Page 19 of Your Carriage Awaits in Crumbleton
‘If you promise me one thing,’ said Danny.
‘What’s that?’
‘Don’t let your ex anywhere near it,’ he said. ‘Going by the pile of parts in your glove box, I wouldn’t trust him within ten feet of the Buick!’
‘You’ve got it,’ said Michelle. ‘That’s the easiest promise I’ve made all year.’
CHAPTER 7
MICHELLE
‘Ithink I’m in love!’ chuckled Michelle, as she put her foot down on the long, straight stretch of road that led towards Crumbleton Clump.
The car was basically a dream come true. She wished her 1950s-obsessed teenage self could see her now – cruising along the lanes in the Buick with her very own bad boy at her side.
Only… Dannywasn’therbad boy, was he?! She needed to stop thinking idiotic things like that. Having a bit of fun with him and hopefully taking his mind off his dad for ten minutes was one thing, but imagining he was anything more than a mechanic doing her a favour was… dangerous.
Besides, Michelle was off men.Veryoff men!
Lawrence had pretty much throttled any fun out of the idea of dating. She just needed to keep her head down and figure out how she was going to pick up the tatters of her life.
‘Love, huh?’ said Danny, shooting her a sideways look she couldn’t quite read.
‘Well… yeah. I mean, I know declaring undying love on a first date is a bad idea, but have youseenher?!’ said Michelle, stroking the leather steering wheel with reverent affection.
‘I have,’ said Danny, not taking his eyes off her.
Michelle swallowed and quickly re-doubled her focus on the road ahead. Danny Dalton should come with a health warning when he said things like that!
‘Anyway…’ she said, doing her best to get her mushy brain to think straight. ‘Are you sure you don’t mind me borrowing her? Seriously?’
She knew she was repeating herself, but Michelle was having a hard time believing this was really happening.
‘It’ll do her good to be used for a while,’ said Danny. ‘Engines don’t particularly like sitting around doing nothing. Just make sure she’s got the right fuel, and if you have any problems, give me a call.’
‘I can’t believe it,’ said Michelle, shooting him a grin. ‘Thank you so much. I really owe you one!’
‘Well… I like cake,’ said Danny. ‘So, if you’re out this way when you’re cruising around?—’
‘Crumbleton bakery?’ said Michelle.
‘Always,’ said Danny. ‘Dad’s got a thing for their fruit slices, but I’ll take anything, especially if it’s covered in chocolate!’
‘Noted,’ said Michelle, trying to keep the pure joy off her face. Danny had just given her the perfect excuse to see him again… without having to break down first! ‘So… am I allowed to ask why there’s basically a world-class car museum at the back of your garage?’
Danny grinned at her. ‘It’s Dad’s thing… at least, it was to start with. He just loves buying them—no matter what state they’re in—and restoring them. Then he got me hooked, too. To be honest, it’s how I learned the trade.’
‘And the cars just sit there?’
‘Pretty much!’ said Danny. ‘I’ve always wanted to do something with them—start another side of the business.’
‘What, like hiring them out for films, or TV, or weddings…?’
‘Yeah, that sort of thing would be one part of it,’ said Danny, nodding. ‘But I’d also love to build up a side of the garage that specialises in vintage restoration.’
‘That’s an amazing idea,’ said Michelle, easing the car around a bend and revelling in its velvety purr. ‘I mean, there must be loads of people who adore their classics but don’t have the first clue how to do them up.’
‘Exactly,’ said Danny. ‘I just wish Dad was as enthusiastic!’
