Page 5 of Sweet Redemption
“Yup. Six blocks down.”There are only six blocks in this town.
I studied the roadway and then looked back at the mechanic. Jesus, I have no choice but to walk in the slushy crap. But what made this moment even worse was that it started to snow. The flakes looked like cotton balls falling from the sky. The thick clumpy masses began to not only cover the street but also the sidewalk, which added to the three inches left over from the prior snowfall.
For fuck sakes.This was April. Wasn’t spring supposed to show about now?
With only jeans, an old NIU sweatshirt, and running shoes, I was already regretting what I was wearing.Fucking great.
I headed back to my car, pulled out my small overnight bag and the black jacket from the back of the car. After putting on my coat, I started hoofing it toward Arlene’s.
As I walked a few yards from the garage, an old seventies moss green and mustard yellow pinstriped station wagon passed me and the gas station with hiccups and resistance. The driver did a U turn, which made no sense, and pulled up next to the fueling pumps and did a spluttery stall to a dead stop.
A bellow of Mike’s name halted me, as a curvaceous blonde hopped out of the driver’s side of the beat up hunk of metal and turned her bright blue eyes to me for split second before turning away and headed inside the garage. Their intensity grabbed me right down to my dick and put me in a stranglehold.
I choked back a groan as I watched her sweet ass waltzout of my sight.
She was the total opposite of the women I was usually attracted to. Short, full figured and…damn. Look at her ass in those khakis. My chest tightened at the sight of this beautiful blonde as she bounced out of the building and around the front end of the car with energy.
“Mike,” she called out again, as she tried to unlatch the hood. I was almost tempted to walk over there and help her. Instead, I stayed rooted in the snow and watched her like a stalker.
I couldn’t help myself. Her smile lit up brighter than the newly falling snow when the mechanic approached her. I wished I was the receiver of that smile. Even with her miffed tone, there was a hint of laughter and mischievousness sparkling in those blue depths.
“Charlie.” Mike trudged over to her. He nudged the woman out of the way, “Move.” He leaned down and with a quick twist of his fingers he opened up the hood and locked it in place with a thin metal pole that bowed under the weight. He straightened and looked over the engine.
Charlie. Maybe short for Charlene.Jesus.Who the fuck cares? Turn around and start walking.Yeah, right. Fascination cemented me in place as I watched the scene.
“It’s misfiring again, Mike. I thought you’d fixed it,” she said in a huff. It was cute how her hands went to her hips and a small frown marred her porcelain face.
“I told you it’s time to get rid of this hunk of junk. You need something safer, Charlie. Your grandmother is probably turning over in her grave knowing you’re still driving this piece of shit.” Mike rubbed at his neck, staring down at the engine.
“This fine vehicle isn’t cacca. This was my Nana’s car. I can’t let it go just yet. Are you ready for the festival?” Her change in topic had me chuckle, but apparently it didn’t deter Mike from scolding her further.
Cacca?Seriously?What language was that?
“Now listen here, missy. Stop talking with all that foreign stuff you learned in those books and hear this. This car is dangerous. A death trap. Promise me you’ll get a new one or I’m not going to fix it anymore. I mean it this time,” Mike said with firm certainty as he faced her, folding his arms across his chest.
“Fine. Let’s shake on it,” she countered, extending her hand with a wide smile.
Damn. She was beautiful and smart. Even with her blonde hair messily pinned up on top of her head, and flushed cheeks, her smile was radiant, and sneaky.
“Fine.” Mike shook her hand. “Now, let’s see what’s the problem. I’m sure it’s a quick fix.”
I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes. She totally manipulated the mechanic, and he didn’t see it coming. This Charlie was a spitfire. And just from what I heard, this wasn’t the first time they had agreed to Mike’s terms. She totally bamboozled him.
The warmth of her elation caught me off guard. I couldn’t help but smile.
Mike straightened and turned to Charlie. “Stop hovering. And do me a favor.” Mike thumbed my way. “Go take that guy to Arlene’s while I look at this hunk of junk. He’ll need a room too.”
“Hey now, watch what you say around my baby. She’s sensitive,” Charlie said, stroking a headlight tenderly.
“The guy?” Mike reiterated, and pointed to me.
Apparently she hadn’t noticed me earlier, because her smile softened into a slight frown when she looked my way. Charlie turned back to Mike and uttered in a hushed tone but I was able to hear her clearly. “What did you do, Mike?”
Her lips quirked up tight and she glared at the big man. Mike was at least a foot taller than her. Yet, she wasn’t the least intimidated.
“Don’t blame me.Heran over something, and it caught his gas tank. Gotta repair it tomorrow, ‘cause I don’t have the gas to repair it now.”
Charlie peered around Mike and smiled. “I hope so.” She walked over to me and put her hand out. “Hi. I’m Charlene White, but most people call me Charlie. It’s nice to meet you.”
