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Carter and Ernie turned just as Old Man Dwyer strode across the parking lot. At the age of eighty-seven, he was known for his fedora and dungarees, along with his bushy white handlebar mustache. Wilford was a retired mechanic who enjoyed spending his days chatting with Ernie and giving advice, even though he hadn’t worked in a mechanic’s shop for at least twenty years. More often than not, he just got in the way.
Ernie muttered something under his breath while Carter bit back a laugh.
“Good morning, Wilford!” Ernie called. “So good to see you.”
“I figured you missed me. Last week I went to Raleigh to see my sister, but I’m back and ready to help.” He pointed to Mrs.Deese’s car. “Would you like me to look at Rowena’s car for you?”
“Absolutely. Thank you, Mr.Dwyer.” Carter grinned at Ernie and then hotfooted it to the shop—back to the spark plugs in the Honda.
“Hey, Carter,” Gage called as he walked over. “How did it go with Mrs.Deese?”
Carter rolled his eyes. “You know how it went. There’s nothing wrong with her car, but she’s insisting on leaving it here. Old Man Dwyer showed up, and he says he’ll take a look at it.”
Gage snorted, then returned to the Ford pickup in his stall.
Carter pulled out his phone and glanced at it. So far he hadn’t officially planned a date with Darcy yet, though he couldn’t wait to see her again. It felt good to get out and have some fun. And he couldn’t think of anyone he’d rather be with more than her.
***
Later that afternoon Haven joined Darcy in her office at the bank. “I’m so surprised you got out early today and actually felt like driving to Uptown to see me.”
“Thank goodness for an early dismissal day. Plus I didn’t have any meetings, so it worked out perfectly,” Haven said. “Now, tell me everything about your dates with Carter.”
Darcy couldn’t stop her smile. “We went to a car show Friday night, and then he took me on a picnic at Flowering Grove Park on Saturday.”
“A picnic?” Haven gushed. “That’s so romantic.”
“It was fun.” She smiled at the memory of the hug they’d shared, and a shudder rippled through her.
Haven crossed her legs. “I talked to Derek, and he really likes Carter. He said he’s always been such a great guy. I’m glad you two are hitting it off.”
“I am too.” Darcy twirled a pen in her hand and considered their short text messages all week.
“Have you made plans with him for the weekend yet?”
Darcy shook her head. “Not yet. We’ve texted back and forth, but that’s it.” She rested her elbows on her desk. “Are you and Derek still painting rooms in his house?”
Haven brightened. “We finished the bathrooms last weekend. He’s talking about changing the flooring in the laundry room, but I don’t think it needs replacing yet.”
Darcy nodded while Haven talked on about Derek’s plans for his house. She was sure they would be engaged soon, and Haven would begin making wedding plans. Darcy smiled, imagining her beautiful friend as a stunning bride walking down the aisle.
When Darcy’s phone suddenly pinged with a text message, she jumped and lifted it from her desk. Excitement sizzled through her when she found Carter’s name on the screen. She opened the message and found a photo of the Flowering Grove Movie Theater marquee. It read: “Totally ’80s Series—Pretty in Pink.”
Then came Carter’s message: Any chance you’re free tomorrow night?
Darcy grinned.
Haven leaned forward on Darcy’s desk. “Is it him? What’s he saying?”
“He invited me to a movie tomorrow night.” She angled the phone toward Haven so she could see the photo of the marquee. “My favorite movie is playing in Flowering Grove.”
“Tell him yes.”
Darcy held her hand up. “Calm down. I’m going to.” She poised her thumbs over the phone: Let me check my planner.
Carter: ??
Darcy: Looks like I’m free.
