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Carly
The tow truckclanks its way into the parking lot fifteen minutes later. The lumbering body that gets out of the truck is no guy, though. While tall and large, Taylor is most definitely female. Wild auburn hair is tucked into a filthy-looking baseball cap, and I expect to see grease on her face. Instead, a pair of the prettiest green eyes I've ever encountered appear to laugh at me.
"Taylor?" My questioning voice makes her break into a big grin.
"I get that a lot. It never gets old."
Taylor is dressed in loose jeans and a blue cotton work shirt with her name embroidered on the front. Sierra makes a show of looking her up and down and says, "Well, aren't you just a surprise waiting to happen."
Laughter bursts from the girl, and one can't help but smile in response. "Can't say I've gotten that one before. So you ladies got yourself a flat tire?"
I answer, "Yup, and a flat spare too." I'm grateful for the useless extra tire because I would be embarrassed to admit to this woman I couldn't change a flat.
Taylor says, "Well, all-righty, looks like we need to hook you up and take you in to the shop. The front's gonna be tight, but I think we can all fit." She gets back in the truck to move it into position. She makes short work of hooking up my car, and before we know it, we're squashed into the cab making small talk as we ride to the garage.
The open windows let in a breeze that blows hair around my face, and I smell the pungent odor of mulch in the air. Sierra asks, "So how did you end up driving a tow truck?"
“My dad worked in this business, and since it was only the two of us, I spent most of my life under cars. It's all I ever wanted to do, and when he died of a heart attack a couple years ago, I decided to open that business he was always talking about. I got myself a silent partner and did it." Her face falls for a moment, and I wonder if it has to do with missing her dad. I sure miss mine.
Sierra cocks her head at me and points to my wrist. She turns back to Taylor. "I'm sorry to hear that. Both Carly and I lost parents too."
Catching her drift, I lift my arm to hold the handle above the window of my door, making sure my tattoo is visible if Taylor looks over.Is being a single woman without family one of the requirements for our strange club?
"Did you now?" Taylor purses her lips but says nothing.
Sierra is not one to let a conversation drop. "Yeah, but we're headed to Maine to start new lives with some hunky mountain men." She's grinning, and Taylor's face lights up.
Slowing to almost a crawl, Taylor maneuvers the tow truck into the parking lot of an auto repair shop. The white-and-red-painted building is clean looking despite the state of Taylor's hat. I'm impressed and gather she's a savvy business woman as well as a good mechanic. "Any idea how long this is going to take?"
Taylor puts the truck into park and turns to speak to me. With my hand still holding the handle I watch to see if she notices my tattoo. I'm rewarded with a slight widening of her emerald eyes as she says, "It shouldn't take too long. We'll go pick out your new tires and get you back on the road before dinner."
I drop my hand in my lap, and Taylor nods at it. "Nice tattoo. Can I ask where you found the design?"
Sierra's face breaks into a grin as she elbows me. "I knew she’d see it."
I ignore her and answer Taylor. "I designed it. I'm a tattoo artist. It came to me in a dream."
Taylor leans back and crosses her arms. "I've been dreaming about it too. Huh." She sits up again and gets out of the truck, but somehow I don't think we're done with this discussion.
"Randy! Come get this car into the bay for me." Taylor turns to us. "Follow me." She leads us into an immaculate showroom. Oil, lights, and various car supplies are set neatly on shelves, and tires are in racks lining one wall. The faint aroma of new tires is in the air, but the scent of coffee overpowers it.
After an in-depth discussion of treads and winter roads I settle on four new tires that should keep me driving the Subaru safely for a few more years. When Taylor is done she says, "I'm going to go get the guys started. Can I get you ladies some coffee or tea while you wait? I even have hot chocolate."
Sierra's eyes light up. "I would love hot chocolate."
I say, "Coffee for me, please."
We wander over to red vinyl chairs and sink into seats that are cushioned and comfortable. Sierra speaks in a low voice. "I knew it. I think a certain kind of woman is being called. She's capable, free of family ties, and–" She throws her shoulders back in a theatrical way. "Of a large stature."
"Could be. Maybe she'll have some clues for us. Because I guess I'm going to tattoo another paw print today."
Taylor's boots thumping on the vinyl floor capture my attention as she walks toward us with two steaming mugs. "Here you go, ladies. Is there anything else I can get you?"
Sierra says, "No, but why don't you have a seat and ask us your questions."
Taylor snorts, "Well, you don't hold back much, do you?"
I say, "You have no idea. But go ahead, we know you have them, and so do we."
