Page 29 of Embracing Hope

“You’re not going anywhere in that car.” The last thread of his patience frayed.

“Please stop. This is getting old,” she whined.

Issac crouched down, inspecting her flat tire. “Somebody nipped this in the bud.”

“What are you talking about?” She hung over his shoulder trying to get a better look.

He used the flashlight on his phone to look closer. “Someone has slashed your tire.” He stood and rounded the car, checking the rest of the tires. The driver’s front tire was slashed also. “Obviously you pissed someone off.”

“What makes you think I pissed someone off?” When he didn’t respond, she tapped the toe of her boot. “Well?”

He looked at her with a narrowed gaze. “Was that a serious question?”

He stood and swiped the dust and dirt off his hands. He scanned the parking lot, looking for security cameras. There were none.

“I’ll call a tow truck and get a ride with the driver. Terry will take me home,” she said sassily.

“When I am heading in the same direction? Let Terry sleep and have him come in the morning to tow your car to a shop.” He realized they would go around in circles. “I tell you what, let’s do this. If you can answer a question correctly, I’ll stay here with you until the tow truck arrives and you can catch a lift with him. However, if you answer incorrectly, you’ll allow me to drive you home and wait until morning to disturb Terry. Deal?”

She considered his suggestion, still tapping the toe of her boot. He knew her enough to know she wouldn’t back down from any challenge. “Give it your best shot,” she said.

“How much does a cloud weigh?”

She laughed. “That’s easy. A cloud is weightless. Haven’t you ever heard of the expression “as weightless as a cloud’?”

“That’s a common misconception. The average cloud weighs 1.1 million pounds.”

“You’re lying!” she muttered.

“Google it. Now get your ass in the passenger seat.” He chuckled.

She whipped out her phone, tapped the keyboard, and he saw her eyes swipe left to right as she skimmed the information. Without another word, she headed for his truck. She climbed in and slammed the door behind her.

He smiled as he jumped behind the wheel. She faced the side window, but that skirt had flung open like an invitation. Something told him she was pretty aware of what she did to him.

With a press of a button, the truck roared to life, and he backed out of the packed parking lot onto the quiet street. Those who weren’t at Mav’s were probably already in bed, where Isaac wanted to be.

“You’re way too invested in getting me home,” she said quietly.

“You’re in the truck, so you might as well let it go now.”

She toed off her boots and tucked her feet on the seat, resting her hands and chin on her bent knees. “Who would slice my tires?”

“It could have been anyone, and since I didn’t see any parking lot cameras, you’ll probably never know.”

“You know, I was just out blowing off some steam tonight. We all deserve to let loose sometimes. You should try it. You might like it.”

“No one is arguing about that, Hope. What’s bothering you?” Would she mention the marriage demand from Sam?

“I sent in a contract that could change my life.”

“A contract?” He was curious now.

“You’re are in the presence of a newly published author.”

“Congratulations. You should be ecstatic. That’s a huge accomplishment.” He always knew there was more to Hope than a cowgirl on a ranch.

“It’s hard to celebrate when I’ll probably lose my family.”

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