Page 61 of Shadows of You

“It’s no problem,” he said, taking the booster seat. “I’ve got a little sister who still uses one of these. I’m an expert at taking them out and putting them in.”

“It is a science.”

He chuckled. “First time I tried, I was cussing up a storm.”

“You and me both.”

He laughed as he jogged back toward an open bay.

I let out a breath. “Get it together,” I whispered to myself.

The electronic bell dinged as I opened the door. Jim looked up from the reception desk. “I’m just finalizing your paperwork. Good news is that it wasn’t nearly as bad as it first looked.”

The tension that had held me captive for the last few days released a fraction. “Really?”

“Really. We got you a new set of tires and fixed those corroded cables. Just cleaned up everything here and there.”

“How much do I owe you?” I braced.

Jim scanned his sheet. “With the discount for letting me take my time and the used tires, the total comes to six-fifty.”

I blinked. I thought for sure the work would be in the multiple thousands. “That’s it?”

He bobbed his head in a nod. “That’s it. Jake’s bringing it around front now.”

I pulled my wallet out of my purse and found my debit card, handing it to Jim. “Thank you.”

“Anytime.”

I studied the mechanic for a moment. Why did I have a feeling he was cutting me a deal that was a little too good?

* * *

“Four-letter wordfor a creepy crawler’s home?” Jonesy called.

“Dirt,” Elsie answered without looking up from her computer.

I grinned as I rounded the counter with my coffeepot. These were my favorite days. The ones in our slower months when it was just the regulars. It felt like spending the day with old friends just shooting the shit.

Elsie looked up as I refilled her mug. “You are an angel on Earth.”

I chuckled. “If only everyone were so easy to please. How are the photos coming?”

Elsie flipped her computer around. “What do you think?”

I sucked in a breath. The image was incredible. It was of a path through the forest, but the way she’d done the exposure made it moody and alluring. It pulled you in and didn’t let go.

“That’s amazing. I can’t wait to order the book.”

Elsie nibbled on the corner of her thumbnail. “I’ve still got a few more spots to shoot.”

“I’m gonna miss you around here when you go.”

She glanced out the window. “I’ll miss it here, too. There’s something about the peace.”

“I know. Most places don’t have it.”

Jonesy held up his mug for a refill. “I think she just needs to move here. Make it her base of operations.”

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