Page 12 of Run, Run Mistletoe
My heart sinks to my freaking toes. There’s no way that that is a safe vehicle.
But how the devil can I get her to pick something a little safer?
The salesman immediately starts his spiel and I want to punch him in the throat. There’s no way that that vehicle is safe enough for them.
I glance in the backseat and there are missing seatbelts and a spring that’s sticking through the upholstery.
Glaring at him, I let him finish and then I ask him to take me over to the office to use the restroom.
“Hey! Stop trying to sell her that thing. It’s not safe for either of them.”
“She has a budget. She asked to see it.”
I point at the other vehicle. “You see that little pick-up?”
He nods his head. “How’d you like to sell that?”
He cocks his slick head and eyes me. “How? You gonna buy it for her?”
Shaking my head, I grin at him. “Nope. But you’re gonna tell her that that truck just got marked down.”
“But it hasn’t been,” he insists.
“It could be. If I paid the difference.”
His brows shoot up. “How am I going to explain that?”
“I don’t care. Special Christmas rebate for single moms? Beats me. Just do it and fudge the paperwork. I’ll pay the rest in cash.”
Naked avarice shines in his dark eyes. “Alright. But you better not screw me over.”
I pull out my wallet and peel off five hundred. “This is for your trouble. You’ll get the difference on the truck once we get this all squared away.”
“You got it.” He snags the money and jogs out to corner Misty and drag her over to look at the other vehicle. She shakes her head and his mouth moves really fast and she shoots him a stunned look. But I can see the hope on her face, the shine in her eyes and that’s enough for me.
She needs this. I can afford to help her. It’s the perfect solution. Without making her feel bad.
It doesn’t take long and the two sweet girls are getting themselves in their new vehicle and smiling like crazy.
And after they leave, I quietly hand over the rest of the money needed to pay for the vehicle.
I don’t feel bad at all for fudging a little bit with her either.
This is the best thing for both of them.
And for my heart. The fear I felt at seeing them in that beater hit me hard.
I don’t know when or why but I feel a lot more for Misty Samuels than I ever thought I’d feel for any woman.
I should be terrified because she’s gonna make me work for every piece of her.
But I’ve worked my butt off my whole life. This is no different.
Even if it’s more important than anything else I’ve ever done.
This is my future we’re talking about. My family.
My forever.
