought.
“I’m sorry this hasn’t exactly been the best trip home to surprise your family.” I’m truly at a loss for words. She’s such a nice girl and I hate that she’s having to alter her plans. If only there was something more I could do for her.
“What about hotels in the area?” she asks Mearle. “It’s been such a trying day. I think I’ll just get a room for tonight and figure out a different plan in the morning.”
“Hotel?” he sneers and slaps his hands down on the top of the counter.
Sierra rests her head against the back of the chair and sighs. “Let me guess. You don’t have any places to stay, either?”
“We have a few inns. They’re usually booked this time of the year, though. It’s peak tourist season here with the holidays and such.”
Mearle might be doing her a favor with her car but he’s not helping with anything else. Talk about being a real jerk!
Noticing how sad this has made her, I brush my hand against her arm. “We’ll find you something. If it comes down to it, you could stay at the cabin we’ve rented in Black Hill Bend.”
“You wouldn’t mind?” she asks and sits up straight. “I’ve already kept you away from meeting with your family, so I’d hate to put you through anymore trouble.”
“Trouble?” I try and laugh it off. If she only knew the ideas that had already crossed my mind. “It’d be fun to have some company. Come on, let’s get your stuff out of the car.”
My phone begins to vibrate in my pocket and I check to see which brother is calling. To be fair, I’ve been worried about them both.
“Did you know there’s a snow storm moving in early tomorrow?” Mason blurts before I’ve had a chance to properly answer.
“Uh, no. I haven’t exactly been paying attention to the weather though.”
“What’s it look like in Black Hill Bend?”
I don’t want to tell him I’m not there yet, that I’m still an hour away, so I say the first thing that comes to mind. “Dark.”
“You’re such a smart ass,” he smirks. “No kidding, Miles. Of course it’s dark.”
“Well, you asked. Did you manage to get a flight?” I open the door for Sierra and she follows me over to where her car is. She pops the trunk and begins to take some things out.
“No. I’ just over it. Now they’re saying it could be two or three days, depending on how much snow falls. They’ve put us in a room for the night and will access things tomorrow. I swear, we should’ve scheduled this trip for some other time. Did you have any trouble getting the keys to the cabin?”
I hadn’t even thought about it, not until he mentioned it. “I’ll let you know in a little bit. I haven’t…I haven’t quite… made it there yet.” Please don’t ask where I’ve been. Please don’t make me have to explain.
“We’re about to grab some dinner. If you need Caysee to call the owner, let me know but I think you should be able to get to the lock box without any issues. Just use the code he gave us.”
“Will do, bro. Look on the bright side. We have the rest of the week.”
“Yeah, let’s hope so.”
I quickly end the call before he has a chance to ask me where I’ve been this whole time.