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Despite his protests, he looked a bit more relaxed now and I felt that rush of warmth I always got when I was able to provide for my pack. Some alphas thought that only extended to providing financially. I knew better than that. It also meant making sure we were coping okay with anything life threw at us.
"Did you figure out her car?" Miles asked after the silence stretched on.
The silence hadn’t been uncomfortable in the slightest and that was one of the things I enjoyed about Miles. He was an old soul, and despite our age difference, he had turned into my best friend. Something that amused Bash to no end when he accused me of stealing his bestie.
"Yeah," I admitted, running a hand over my short beard. "I'm considering giving her a loaner while I dig a bit deeper. I'm not exactly convinced it's surface level."
"Don't gift her a car, make sure it's a loaner," he said. When I narrowed my eyes at him, he held up his hands in defense. "Don’t pretend like the thought hadn’t crossed your mind, Miller. From everything you guys have told me so far, she's fiercely independent. She's taken care of a child by herself for his entire life. Giving her a car would not only be insulting, it could hurt any chances of her trusting any of us."
He was right.
Even barely meeting the omega, I knew he hit the nail on the head, but I hated it. Not everyone wanted to be cared for and protected. I had a feeling it would take a lot for her to trust us and I wasn't willing to risk it.
Letting out a long sigh, I stood, clapping him on the shoulder.
"I'll get out of your hair and give her a call. Thanks, Miles," I said.
"Always, alpha," he answered, already immersed back in his work, not looking back as I left his quiet space.
Nerves bubbled in my stomach as I headed for my own desk and phone to call Summer. It was strange and unsettling. She was Cole's omega. Or was at one point. I had no business feeling anything toward her. Yet she intrigued me. The fire in her, strength, compassion, all of it had my attention and I knew there was even more under the surface.
The phone rang long enough, I nearly hung up. She answered in a quiet voice, as if she were afraid to wake someone. Likely Theo napping nearby.
"Hey, Summer, it's Miller from the shop," I said, matching her tone. She let out a soft chuckle.
"Sorry, Theo is asleep on my lap. It's been an exciting few days for him," she explained. "How is my hot mess of a car? Destroyed for good? I've honestly been surprised the old girl held on this long."
Despite the light tone, I could hear her nerves under the surface, and who could blame her?
"Well, I have a few theories but I'm not sold yet. I need a few more days to run a full diagnostic," I explained.
"How much is that going to cost?"
And now we'd entered complicated territory.
"For pack, I don't generally charge for this portion. When it comes to the fix, just parts and necessities," I explained. "Is that alright with you?"
She was quiet for long enough I glanced at the screen to make sure the call hadn't dropped.
"Look, I appreciate it, but I'm not here to take advantage of you. It’s not because I can't afford to live without Grandma now," she said. It was almost defensive like she was unintentionally challenging me to disagree. “I’m getting by just fine.”
"I know you are, and I also know that this is not costing me anything. Like I said, whatever I find is wrong, I'll let you know parts cost up front. It was an offer, so you couldn't possibly be taking advantage of us. Frankly, none of us would want someone in our pack, especially a child, in a car that's not safe. So we'd love if we could make sure it is safe for you two."
"Thanks, Miller," she whispered, her voice a mix of relief and frustration. Summer was in a tight spot and navigating new territory. She had too much on her plate right now to worry about her car. Not when she had a team of mechanics to help.
"Cole wouldn't want it any other way," I promised her. "Now, the second thing. We have a shop car, it's nothing fancy but runs great. I could loan it to you until we figure this out, so you're not stuck at Beatty's with no car."
"Oh, wow, really? I was just thinking I'd have to take a wagon down to the grocery store next time I needed to go." I would have chuckled at the image if I didn't know she was completely serious.
I knew for a fact Dean and Cole both had told her to call them if she needed anything. Apparently she figured a trip to the grocery store wasn’t worth bothering us. No matter, we’d soon show her that it wasn’t a bother at all. That she could count us.
It would just take time and patience, the same way we’d handled Cole from the start.
"No need. I'll swing by in just a bit, alright?"
"Thank you, I really appreciate it," she said before we gave quiet goodbyes.
With Theo napping, I knew there was no rush so I handled a few other phone calls on my list. It was about an hour before I was able to sneak away.
