Chapter 8 #3
“I have a friend who will own a brand-new one soon,” he said, winking. “Do you want to check out the other dealerships?”
“Yes. He may have lowered it, but it’s still a lot of money,” she said, appearing worried. “I’ve only spent such a large amount on my house. Maybe it’s a good idea to shop around,” she said, disappointedly as she gazed out the window.
“It’s a good deal and if you like it, get it,” he insisted. “Think about it at lunch. We’ll visit the other dealerships and then circle back around to it if you’re still considering it,” he suggested as he parked.
They walked to the little fish shack and ordered their food. When Liam paid, Addy protested, “Oh, no. It’s my treat. You’re incredibly nice to take me. We used your gas and your time.”
“I’ve enjoyed your company,” he said, putting his card back in his wallet.
A few minutes later, Addy sighed as she took a bite of the clam chowder. “This tastes amazing. I can’t recall the last time I tasted fresh seafood.”
“Haven’t you visited Ty’s in Serenity? Sparky, I mean, Sparky’s husband, Ty, owns it,” he asked. “Leo took me there for lunch during the interview process.”
“I haven’t visited it yet,” she admitted. “I’ve heard good things about it.”
Liam took a bite of his smoked salmon and chewed. Almost everyone in the small town went to Ty’s. His prices remained reasonable, and the food was sourced locally for the most part. Addy lived there for two years and never set foot in the establishment. It piqued his curiosity.
“We’ll have to rectify that,” he murmured. “I’ve seen the nurses in there over the weekend while I wait for the teens to return from their shopping and take the van up the mountain. I assumed you went with them,” he said, gazing at her.
Setting her spoon down, Addy picked up her fork and concentrated on her shrimp salad. “They don’t want to spend an entire weekend socializing with their boss.”
“Then why don’t you hang out with Kassie, Catherine and their group?” he asked.
“They’re my boss,” she teased, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes. She seemed caught in a catch twenty-two with no friends.
“Good,” he said, pouring dressing on his salad. “It means I can get to know you before anyone else does.”
“I doubt it’ll be a problem. Tell me about your new job,” she insisted. “We’ve spent an entire morning talking about me and my vehicle.”
“I moved into the facility,” he informed her. “The team seems close. Even the K-9 trainer who started not too long ago, Cole, has settled in nicely.”
“I know him. He used to visit Stormy,” she told him. “I don’t know exactly what they do. I’ve heard rumors about how Leo and his team saved Kassie.”
“Yes, I recall Leo telling me about it. His original team guarded Kassie. They became friends. Since then, he added another group, Team Hawk,” he explained. “I’ll be on K-9 duty with Cole on Team Hawk.”
“What will you do?”
“Leo accepts security contracts, and we fulfill them,” he informed her as he finished off his salmon.
“I didn’t realize Serenity needed security. It seems like one of those small towns you watch in the movies.
“He takes them from all over,” he said as he rose to take their plates to the garbage. When he returned, he said, “Shall we check out the other dealership.
Sighing, she rose and picked up her purse. “I really hoped they’d come down a bit more.”
“In the meantime, we’ll check out the other places. You might find something you like even better,” he said, guiding her toward the SUV.
Turning onto the street, he checked his navigation screen for the next dealership. When they arrived, Addy got out and frowned while she reviewed their selection.
Liam knew she’d already picked out her next vehicle when they arrived at the fourth stop, and she showed little interest in the selection.
They walked back toward his SUV when her phone rang.
“Hello?”
Addy listened to the other person on the line.
Addy stopped in her tracks and jumped up and down. “Thank you, Tom. I will be there shortly,” she said, composed. When she hung up her phone, she turned toward Liam and squealed. “They went down twenty-five hundred.”
“I take it we’re heading back for your new SUV?” Liam joked as he watched her do a little dance and practically skip toward his parked SUV.
“Yes. Oh, now I wish you didn’t have this vehicle. I won’t be able to talk to you. It’s a new vehicle and I don’t know where everything’s located,” she said. “I’m not prepared.”
“You’ll do fine. I’ll drive right behind you. I must insist you let me take you out to dinner and celebrate. You did great for a first timer,” he complimented her.
“No. I’m taking you out. After all, if I hadn’t gotten your silly signals mixed up, I wouldn’t have saved over five thousand. I can afford it,” she said excitedly as he pulled into the dealership.
“We’ll talk about it later,” he said. “Addy, go get your new car.”
She gave another squeak of excitement before jumping out of the SUV. As they neared the building, Addy became more reserved.
Tom met them inside. “It’s in the back getting spiffed up. Let’s go to my office and review the financing.”
“I’ll be paying cash,” she informed him.
Tom’s eyes widened, and he nodded. “Let me get the paperwork started.
“Excuse me, don’t you offer a veteran discount?” Liam asked, seeing the sign on the door.
“Oh, you’re a veteran?” Tom asked Addy. “Thank you for your service. Yes, it’ll give you an extra five hundred off.”
Her eyes glimmered with excitement as she sat. She barely contained her enthusiasm when Tom reviewed the paperwork with her.
Liam took out his phone and texted his new boss.
I’m in Seattle. Do you know if any team members close by?
He saw the three dots appear, and then Leo responded. Taco and Shadow went to pick up a part for Tess’ food truck. What’s up?
Addyson found an SUV, and she doesn’t feel comfortable driving it yet. I hoped someone might be able to drive mine back and park it at Ty’s. I’ll get it after we eat dinner.
Let me check. Leo texted.
Liam watched Addy bite her nail as she read the fine print. He imagined taking the finger and putting it in his mouth to distract her from biting it.
Taco said he’s about ten minutes away. Saint will drive it back and leave it at Ty’s. Leo texted him a minute later.
Thanks. He typed out as Addyson shook Tom’s hand and gazed at him with pure delight.
They brought her vehicle around and she stared at it in awe.
“Go stand next to it, and I can get a picture of you,” he instructed. “Then you’ll have a photo of the first time you suckered a car dealer out of a good sum of money.”
“Only if you’ll be in it with me,” Addy said. “After all, your hand signals started it.”