Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“Yeah, um, you remember where the laundry room is?”
She smiled and nodded. “I’ll just grab them and run back downstairs and change.”
“Sounds good.”
“Did you want me to put more wood in the fire downstairs?”
Looking at her, confused, I asked, “The fire?”
“Yeah,” she said with a tilt of her head. “You started a fire downstairs in the family room.”
Shit, I had forgotten all about it.
“I’ll take care of it.”
With a nod, she turned on her heels and went to the laundry room, then down to the guest bedroom.
I tried to gain my equilibrium. Having Haven in my home, in my clothes, in my bedroom, and eating at my dining room table was not in my cards for today. I needed to remember why Haven Larson was off limits. Her father had hurt her in ways that I still couldn’t wrap my head around, and I was the last guy who needed to be messing around with her emotions. She deserved someone far better than me.
Before I could head back downstairs, the doorbell rang. I knew instantly it was Hank. I quickly went to the door and motioned for him to come in.
“Holy crap,” he said as he left his umbrella on the porch and walked in. “It is coming down in sheets.”
“How are the roads?”
“Some are flooding, some are fine. I tell you what, though, if the temperature keeps dropping, we may get flurries.”
I glanced past him to look out the window on the door. It was a downpour out there.
“Haven’s car?”
“It’s in your driveway.” He looked past me.
“She’s changing back into her dry clothes.”
Hank nodded, then leaned in close. “I didn’t have her size tire, so I couldn’t bring it. Nate, all of her tires need to be replaced. They hardly have any tread on them. I know Haven’s mother can’t help her, but she needs new tires.”
“That bad, huh?”
He nodded.
Frowning, I said, “I was going to see if you could take it in and plug it.”
Shrugging, he said, “I can, but it won’t last much longer. I don’t even give it from here to her place in town.”
I reached up and stroked the stubble that was growing on my chin. “She needs to be able to drive it once this weather settles down.”
“I can take it back to the garage and see what I can do.”
“Damn, I’m sorry I had you bring it here. I thought you could just bring a spare tire with you.”
“I would have if I had it. I’d be worried about her driving in this rain on the other three tires, though.”
Nodding, I said, “Take the spare with you. It might be in better shape. I’ll pay for it all, and if she needs new tires, just bill me for that.”
Hank rubbed his neck. “Haven won’t like that.”
“How do you know Haven won’t like that?” I asked in irritation.
He looked up at me with a surprised look. “She’s so independent and likes to take care of everything herself.”
How in the hell did Hank Walker know that about Haven?
“Hey, Hank!” Haven called out as she walked down the hall to both of us. “Is my car here?”
“It is, but you aren’t going anywhere until you get the tire fixed.”
“Can it be plugged, do you think?”
He shrugged like he had done only seconds ago with me. “Maybe, but the tread is pretty bad, Haven. You’ll be lucky if it lasts until you get home.”
She chewed on her lower lip. “How much is it for a new tire?”
“I can get you a quote when I return to the shop.”
“I can pay for it.”
Haven’s head snapped to the left as she looked at me. “Thank you, Nate, but not necessary.” She focused back on Hank. “Just do what you need to do to get it fixed. I need my car to get home.”
“I can give you a ride home,” Hank said with a smile. “Once I fix the tire, I’ll put it back on your car and bring it to you.”
I was sure my mouth was hanging open as I watched Hank blush and fiddle with his baseball cap while waiting for Haven to agree.
Finding my voice, I said, “I’ll give Haven a ride home. Probably best that you just take her car with you then, Hank. I’m sorry to make you come this way for nothing.”
“No problem at all.” He turned to Haven. “What would you like for me to do, Haven?”
“If you wouldn’t mind towing the car to the shop. I, um, well…if you think it needs a new tire, go ahead and put one on. That would be great, and if you could be mindful of the cost.”
Hank looked at me, then back to Haven. “Truth be told, Haven, all the tires need replacing.”
With a lift of her chin just a bit higher, she smiled. “Okay, just give me the best deal you can.”