Page 74 of Mechanic’s Christmas Match

He decided to walk to the shop rather than drive the few blocks. Snow was still falling, but softly now, just enough to smooth out the rough surfaces of the plowed-up mountains that lined the border between the street and the sidewalk.

It was cold, but the fresh air felt good in his lungs, and his new coat kept him toasty warm.

When he got to the shop, he frowned. The only car in the bays belonged to Mrs. Ying from over on Park Avenue, and it had been there two days already waiting for a part. There was no one in the downstairs waiting room either.

He headed inside anyway, and found Beau waiting for him.

“Glad you made it in,” Beau said. “She’s waiting upstairs.”

“Where’s the car?” Rory asked.

“Just go on up,” Beau said with more firmness than usual. “She can explain.”

Rory nodded and jogged up the steps. The second level was a huge open space with wooden floors, a high ceiling, and windows overlooking the trees. Beau had a desk for himself, and plastic chairs for the waiting area. He and his wife Quinn had even set up a nice play area on one side where their daughter, Zandy, could play, and so could the children of their customers.

But tonight, there was something set up in between. Colorful blankets covered a huge section of the floor, and dishes of food were laid out along with plates of fruit and a basket with glass Coca-Cola bottles in it.

Ana Gutierrez sat facing the stairs, her dark hair down loose around her shoulders and her eyes on Rory as he moved to join her, feeling like he was in a dream.

“Hey,” he said softly.

“Hi, Rory,” she said. “You said you loved a good picnic, so…”

She gestured around her at all the food and the pretty blankets, an uncertain expression on her face.

“I love this,” he said, feeling a half-smile tug up the corner of his mouth as things clicked into place in his mind. “Is this our first date?”

She nodded, blushing, but kept her eyes on his.

He felt his heart squeeze like it was full to overflowing. Trying to hold his wild emotions together and failing, if the thundering of his heart was any sign, he lowered himself to the blankets across from Ana.

“I thought about what you said,” she said softly. “And it means everything to me. Not the part about the money or the house, all of that is… a lot. But the fact that you know how important my family is to me, that you see me. And that you accept me, and my family too. It means everything.”

He nodded, afraid to say a word or even breathe when this beautiful creature was telling him what was in her heart.

“I don’t need you to provide for me, Rory,” she said, her eyes so earnest. “We’re doing just fine with the shop, and I’m doing my best to set aside a little for a rainy day, so you don’t have to worry so much about the future. Besides, our apartment already has three bedrooms—not that we have to get ahead of ourselves…”

She trailed off, shaking her head and smiling as if at her own awkwardness.

But she didn’t need to feel ashamed. She was doing much better at sharing her feelings than he had last night.

“Ana, I did such a terrible job explaining things,” he said. “I never meant to put a price tag on what it would take to deserve you. It’s just… I see how much responsibility is already on your shoulders. I don’t want to be another burden to you. I want to make your life easier and lighter.”

Her smile lit up her eyes.

“And also…” he began, but wasn’t sure how to finish.

“Also what?” she asked.

“I was nervous,” he admitted, feeling better once it was off his chest. “It was easier to work extra hours and scrawl down a goal in a notebook than it was to tell you how I felt.”

“Why were you nervous?” she asked, looking surprised.

“I’m not like you and your family,” he said, the words bitter in his mouth, though they had to be said. “I’m not a quality person.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Ana asked.

“Maybe I’m not someone you would want to have around,” he said, his eyes on his hands. “Especially now that you have Theo.”