Senior filled a mug withRusty’sGarageprinted on the side with black coffee, then sat down opposite Rusty. “I’m just joshin’ ya, Rusty. No need to get so bent out of shape.”
“I’m not bent— Oh, forget it.” He shoveled a huge spoonful of the flakes into his mouth.
His grandfather picked up the mug and took a sip. “Good coffee. You always did make the best.”
“Thanks,” Rusty said, his voice muffled. He swallowed the cereal. “Are you coming to the shop today?”
“Of course. Can’t wait to jaw with my friends, you know.”
“Do you mind workin’ the desk? I’ve got a part comin’ in, and as soon as it arrives I need it.”
“Sure. What’s it for?”
“A Mercedes.” He kept his head down and quickly finished the rest of his breakfast.
Senior frowned. “We don’t work on foreign cars.”
He slurped down the remaining milk, then popped up from his seat. “This is an exception.”
“An exception?”
Rusty set the bowl in the sink and wiped off his mouth with the kitchen towel lying on the counter. “If you’re gonna go to work with me, you better get ready.”
Senior gestured to his redRusty’sGarageshirt and jeans. “Ready whenever you are, boss.”
They were both quiet on the short ride to the garage. The auction was still on Rusty’s mind. He should have told Harperno. He had zero business or interest in being on stage or whatever and having women bid on him. He’d only said yes for two reasons: he was always happy to help out a charity, and Harper had sounded desperate. Still, he should have refused.
“Does this fancy ball need any more bachelors?” Senior asked as they turned into the garage lot.
“It’s not a ball. It’s a gala.”
“What’s the difference?”
Rusty shrugged. “No idea.” He glanced at his grandfather. “Do you know someone who can take my place?”
“No. But maybe they could auction off an older gentleman. You know, to liven things up.”
Rusty pulled into the space by the garage, put the truck in Park, then turned to his grandfather. “Are you talkin’ about Jasper?”
“Jasper?” Senior laughed. “If I volunteered him for something like that, I’d be drivin’ our fifty-year friendship right into the ditch.” He straightened in his seat and tugged on the collar of his work shirt. “I was referrin’ to myself.”
Now it was Rusty’s turn to laugh. “Good one, Senior.”
His grandfather cast him a side eye. “I’m serious. I’m ready to mingle.”
Rusty’s laughter disappeared. “You are?”
“Yep.”
“But what about G’ma?”
Senior’s eyes grew soft. “I still love her, Rusty. And miss her. She’s always right here.” With two fingers he tapped his heart. “But she wouldn’t want me to be alone. Truth be told, I don’t want to be alone either. I’m not talkin’ about finding true love at a bachelor’s auction. That’s just foolishtalk. But I wouldn’t mind spending an evenin’ with a female companion every once in a while.”
Rusty wasn’t sure how he felt about this. He’d never thought about Senior wanting companionship with a woman. But he also understood it because that was something he wanted too. “Do you really want to do this?”
“Yep.”
“Good, you can take my place.”
