He hums, shifting to get a better look inside the guts. “Sure did. This hog is good as new.”
My daughter pumps the air. “Yay! That was fun.”
“Glad you think so. You’d make a great mechanic.”
“Really?”
“Not being afraid to get your hands dirty is most important.”
Millie lifts her filthy fingers, wiggling them for emphasis. “No problem.”
“Next time, I’ll show you how to do an oil change.” The barest hint of a grin curls his mouth.
Her gasp echoes off the stone walls. “I can come back?”
And this is the point I step in. “We’ll have to see about that. Millie, sit tight for a few minutes while I talk to Ford.” If he whips up another excuse to evade me, I’ll be forced to drag my daughter away kicking and screaming. Bad manners, such as very rudely ignoring one’s existence, isn’t something she should be further exposed to. A whoosh escapes me when the broody jerk stands. I’d forgotten how tall and broad he was.
“I’m gonna talk to your mom for a bit, Peep.”
“Peep?” I swing my gaze between them, settling on my daughter.
Millie blinks at me, completely unfazed. “That’s Crawford’s nickname for me.”
“Why Peep?”
She wrinkles her nose, those freckles winking at me. “Because I don’t talk a lot, just little peeps. You know that, Mama.”
And Crawford is observant enough to notice. That traitorous organ in my chest begins beating wildly. I will not swoon. Will not. Absolutely not going to happen. But the way she’s preening is impossible to ignore. He’s going to be a tough bump to dodge.
“You good with me calling her that?”
I almost startle at Crawford’s question. Did he actually initiate a conversation? I shove away the urge to fan my face. “Uh, yep. It’s really sweet.”
“Good. Take this, Peep.” He passes Millie a clean rag. “Polish the fender for me, okay?” Crawford gestures to the already spotless section of chrome.
She beams at him and gets scrubbing. I send up a silent wish that this man doesn’t fracture her heart. Regardless of how he’s been treating me, my priorities will always favor her.
When Crawford finally turns to me, all traces of joy vanish from his expression. All I get is a bland neutrality, as if he’s slipped on a mask. That shouldn’t sting; he’s barely more than a stranger. So, why is there an ache spreading through my chest?
“Let’s get this over with,” he mutters.
The warm affection that had been spreading through me fizzles out with a hiss. I cross my arms and return his glare. “Is there a reason you’re being so…grumpy with me?” Yes, I’m a mom and proud of it.
“Nope.” Back to one word responses. Awesome.
I’m more than capable of taking the reins. Talking to him was my idea, after all. But where to start? I tuck some hair behind my ear and go with simple. “All right, I’ll get to the point.”
“‘Bout damn time.” He towers over me, but I don’t let his bulk intimidate.
“Listen, asshat. I’m trying to play nice for the sake of my daughter, who’s monitoring us very closely. The least you can do is fake it for her.” My snarled words are somewhat contained through clenched teeth. Millie doesn’t need to see me fighting with her new buddy. Inside, I’m a seething momma bear more than ready to rip this moron to shreds.
A muscle in his jaw tics. “Fine, let’s talk.”
“I’m so grateful you found Millie. This is twice you’ve gotten us out of a bind. How can I repay you?” Not sure what the hell I have to offer him that he’ll willingly accept, but I need to make the attempt.
“We’re all set.” His frosty tone is beginning to irk me.
“I disagree. She took up your time.”
A limp shrug. “I was on a break. No big deal.”
I cock out my hip, getting a slight thrill when his gaze tracks the movement. “You certainly have a knack for saving others.”
“It’s not intentional.” Shadows cloud his gaze. He’s so damn guarded, and I find myself wondering why. But that’s a dangerous road to travel down.
“But natural?”
His eyes narrow. “I don’t go looking.”
“Imagine what could happen if you did.”
“Not sure what you’re insinuating, but I’ll leave that for the real heroes.”
I furrow my brow at his clear dismissal of the subject. “Is that why your garage is nestled between the middle of nowhere and the boonies? You’re really separated from society.”
“That’s how I prefer it.”
“Why?” I tack on the fakest grin to reflect the mirth in my voice.
Crawford’s scowl deepens, and my attempt falls flat. “I’m not much of a people person. At all.”
I do my best not to flinch. Yikes, okay. “You seem to be getting along with Millie well enough.”
“She’s an innocent kid. Big difference.”
I force my smile to remain plastered on, brittle as it might be. What the hell does that make me? An insufferable hag? Talk about insinuations. I’m sure he’s expecting a reaction, which is precisely why I take extra measures to school my expression. A deep inhale through my flaring nostrils provides me with a lungful of stale oxygen. The punch of oil and grease provide an unnecessary reminder of where I am. This is Crawford’s space, and I’m toeing the line. I smooth the already flat fabric of my shirt.
“I’m glad she isn’t hurt, or too scared.” I study Millie for a moment. She’s anything but traumatized. “You’ve turned this into a great day for her. Thank you for that.”
“She’s easy to be around.” That might be the kindest thing he could say.
The grin I offer is genuine. “Thanks for saying that.”
“Wasn’t for your benefit.” Ruining warm-fuzzies must be one of his hobbies.
I force myself to swallow a scream. “Of course not.”
“We about done with this charade?” Crawford’s gaze bounces around the room, never landing on me for longer than a second. He can’t stand to look at me. Am I that repulsive to him? His rejection lodges in my throat,
