But did she want Zander and Cody to destroy her car? No. Despite the fact it didn’t run, she still needed it. Not because she wanted to leave the lodge. She didn’t. Not Ever. But she did want her father’s guitar back.
God! She hoped her Taylor was still at the Kalispell Pawn and Loan Shop. Sure, it was old and beat up, but the sound? She’d never be able to replicate it.
When she’d first arrived, she hadn’t wanted to ask for any special favors, and borrowing one of their expensive vehicles to drive into town had been out of the question. She couldn’t afford to put gas in the tank of one of those monster trucks. And the cost of replacing it if she totaled the vehicle going off the road?
Out of the realm of possibility and not a risk she’d been willing to take. But earlier this afternoon, Jay had mentioned her first paycheck had been deposited into the account he’d set up for her.
She hadn’t looked at it yet, but she’d been itching to ask about getting her car fixed ever since, and opportunity presented, she seized it. “Uh, actually, I was wondering if it’d be possible to tow my car to a repair shop?”
“Why?” Gray demanded from her spot on the massive U-shaped couch. “Your car’s a piece of shit.”
“Grace,” Adam barked.
“What?” She barked back. “It’s true. That thing’s not safe to drive in.”
“Oh, I’d never put Halia in it,” Summer replied, not taking any offense. She’d grown used to Gray’s shoot-from-the-hip manner, and her carwasa piece of shit.
Gray snorted and threw her legs over Chase. “That’s not what I meant, but if it’s not safe enough for Halia, then it’s not safe enough for you. Adam, Summer needs a new car.”
“What! No. It’s fine,” she stammered. “I can make do.”
“No, Gray’s right,” Chase said. “I looked under the hood, and you have a cracked head gasket. It’s an expensive repair, and with the shape the rest of the body’s in, it’s not worth fixing. To be honest, your Corolla shouldn’t be driven by anybody.”
“Then it’s settled.” Adam looked over the back of the couch, his gaze landing on the teenager behind the bar. “Davis, can you find an appropriate vehicle for Summer? Maybe a smaller SUV? Something that works for her height?”
“Heck, yeah.” He nodded eagerly, and her stomach bottomed out.
“I can’t afford a new car!” she squeaked, her legs growing weak at the thought of another monthly expense.
“Consider it a hiring bonus,” Adam replied like they were having a regular conversation in the normal world and not the fantasy one she found herself living in.
He couldn’t be serious. This wasn’t real. None of this could be real. She looked at the faces around her and discovered one grin bigger than the next. Nope. She must have breathed in too many exhaust fumes and been knocked unconscious.
Any minute now, she’d wake in a parking lot somewhere with a crick in her neck, a cramp in her calf, and her stomach running on empty. “I can’t accept—”
“Yes, you can,” Gray said, cutting off her protest.
“Out here, you need a dependable vehicle,” Eve added, lifting the baby to her shoulder. “And it would make me feel better knowing you and Halia have something safe to get around in.”
“Oh…”Crap.She couldn’t say no. Not to Eve. Adam may be in charge of the business side of things, but it hadn’t taken Summer long to figure out Eve ruled the house.
Heck, just last week, she’d asked Summer how things were going, and she’d mentioned a small fridge upstairs would make night feedings easier. Two days later, it had arrived, and Zander had installed it next to the safe in Jamie’s closet. No fuss. No muss. No questions asked when she’d stocked it with apple juice in addition to baby formula.
That’s how it was with this group. They listened. They shared. They did whatever they could to help one another out, and since the day she arrived, she’d been included. There wasn’t a person here who didn’t strive to make her job easier.
And she liked her job. A lot. More than liked. She loved it.
This place. These people. Halia. They were special.
But accepting a car? Her cheeks flamed red. She couldn’t. It was too much. Too—
“Shoot.” Eve handed the baby to Adam. “We’re being overbearing.” She stood and came over. “Why don’t we just say we’re adding another vehicle to the fleet specifically for your use. Does that work?”
Relief flooding her chest, she nodded. “Yes. That works. Thank you so much.”
“Great.” Eve took both of Summer’s hands in her own and squeezed. “Now, why don’t you grab Z’s guitar. I’m dying to hear another one of your songs.”
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
