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The wind was bitter, and the skies were overcast. There was a storm system moving in, and I prayed it wasn’t so bad that Mel would close down over the next few days, because I really needed the money now. I thought about seeing if he needed me to work tonight.
The bell over the door rang as I pushed it open and rushed inside, shivering.
It was a different guy at the counter this time. He looked up with a kind smile that seemed out of place on his tattooed, bulky frame. The dude was big and scary. Until he smiled.
“Can I help you?” he asked in a growly voice more fitting for a, oh, I don’t know, maybe a grizzly bear.
“I hope so. I’m looking for Mr. Snow.” I flashed what I hoped was a friendly smile, but I was pretty sure came off more like a grimace.
His eyes narrowed slightly, and his smile faded a bit. “And you are?”
“Loralei Barnes.”
“And this is regarding?”
“He, uh, did some work for me. And I bought my truck from him—well y’all,” I replied. My heart was damn near bursting out of my chest, I was so damn nervous.
His head cocked, and he grabbed a phone from the counter. “I’ll be right back.”
He cast a glance over his shoulder at me before he stepped into the shop area. I would’ve thought he’d be able to hear better in the reception area, but maybe he thought I was some psycho stalker. I didn’t think I looked like a stalker.
Deciding I might look more human if I wasn’t bundled up like the abominable snowman, I removed my hat, gloves, and untied my scarf. I tried to straighten my hair out, but it was full of static, and I finally gave up.
I was starting to get nervous when the door opened and a guy who looked around Decker’s age came in. His beard was fuller than Decker’s close-cropped one, but it was also a little salt and pepper.
“Ms. Barnes, is everything okay with the truck?” He had a curious but sort-of friendly look on his face, which was at least a little comforting. Nervously, I glanced to the big dude who came back with Mr. Snow.
“Soap, I’ve got this. You can go finish up with Reaper.”
The guys at that shop had the weirdest names.
The one named Soap nodded and went back into the shop area. Mr. Snow returned his attention to me.
“The truck is fine.” I clenched my fingers, then twisted them together. “I, uh, was hoping you might be able to get in touch with Decker Pruitt.”
At Decker’s name, his friendly smile dropped. He didn’t look angry as much as wary. “I would think you’d have his contact information. Weren’t you friends with his grandmother?”
“I, well, yes, but I need to speak to Decker.”
“And you can’t call Margaret, why?”
It was evident he was going to make this difficult.Dammit. “It’s delicate. I’d rather not involve her in this.”
He still hesitated, so I continued. “I don’t expect you to give me his phone number, but if you could contact him for me and ask him to call me, that would be great. It’s really very important. I’ll give you my number.”
I was damn near pleading.
“I’ll call him, but I’m not going to make promises,” he offered.
“That’s awesome,” I gushed, then reeled myself in as I scrawled my number on a notepad with the shop’s logo on it. “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”
Dressing in my winter accessories again, I gave him a nervous smile and walked to the door.
“Ms. Barnes? Are you sure you’re okay?” he questioned.
It was on the tip of my tongue to be honest and tell him no, but I didn’t really know him. Instead, I took a deep breath, exhaled, and replied, “Yes, I’m fine. It’s just imperative that I speak to Decker.”
“I’ll do what I can,” he said, and I left. For a second, I banged my head lightly on the window of my truck. Pulling myself together, I got inside and started the engine.
