Page 30 of To Belong Together
“So he braked for a deer or something, and that was it.” Gannon gazed at the road, forehead furrowed as if he were watching the scene play out.
“More likely, a bump knocked the bolt out.” She peered down the road, its poor condition accented by gravel, pools of ice, and shadows that wouldn’t dot a smooth surface. “It’s a wonder he made it this far on a road like this.”
“Would’ve been better if he hadn’t. Before this stretch, he would’ve spun into an empty cornfield instead of an oak tree.”
“It could’ve been less damage,” Erin said, “but you never know. This may have been God’s mercy for reasons we’d never guess.”
The corner of Gannon’s mouth lifted. “That’s the kind of thing he’d say.” He chuckled. “In fewer words, of course.”
Erin shook her head, baffled. She didn’t know John well enough to understand the joke.
Gannon seemed to read her confusion. “He doesn’t say much, but what he says, he means. Safe to assume there’s an iceberg beneath every word.”
Huh. What had such a reserved man thought as she’d chatted away on their initial drive?
“Anyway, you don’t have to worry.” Gannon focused on her as if her feelings mattered to him. “I wanted to hear it from a mechanic, but we know you didn’t work on the brakes.”
There was an investigation after all. At least she’d been cleared. Relief emboldened her. “How is John doing?”
Gannon winced. “He’s been better.”
“I signed a privacy agreement. Whatever you tell me, I can’t tell anyone.”
“Covered his bases, huh?” Gannon chuckled and studied her.
Her cheeks tingled as if being pelted by sparks from a metal grinder. Why would Gannon Vaughn be curious about her? What had John told him?
“He’s got a nasty concussion.” The serious note in Gannon’s rich voice refocused her on what truly mattered—John’s health. “I wouldn’t wish it on him, but the nice part is that he’s more talkative than usual.”
Thank God it wasn’t worse than that. “Is that why they’re keeping him? A concussion?”
“Yeah. They’re watching to make sure nothing more is going on. He also broke his arm and nose and got a gash that nearly took out his eye.” Gannon drew a line along the bottom of his eyebrow toward his temple. “Twelve stitches.”
No wonder there’d been blood in the car. “I’m sorry. Wow. How long is he supposed to be in the hospital?”
Gannon pushed his hands into his coat pockets. “A day or two. I’m on my way to pick up some things for him.”
“And his dogs?”
“My girlfriend came for them last night. They’re staying with her until he’s back home.”
Of course he had this under control. She hardly knew John, and here she spoke like an expert on which details of his life needed tending.
She’d overstepped. “I should let you go.”
“Want me to tell him the mechanic from the shop he never should’ve left says hello?”
“No.” She’d done enough. She didn’t need to send a combative message to him.
Gannon smiled. “I’d better use your name, then.”
John wouldn’t want to hear from her, but she couldn’t swear Gannon Vaughn to secrecy. “Erin. Tell him Erin says she hopes he feels better soon.”
“Got it.” Gannon turned to head back to his car.
Her opportunity to right her wrongs would close when he walked away. “And if there’s anything Hirsh Auto can do for him, I’ll take care of it personally.” The words blurted out on desperation. She ought to send an apology, but if Gannon didn’t know what she’d done, she’d rather not share it. Would she regret that?
“Sounds good, Erin. Nice to meet you.” He waved, jammed his hand back in his coat pocket, and jogged to the SUV.
