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Nick whistled softly. “That’s rough.” A pause came over the line. “Let me see what I can do. Maybe I can find some junker parts. If I can, that’ll cut the cost down considerably. I won’t put anything substandard on there, but it might take longer to get it since I’m not ordering it straight from the factory.”
“I’d appreciate whatever you can do to help.” Garret hesitated. He and Nick talked as though they were strangers or business acquaintances. Not family. He hated the distance between them. How had things deteriorated to this point? “Give me a call when you hear something?”
“Why don’t I just contact her?”
“I, uh, don’t have a number for her offhand.”
“You can call and leave it with Sara when you get it.”
So Nick wouldn’t have to talk to him? “Okay, sure. Nick, listen, thanks for the help. Maybe we can get together for dinner sometime at the Grille?”
“Maybe. See you around.”
Garret hung up the phone, angry with his parents and Nick for being so stubborn. And angry with himself for letting anything come between family members. His disagreement with Joss and his resentment toward Harry with his frequent absences that tripled Garret’s already overwhelming workload piled in along with Toby’s censure to create a mountain of dissatisfaction with his life. He just needed a break.
His thoughts strayed to Darcy’s massage Saturday night and how relaxing it had been. Well, relaxing until his body had gone into hyperdrive at her proximity and touch.
Had Darcy had her appointment? Was the baby okay? He glanced at his watch, then stood. His guilt pricked at him but he shrugged it off. His own girlfriend wasn’t concerned about Darcy, so why should he worry about wanting to see her again? That’s what friends did.
Chapter 13
DARCY SMOOTHEDher shirt over her stomach and waited impatiently for Garret’s brother to pick up the phone.
“This is Nick. Can I help you?”
She twisted the wire phone cord around her finger. “Hi, Nick, my name is Darcy Rhodes. I believe your brother Garret talked to you about my car? A Volkswagen? I was wondering if you could give me an estimate on the repair cost and timetable?”
“I just got off the phone with Garret. We’re looking at two weeks or more. I’ll have to get back with you on the estimate. I’m going to call around to see if I can get a better price. Do you have rental coverage?”
“No.” She groaned, then winced at her manners. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful. It’s just—Don’t worry that I won’t pay you or anything. I will, I promise. But if I’m going to be here that long waiting on my car to be repaired, I’ll have to find a part-time job.”
“What do you do?”
She hesitated, then told him and waited for the snarky comment that sometimes began with “Oh, yeah?” and ended with “Well, maybe for a little extra you’ll massage my—”
“Oh, yeah?”
Don’t say it!
“You’re certified?”
The question stumped her. “Uh, yes. Yes, I am.”
“I’ve been looking for a massage therapist for my gym. Maybe we could work out something that way. You interested?”
Another white knight? “Seriously? That would be—” She fumbled for a word to express her gratitude. “That would be great. Thank you.” After everything Garret had told her about Nick, she had no qualms working for him. And Nick had already proven himself by not degrading her profession.
“I’ll get back with you later today and we’ll see if we can’t work out a deal. Sound good?”
She closed her eyes in relief. The women in this town were crazy for not scarfing the Tulane men up. “It sounds perfect but—My cell phone is in my car and I’m not sure where I’ll be later. Perhaps I could call you when I’m settled?”
“Great. Talk to you soon.”
Darcy murmured goodbye and hung up, relieved and worried at the same time. Her back ached, and she pressed her hands against the base, rubbing.
“You okay?” Garret asked, walking toward her where she stood at a pay phone.
She’d asked about his schedule this morning on the way to the hospital, so she knew he’d ducked out of a series of meetings to come see her. “I’m fine. What are you doing here?”
