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I’m almost into the corporation limits of town when I see a familiar black Hyundai and dark head of hair that I’d love nothing more than to wrap my fist around. Checking my mirrors, I turn on my signal and pull in behind her.
Palmer’s eyes are wide and worried until I step out of the truck, and she recognizes me. Willow River doesn’t have a lot of crime, but a woman all on her own on the side of the road is never a good thing, not in my eyes.
“Brooks.” She breathes my name as if she prayed for me and I was delivered to her. “Deacon,” she says into the phone pressed to her ear. “Brooks just stopped.” She gives me a relieved smile. “I don’t know,” she tells her brother.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
“I don’t know. I was driving, and it just lost power. The radio went, and all the gauges, and just nothing.”
“Sounds like the alternator.”
“That’s what Deacon said. I tried to call my dad, but he’s not answering, so I’m waiting for Deacon to come and get me.”
“I can take care of it. He’s working today, right?” Deacon’s a lawyer in Willow River and used to work more than anyone I know, that is until he met and fell in love with my little cousin, Ramsey. She’s helped him find a work-life balance that he desperately needed.
“Are you sure?” She takes in my cargo shorts and T-shirt. I’m certain she was expecting to see me in my scrubs.
“I’m sure. I’m off the next two days.”
“Thank you, Brooks.” Her shoulders slump with relief. “Deacon,” she sighs, “Brooks says he can take care of it.” She pauses, rolls her eyes, and hands me the phone. “He wants to talk to you.”
I chuckle at her annoyance but take the phone from her hand and place it to my ear. “What’s up?”
“Are you sure you don’t mind helping?” Deacon asks.
“Positive. Today’s an off day for me. I was just running errands. I’ll take a look, and if I can’t get it to work, I’ll call Declan and have him dispatch one of his guys with a tow truck.”
“Thanks, Brooks. I owe you one. I’m getting ready to head into court, and I was just going to call a tow and send Ramsey to pick her up.”
“It’s all good, man. I’ll shoot you a message later letting you know what the turnout is.”
“Thanks.” There’s relief in his voice.
“No problem,” I reply and hand the phone back to Palmer.
“Hey.” She’s quiet while she listens, and I pull my own phone out of my pocket to text Declan.
Me:Hey. Just found Palmer stranded just outside of town. I’m going to take a look but from what she described sounds like her alternator.
His reply is immediate.
Declan:Let me know if you need me to send the truck.
Me:Thanks.
I slide my phone back into my pocket in time to focus back on her conversation. “Yes, I feel safe with Brooks. Don’t worry. Thank you, and good luck in court.” She ends the call and slides her phone into her purse, draped across her shoulder.
“Everything good?” I ask.
A slight blush coats her cheeks as she rolls those big green eyes. “Yes. He’s just worried. The consequences of being the baby of the family.”
“My guess is that he would have the same worry for Piper.”
She nods. “You’re right. We’re lucky to have such a great big brother who cares about us.”
“You are,” I agree. “All right, toss me the keys, and I’ll take a look.” She hands me her keys, and I slide behind the wheel, adjusting the seat to accommodate my large frame. Turning over the starter, nothing happens. Everything is just dead, which leads me to believe my suspicion about the alternator is correct. “I think it is the alternator.”
“Damn. How expensive is that?”
