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Carter turned toward her when they reached the last row of cars. “Your dad is great.”
“He is, isn’t he?” Happiness shimmered through her as she smiled at Carter. She gently jabbed his arm with her elbow. “It’s obvious he likes you too.”
The crowd was beginning to disperse, and the sound of revving engines indicated that the car show was coming to a close. But Darcy wasn’t ready to say good night to Carter just yet. “Have you had supper?”
He shook his head. “I grabbed a pack of crackers on my way out the door.” He nodded toward the far end of the parking lot. “Think it would be okay if we hop in my truck and go find something to eat?”
“Sure. Let’s just say goodbye to my dad.”
His smile sent a quiver through her. “Perfect.”
Chapter10
Carter and Darcy made their way past the line of classic cars toward her father’s Dodge truck. Darcy had her phone tucked into the pocket of her light-blue jean shorts. A pink t-shirt and white sandals completed her outfit. Her blonde hair fell past her shoulders, and Carter wondered if he’d ever seen such beautiful hair on a woman.
As they came to the last row of cars, Ross stood by his truck smiling and nodding with another older man sharing a story. Ross spotted them and waved them over. “Terry, this is my daughter, Darcy, and her friend Carter.”
Carter shook his hand as Darcy said hello.
“He works as a mechanic out in Flowering Grove,” Ross continued.
Terry looked impressed. “No kidding. So you’re a car fanatic too, huh?”
“Absolutely,” Carter agreed.
Ross pulled a set of keys from his pocket. “Want to take her for a spin before I leave?” He jammed his thumb toward his truck. Then he tossed the keys to Carter.
Carter stared at the keys in his hand. Then he divided a look between Darcy and Ross, hoping for their silent approval.
“Let’s go for a ride,” Darcy said, looking eager.
“I promise I’ll take good care of it.” Carter jingled the keys.
Ross grinned. “Enjoy.”
“Thanks, Dad. We’ll be back soon.” She beamed as she steered Carter toward the truck.
Carter held the passenger door open for Darcy, then hopped into the driver’s seat. He ran his fingers over the pristine dashboard with reverence and suddenly recalled sitting in the driver’s seat of the Road Runner with his grandfather beside him. “Grandpa would have loved this truck,” he said. “It’s incredible.”
“My mom used to call it Dad’s mistress.”
Carter chuckled as he started the engine and carefully navigated out of the parking lot to the main road. He accelerated and shook his head. “Rides like a dream.”
Leaning over she thumped his shoulder. “I knew you’d love it.”
He laughed as he looked over at her, silently marveling at how beautiful she was. How had he managed to attract her attention? He didn’t deserve a woman as lovely and funny as Darcy.
The skin between her eyes pinched. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
He slowed to a stop at a red light. “You know, I had been planning to see if you were free tomorrow night.”
“Really?” Those gorgeous green eyes narrowed with fake disbelief. “Is that true, or are you trying to make me feel better for being the one to text you first after you said you’d text me?” She pointed to herself for emphasis.
“It’s true. I was going to text you today and ask you to go out with me tomorrow.” He held up three fingers. “Scout’s honor.” Then he lifted his eyebrows. “Are you free tomorrow?”
“I’ll have to check the television lineup to make sure there aren’t any reality shows premiering. You got me hooked on them, you know.” Darcy pulled her phone from her pocket and unlocked it.
A bark of laughter escaped his mouth. He loved their easy banter. He couldn’t remember a time when he’d felt so comfortable with a woman. His conversations were never this light or easy with Gabrielle.
