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I sipped more coffee. “Do you have a to-go mug? I have a town to see.”
He moved to a cupboard but stalled before opening. “Did you eat yet?”
I held up the two granola bars and slipped them into my purse.
He shook his head. “I mean a real breakfast. The diner is about all we’ll find open this time of day, anyway. Come on.” He grabbed keys from a little hook beside the door.
“I can drive myself.”
He made a clicking sound with his teeth. “Actually, you can’t. Your car won’t start.”
“But we jumped it yesterday. What do you mean, it won’t start?”
He didn’t even bother to look ashamed. “I checked it again this morning. Could still be the battery. I’ll replace it for you once a parts store is open. I’ll need to do some troubleshooting.”
I grabbed my keys and walked out of the house to my car. Yanked open the door and turned the ignition. The car sputtered, but it started. The liar!
Wheezing sounded and the engine curled up for a nice nap. I let my head fall back against the headrest. “Crap.”
Adam approached the still-open driver’s side door. “Looks like you’re stuck with me.” He jingled his keys in his other hand. “Breakfast?”
I stared through the front windshield. My stomach grumbled. “Don’t you have to make like the Property Brothers and tear down a wall or something?”
“It’s not that kind of renovation. But I am waiting on a few special orders. Besides, any day starts better with a good meal. There’s a place with incredible chicken sausage. Fresh ground, local herbs. Totally worth it.”
I cursed Adam’s memory—he knew food carved a direct path to my soul. The other being the structure of neurons, the elegant wisp-like arms that extended from fat between cell bodies and held the secrets of the mind. Some women liked shoes and purses, while I liked a locally sourced meal and confocal microscopy.
He crossed the wide driveway and casually opened the passenger side of his faded blue truck. He slung an arm over the door causing the bottom of his shirt to ride up. His abs taunted me along with the lure of herbed breakfast meats. “Just let me take you, Jillian. I’ll drop you off afterward in town. You can explore to your heart’s content.”
My heart was currently searching for contentment in a person I wasn’t ready to trust. “Fine.” At least I wouldn’t have to deal with parking. I’d sort out the ride back later.
We ended up at a place outside of town. Homey looking and a bit weathered. Adam was right. The chicken sausage tasted incredible. Local cherry jam for crusty bread and a runny egg over some rough-cut potatoes and I was in heaven.
Adam took it upon himself to search potential fixes for my car on his phone while we ate. I didn’t stop him. His effort was welcome and I could throw him a bone for that. If I had anything left on my plate.
As promised, he delivered me back into town and dropped me off near the marina and downtown shopping area. The festival meant more boats than usual visible from the main drag, plus a carnival. I planned to take my time looking around.
“I’ll let you know what I find out about your car,” he said I waved goodbye.
I checked my phone and saw a text from Marcy.
Marcy: Papá’s in surgery now. I’ll text you when he’s out.
I wrote her back my well wishes and took a beat to send up a prayer for her father. I sent a message to Noah asking about her flight, then remembered my promise to my mom I’d provide an update.
Me: Found a place to stay. Planning to be here through the weekend.
I’d save the juicy details of where I’d stayed last night for later. Or never.
“Where should we go first?”
I whipped around to see Adam waiting on the sidewalk. Sunglasses on and holding his own water bottle.
“What happened to fixing my car?” I winced at the way my question landed. He’d offered, but he certainly wasn’t obligated. “I mean, I’m sure you have other things to do today.”
"My day opened up. I thought a walk along the lakeshore would help burn off breakfast.”
“You already incinerated your breakfast calories with your run this morning.”
