Just a Little White Lie(4)
Reaching into his hip pocket, he took out his wallet and flipped it open, showing her his driver’s license. “Jake Parker.”
“Mr. Parker.” She nodded. “Lucinda Darling.”
Lucinda Darling? He considered that. Could it be? Nah. Too much of a coincidence.
She backed closer still to her car. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Sorry.” He shook his head. “It’s just…you remind me of someone.”
She tipped her head, those incredible eyes growing even more wary.
He smiled, determined to put things on a friendlier footing. “Lucinda, it’s real nice to meet you. Maybe we should see about getting you to that church.” He walked to the front of her car. “Wanna release your hood?”
“Excuse me?”
“There’s a little lever by the door on the driver’s side. It’ll pop the hood so I can see if this is an ailment I can fix or if we need to call in the car doctor.”
“Oh, of course.” She reached inside and pulled the release. “But the church…”
“How far away is it?”
“About two hundred and fifty miles or so, I’d guess. Straight south.”
Jake jerked up so quickly, he rapped his head on the corner of the hood. “Ouch.” He rubbed the bump on it, then rested his hands on the car. “Florida?”
She nodded.
“You’re headin’ in the wrong direction.”
“Actually, no.”
His brows rose.
“Long story.”
He cut his eyes to her. “No doubt. Got a groom waiting back there for you?”
“Maybe.”
“Maybe?” He laughed.
A semi flew past, whipping the skirts of the mysterious bride’s gown into a frenzy. She turned her back to avoid the kicked-up dust and debris pelting them. A second rig whizzed by, the driver smiling and honking his air horn.
Jake studied the engine and shook his head. “Nothin’ simple here, I’m afraid. We’re gonna have to call the tow truck. You got Triple A?”
“Yes.”
“Good enough. They’ll come pick up you and your car and take good care of you.”
A huge sigh escaped her. “What I don’t have is a phone that works. Mine’s out of juice. And because the car won’t run, my charger’s useless.”
He reached into his shirt pocket. “Here you go, sugar.”
Intent on giving her some privacy, he walked back to his bike and tightened his saddlebags while he waited.
After a short conversation, she moved toward him, holding out his phone. “Thanks.”
“Everything taken care of?”
She shrugged. “I guess.”
“You don’t sound very sure.”
“The mechanic said it’s probably the alternator. Since they don’t carry one for my car, they’ll have to order the parts.”
“So you’re stranded.”
“Essentially.”
“Where were you headed?”
She shrugged again, the strapless wedding gown moving over perfect breasts with the motion. He forced himself to look up, meet her eyes. Some poor guy woke up this morning expecting a wedding night with her that wasn’t gonna happen. Now there was a reason to cry in your beer if he’d ever heard one.
“How long is it gonna be before they get here?”
She twisted those luscious lips. “About thirty minutes. Seems they only have one truck, and it’s already out on a call. My run of good luck knows no bounds.”
He shouldn’t, and he knew it. “Well, you’re welcome to hitch a ride with me,” he heard himself say. “Can’t say the hog’s ever had a real, honest-to-God bride on the back, but what the heck?”
Indecision swam in her eyes.
“I’m safe. Honest. Even had all my shots. They can pick up your car, tow it in, then we’ll check to see what’s up. In the meantime, we can grab a cup of java.”
The doubt slowly disappeared from her eyes. “Where are you heading?”
“Home. Pride, Georgia.”
“Are you out for a ride?”
“No, ma’am. I left over a year ago and haven’t been back since. But it’s time.”
She studied him. “You look sad.”
“My grandmother is sick.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Oh, we’re not gonna lose her today or even this month. But I need to go home. Spend some time with her.” He kicked at her tire. “Take care of a couple things.”
Like get married. Have a kid. Both ideas compelled him to turn around and run, fast and far. But he couldn’t do that. His grandma had always been there. Now it was his turn. Still, there had to be a way…