The Second Yes Page 5

  “Do you want me to give it to the administrator?” He turned to Sierra.

  Hmmm, where was she?

  Oh, on the armchair. On the back of the armchair. Good thing the armchair was near the wall, or she’d tip it over.

  “No,” she squeaked. “The administrator seemed rather… cruel. Just let the poor thing go. But somewhere far from here.”

  “Okay. I’ll release it outside.” He strode toward where the door used to be.

  “Wait!” A thump signified she climbed off the armchair. Obviously, with no chandeliers left, an armchair would do in a pinch. “I’ll go with you. In case this tiny animal brought friends or family.”

  He suppressed a grin as they walked outside, Sierra a sensible distance behind him, or rather, a sensible distance from the mouse. Based on this trip, he could be sure of one thing. Life with Sierra would never be boring. He froze. He could actually see himself spending a lifetime with her.

  What a ridiculous thought. Their lives and interests were in different parts of Texas. Besides, she probably didn’t forgive him for how he stopped talking to her. Even if she did… Promising her forever and leaving her again? He couldn’t do that.

  He’d have to resist his returning feelings for Sierra.

  He glanced back at her, and his heart skipped a beat.

  Yeah, he had some job ahead of him.

  Next morning, yawning, Sierra knocked on the rental car window and winced back a sting of guilt. The next hotel only had one room, and Edgar had given it up for her, claiming he’d be comfortable sleeping in the vehicle. They were both too tired to go look for another hotel.

  She shouldn’t have let him do it. They should’ve taken turns sleeping in the car.

  He’d mentioned he’d had to sleep in his car for a month when he couldn’t afford the rent in Houston. She knew he’d given most of his earnings to his brother, and the rest had gone to pay for tuition. She bottled up a wave of anger at his family for using and abusing his kindness.

  Of course, she had no room to judge. She’d abused his kindness by letting him sleep in the vehicle and let her own family abuse her kindness. Maybe he had a point, and while being helpful and generous was good, there was a fine line to being taken advantage of.

  Judging by the frown and dark circles around his eyes as he opened the door, he wasn’t comfortable at all.

  She’d probably exaggerated when she’d said she was a great travel companion.

  Slightly.

  She handed him the tall cup that warmed her fingers and a bag with donuts. “Coffee. Black and sweet. The way you like it.”

  His features softened as he accepted the cup. “Thanks. I’ll need the energy boost to keep me awake while I’m driving.”

  Their fingers brushed, causing a jolt of awareness to shoot through her. Don’t get distracted! “Um, I think it’s my turn driving. Meanwhile, you can rest.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Are you sure?”

  She squared her shoulders. “I’ll be careful.” She surveyed the car with caution. “The mouse from that hotel wouldn’t run this far and hide in the car, would she?”

  He grinned. “I don’t think so. But if it did, I’ll catch it for you.” He opened the driver’s side door for her.

  Her heart shifted as she slipped inside. Things were so much easier when Edgar was around. She smiled more, laughed more, and cherished every moment more. She needed to remind herself that he’d only joined her on this trip to help his uncle, who’d been much kinder to him than his own parents.

  Edgar would be gone after Aunt Willow’s wedding.

  She swallowed a bitter taste. Then she should be thankful for her remaining moments with him. “You’re my hero.”

  “I’d love to be.” Something flashed in his eyes.

  Huh. She turned the key in the ignition as he walked around the car, and the engine revved to life. He took the passenger’s seat, and she drove out of the parking lot.

  He said grace and sipped his coffee.

  Hmmm. He’d obviously hesitated to join her when she’d said grace yesterday, and it had upset her. Did his praying mean he was coming back to God?

  The enticing coffee aroma spread through the car.

  Then he bit into the donut. “This is delicious. Thank you for getting it for me.”

  Hunger pains tightened her stomach. She’d been in such a hurry to get to him she’d skipped her own breakfast. “No need to thank me. It came complimentary with the room.”

  As she navigated traffic, she threw him a few glances. As soon as he finished the donut and coffee, his eyelids started drooping.

