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He did, and the engine turned over—smooth and beautiful.
I grinned at him. “Looks like I still got it,” I said.
“Looks like you do,” my father responded.
His face took on a wistfulness, and I hoped he wouldn’t say anything.
I stood there for long, tense moments, bracing myself for a conversation I didn’t want to have.
But after a moment, his face cracked into a bright smile, faint laugh lines popping up on his otherwise unlined brown skin, and he waved me down from the truck.
I was grateful that he hadn’t said anything.
We didn’t need to talk about what I was doing, just like we didn’t need to talk about why I was doing it.
My father had made his feelings on the matter clear, and I had done the same.
I would not let him suffer when I had the power to prevent it, and he knew that what I did I did out of love.
Knew that I would do anything for him.
“You bringing on somebody new for the shop?”
At the sound of Todd’s voice I looked around and then smiled.
“That investment hasn’t come through, so I can’t afford her yet,” my father said.
“I’m working on it,” Todd said as he approached us.
“Now, this is more like it,” I said, looking at Todd’s pressed slacks and crisp, white shirt. I assumed he’d left his jacket in the office and couldn’t help the smile that crossed my lips at the thought of rough-and-tumble Todd dressing so well.
“You don’t think Mr. Fancy here looks good in a suit?” my father said.
“Oh, he does,” I responded, to which Todd smiled.
My father checked his watch, the heavy gold band incongruous with his attire but another permanent fixture that it seemed like he had been wearing for as long as I could remember. “I gotta cover two quick in-town loads for one of the drivers. Can I leave you two to it?” my father asked.
“Of course. I’ll call you later,” I said.
“Thank you, and amazing work on the truck, baby,” he said.
He gave me a quick hug and then left.
“So, you’re still a mechanic?” Todd asked.
“I haven’t forgotten it all,” I said.
“A woman of many talents, huh?” he countered.
I smiled, but there was a twinge of sadness in my heart.
Yeah, I knew my way around a semi’s engine.
I could also flawlessly orchestrate the sale and delivery of arms.
“A regular Jill of all trades,” I said, trying—and failing—to hide my frown.
“I don’t know if I like the expression on your face. How can I fix it?” Todd said.
