Page 36 of Second Chances

Henry nodded. “When my grandpa got back after World War Two, he was a newlywed and didn’t want to farm, so he started the shop.”

“Did your grandparents marry during the war?”

“Yes. They met in England when he was there. Her family was originally from Ireland, but had emigrated at the turn of the century. My grandparents settled in Clover Lake. After my dad got out of the army, he went to work full time with his dad.”

“So that’s how you got started being a mechanic. It’s pretty impressive that you created your own business. You should be proud,” Charlotte commented when Henry grew quiet.

“What I enjoyed most about working in my dad’s shop was seeing him and my grandpa and my brother every day.” Forgoing college to work in the shop had unsettled him for years, even though it was what had been best for his family. Pride in his work hadn’t come until he opened his own shop; then he felt like his life was his own.

“Your family sounds so close, from what Trixie has said.”

“Yeah, we are. Sometimes too much. George is the oldest, and he thinks everything should be his way. He and my grandpa used to have some clashes, since they are both incredibly stubborn.”

“Not your dad, though?”

“No, my dad is very chill, sometimes too much. And patient as the day is long. My mom can be a bit of a firecracker. She’s an amazing cook.” Henry stole a glance and found her eyes on him. He dropped his gaze down to the gearshift, which he still held. Every so often, her thigh pressed firmly into his hand. “Tell me about your parents?”

“Well, my dad was in the army during World War Two, too.” Her heart swelled talking about her dad.

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah. Technically, I guess, he was in the Air Force. He was on a bomber crew that trained in Sioux City. He was born in a little town called Washington Depot in Connecticut and met my mom at a diner in Sioux City. She was eighteen and taking secretarial classes at the college, so she was studying while having lunch. In walked the most handsome man she’d ever seen, she used to say. My dad was eight years older, but my mom had this…” Charlotte twirled her hands in the air, the way her dad used to when he described meeting her mom. “Mom had this wisdom. My dad always said that Mom was beautiful, but the first time he saw her, with her school books spread out in front of her, she barely noticed him walk past. Said he knew she was probably too smart for him,” Charlotte laughed. “Less than a month after they met, his training was done, and he was sent overseas. They wrote to each other every week for three years.”

“Wow, really? Must’ve fallen hard for each other,” Henry remarked.

“Definitely. My mom said she couldn’t even look at another man after she met my dad. Spent every night dreaming of him, even though part of her believed she might never see him again, since he wasn’t from Iowa. Then one day the war was over. She was a secretary by then and was pulling up to her parents’ house after work. There was a strange car in the driveway, and when she opened the door, my dad was there, hat in hand, asking my grandpa for his blessing to marry her.” Charlotte dabbed at her eyes with a tissue from her purse. “Sorry…I always cry telling their story.”

“No need to be sorry,” Henry assured her. “They have an against-the-odds love story. It’s beautiful.”

Charlotte nodded as they pulled up to La Hacienda. “They got married the following year and tried to start a family right away, but they didn’t have any success. They thought maybe something had happened to my dad in the war, that he couldn’t have kids. Then one day, when they’d been married twenty years, my mom got pregnant.”

Henry put the car in park. “That’s incredible. They must have been stunned.”

“That’s one word for it. They called me their little miracle. Now they’ve been gone longer than I had them as my parents. It’s unbelievable.” She unbuckled her seatbelt, turning to find Henry facing her.

“You’re unbelievable.” In the close confines of his car, longing reverberated between them. Gently tracing her cheek with the back of his hand, her breath, shallow and warm, swept across his wrist. “And unforgettable.”

The air was so electric Charlotte was sure they would combust if they moved any closer to each other. “I was thinking you’d say unavoidable after I pressured you for a date.” Some part of her needed assurance, despite their kiss earlier, that he wanted to be here as much as she did.

“Never. I never wanted to avoid you.” His eyes held hers.

Emotions too intense, she gave a small laugh. “I’m glad we got that straightened out.”

“Me, too.” Her huge chocolate eyes stared at him. “Are you hungry?”

“Starving.”

With Charlotte’s wrist under his fingertips, Henry drew her from the car, light-headed with the scent of her as she brushed against him. Still holding her, he traced the delicate skin where her pulse fluttered rapidly, matching his own. Every conversation stoked his interest more, and as much as he wanted to stare at her beautiful face across the table at dinner tonight, he also wished to learn everything possible about her. She magnetized him. Holding the restaurant door open, he absorbed her compassion and lightness.

Charlotte surveyed the crowd almost filling the restaurant to capacity. “What time is our reservation? I hope we’re not too late.” She linked her hand with his. “But that kiss was worth it.”

Before Henry could answer, Elena came for them. “Right this way, Mr. Livingston.” The daughter of the owner of La Hacienda, she had assured him everything would be perfect when he had stopped by earlier to reserve a table for dinner. Judging by Charlotte’s gasp, she had succeeded.

From the candles flickering softly in the low light to the dewy pink peonies in a blue mason jar, their table was exquisite. Tucked in a far corner, they had privacy, but could still hear the sounds of the mariachi band playing softly across the room. “Oh, Henry,” Charlotte exclaimed as he pulled her chair out for her, “this is so elegant…so thoughtful.” The sincerity in his ocean eyes stopped her heart, but his careful smile started it again.

“Henry, I’m honored to see you tonight,” Miguel, the owner and head chef, greeted, clasping him on his shoulder. Henry had known Miguel since Check Care Auto’s first week in business, twenty years ago. “And I know this young woman here. How are you, Charlotte?”

Charlotte grinned at Miguel, “I’m very well, thank you. Also, thanks so much for generously donating the food for the cast parties we’ve had. It makes the closing performances something the kids look forward to.”