Page 8 of A New Chapter in Rosewood Beach

“Hey, McCormick!” someone called loudly. “We need you over here.”

“Bye, sweetheart.” Ryan gave her another quick kiss. “Thank you again. I’ll see you later. Dinner’s on me!”

He waved to her, the picture of happiness, and she waved back as enthusiastically as she could. As she walked away from the construction site, however, she could feel her heart sinking. She didn’t know what to make of his comment. Was it the kind of thing she should worry about, or did it not really mean anything? Would Ryan be open to the idea of their relationship becoming more serious, or was she just wasting her time?

Dean sat in his office, tapping his fingers against the top of his desk. On his computer screen was the contact information for the last of the applicants who had expressed interest in the job posting that Noelle had helped him create. He had just finished calling the other applicants and speaking to them briefly over the phone. So far, each of them had seemed terse and not at all like a people person. He didn’t want to fault them for being quiet or introverted, but he was looking for someone who showed a genuine interest in both cars and people.

He knew that more people might apply for the job, but at the moment, he was feeling as though it wasn’t going to work out. He appreciated what Noelle had tried to do, but he didn’t want to hire someone who wasn’t going to be a good fit. He figured that he would simply have to fire them after a while once someone better-suited for the job came along, and he didn’t feel right about doing something like that.

He sighed as he picked up his phone, getting ready to call the final applicant. The man’s name was Jeff Lawson, and he seemed to have good credentials and experience, but Dean didn’t feel that would be enough to hire him. He needed someone who would be able to take on the responsibility not only of car repair, but also of maintaining Main Street Auto’s good name as a friendly place.

But I told Noelle I would try,he thought with a chuckle.I’m not going to let her down. Try I will.

He cleared his throat and began to dial the number.

CHAPTER SIX

Terrence pushed open the front door of Main Street Auto and wrinkled his nose slightly. Although he held mechanics in high regard, he was not a fan of the way auto shops always reeked of car tires and various oils and fluids.

Dean has done well for himself here,he thought as he looked around the lobby with a smile.

The auto shop was clean and well-organized, and photos of smiling customers in front of their cars lined the walls, giving the place a cheerful atmosphere. Terrence had a feeling that one of Dean’s sisters had talked him into that idea, but he thought it was a great one. Probably Julia, he reflected. She was so good at marketing and things like that.

Terrence was there to pick up his car, which he’d dropped off earlier in the day. It needed the battery replaced with a new one, and he’d been pleased when Dean had called him to let him know that the problem would be easy to solve and not terribly expensive.

As if summoned by Terrence’s thoughts, Dean appeared in the doorway leading into the lobby.

“Terrence,” he said warmly as he approached the older man and gave him a handshake.

“Welcome back.”

Terrence had been to many of the Owens family dinner nights as a special guest of Vivian’s, and he was on friendly terms with all of Vivian’s children and their partners. He’d barely gotten a chance to speak to Dean that morning when he’d dropped off his car and he was eager to have a moment to check in with the young man.

“Thanks for taking care of that so quickly,” Terrence said as he followed Dean to the front desk so that he could pay his bill. “I appreciate it.”

“Of course.” Dean grinned at him. “We pride ourselves on our good service here. Can’t have you stuck without a car too long. Most people in town can get around on foot pretty well, but I know you need to drive to other neighboring towns for your health inspections.”

“That’s very true.” Terrence nodded, pleased that Dean had been thoughtful enough to consider that. “I do a lot of driving. What do I owe you?”

Dean told him a price with a grin on his face, and Terrence frowned.

“That can’t be right. You told me it was at least a hundred dollars more than that.”

Dean shrugged. “Friends and family discount.”

Terrence made a face as he took a hundred-dollar bill from his wallet and wiggled it determinedly into the tip jar. “I want to pay you for your work.”

Dean laughed. “You’re a stubborn man, Terrence Rawlins. We appreciate you.”

“I appreciate you. It’s good to have such a reliable auto shop here in town. I’ve lived places where there were four or five mechanic shops, and I didn’t really trust any of them.”

Dean smiled. “Thanks for saying that. I want to make sure our customers feel like they can trust us. Not only to do good work, but to not overcharge them or anything like that.”

“You’re undercharging, in your case,” Terrence said with a chuckle.

He finished writing out a check for the amount that Dean had quoted him and then handed it to the other man with a smile. “How have things been with you, Dean? How have you been feeling?”

As a close friend of the Owens family, Terrence knew all about Dean’s struggles with osteoarthritis. He cared sincerely about the young man’s wellbeing, and he hoped that Dean was finding it easier than ever to handle his physical ailment.

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