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“Don’t tell anyone.” He winked.
“Never,” she whispered, and then kissed his lips. Slow. So damn slow he could faint. Then she pulled away. “I’ve got to get going.”
She backed away, and Huck felt dizzy before he realized he’d forgotten to breathe.
“Can I come by later? Visit your work?”
“It’s your dad’s shop.”
He nodded, feeling like a teenager asking a girl to winter formal, but part of him still couldn’t get past the “going” that she was doing. He wanted to know she’d be there. That she wasn’t going anywhere…for now at least.
“It may be my dad’s shop, but I would be coming to see you.”
She smiled. “I like it when you say hi to me…amongst other things.”
He followed her out, stood by his truck, and watched her as she hopped on her bike and road toward town. His gut twisted as her form receded into the distance. She was impossible to hang on to. Like throwing rope around the wind.
He just hoped that when it came time, he’d have the sense to let go.
…
“Been seeing your face around here more often, boy,” Huck’s dad said as he pulled him in for a hug. He slapped his dad’s back. The past week and a half had been mostly great, and yeah, he’d been coming around to catch a glimpse of Autumn and see his dad.
“You know I love seeing this old mug of yours,” Huck said. “The Giah is coming along nice.” He leaned over the car and smiled. It looked good, especially when he remembered bending Autumn over it nine days ago. Sure, he was counting. Partly because it was a hot memory, and partly because Jenna and Colt would be back soon, and with them Autumn’s time here in Diamond would be come to an end.
“Back!” his father chided and smacked his hand. “Stay away from that car, you’ll break it.”
Huck rolled his eyes. “I build things for a living.”
“Not cars, you don’t. You’re terrible with anything with an engine.”
“Yeah, yeah.” He couldn’t really argue with the truth. “Damn shame, since you won’t quit bellyaching about your only son carrying on the family business,” Huck teased.
Pete looked at him with all the seriousness in the world. “Son, I love you. But if you inherit this shop, I’d give it two days before you’re breaking everyone’s car and the business goes in the crapper.”
“Thanks, Pop.” But he smiled.
His dad had known since birth that Huck had no interest in cars, and yet he’d still stood by him in pursuing what he loved—working with his hands. He loved building, was good at it, and his dad had always had his back.
“Guess you’ll just have to work forever,” Huck said.
Then something clicked in his mind. His dad was old enough to retire, and he certainly couldn’t carry on the load of the only shop in town forever.
“Have you thought about the future of this place?” Huck asked.
“Sure, I’ve thought about it.” He frowned at his son. “Actually, it’s come to my attention that a very talented mechanic may fit the bill.”
Huck’s jaw almost hit the floor. “Tell me you’re not talking about who I think you’re talking about.”
His dad shrugged. “I’ve thought about having a talk with her about it. She’s a good girl. Works hard. Helped me with the books the other day. She knows about cars, bikes, and running a business. I trust her.”
“How do you know she’d even be interested in the job?”
His father patted his shoulder. “She’s tired of wandering. Tired of not having any roots. I can see it in her. This would be a big step for her. Maybe the right step. Her staying in town. I don’t know her plans all that well, but I know what’s been going on between you two.”
“We’re friends,” Huck said quickly, and that title was the most committed label he’d put on a relationship in a long time. His dad didn’t seem to buy his bullshit, though. He wasn’t about to argue with him or give his opinion. This wasn’t his shop, and Autumn wasn’t his woman.
Huck took a deep breath. If Autumn wanted this job, he’d never stand in the way of her or her dreams. He knew she’d loved her grandfather and his shop, but he didn’t know if moving on from Diamond was more important to her. Honestly, he hadn’t asked, because he was scared to know the answer.
