AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s because she has a crush on you, Carter.” Gage waggled his eyebrows. “She finds any excuse to bring her car in just so she can lay eyes on you.”
“She’s at least seventy-five, Gage,” Carter retorted.
Glenda moved to stand in the middle of the shop. “Look, I need one of you to help her, okay?” She turned toward Carter. “Please.”
Pouting, Carter wiped his hands on a red shop rag and followed Glenda out to the storefront. Mrs.Deese stood in front of the counter wearing what looked to be her Sunday best. She was a petite woman with gray hair cut in a bob and thick glasses in purple cat-shaped frames sitting on her little nose, magnifying her golden-brown eyes. Her bright-red lipstick seemed to clash with her purple hat and pink dress. She had been a widow for as long as Carter could remember. The older woman looked up approvingly at him, and he shifted his weight on his feet.
“Good morning, Mrs.Deese. How can I help you?” he asked.
“Why, Carter, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?”
He swallowed back his frown. Maybe she did have a crush on him. Oh boy. “Glenda mentioned your car is making a noise.”
“That’s true, honey. Would you please take a look at it?”
He forced his reluctant lips into a smile. “Of course, ma’am.”
“Thank you, Carter.” Glenda patted him on the back before he followed Mrs.Deese out to her blue 2018 Ford Focus.
She handed him the keys, and he started the car. Then he popped the hood and listened to the engine for several moments.
“Ma’am,” he finally said, “I don’t hear anything unusual.”
Mrs.Deese pointed to the driver’s side. “Why don’t we take it for a ride then?”
He didn’t have time for this. His eyes scanned the line of cars waiting for his and Gage’s attention. The shop had been so busy all week that he’d come in early every day and worked late every night.
He’d been so exhausted by work that he’d shared only a few texts each day with Darcy, even though she’d been a constant thought in his mind since he’d left her house Saturday night. He couldn’t wait for the weekend when he could finally see her again.
“Yes, ma’am,” he agreed before closing the hood and climbing into the driver’s seat.
Carter steered out onto Main Street and drove toward the Barbecue Pit. He kept his eyes on the road while concentrating on the engine, which sounded completely normal. “I don’t hear anything unusual, Mrs.Deese.”
“It’s a knocking sound.” She pointed toward the hood. “Just listen, honey. I know it will do it again.”
For the next five minutes Carter drove around town, hearing only perfectly normal engine and road noises.
“Ma’am, I’m sorry, but I don’t hear a knocking noise. It sounds just fine to me.” He steered into the parking lot of the shop. “Why don’t you bring it back when it starts acting like there’s something wrong.”
Mrs.Deese shook her head. “I’m telling you, sweetheart, something’s wrong with my car. I’ll leave it with you and call my sister to pick me up. You can take another look at it when you have time.” She patted Carter’s thigh.
Carter’s eyebrows shot up at the intimate touch.
She pulled her flip phone out of her humongous purse and started dialing.
Carter sucked in air, pulling all of his patience up from his toes. He was taught to respect his elders no matter what, but he was struggling to keep his frustration in check.
“Hi, Mildred?” Mrs.Deese spoke loudly into her phone. “Can you pick me up at Barton Automotive? I’m having car trouble again.”
When he spotted Ernie crossing the parking lot, he jumped out of the car. “Ernie!” He trotted after him. “Hey, Ernie!”
Gage’s father pivoted to face him. “Carter. Good morning.”
“Mrs. Deese is back. She insists her car is making a noise, but I don’t hear anything. Can you help? Gage and I are loaded up. I need to get four tune-ups done today.”
Ernie nodded. “Sure thing, son.”
“I can help!”
