When Sparks Fly (3 page)

“I smelled something burning right before the car stopped.”

“That woulda’ been fluid leaking onto the exhaust manifold.”

Looking over at her daughter, she gave a heavy sigh. Knowing that she wasn’t going to like the answers to the questions she was about to ask, she faced Frankie and, with dread settling in her stomach, asked them anyway. “How long and how much?”

“Well, ma’am,” he replied, drawing the two words out, “gonna’ be several days on the fixing part. As far as the cost, I can’t give you a firm figure until I see how much I can get a rebuilt for. Best estimate is three grand.” She blanched, but before she could offer a protest, he hurried on. “Maybe less. I really can’t say for sure until I contact my supplier. And I’ll only charge you half on the labor.”

Joe, who had been standing quietly by, cocked an eyebrow at his friend’s offer. He’d never known Frankie to give a fifty percent discount to anyone, not even family, and he wondered if Monica’s attractive appearance had anything to do with the estimate. The thought disconcerted him.

Not wanting to think about how much the delay was going to put a crimp in her schedule or how much the cost was going to put a dent in her savings, she replied, “I appreciate your honesty, Mr. ….”

“Denton. Frankie Denton, ma’am.” He reached out to shake her hand, stopping at the last second when he remembered his was covered in grease.

Grasping it anyway, she gave it a firm shake. “Monica Russo. I appreciate anything you can do. Of course, now I need to figure out where to stay for the next week. You said the motel was full?” She directed her question to Joe, who handed her his handkerchief.

“I can call Lois to double check. She and her husband Lionel own the place. But when I saw her on Monday she mentioned that all of her rooms were booked.”

“Big Fourth of July celebration, I believe you said. Funny,” she stated, looking at the empty street, “seems kind of quiet around here to me.”

“That’s cause it’s suppertime,” Frankie hurriedly broke in. “Thirty minutes or so, folks’ll be outside enjoying the evening. I think there’s a ballgame later at the high school.” Looking to Joe for confirmation, he continued. “You should come by. I’ll buy you a beer.”

“Thank you for the invitation but I think I’m going to be busy finding a place for Kimber and me to stay.”

“Kimber?”

“My daughter,” she explained, pointing to the little girl who was sitting on the grass, rubbing Leroy’s belly.

Joe chuckled to himself as Frankie took a step back. For such a smooth talker, his friend was quite uncomfortable around kids and did his best to avoid women who had them. Monica seemed to share his amusement as well; out of the corner of his eye he caught her trying to hide a grin.

“Well, I’d better get your car to the shop. Anything you need inside?” Now that his chance at a date was gone, Frankie was all business.

“No, I’ve got everything we need. Do you have a card or something? I’m not sure where you’ll be able to reach me so I’ll check in with you.”

Digging a business card out of his pocket, he handed it over. “I’ll do my best to get you back on the road as soon as possible. I’m guessing that Celebration wasn’t your destination.”

Shaking her head, she replied, “Los Angeles. I start a new job in two weeks. I was hoping to have time to settle in before I started. Oh well, what’s done is done. No sense in losing sleep over it.” Though her words were positive, she felt like her life was spiraling out of her control.

Frankie nodded then hurried off to load the car onto the flatbed. Less than five minutes later he pulled away and Monica was left cursing the series of events in her life that had led up to this moment.
Damn Philip and his
 – what she could only hope –
mid-life crisis
. Dying at seventy would be too good for him. The only positive thing to come from their marriage had been Kimber. And she wouldn’t trade anything in the world for her daughter.

Squaring her shoulders, she tossed her negative thoughts aside and focused on the challenge in front of her. They needed a place to stay for however long it took Frankie to fix her car. Turning to Joe to ask if he had any suggestions she was startled to find him watching her intently. Allowing herself a momentary flutter of attraction, she quickly regained her composure, only to lose it again when he spoke.

“You can stay with me.”

‡
Chapter Two

Panic flashed in her eyes, and he hastened to clarify his statement. “What I meant was, my parents have an extra room in their house. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind you and Kimber staying there until your car is fixed.”

“You live with your parents?” Try as she might, she couldn’t keep the humor from her tone.

“On their property. The space above the garage was converted to an apartment years ago. They used to rent it out but when I moved back they offered to let me live there.”

“Rent free?” she asked, her eyes twinkling. Remembering the handkerchief in her hand, she held it out to him.

“In a manner of speaking,” he replied, stuffing the oily cloth into his pocket. “I help out around the house wherever I can. Dad isn’t able to do the things he used to since his stroke.”

Monica sobered. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry….”

“It’s alright,” Joe cut in. He’d been enjoying their light banter and hated for the conversation to turn serious. Not to mention that he still blamed himself for not being there when his family needed him the most. “He’s fine now. Or as fine as he will be. He’s gotten most of the function back on his left side; he just tires easily. He won’t admit it, of course. Mom worries that he’ll work himself into another stroke, or worse. So I pitch in as unobtrusively as I can. Dad’s no fool though. He knows what I’m doing. But he appreciates the help because he doesn’t have to admit that he can’t do it himself. And it eases Mom’s mind, too.”

“All the more reason we shouldn’t impose. If it’s not too much to ask, could I bother you for a ride to the next town? Springfield, I think you said. We’ll find a room there.” Misreading the look on his face, she quickly added, “I’ll pay you for your time and gas.”

