Page 193 of Ice Princess

“I’msorry,” April says, looking dumbfounded. “I’m still stuck at the part where you and your mom could be literal millionaires and you haven’t told her yet.”

“We still need evidence.”

“Shecould have the evidence. Have you ever thought of that?” April points out.

“Of course I’ve thought of that.” I throw my hands wide. “But…”

“April! Rebel!” A sweet voice interrupts. We both turn to find a little girl streaming out of a car and running to us.

“Gordie, be careful!” I call, noticing her going full sprint. There are many dangerous, sharp items in a mechanic shop—even an unofficial one like this—and I don’t want her to get hurt.

“Wow!” Gordie’s eyes dart back and forth. “Is this an outdoor garage? This is so cool.”

I place my hands on my hips, smiling proudly. “It is, isn’t it?”

“She’s so fast,” an elderly woman mumbles, waddling up to us.

“Do you want to sit down?” I gesture to a plastic chair. “You look a little pale.”

“It’s alright, dear.” The woman gives me a weak smile. “We won’t stay long. Gordie just has a question for you ladies before she goes to school.”

“It’s career week and I have to write a report about a cool career. I wanted to write about astronauts, but we don’t have astronauts in Lucky Falls. So I wanted to write about mechanics.”

“We’re honored that you’d think of us, Gordie,” April says, bending down to get on Gordie’s level.

Just then, a loud rumble fills the air. Delia brings her bike to a stop on the grassy lawn. I’m used to the full, throaty roar of Delia’s bike so I only spare our new technician a quick glance and look to Gordie to continue the conversation.

But the little girl is no longer beside me.

She is floating forward, her eyes locked on Delia and her jaw dragging on the floor.

Delia pops the shade of her helmet up and, a moment later, she pulls the entire helmet off. She is one of those rare, impressive people who don’t get helmet hair so her silky black bob swishes right back into place with just a toss of her head.

“Excuse me,” Gordie’s nanny taps my hand, “I’m not feeling too well.”

“Oh no. Do you need something?”

“I’m okay.” She sniffs. “I’ll rest after I take Gordie to school. Could you watch her for a moment while I take my medication? It’s in the car.”

“Of course. Take your time.”

Delia walks into the garage and I know the moment she realizes a child is present because she jumps right out of her skin.

Gordie beams and waves at her. “Hi.”

“Hello… tiny human,” Delia says. Her eyes dart to me and April and she makes a subtle gesture towards Gordie.

April, knowing Delia’s discomfort around kids, steers a very excited Gordie toward the furthest tent while I approach Delia.

“Ready for another busy day?” I smile. “Seems like people still trust us with their cars even if our mechanic bay has…” I gesture to the trees around us, “a more woodsy aesthetic.”

She keeps a cautious eye on Gordie. “Where’s the convertible I was working on? I don’t see it?”

I point her to the back tent. “Chance helped April move the cars, but he isn’t a mechanic so he didn’t park them in the best places.”

“It’s alright. I’ll figure it out,” Delia says.

I turn in Gordie and April’s direction, intending on chatting with the little girl a bit.

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