A Man to Trust by Carrie Turansky

Author:Carrie Turansky
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2011-08-19T04:00:00+00:00

Ross turned the key and cranked his car engine for the third time. Please, God, let it start. The futile whirring sound filled the air, mocking him. He lifted his eyes. “What am I supposed to do now?”

With a weary shake of his head, he climbed out and popped the hood. Was it the battery? He squinted and leaned in closer, but he had no idea what he was looking for. His automotive skills ranked right up there with his cooking abilities.

Adrie drove into the bookstore’s parking lot and waved to him.

He lifted his hand and forced a half smile. Adrie had asked for the morning off so she could record the CD she planned to send to the Minnesota Philharmonic. A painful, hollow feeling hit his stomach, and it had nothing to do with skipping lunch.

Adrie parked next to Ross and climbed out. “Having car trouble?”

He glared at the lifeless engine. “Yeah. It won’t start.”

Adrie stepped up next to him. “Wish I could help, but my skills are limited to adding fluids and checking tire pressure. And that’s a stretch for me.”

The same was true for him, but he hated to admit it. Instead, he reached in and wiggled a couple hoses and tapped on the battery cables. A lot of good that did. “Guess I’ll have to call a tow truck and have them take it to a garage.”

Clamping his jaw, he slammed the hood closed. Where would he come up with the money to pay for towing and car repairs? His budget was still strained from being out of work for two months.

His budget woes and the bookstore’s were frighteningly similar. This morning Marian had called him in the office and showed him the final September sales figures, and warned him if their holiday sales weren’t spectacular, the store might have to close in January. Then Adrie had left to record her CD, reminding him if he didn’t win her heart soon, she would be playing her flute in Minneapolis while he ran the bookstore in Fairhaven—if there still was a bookstore to run. And now his car was on the blink!

Adrie laid her hand on his arm. “Sorry about your car. Were you on your way somewhere?”

The warmth of her hand spread through him, calming his churning thoughts. “I was going to the bank to make the deposit.” He patted the envelope in his jacket pocket. “Then I was going to stop by Cam’s to take in the mail and check on the house.” His friends weren’t due home from their Hawaiian honeymoon for another ten days.

She looked up at him with a sympathetic gaze. “I could give you a ride. Nana’s not expecting me until one.” She tipped her head and smiled. “And there’s something I want to talk to you about.”

His ears perked up. If she wanted to talk, he was eager to listen. “Thanks. That would be great.”

“What about calling the tow truck?”

“I can take care of that when we get back.

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