He grabs the menu and toys with it, not even opening it. “Fair enough. We’ll get your car as soon as you’re free to go.”
I bring Griffin a slice of Lorna’s warm peach cobbler, and he devours it while I clean up the lobby. The entire time he eats, he watches me. I feel like a helpless house cat being stalked by prey. Much bigger, hungrier prey. The thought makes my nipples sharp points beneath my apron while something low in my belly pulses.
By the time I’m done cleaning, I’m aching, and it has nothing to do with my feet anymore. I wish Ernie and Lorna good night then leave with Griffin. Fortunately for my self-control, the drive to Zane and Cord’s mechanic shop is a short one.
“I thought there was an all-female mechanic shop here,” I tell Griffin.
He nods. “Yep, I called Gabby, but she didn’t have the parts. Your car is considered…”
“An old clunker, I know,” I answer, forcing a chuckle I don’t feel. Being an unwanted foster child has always meant having the worst of everything. It doesn’t bother me. Except that, in front of Griffin, it kind of does.
“I was going for vintage,” he says.
“I like that word,” I admit quietly.
“It’s what Zane and his brother specialize in. They do work for collectors more than general repairs. I think there are a few guys working out of the shop now. It’s really grown,” he says as he parks.
A guy covered in tattoos ambles out and gives Griffin a nod. “It’s over there. All gassed up and running again.”
“Oh, thank you! What do I owe you?” I managed to check my credit card balance during my break. It wasn’t pretty, but I can figure out how to make it work.
Zane and Griffin exchange a look, then Zane rubs the back of his neck. “Don’t worry about it. We…uh…get a tax write-off for the work.”
He passes me the keys and quickly disappears back into the mechanic shop.
“I’ve never had someone tell me that,” I mutter, sending a suspicious look Griffin’s way. I have a feeling I know exactly what happened.
He shrugs. “What can I say? The people of Courage County have generous hearts. I’ll follow you home, make sure everything is working right.”
“I’m not sure what to do about this guy, Daisy,” I tell her once we’re settled in my car and on the road to the rental. I’ve never had someone look out for the two of us. “It seems too good to be true.”
She makes a noise that I take as agreement. I don’t know what I’m going to do about this crazy cowboy. But I know one thing for sure: I can’t possibly date him.
I give myself a stern talking to on the ride home. The entire time I’m listing all the reasons that I can’t possibly go on a date with Griffin, I’m watching his headlights in the rearview mirror.
By the time we get there, I’ve made up my mind. I need to let him know that we can’t possibly be anything more than friends. Maybe not even that. Maybe people that have a passing acquaintance. Yep, that’s going to be best for all three of us.
Griffin holds Daisy’s car seat while I unlock the door. He passes her to me, and I set her inside the entryway.
Then I turn to him, gathering my resolve. I don’t want to have this conversation, but it would be cruel not to. Taking a deep breath, I tell him, “Look, I’m really grateful for the way you’ve helped me over the last two days. But I’m not your problem.” I gesture toward the car seat. “We’re not your problem.”
He leans close, so close that I can see the few gray hairs that are starting to dot his beard. The beard I desperately want to feel between my thighs. “Well, too late. I’ve already decided I want you both.”
I swallow hard, my mouth dry. “Griffin, there are things in my past.”
He doesn’t flinch or move away. “Everyone has a past. I’m not scared of yours.”
I sigh softly, the sound barely audible on the summer breeze. “Well, you should be.”
Without another word, I step inside. I close the door, leaving the cowboy with the very kissable lips standing there.
Chapter 4
Missy
It’s been three weeks since Griffin followed me home. I haven’t seen him since, but I feel him around me. I know that’s crazy, but there are moments when I’m almost certain that he’s still looking out for me.
Last week, I got home and realized I’d forgotten to grab diapers on my grocery run. But then, there they were. A brand-new pack in my trunk like I’d purchased them. That’s to say nothing of the leaky sink faucet that was replaced with a different one, or the day I discovered four new tires on my car.
