Page 33 of Devoted Enough

“Hey, Hank,” I replied, reaching out to shake his hand.

“What’s on your mind?” he asked, a smirk appearing at the corners of his mouth.

“Why do I get the feeling you know why I’m here?”

He laughed. “It didn’t take a rocket scientist to see how you reacted when I offered to give Haven a ride home, or how you look at her.”

“It’s not what you think, we’re just friends. Besides, she is dating someone.”

He shrugged. “If you say so. I’m guessing you’re trying to figure out how to get her new tires without her knowing it was you.”

I pointed to him. “Yes. She’s stubborn and nearly flew off the handle when I even suggested buying one tire.”

Hank laughed. “I was there, I remember.”

Looking around his garage, I asked, “Any suggestions?”

“Short of stealing her car and bringing it here, I have nothing.”

I rubbed at the back of my neck. “Shit.”

“Listen, I’ve known Haven and her family for a long time. They’ve always struggled financially, and after that low-life daddy of hers left, her momma has worked as hard as she can to provide. I know firsthand that neither she, nor her daughter, will take a handout.”

“It’s not a handout. She can pay me back if she wants.”

“You tell her that?”

I shoved my hands into my jeans pockets. “No. I haven’t talked to her since she left my house that day.”

A text came through on Hank’s phone, and he chuckled. “Today might be your lucky day, Nate Shaw. Haven is on her way to drop off her car.”

“Why?”

“Another flat. She wants me to see if I can plug it.”

“Where in the hell is this girl driving where she is getting so many flat tires?”

Hank let out a humorless chuckle. “They’re so bald I’m not surprised. I can’t plug another one, Nate. The tires need to be replaced.”

“Do you have them in stock?”

He nodded. “Made sure after that day I had them. I had a feeling I’d be getting a visit from you.”

Turning to look at him, he just laughed. Wisdom definitely came with age, I guess.

“Can I pay for them now before she gets here?”

He motioned for me to follow him to his office. After paying for them, I quickly headed out.

“Nate, what do I tell her when she magically has three more new tires?”

I thought for a moment. “Tell her someone was paying it forward, and she was the lucky recipient.”

He narrowed an eye at me. “And if she asks me who that person was?”

With a smile, it was my turn to shrug as I said, “Tell her it was Santa Claus.”

As I walked out of the office area of Hank’s garage, I heard him laugh. Maybe even a ‘ho ho ho’ came out of his mouth. I climbed up into my truck and pulled out. I let out a sigh of relief that I hadn’t run into Haven on my way out.

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