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“Morning, Bri. Don’t tell me you already have the list ready to divvy up.”
It took a moment for his comment to register. Hard to think straight while you were gawking at what could be a very expensive repair.
“I did work on it last night, but no, I don’t have all the contact information pulled together yet. That’s not why I called. I have a favor to ask.”
“Name it.”
His quick response was heartening and a bright spot on this otherwise depressing day.
“I came out this morning to find a tree—or part of a tree—on my car. It must have fallen during the storm last night. I called my brother, but he’s not answering. I could try to round up a neighbor to help me pull it off, but most of them are older, and my duplex mate is a night shift worker who isn’t home yet. I hate to ask, and I know this is a huge imposition—”
“I’ll be there in ten or fifteen minutes. And it’s no imposition. You caught me as I was walking out the door, and you’re not far away.”
“Are you sure? I can always—”
“I’m sure. See you soon.”
As the line went dead, her spirits lifted another few notches. Whatever hassles lay ahead with her car, Marc’s willingness to assist helped mitigate them.
Slipping the phone into the pocket of her jacket, Bri reentered her unit through the garage to watch for him through the front window. Though the sun was out and no evidence of last night’s storm remained—other than the tree on her car—there was a distinct fall nip in the morning air.
True to his word, Marc pulled up in front of her duplex twelve minutes later.
She exited the house and met him by her car. “Thank you for doing this. I was going to try to pull the branch off myself, but I was afraid I’d do more damage.”
Fists propped on hips, he surveyed the Camry. “I’m glad you called. Four hands are probably better than two for a job like this.” He looked up at the tree. Inspected the open garage door. “You left the car outside last night? In the storm?”
She made a face. “Not entirely by choice. The battery died in my garage door opener, so I was stuck outside after I got home from dinner with my brother. I thought about coming back out to get the car, but it was dark and cold and pouring rain, so I didn’t. Now I’m paying the price for my laziness.” She waved a hand toward the branch in disgust.
“I don’t blame you for not wanting to brave the elements again. It was a bad storm. As for laziness—I may not know you well yet, but I’d bet a month’s salary that isn’t one of your faults.”
Warmth bubbled up inside her, chasing away the chill in the fall air.
“I appreciate the vote of confidence. Shall we give this a try? I don’t want to delay you any longer than necessary.”
That was a lie.
If she had her druthers, she’d suggest another trip to her favorite coffee shop. Extend this visit as long as possible.
But they both had work to do, and she wasn’t in the market for romance—especially with a professional colleague.
It would behoove her to remember that.
He motioned to the jagged end of the branch that had splintered off from the tree and was resting on the driveway. “If you’ll hold that end steady, I’ll lift the bulk of the branch off the car from higher up, then swing it away and drop it onto the driveway.”
“That sounds reasonable.” She moved into position.
Marc shrugged out of his jacket, revealing a crisp dress shirt that showcased his broad chest. After draping the jacket over the exposed part of the Camry’s trunk on the other side of the car, he worked himself under the branch. “Ready?”
“Yes.” She gripped the bottom of the branch, bracing her foot against it.
“On three. One ... two ... three.”
The branch rose, and an instant later the base pivoted as Marc guided the limb to the left and let it fall to the asphalt.
It took a few moments for him to extricate himself, and when he finally emerged, a streak of dirt ran across the front of his pristine shirt. There was also a large smudge on one sleeve.
“Uh-oh.” Bri pointed to the damage.
