Page 9 of Break Me Like a Promise (Oak Valley)

She parked the car in a space a bit behind the bus and shot a text off to Jack, the Craigslist contact. A few minutes later, he stepped onto the back concrete stoop and waved before entering the bus. The engine rolled before kicking up, the large diesel engine vibrating the air.

Not only was she big, but she wasloud.

Ruby got out of the car, tightening her scarf. Jack met her halfway.

“You gotta let her run to warm her up in the winter, but go ahead and check her out.”

“Thank you,” Ruby said, making her way to the door. It’d been years since she stepped into a school bus. The steps creaked slightly. One of the double doors was rusted through on the bottom, but she planned on replacing that anyway with an RV door in the conversion.

She rested a hand on the driver’s seat headrest, taking in the burgundy vinyl seats. 54-passengers. Remnants of its previous elementary school passengers littered the floor — sparkly pencils, candy wrappers, forgotten homework assignments. The bus rumbled around her as she walked the aisle, envisioning the conversion.

Ruby turned around and left the bus, peering underneath. There was some rust, but it didn’t look like much considering the bus was regularly exposed to snowmelt and salt. Her research had told her what to look for in terms of rust, and to hire a mechanic to check the engine, but now faced with everything all at once, she felt frozen by the responsibility. She didn’t really know what to look for, and she’d come alone. Besides, the only mechanic she knew was one she never wanted to see again.

But she was good at taking risks — the bus looked and sounded good. How bad could it be?

Maybe she was just desperate enough for a change that this was a risk worth taking.

“You said $1,800, cash?” She turned to Jack.

“Yep. We just want to get rid of it. All the most recent paperwork is in the driver’s box.”

Ruby pursed her lips. “Okay.”

Rummaging in her bag, she pulled out the envelope. Jack pulled out the title and keys.

“Is it okay if I leave it here until the tow comes, tonight or tomorrow?”

He laughed. “Of course, it’s your bus now. Pleasure doing business with you, send me pics of the conversion. I’ve always considered doing one myself.”

They made the exchange and he nodded before ambling back into the building, a new spring in his step.

Ruby looked at the bus, the motor still growling in place. Her bus.

The tow wouldn’t be able to get to it until the following morning, and then it’d have to make its way from New Jersey to New York’s Hudson Valley. There was something about handing over a wad of cash and walking away that made her nervous, and she kept reminding herself that no one would want to jip her of a school bus from 2002.

She really should have asked one of her friends to come, but she was good at being alone. And this was her project, her risk.

Her new life.

10

Oil changes were the most Colton was willing to do at the shop if he couldn’t work reception, and Katie had specifically asked to work the desk. Unusual for her, but he understood needing a change of scenery. He replaced the fill cap on the engine and removed the drip pan, glancing at his sister through the window. Thankfully, Damian didn’t work today, so she was bent over the keyboard, furiously typing away. Better that than the so-called harmless flirting she was always partaking in.

Colton started the car, checking the oil light before getting out to look around and under the vehicle. All clear. He turned off the car, settling into the driver’s seat to wait a bit before checking the dipstick. He stared out the windshield, wondering what goods his mom was baking at For Goodness Cakes with his ex-classmate Olive and her mom, who owned the shop. He’d have to start preparing recipes, in the off-chance his interview went well.

He smiled; he had an interview.

A rap on the window made him jump. Katie’s cackle was on the other side, and she was bent over. Colton threw the door open and slammed it shut behind him.

“What’s so funny?”

“Y-y-you.” She could barely get the words out. “Your… f-face!”

“Grow up,” he huffed, pushing past her to the office. She could deal with the fucking oil change.

“W-wait!” She chased after him, her hand on his arm stopping him. She was still grinning like a goon, but at least she could speak.

“I need you to make a house call.”

---