Page 82 of Missile Tow
I leaned into her like we were long-lost buddies sharing a secret. “Adventure Bound is worth more than three thousand dollars, ma’am.”
She seemed delighted with my news. “Oh my,” she said, leaning closer to me. “And I havesoooomany.”
We shared a laugh, and then she reached for my hand. I whispered in her ear. “I won’t tell anyone you’re sitting on a gold mine, ma’am.”
Sadie’s eyes softened. “You are truly a kind soul, Vance.”
“I miss my grandmother,” I admitted, placing her figurine on the shelf and facing her. “Gee-Gee educated me in collectables and art. She adored Hummels.”
“Do you have any of hers?”
“My mother has them all,” I explained. “So one day… hopefully a long time from now… I bet I’ll get them from my mother. I’ll share some with you, ma’am.”
“Oh, son,” she began. “I only wish I’d be around then. Of course, only if your mother were still on earth with us, too. But I’m almost ninety now. My time is short.”
“How about we share some wine in the future and discuss your collection in more detail?”
“You’d do that with me?”
“I’d be delighted,” I responded. “Let’s see where I’m at after the new year. We can decide once I know.”
She studied me carefully before speaking. “I hope it’s here in Missile, son,” she said. “And I want to apologize for my behavior earlier this week. I guess I’m a bit too protective of my young boys.”
“Could you possibly add me to your list of protected boys?”
Sadie teared up, and I noticed that the woman who put on such airs and built tall walls around herself was, in fact, a lovely woman worth knowing.
“If you decide to stay, Vance, I’ll do just that.”
Sadie and I were in mid-hug when Chip came across the room, shoving his cell phone into his back pocket. “I’m sorry, Van. Tow call just came in. I gotta run, but if the job is quick, I’ll be back in time for dessert.”
“I’m going with you,” I insisted.
“No. You stay and entertain Mrs. Hatfield.”
Sadie repositioned me facing Chip. “You’re not leaving your guy alone here on Christmas Eve, Calvin. I simply will not allow that,” she instructed. “I’ll keep plates of food warm for you both. Now, hurry back.
“Thank you, ma’am,” Chip said, turning to leave.
“Hang on, Calvin,” she said. Sadie stepped closer and adjusted Chip’s collar, looking him directly in the eyes. “You’ll do well to keep young Vance in Missile, son. Please do not disappoint me,” she warned.
Chip glanced toward me and then back to Sadie. “He’s a charmer, ain’t he, ma’am?” Chip asked.
“That he is, Calvin. Be sure to do your best with this one; is that clear?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he agreed, impulsively hugging her.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE: Chip
Ijumped in the truck, put the key in the ignition, and turned to Van. “I don’t know how you do that?”
He chuckled, securing his seat belt and pointing at mine. “Put your belt on, mister,” he instructed. “And do what? Be kind to a lonely old woman?” he continued.
“More like charm her out of her panties.”
“Yuck, let me lose that image really quickly,” he replied. “I think she’s simply afraid of her town changing. I imagine she prefers everyone to stay the same, never move away, and interlopers like me will have to pass her inspection.”
“Looked like you did that,” I agreed, placing the truck in gear. “Now let’s go grab the tow truck and see what kinda idiot spun out on the highway and plowed into the ditch.”