  Compassion squeezed her heart as she passed a van. Poor thing! He probably didn’t get much sleep in the vehicle, and before that, she’d woken him up with her scream while hanging on a chandelier.

  He placed the empty cup in the console and blinked as if trying to stay awake.

  She put on the country music station they both liked on low. “Feel free to go to sleep.”

  He turned to her. “You don’t need me to talk to you to keep you awake? Or watch out for animals? Or…”

  She shook her head as they passed the sign indicating they were leaving the town. “Hmmm, I wonder how did I survive all these years without you?”

  “I was trying to help.” His voice dipped.

  She’d carried the hurt for him never returning for her way too many years. She sighed. “I know.” It was way overdue to let resentment go.

  Maybe God had given her this trip precisely for that. Because surely it couldn’t be for her to have another chance with Edgar, could it?

  For some time, neither one of them said a word, only a famous country singer crooned about—what else?—love.

  The next time she looked at him, his eyes were closed, and his breathing became even.

  She let her grip around the steering wheel relax and hummed to the song in a low voice, not to wake him up.

  Landscapes behind her window changed from fields to forests and back to fields. After some time, her eyelids started drooping, as well, and she wished she’d had that coffee at the hotel. She started singing a little louder to keep herself awake and rolled down the window. Fresh-grass scent drifted to her.

  What if she’d stopped hiding behind the reasons to stay in Rios Azules and had gone to the university in Houston like she’d intended? Granted, at first, Aunt Willow had needed her badly. Yes, his sister had needed her badly, too, but Uncle Bob’s business would’ve survived without her. Aunt Willow was doing better. Sierra could’ve left in the last few years.

  Her parents had been afraid for her to leave for the city where their oldest daughter had lost her life. When would Sierra stop living in the shadow of that tragic event? An accident could happen anywhere, even in Rios Azules.

  She glanced at the sleeping Edgar and toned down the volume. Regret stirred in her heart.

  Would she and Edgar have become engaged and gotten married if she’d gone with him to college like they’d dreamed? Her heart flip-flopped. Would he still walk away from her?

  Maybe God hadn’t meant Edgar for her, after all.

  As the car ate up the miles, memories flooded her….

  She loved the park near Rios Azules, so for their first real date, she’d asked him to meet her there. She found him near the picnic table. The bright sun shone on birds singing in the trees. He was in worn-out bleached jeans and an old black T-shirt, his hair sticking out in different directions as if he’d raked his fingers through it. He’d never looked more handsome.

  A large bouquet of pansies, her favorite flowers, a tub of chocolate ice cream, and a stuffed puppy were lying near him on the rustic table.

  “Sierra!” He rushed to her.

  Her heart was beating wildly, and she wanted so badly to hug him and kiss him and… She lifted her hand to stop him. “I’m sorry for ruining the date, but I found this kitten on the street a block from my house.” The tiny animal mewed pitifully close to her chest. “I think its paw is hurting.”


  “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s take the kitten to the vet.” Concern filled his eyes.

  Right then, at the ripe age of fifteen, she knew this was the man for her. That as long as she lived, she’d never feel about anyone the way she felt about Edgar.

  Apparently, he had a different opinion about her. She threw him another glance, then concentrated on the road.

  Lord, as a teenager, I thought this was the man You meant for me. Was I wrong? Why am I experiencing all these feelings again if he’s going to return to Houston soon?

  Three hours later, according to the dashboard clock, she let out a little yelp at the sign of the barbecue place farther ahead.

  “What? What happened?” Huskiness roughened Edgar’s sleepy voice.

  “Oh. Oops. Didn’t mean to wake you up.” Well, not intentionally, but her stomach perked up at the possibility of being filled soon. “How do you feel about stopping and having lunch?” She pointed at the barbecue restaurant.

  “Sure. I’d love to. Are you tired? I can take over driving after we eat.”

  “Not tired at all.” Thankfully, her sleepiness was gone. “And see, I drove for hours, and nothing happened.”

