Page 80 of I Knew He Was Trouble
Kelsey blushes. “Thanks.” Her mouth pulls to the side. “As for helping with the event…unless you know information about Chevys and Fords, then I’m not sure—”
“Oh, like the ’63 Split Window?” I point behind her. “And that ’72 Mustang over there? Yeah, I think I’ve got you covered.”
She raises an eyebrow. “I know you told me your dad was a classic car fanatic, but I didn’t realize you knew so much.”
“Looks like we’ll have lots to talk about tonight on our date.” I shoot her what I hope is a flirty grin. She blushes, so I don’t think I bungled it too badly. Her reaction fills me with confidence, making me stand taller. “For now, put me to work, boss.”
“If you could just walk around the cars and answer the residents’ questions, that would be amazing.”
I nod and step aside as the residents slowly make their way from the building to the parking lot.
“Welcome to the first annual Sunrise Springs Classic Car Show,” Kelsey greets them.
“Now, we’re talkin’,” Hank grumbles.
Kelsey smiles. “I had a hunch you’d like this event.”
“Much better than the dancin’ and flower classes.”
I walk over to a lady standing near the Mustang.
“Didn’t Mary Sue say she drove a pony like this one?” she asks.
I slide my hands into my pockets. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know a Mary Sue, ma’am.”
The woman harrumphs and walks away. I press my lips into a firm line. This is off to a great start.
I join a man at the next car in the lineup. “A ’53 Five-Window Chevrolet?” He stares at it in awe. “I drove one on my pap’s farm—little six-cylinder would pull harder than a fit-and-fiddle ox.” He laughs before turning to me. “I can’t remember. Do those have a straight axle or leaf springs?”
“The one-tons had leaf springs in addition to the straight axle to handle the additional weight.”
He clucks his tongue. “Man, what I wouldn’t give to take one of these for a spin again.”
“I’ll have to check with Sunrise Springs and the car’s owner, but I’ll see if I can make it happen for you.”
The man’s mouth pulls up into a giant grin. “That’s mighty nice of you.”
I dip my chin in a nod and continue walking between all the cars.
A woman stops me with a hand on my arm. “Is this a Business Coupe?”
I sigh, grateful for a real question from one of the women. “Yes, it’s a ’46 Ford Business Coupe. Did you own one?”
“My daddy did. He was caught doing funnybusinessin the backseat with his secretary in the office parking lot, if you know what I mean.”
So much for a serious question. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“My mama wrung him out for everything he was worth, so it wasn’t so bad.”
I don’t know what to say to that. Thankfully, one of the men approaches and runs his hand along the hood. “Do these things still run on leaded gasoline?”
I shake my head. “They don’t sell leaded fuel for on-road vehicles anymore. Automobiles stopped being manufactured for leaded gas five decades ago.”
“That long ago already?” The man rubs his mostly bald head. “Time flies, son. Don’t let it pass you by.”
I find Kelsey in the crowd and smile as I watch her interact with a few residents. Even from a glance, it’s obvious they love her. Kelsey is the definition of a hard worker; she puts her all into everything she does, and it shows. Whether it’s working here, with the dogs she walks, or with Evie, she’s good at it all.
“Yoohoo, excuse me.” A high-pitched feminine voice reaches my ears. I turn until I find a woman standing by a Triumph, gesturing me over.
