Page 19 of Dark Moon Secrets

“Don’t worry, it’s my car, and I wasn’t in it,” I said quickly, hoping to reassure Mr. Parker.

“Oh, young miss, I’m terribly sorry. I will pay for the repairs. Just don’t tell the wife. She’s been on me to stop driving, and I don’t want this to be ammunition she can use against me.”

“I won’t tell her.”

Was he being a sly old man? I wouldn’t put it past him. If he was, he was putting on an award-winning performance, that’s for sure.

“Oh, thank you. Young Adam, get her details, sort it out for me, won’t you? I was good friends with… you know. Be a good lad.”

“I know. And I’m sure he’s looking down on you right now, wondering why on earth you’re still driving.”

Mr. Parker leaned back in the seat, hand on his heart. “Oh dear, oh dear.”

“Don’t worry. It will be all right one way or another,” I said.

Fuck, now I was buying into his act. Or maybe it was the real deal? No fucking way, this had to be part of a plan to make me stay here. I nearly cursed Maria, but that was even going too far for me. I couldn’t condemn the dead. That would only lead to more trouble, and I had more than enough to sort through now.

“Adam, you’re right. Get her details…”

Adam turned to me. He was about ten years older than me with a neatly cared-for beard, and his clothes casual, neat, and fashionable. He was way too young to have lost his dad, but then there was my situation.

Why was I constantly reminded of what I had lost every time I tried to live? My parents might’ve annoyed the shit out of me at times, and I didn’t want to do what they wanted, but fuck, I missed them.

“Seriously, he’s good for his word. He’ll have your car fixed,” said Adam. He ran his hand through his hair.

I nodded, believing him. I hadn’t been in this rural town for long and was already getting to know the locals more than I had intended.

“Here, I’ll take down your number.” He took out his phone. “You staying long?”

“I’ll be here at this shop. I’m Tanjie, the new manager.” I nearly choked on the last word. I had no choice but to stay until the car was fixed. What could happen during this time scared me. What if I ended up wanting to stay?

Adam’s eyes widened. “Sorry about such a rough welcome. We’re a friendly lot around here, you know.”

“I’m sure you are.”

“I’ll take you out to dinner to make up for it or maybe take you out on one of the trails through the mountains.”

Was he hitting on me, or was this simply country hospitality I always saw in the movies? I felt like a fly who had just landed on a spider’s web, except instead of one spider, there were half a dozen, wanting me to stay put so I could be of use to them.

Either way, I needed the car fixed and swapped numbers with Adam. It took a while since Adam was distracted by Mr. Parker, who was in shock. I can’t say this was ever how I thought I’d get a guy’s number. He was easy to look at, and his caring nature was a bit of a turn-on.

Too bad I wasn’t staying long enough to get to know him.

Too bad I could see through whatever these people’s plan was. They would need to work harder than this if they wanted to trick me.

“I’ll get my things from the car.” I turned away, trying not to stare at the damage to the back of the car. How was I going to get my stuff out?

“Here, I’ll help,” said Adam.

Between us and a few swear words, we managed to shimmy my bags out of the car. Adam lined up the bags on the footpath, back out of the way. By now, most people had moved on, but some were helping keep an eye on Mr. Parker, who was starting to get angry and even more confused.

“Thanks,” I said to Adam.

“No worries.” He smiled, but I could sense his stress over the situation. It was an enormous burden for him to have to carry to sort out my car and keep an eye on Mr. Parker.

I was about to say not to worry when the ambulance pulled up behind the Land Cruiser.

“I’ll be in touch,” said Adam. He hurried to Mr. Parker’s side while the ambulance parked behind them, flashing lights casting red shadows.

---