Page 113 of His Curvy Distraction

“Put it on blocks?”

Derek chuckled. “Basically, but we would have to have some kind of foundation for it. Something that says it’s no longer a vehicle.”

“Can we do that?”

Derek nodded. “We can. And even better, the family is willing to part with it for next to nothing.”

“How next to nothing?” I asked.

Derek told me a number.

“Done.”

Derek grinned. “I had a feeling you would say that. The only other catch is we have to get it onto the camp property by the end of the month, since May first it’s no longer legal to have on the road.”

“So, Saturday is our deadline.”

“Yep. Can you make that happen?”

“Know anyone with a truck?”

Derek nodded. “I think I have a friend.”

I chuckled, feeling like all this was going to work. As long as Natalie would take my call and let me help her out.

Derek agreed to keep the trailer at his shop until I had a chance to let Natalie know about it. When he got back, he took a bunch of pictures and sent them over.

It was rough. It was an old trailer, but it had a decent sized bathroom and could be functional. Both sides slid out, but the mechanism to slide didn’t work, so they had to be shoved with brute force. But once they were out, they were secure.

It had to work.

I sent Daisy a text, asking her if Natalie was going to be home that night and if she thought I could stop by. Daisy said Natalie was working until five, but would be home after that.

I told her I’d be there at five-fifteen.

I traded cars after work, then drove the Bluebird to Natalie’s. With any luck, she would be willing to go for a drive with me and I could show her the trailer.

Daisy said to park on the far side of the driveway so Natalie wouldn’t see my car from the door, so I did, then walked up their driveway. I rang the bell and wiped my sweaty hands on my pants.

“Coming!” she shouted from the other side of the door. Then she was there. “Omar.”

I wasn’t sure if the look on her face was a good one or not, but I wasn’t there for me. “Will you let me take you somewhere?”

She shook her head. “No.”

All my hope faded. I took a step back.

“Not until I apologize for the way I treated you last week. I was upset, and I took it out on you, and I never should have said what I said to you. I know you weren’t there to rub it in that you were right. I was a jerk. And I hope you’ll be able to forgive me eventually.”

I surged toward her, capturing her jaw in both hands and inhaling her. I stopped just before my lips touched hers. “There is nothing to forgive. You had every right to be upset. But I love you. I’m here for you. The good and the bad, Natalie.”

She nodded, her throat working as she swallowed hard. “I… I love you, too. I’m not used to that. To having someone who wants me to succeed as much as I want you to succeed.”

“You have Daisy. And your parents.”

“Yeah, but they’re family. They have no choice.”

“I have no choice either, Natalie. That’s what love is.”

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