Page 3 of Surprised By Love

I grip the steering wheel tightly, slowly taking my foot off the gas as I move towards the side of the road and turn on my hazard lights.

“Sweetie. Momma has to fix the tire, okay?” I turn back to see if Amelia heard me, but her favourite cartoons are playing on her tablet and she’s oblivious. “Don’t get up; stay in your seat. I won’t be long.”

Amelia looks at me, nods, and turns her eyes back to her screen.

I hesitate. I hate changing tires. If I even remember how to do it, it’s been so long. Derek always called roadside service, but who knows how long they would take to get here?

I’ve always prided myself on being a handy woman. Derek was always at work or on the golf course, while I would have to figure out how to fix things on my own. If I wanted anything that had to be put together, I had to do it myself.

I lean forward and pop the trunk. I cautiously exit the car, checking traffic to make sure it’s safe, then laugh. It’s on the outskirts of Sunset Creek. There’s never any traffic on this road.

The rain is coming down now at a steady pace, and I’m soaked in a matter of seconds. I head to the back of the car and crouch, sitting on the heels of my white sneakers, already covered in mud. I let out a breath, shaking my head. The tire is as flat as a pancake. I walk to the back of the car and lift the hatch, shivering in the chilly rain. Although It’s warm for the beginning of November, the sweater I have on doesn’t do much to keep me warm when I’m soaked to the bone.

I lift the suitcases and plastic totes out of the back and place them on the ground beside the car, cursing under my breath. I open the wheel well and the floorboard. Please let me know what I’m doing.

I pull out the lug wrench and jack and return to the flat tire. I squat down and put the jack in place and attempt to loosen the lug nuts. They won’t budge.

I put all my weight into it. Nothing, not even the slightest movement. “Shit,” I say, glancing back to make sure Amelia didn’t hear. I’m not in the mood to get another lecture about swearing from my six-year-old.

I try to use my foot on the wrench to see if that will help, but no luck. “Okay, this means war.”

Wiping my dripping hair out of my face, I tuck it behind my ears and take a deep breath. I squat again, using both hands, grunting as I give it all I have.

Still nothing.

I kick the tire. Swear a few times. I kick and I swear again, then I bend down and grab the lug wrench. “Stupid fucker.”

A male voice comes out of the dark from behind me. “What did that tire ever do to you?”

I jump up and whirl around, holding the wrench in my hand like a knife. My heart beats out of my chest when I see a tall, handsome man standing there.

Chapter Two

Sam

Oncemyheartbeatandbreathing slows, I glance down at the wrench and then take a good look at the man in front of me. Hot Damn! This guy is gorgeous. I didn’t notice at first, scared out of my life and all, but wow.

He’s tall, at least a foot taller than me, and muscular, but not too muscular. Looking like the model on a cover of the romance novels I read in dark jeans, a white Henley and an open black blazer. Dark brown hair, cut short with the top a little longer and, although dripping wet, I can see a slight curl to it.

I tilt my head up and look into his stunning ocean blue eyes. He smiles, showing his dimples. Oh. My. God, those dimples. I can feel my cheeks flush; I always had a thing for dimples.

I look around and take a deep breath, ignoring the rain coming down on us. “How do I know you’re not a psychopath or a serial killer or a—“

“Oh, sorry,” he says, holding out his hand. “Sergeant Prescott.”

“Sergeant?” I say, raising a brow. “You don’t look like a Sergeant.”

His brows knit together. “How exactly should a Sergeant look?”

I wave my hand up and down his body. “Not like that.”

“I’m off duty. Do you want me to show you my badge?” He grins and those damn dimples show up again.

“Oh, ummm,” I hesitate, switching the wretch to my left hand and raising my right hand to him. “Samantha.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Josh.” He tilts his head towards the tire. “Would you like some help?”

I let out a sigh of relief. “Yes, that would be great. Thank you.”

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