Page 103 of Ice Darling
My heart beats fast at the thought of Mom living right down the street. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Mom. Lucky Falls is a simple town with no big-city amenities. Besides, Mills is a great driver, so traveling back and forth won’t be too big of a hassle.”
“Great! Thank you.”
“Thank you? I didn’t say I?—”
“I won’t keep you long since you have work to do. Mills will come around five. Love you. Ta-ta!”
The line goes dead.
Mills parks the town car outside the garage at precisely 5 p.m., drawing the attention of my bosses.
Rebel whistles under her breath and tosses a pink rag over her shoulder. “Talk about a smooth ride.”
“Wow, a ’95 Lincoln.” April bounces on the tips of her toes. “Can I take this one?”
“Toss you for it,” Rebel mutters, eyes still glued to the car.
“Heads!”
“Tails!”
“Em,” I interrupt them, “that car’s not a client. It’s here for me.” I walk to the sink to wash my hands with the high-concentration soap.
April shakes her head in wonder.
Rebel laughs. “I keep forgetting you’re a Davenport.”
“Okay, Miss Owner of an Oil Company, it’s mymother’scar. Not mine.”
“It’s not a company. It’s just one acreage with some oil on it.” Rebel picks up a wrench. “And it’s also my mother’s.”
Chuckling, I wave goodbye to my bosses and run out to meet Mills.
He’s wearing a suit as usual, and he opens the door for me with a slight dip of his head. “Miss Davenport.”
“Hey, Mills.” I beam at him.
“Delia,” a voice says from inside the car.
I look past Mills, and my smile drops when I notice Brennon in the town car, sipping on a bottled water.
Shocked, I turn to Mills. “Mother’s idea?”
“She means well.”
“Aren’t you getting in?” Brennon asks, motioning me forward.
I lean back. Every part of me wants to return to the garage, bury myself in diagnostic tools, and fix cars until I drag myself home.
“Delia?” Brennon calls again.
I force myself to get into the car.
Mills gently closes the door behind me.
“Hey, Brennon,” I say with as much politeness as I can muster. “What are you doing here?”
“Your mom asked for help arranging a house in Lucky Falls.”
