“The lady just said it’s none of your business,” said Alec in a low-voiced growl.
“He’s my neighbor.”
“Hey, are we gonna get going or what?” called Cowboy Carl from Gary’s SUV.
Gary managed one more suspicious once-over for Alec James, then said, “Okay, Zona. Be careful.”
“Somebody should have told me that when I first met you,” she retorted.
His wounded look was almost enough to make her regret her words. Almost.
“So I guess that’s an ex?” said Alec James as Gary walked away.
“Ex-husband,” said Zona. She grabbed her phone from the car and began to search for the number of her towing insurance company.
“Put your phone away. I’ve got a tow dolly,” he said. “I’ll get you home.”
She didn’t want to be indebted to Alec James. Things were already awkward enough between them.
He sensed her hesitation. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to knock you unconscious and steal your beater.”
She frowned at him. “I never said you were.”
“You say a lot with those pretty, big eyes of yours,” he informed her, and turned back to his truck to get the equipment he needed.
“And it’s not a beater,” she muttered as he walked away.
Fifteen minutes later she was in the cab of his truck with her car following along behind them, a mixture of gratitude and unease rolling around in her stomach. “Thanks for the help,” she said. She had to be polite.
“Just being a good neighbor.” He didn’t smile and he didn’t look at her.
“A reluctant good neighbor,” she suggested.
He shrugged. “Is this the first time your car’s crapped out on you?”
“No, it happened last night, too. Martin replaced the air filter.”
“Guess it wasn’t that.”
“Guess not.”
“It could be your fuel pump.”
Here was cheery news. She frowned.
“I could be wrong. Cars aren’t really my thing.”
“Maybe they’re not Martin’s, either,” she mused.
“I’ve got a friend who’s a mechanic. He takes on side jobs athome. Want me to call him? We can tow your car right to his place. Don’t worry. It’s not at the end of a canyon.”
Okay, these jabs were making her uncomfortable. “I believe you.”
“There’s a switch,” he said. He used his hands-free and put in a call. Zona could hear voices and music in the background as a man answered, “Hey, dude. You sorry you left early?”
“Nope. Had enough of you clowns. You want some more work?”
“Sure,” said the voice.