“You don’t have to pay me anything,” he replied shortly. “If you want to go to Springfield, I’ll be happy to drive you.” His tone contradicted his words and he wondered why it bothered him that she wanted to stay in a hotel. She was a stranger to him; for all he knew, she had more personal baggage than was loaded in the back of his truck. Sure, she was attractive; all right, drop dead gorgeous but he knew nothing about her…except that her smile, which she guarded like a precious gem, lit up her face in a way that warmed his heart. And her interaction with her daughter was so sweet and affectionate he doubted that she had a mean bone in her body. Shit! Thirty minutes in her presence and he was a goner!

Feeling like he had to give it one more try he said, “You realize there are advantages to staying in Celebration. Everything in town is within walking distance so you wouldn’t need to rent a car. You already know two people so you wouldn’t be among strangers, and you’d be close by if Frankie needed to get ahold of you.”

She had to admit that he made some good points. The cost of renting a car would make another dent in her rapidly depleting savings. Add to that a week’s hotel stay and it was enough to make her cry. She shuddered to think of ending up in California completely penniless. But stay in the home of strangers? If she was alone she might consider it but there was Kimber to think of.

As if reading her mind, Joe said, “My parents are great with kids. Love ’em, in fact. And they have lots of toys and books and stuff for when the grandkids come to visit. It really won’t be a problem for you to stay.” His voice had taken on a pleading tone and he wondered again why it was so important that she say yes.

Giving it another moment’s thought, Monica nodded, “I accept the invitation. And thank you. I appreciate your help.” Reaching out, she laid her hand on his arm only to pull it back quickly when a spark of something—desire maybe?—crackled through her. Shaken, she walked over to where Kimber had fallen asleep on the grass, an ever watchful Leroy stretched out by her side. “Come on, baby. Let’s go.” Lifting her daughter in her arms, she skirted past Joe where he held the door open for her and managed to climb into the passenger seat of the pick-up without assistance. Touched to find that he’d laid her purse and Kimber’s backpack on the floorboard she met his gaze, startled to feel that same spark set her body tingling. Her eyes followed his every step, admiring the easy way he moved, as he closed the door and walked around the front of the truck. When he reached the driver’s side door she averted her gaze, lest he catch her ogling him.

Joe whistled for Leroy and waited until the pooch hopped in and settled behind the seat before stepping up and slipping behind the wheel. Glancing over at Monica, he found her looking straight ahead out the windshield, her hands cradling Kimber, who had fallen asleep again. He opened his mouth to ask if she was okay then closed it before making a sound. She didn’t seem like she was in the mood to talk and an uncomfortable silence settled around them.

Turning the key, he waited until the Ford sprang to life then pulled out onto the road. The early evening temperature was in the low 70s and he rolled down his window, a soft breeze ruffling his hair. “Is this too much air on you?” he asked, risking another glance at the passenger seat.

“No, it’s fine,” Monica answered, leaning back in her seat and taking a deep breath. “It’s nice; fresh and clean. Not like the city. There, there are so many aromas they get lost in one another, you know?” She looked over to find him nodding.

“I remember. Everything was so jumbled together you couldn’t pick one smell out from another. Except on trash day. There’s no mistaking trash day.”

She laughed. “You’re right about that. Where did you live?”

“I moved around a lot after high school,” he answered evasively not wanting to discuss his past. It brought up too many painful memories, especially about not being there when his family needed him. Though they held no grudge against him for his choices, he’d never been able to forgive himself.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?” Joe had momentarily forgotten that he wasn’t alone in the truck.

“For being the cause of that expression on your face. I didn’t mean to pry.”

He looked over to find her watching him, concern evident in her eyes. “No need to be sorry. You didn’t do anything wrong. Some experiences are not worth remembering, that’s all.”

“You’re right about that,” she agreed. They rode in silence for the next few minutes, Monica taking note as they drove toward a more populated area of town. The streets were clearly residential though an occasional sign advertising tax services or sewing alterations could be seen gracing a front lawn. The houses seemed to be well tended and almost every driveway had a car parked in it, indicating that the work day was done and families were, as Frankie had mentioned earlier, enjoying supper together. She wondered what that would be like; too many nights she’d had to work late, the babysitter giving Kimber supper before tucking her into bed. And Philip had never joined them. Even before the divorce, it’d been rare for the three of them to share a meal together.

Shaking away her thoughts of the past, she concentrated on the scenery outside of her window. Within a few blocks the homes had given way to businesses, and now they were circling the town square. A red brick, multi-storied courthouse, complete with a white clock face, stood proudly on a half-acre of freshly-mown grass, encircled by a black, wrought iron fence. It was the quintessential picture of a small town, and she discovered that she kind of liked it. She’d always thought of herself as a city girl but she was beginning to feel stirrings that had long been forgotten. “So tell me about this Fourth of July celebration. Must be a big deal if the motel is already booked.”

Listening for sarcasm but deciding that she was sincerely asking, Joe filled her in on the town’s events, including a parade, baseball game, town picnic, and culminating with a huge fireworks display. “Folks come from miles around for Celebration’s fireworks show. You’ll love it. Kimber, too. She’s not afraid of loud noises, is she?”