Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84843 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84843 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Gabby was silent.
Charly’s voice changed. It became quieter, assuring. “No charity, no handouts. We need a car to practice on, you need a better vehicle. I need help, and you could do the job. Seems easy peasy to me.”
“Could I talk to Stefano for a moment?”
“Of course.” Charly held out her hands, and I helped her from the chair. “I need to pee again,” she announced. “Then I’m going to get a snack. You talk and let me know.”
She left, shutting the door behind her. I sat across from Gabby and waited for her to talk.
“Did you put them up to this?”
“No. I had no idea. Charly isn’t lying, though. Maxx has been looking for a practice vehicle to expand the classes. Hands-on, so women know how to change an air filter or a spark plug. A worn hose.” I paused. “I’ll be honest, Gabriella—your SUV has a plethora for us to use.”
“So why not just fix it in a couple of classes and I can drive it? I’ll pay for the parts.”
I shook my head. “First off, the underbody is badly rusted and could give way any time, so it’s too dangerous for you to keep driving. It won’t be on the road, but the engine will be used from now on. Secondly, we’ll reuse the SUV—constantly. Replace the good with the bad for the next class. Readjust so the engine sounds bad but runs the way it is now. Show them how it sounds after. We find if they see it, hear it, maybe work on it a little, it helps them understand more.”
“Makes sense, I suppose.”
“It was Charly’s idea. The whole concept of the classes was hers from the start. She’s brilliant that way.”
“You’re very fond of her.”
I met her eyes. “I adore her the way I adore my sisters. I consider her a friend—my family. Nothing more.” I drew in a deep breath. “Not the way I feel about you.”
Our gazes held, then she dropped her eyes. “I didn’t expect all this,” she confessed with a wave of her hand.
Instinctually, I knew she wasn’t only referring to the cars. “To quote someone much smarter than me—my mama—life has a way of bringing us what we need when we need it,” I stated dryly.
“You think I need you?” she asked, her eyes flashing, a proud jut to her chin.
I tilted my head, hearing the panic in her voice. “Maybe I need you, Gabriella. Ever consider that?”
“No.”
I stood, beginning to feel angry. She was more than proud. Obstinate came to mind. So did pigheaded. “Maybe you should. Talk to Maxx and Charly. Listen to the numbers with an open mind. Stop being so stubborn when someone wants to help you.”
She tossed her head, still inflexible. “Usually help comes with a cost.”
“I don’t know what happened to you in your past that makes you so wary, but I’ll tell you this right now. Nothing being offered to you has a hidden price tag for you to pay. No one will ask anything of you except what you agree on.” I clenched my hands. “And even if you tell me to leave you alone and you don’t want to be a part of my life, the offer is still there for the SUV.”
“So, if I say no to you, you’re telling me your friends would still help me?”
“Yes, I am.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“Who did this to you?” I asked. “Who made you so wary of people, you can’t think of anything but the bad?”
She looked away, not answering. But I saw the flash of pain in her eyes and the way she curled in on herself. I hated it. I liked the vibrant, sparring part of her personality. Her feisty side. Her wittiness. Not this worried, hesitant side. My annoyance deflated, and I moved in front of her.
“Go talk to them. Whatever you decide, I’ll support you. But keep an open mind.” I cupped her cheek, bent, and kissed her forehead. Her hand flew up, grabbing my wrist, and our eyes locked. I had so much to say to her, but this wasn’t the time or the place. I wanted to hear her story, but I wasn’t sure she trusted me enough to tell it. We seemed to be at an impasse, and until she was ready, I had to be patient.
I kissed her again and strode from the room before I did something stupid.
I had a feeling I’d already done enough.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Gabby
Maxx stared at me, his head tilted to the side as if studying a puzzle. “Trust me, Gabby. I’m not doing this out of the goodness of my heart.”
I looked around the interior of the vehicle, tamping down the unusual feeling of excitement. It was ten years newer than the one I drove. The instruments all functioned, and there were no cracks on the dashboard. The seats weren’t torn—in fact, they were leather and had seat heaters. The radio worked. And when I turned the key, it purred.