“It may be a while before we can get to you,” the operator said, after Lauren explained the situation. “We have had numerous accidents requiring tows. Sit tight, and we will get to you as soon as we can.”
Sit tight? As if she had much of a choice. It wasn’t as if she could run out and get a coffee. “Any idea how long it might be?”
“Minimum of an hour.”
“Thank you.” After all, what else could she say? Complaining wouldn’t make a tow truck appear any faster. With a flick of her wrist, Lauren tossed the phone back into her bag and leaned between the bucket seats to reach the sweatshirt in the backseat. She’d thrown it back there so she could take it to school on Monday to keep in her closet. Now, though, the extra layer would come in handy. The heat had only been off for a few minutes, but already the temperature in the car was dropping.
Nate kept his speed a good ten miles per hour below the speed limit as he drove down Route 3 toward home. The high winds combined with the heavy snowfall made visibility poor. Yet he didn’t mind the storm, or at least he wouldn’t once he made it home. It had been a while since he’d experienced a good New England snowstorm. Outside, the headlights of his Mustang illuminated a red Mini with a ‘Love to Dance’ bumper sticker on the back. He knew that car. After all, how many red Minis could there be in the area with a bumper sticker like that? Not many. And even if it wasn’t Lauren, whoever it was needed help. No person in his right mind . . . or her right mind . . . would be pulled over for fun on a night like this. Without any hesitation, Nate pulled up behind the parked car, put his in neutral, and approached the tiny car.
The inside of the Mini was dark, but through the driver-side window he could make out Lauren huddled in the front seat with her arms wrapped around herself. What had she been thinking to come out tonight? The conditions downright sucked. No one should be out unless absolutely necessary. If he’d known they’d get this bad on his way home, he would’ve camped out at the office tonight. Without considering what Lauren’s reaction might be, he rapped his knuckles on the window. Immediately, Lauren’s body jumped and her head whipped around toward him. The look on her face went from fear to shock and finally relief.
“What the hell are you doing out here?” Nate demanded once she opened her car door.
“Kelly needed a ride to the hospital. On the way home the car started making a god-awful sound. Now it won’t start at all. I’m waiting for the tow truck, but they’re very busy tonight.” She rubbed her hands up and down her arms.
Nate took a step forward prepared to wrap his arms around her and keep her warm, but he stopped himself just in time. He’d lost the right to touch her a long time ago, and he may never earn it back. Her behavior the other night at her house proved that much. “How long have you been out here?”
Lauren pushed up her sleeve to check her watch. “About fifteen minutes. They said it would be at least an hour before they got here.”
“Come on, you can wait in my car until they get here, and then I’ll drive you home.”
Lauren didn’t argue. She grabbed her things and followed him back to his car. After they were both inside, he cranked up the heat. Though she hadn’t complained, she looked half-frozen.
“Thanks for stopping,” Lauren said as she spread her hands out in front of the air vents.
“Anytime. Is Kelly okay? Did she have the baby?”
“Not yet. At least when I left the hospital she hadn’t. Her water broke earlier tonight, so I think she will have the baby soon. Jared promised to call after the baby is born.”
Turning down the heat to keep from melting, he said, “Your parents must be excited. This is their second grandchild, right?”
“Third. Matt has two kids. Jenny just turned three, and Connor is almost six.”
“My nephew turned six this month.”
Lauren reached out and readjusted an air vent. “I know. David and Connor are both in Mrs. Parker’s kindergarten class.”
“I can’t believe that woman is still there.” Mrs. Parker had already been a veteran teacher when they’d been in her class.
“I think she just enjoys teaching, and she’s good at it. All the kids love her. Even the ones that don’t get her as a teacher.”
“She was one of my favorite teachers,” Nate said. “Do you remember that puppet she used when she read stories?”
For the next hour they shared their good and bad memories from elementary school. When flashing lights finally pulled up in front of Lauren’s car, Nate reached for the door. “Looks like the tow truck is here.”