Page 35 of Love in Mission City: The Shorts

I stretched as I rose.Kendra’s motorcycle was ready to go, and I had several buyers lined up to take her for a spin.I also had called a guy selling a classic Harley.

A few questions had him opening up on his reasons for selling.A Parkinson’s diagnosis meant driving his baby just wasn’t possible.But he wanted her to go to someone who’d love her.

I gave him a general overview of my enthusiastic young buyer and he said he was sure we could make a deal.

A pretty productive morning.

Now, though, I was ravenous.I locked up the work area and headed to the bathroom so I could relieve myself and scrub the grease off my hands.I didn’t do a bad job, but I didn’t want dirty nails.Except Dickens knew who I was.I was a mechanic and damn proud of it.

I flipped the closed sign in the window and headed out, locking the front door as I went.I eyed up and down First Avenue and landed on the exact store I sought.Within a few minutes I had what I wanted, and now I debated what to get for lunch.Had Dickens eaten?Would he want me to show up with food?Was I being too presumptuous?

Fuck it.

I grabbed a bagel with cream cheese and a BLT from Tim Horton’s and headed back down to our shops.I didn’t make it ten steps before I felt the first drops of rain.I hurried, but not fast enough, and within moments, the skies opened up, and the rain pounded down.

Crap.Crap.Crap.

The food was in a paper bag that would break if I didn’t get it out of the rain soon.I sprinted the rest of the way, staying under awnings whenever possible.By the time I got to The Owl’s Nest, I was soaked.I threw myself inside and shut the door against the blowing wind.

A giggle drew my attention.

I stood, sopping wet, just inside the door of the shop.I didn’t dare take another step, lest I spread the wet to the beautiful books.

Sunshine met my gaze and held up a finger.She disappeared into the back room, and before I registered her departure, she was back with a towel.She removed the bag of food from my hands, and I grasped the towel gratefully.I rubbed at my hair, my beard, and my face.The rest of my clothes were soaked, but nothing to be done about that now.It’d all dry.Fortunately the air conditioner had been turned off, so the store was a pleasant temperature without being stuffy.

Sunshine stuck her nose into the bag.“Oh, BLT.Lovely.Dickens’s favorite.”

“I, uh, wasn’t sure if he’d eaten.”

She shook her head.“He’s been in the back room diligently working on something all morning.I’ve been tending the store.”Her blue eyes lit.“Darlene told me you’ve hired her.”She pressed a hand to her chest.“Thank you for that.I was worried, but couldn’t say anything.”

“Well, she’s qualified, and Dickens recommended her.”As if this were the most natural thing in the world.

A wistful expression crossed the young woman’s face.“Not everyone is so understanding about limitations.”To my puzzled expression, she elaborated.“Limited hours.Having kids.You know, stuff.”

I chuckled.“Oh, you mean life?I’m good with working around life.”I sniffed.“And thank you for closing up yesterday.”

An easy shrug.“I knew you’d overdone it, but that you’d be okay.I just didn’t realize how truly fine you would turn out to be.”

Her tone carried no licentiousness, but it left me with no doubt what she referred to.“He told you?”

She grinned.“He didn’t have to.Written all over the dear man’s face.Plus—” She pointed to my left hand.“—I’d say you enjoyed yourself as well.”

I’d forgotten I had brought the gift for Dickens.“Over the top?”

“Never.”She winked.“Let me go get him.”Without leaving me time to comment, she headed back through the door.

I passed the towel over my head again, although I wasn’t sure it made any difference.Before I could opine about my state of dampness, Dickens appeared.

He held something small and black in his hand.He spotted me and stopped.

“Sunshine,” he muttered.

“Uh, no, Spike.”

His grin was slow and steady.“No, Fritz.”

My cheeks flamed.“It’s Spike.”

---