Page 62 of Ice Mechanic

Relief drags a sigh out of my chest and I lean over to catch my breath.

The look in Chance’s eyes when he told me he wanted to be my boyfriendfeltreal. Stirrings of something I thought had died with my last relationship whooshed to life. While his bicep bulged to my left, his cologne swirled around me and his fathomless blue eyes carried me away like a tide, I wanted so badly to feel all the gooey feelings.

But feelings aren’t an excuse to make bad decisions.

And Chance McLanely?

He’s a bad decision in the making.

I take a few more deep breaths until I’m back in reality where I belong. Fixing the straps of my jumper, I look around the cafeteria for dad.

He’s nowhere to be found.

Heading through the balcony doors that lead to the backyard, I look past beautiful rose bushes and hydrangeas until I see him at a wooden bench reading a book.

“Auto Fundamentalsis a great one.” I sit beside him and the bench creaks.

He adjusts his glasses. It’s so strange to see him wear them. Dad hated working with his bi-focals in the garage. ‘The darn glasses slip down my nose all the time. It’s impossible!’

I’ll never forget the day I bought him his first, prescription goggles for Christmas. He hugged me like he’d gotten a brand-new car.

Dad turns a page. “It’s always good to brush up on the basics. Cars might change in the future but…”

“Principles never change,” I finish.

He lets out a disbelieving laugh. “How’d you know that?”

Because you’ve told me that a million times, dad. “I had a great teacher.”

“You’re an auto mechanic?” He looks astonished.

“I am. I have my own shop and everything.”

“There’s another shop in town other than Kinsey’s?” He arches an eyebrow.

“Yes, there is.”

“Impressive. I always thought he needed some stiff competition, but I wasn’t brave enough to start anything on my own.” He closes the book, leaving his thumb inside to mark the page. “Where’d you learn the trade?”

“I went to a technical college, but I was working on cars before then. I used to follow my dad around when he did jobs. Eventually, dad handed me a wrench and told me to join him.”

He nods wisely. “Cars don’t care what gender you are. When they’re on the last leg, when they’re in pain, they just need a solution.”

“Yes, they do.”

“Your dad sounds like a good man.”

“He is,” I croak, my voice tight. “You remind me of him.”

My father shifts in discomfort. Lips pursed, he points down to his book. “I should get back to it.”

“Sure. I’ll visit next week.” I take a step away before turning back.

He looks up.

“Can I give you a hug?” I blurt.

His bushy eyebrows cave in and he studies me curiously.

---