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The window rolled down slightly, and a woman said, “Hi. I called AAA and they are coming to fix it. Thank you for stopping.”
Obviously, she hadn’t seen what I had. “Miss, they can’t fix this. They are going to need to tow it.”
“I have a spare tire,” she stated.
“If you’d like to get out of the car, I can show you that the tire is not your problem,” I suggested. Her tone said she was leery or a stranger stopping and I got it. If anything happened on this road, no one was going to hear you scream. “I’m harmless, trust me.”
“Hmmm. Thanks, but I think I’ll wait for the tow truck.”
There was no reason for me to stand there arguing with someone who didn’t want my help, but damn it, I was.
“Then I’ll wait here with you just to make sure you’re okay,” I stated.
She rolled down her window a little further and said, “I really don’t want to take up your time. They said it will only be about a half hour.”
“I have no place to be. Might as well keep you company,” I said. “My name is Mikal Cross.”
“Hi. I’m Trisha Bentley. Do you live around here?” she asked.
“I live in Coventry. I was on the way to the ocean but got detoured. Good thing or I’d never have come across you. How about you? You from here?”
She replied, “Richmond. I was on my way to my friend’s bar when my car decided to jerk violently then stop moving.”
“You might want to let your friend know that you’re going to be late,” I said. “Or if you want, I can give you a ride when the tow truck arrives.”
“I think this is a sign that I should go home instead,” she said.
Trisha seemed more comfortable and rolled her window completely down.
“It’s too nice of a night to just sit home,” I replied. “I’m sure if I dropped you off, your friend could give you a ride home.”
“She would, but I really don’t want to hang out at the bar until it closes. And even then, she has so much to do afterwards. I’ve learned that owning your own business isn’t as easy as some people make it look.”
“No. It’s not.” Trisha didn’t strike me as a woman who would enjoy long hours sitting at a bar. Her hair was twisted in a bun in the back of her head, and she looked sweet. All except for her blouse that was more revealing than she might realize.
Good thing you have a black bra underneath.
I intentionally averted my eyes from looking any further. She was finally more relaxed. I didn’t need her to think that I’m some creep only standing here to ogle her. Her window would be up so fast and I have a feeling the police would be on their way too.
The conversation was going smoothly when the tow truck arrived. It was the first time she got out of her vehicle. Funny how people instantly trust a strange man coming to the rescue as long as they are in an official vehicle. From the look of the mechanic, he looked like he spent more time at the pool hall than actually working on cars.
Yeah. You’re not getting in that truck with him.
“Lady, do you need a lift to the station too?” he asked after the car was loaded and secured on the flatbed.
Trisha must have made the same assumption about the mechanic and responded, “No. I have a friend coming to give me a ride.”
I already knew that was a lie, but a wise choice. The guy nodded and climbed into the truck and left us alone.
“Might as well get in,” I said.
“I can call for a ride,” she said.
“Or you can just get inside and I’ll bring you wherever it is you need to go. If it would make you feel better, you can be on the phone with your friend the entire way,” I offered.
She paused for a moment, then said, “Thank you. I appreciate the ride.”
Once inside I asked, “Just tell me the address.”
