AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Lowering all four windows a few more inches, Emma caught a whiff of citrusy aftershave. “I think it’s just overheated.”
He grinned, displaying laugh lines around his eyes. “You really are from Mississippi.”
It took her a second to realize her license plate had told him that much.
“Why don’t you pop the hood, and I’ll have a look at your engine.”
“Thank you.” Emma heard Chris stirring as she released the hood. “Stay in the car, honey. I’m going to check the engine with this man. Don’t let Colton out if he wakes up.”
Timing her exodus between the passing cars, she joined the stranger just as he was propping up her hood with the rod. His eyes seemed to take a snapshot of her willowy body before fastening on her face. “You been out here all night?”
“Yep, pretty much.” She liked his casual friendliness. It was almost like they already knew each other. “I think she just overheated. There was a lot of steam coming out before she quit on me. ’Course she needs spark plugs, too, which could’ve contributed.”
Another grin emerged. “You know your cars?”
“Been keeping this one alive for the past five years.”
As she watched, he unscrewed the radiator cap and bent way over her engine to peer down into the reservoir.
“Sure enough. It’s dry as a bone in there.”
“I think I’ve got water in my car.” She started to fetch it.
“Wait.”
An eighteen-wheeler roared by within inches of them, riding over the rumble strips as it veered out of the lane. One second, Emma was close to getting hit; the next she was in the stranger’s safe embrace as he snatched her out of harm’s way.
“Great day in the morning!” Her heart pounded.
The stranger slowly released her while glaring after the truck as it took the exit. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m fine.”
“Mommy,” Christopher called, “Colton says he has to pee.”
“Hold on.” The traffic had certainly picked up.
The stranger caught her elbow and drew her toward the guardrail. “Go from this side and take your kid out the window.”
Emma nodded, thankful for his calm suggestion. After climbing over the railing, she directed Christopher to hand her a water bottle, then lobbed it at her guardian angel.
“Nice throw.”
As she escorted her middle son behind a fir tree, her helper’s bald head vanished under her hood. Christopher watched anxiously while Baby Carter, who’d wakened at the noise, started to fuss. No doubt his diaper was soaked through.
“Hurry up, Colton.”
Colton came out from behind the tree still zipping up his shorts. “Who’s that guy?”
“He’s Mr. Fix-it, honey.”
The man must have heard her reply for he shot her the strangest look. “Okay, ma’am. You want to start her up?”
“Sure. Hold on.” She heaved Colton back through the window, instructing him to put on his seat belt. With Carter now wailing in his car seat, she climbed back over the guardrail.
“I’m Ben, by the way.”
He held out a hand to her, so she took it, feeling the light abrasion of calluses on his palm. “Emma.”
