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“What’s wrong?”
“It’s dead.”
Paxton removed his from his back pocket. “If you have someone to call, you can use mine.”
She shook her head. “That’s okay.”
As Ned promised, he pulled up with his tow truck—just in case. Five minutes later he was shaking his head and hooked up her car. Paxton couldn’t hear their conversation, but from the way she wrung her fingers together and nibbled on that lower lip, he knew whatever Ned had to say, she didn’t like it.
As Ned climbed into the tow truck, Sandra walked up to him. “If the offer of a ride is still open…”
“My pleasure.” He held the door while Sandra climbed into his truck. She gave him an address just at the end of town. When he pulled into the driveway, he scanned the old Victorian. “They don’t make houses like this anymore.”
“It’s my mother’s.”
A little boy came running down the front steps. “Mommy, Mommy, look what Grandma gave me!” Filled with glee, the little boy waved a paper airplane as though it were a private jet.
“How nice.” His mother leaned over to admire the small toy. “Go tell Grandma I’m here.”
Gathering her packages out of the back of his truck, Paxton felt an unexpected pang of disappointment. Where there was a son, there was a father, and that made this sweet enigma off limits.
“Sandra Lynn,” a voice called out from inside the house.
Sandra Lynn? His memory was firing on all pistons.
“There you are.” A woman whose face seemed almost as familiar as Sandra’s came hurrying out of the house. “Sandra Lynn, you do know how to make a mother worry.”
Holy, moly. No wonder the faces all seemed familiar. “Sandra Lynn Baker?” he muttered softly.
“Yes.” For the first time since he found her slumped over her steering wheel, a sincere smile bloomed. “I didn’t think you recognized me.”
“Sorry it took so long.”
“I’m the one who should apologize. I had you at a disadvantage. You still have the same face. I, on the other hand, look really different without long hair and braces.”
Yes, the braces were gone, her figure had obviously filled out, and her shoulder length hair that framed her face was at least a foot shorter than the single pony tail that had hung along her back, but those steel blue eyes, high cheek bones, and sweet smile was still the same.
She stuck out her hand. “Nice to see you again, and thanks for the help. I really appreciate it.”
“Which Farraday are you?” Smiling, the older woman squinted at him.
“Mom, this is Paxton. He brought me home. My car died in front of Sisters. He was nice enough to save me.”
Slapping her hands together, the woman’s grin widened. “Well, thank you, Paxton Farraday. I’ve got cookies just coming out of the oven. Won’t you come in?”
Paxton touched his hat. “Sorry, ma’am. I’ve got some business to take care of, but maybe a rain check?”
“Any time.”
“I’d better get inside too. See what David is up to.” Sandra stuck her hand out at him. “Thanks again.”
Bobbing his head at her, he wished he didn’t have to go find Owen. “My pleasure. If you need anything else, let me know.” Just because she was married didn’t mean he couldn’t help an old friend in need. He whipped out a business card and handed it to her.
Her gaze lingered on the card before sad eyes lifted to meet his. “Thank you.”
Turning away and hurrying back to his truck, he wondered what the story was with Sandra Lynn and those sad eyes. And why did he wish more than anything else right now that he could do something to put that smile back on her face.
Chapter Three