  A sound akin to a shot reverberated through the car, and the steering wheel jumped in her hands. The vehicle shook and leaned to the right. She gasped as she struggled to keep the wheel in her hands and tapped on the brake.

  What in the world?

  “We have a blowout tire. Slow down and pull to the side of the road.” His voice was urgent.

  “Um, trying to.” Lips pursed, she did her best to keep control of the vehicle. Her palms grew clammy with sweat. If she swerved into the oncoming lane…

  Lord, please help us.

  Slowly, Sierra managed to slide to the shoulder.

  Breathing hard, she placed the car in park and switched on the hazard lights. Air whooshed out of her lungs.

  Thank You, Lord.

  “When I said I’d been driving for hours and nothing happened, I probably spoke too soon.” She turned off the engine.

  “When you’re right, you’re right.” He unbuckled his seat belt. “I hope this rental has a spare. If there’s no jack here, I’ll jog to that barbecue and ask if any of the employees or patrons have one.” Then he took her shaking hands. “You did great.”

  “Really?” She drew in a careful breath. Everything inside her was still trembling.

  “Yes. Are you all right?” Compassion in his eyes touched her. What really got her was their tenderness.

  “I think so.” She steeled herself against that tenderness. “You know, usually all these things don’t happen to me. The seat belt getting stuck, the car going up in flames, or, um, hanging on the chandelier. This is the first time I have a blowout tire. My life is usually way more boring.”

  “I didn’t think I’d ever say this, but sometimes boring can be good.” After a long gaze her way, he let her hands go and slipped from the vehicle.

  She stepped out, too, and surveyed the damage. Yep, the front passenger-side tire was as good as gone. She’d probably run over a nail or something.

  Hmmm. After a hysterical call from Aunt Willow, who’d gotten stranded and had to wait for the wrecker to take her to a mechanic, Sierra had resolved to learn to do it herself. She had, so the next time Aunt Willow had a blowout, Sierra had been at her service.

  Should she tell Edgar she knew how to change a tire?

  “Got it!” He lifted a large tire from the trunk.

  “Great.” She found a few rocks of significant size and put them near the front and back tires so the car wouldn’t roll.

  Maybe she should’ve tried to make it to the restaurant parking lot. She winced each time a car whooshed by.

  “There’s no jack, though.” A tinge of disappointment accompanied his shrug.

  Of course, they could call the rental company and wait until somebody came to help.

  Or…

  “It’s okay. I’ll get it from somebody.” She sprinted toward the restaurant.

  Minutes later, out of breath, she rushed inside. Several burly truckers and a family with small girls looked up as the mouthwatering smell of barbecued meat drifted to her. Voices hummed, accompanied by a country song.

  Despite her stomach growling, she ignored the delicious scent and lifted her hand. “Excuse me. Does anyone have a jack, please? We’ve got a blowout.”

  One of the burly, broad-shouldered men in overalls and a dark cap rose. “Well, I do.”

  Swallowing hard, she peered at his large frame. He was probably twice bigger than she was. Or three times? “Could I borrow it, please?”

  The man scratched his beard, stepped to her, and stared at her. She did her best not to squirm. He smelled of cigars and fried meat.

  Edgar stepped up. When had he followed her? “We’d really appreciate that.”

  The guy nodded. “Sure.”

  She followed the man outside. Soon he climbed up his fourteen-wheeler inside the driver’s cabin. Then he jumped down and handed Edgar the jack.

  “Thank you so much. We’ll be right back.” She flashed one of her most generous smiles.

  Soon, Sierra and Edgar hurried back to the rental. He positioned the jack under the car and raised it to support the vehicle. Using the wrench, he removed the hubcap and loosened the nuts.

  Oh well. She might as well be useful.

  “I’ll help you.” Straining her muscles, she pumped the jack and watched the car lift off the ground slightly.

  “Let me make sure the vehicle is stable. Okay, it is. Also, it’s high enough. Good job.” He turned the nuts counterclockwise and removed them. “Now I can take off the tire.”

  “We can take off the tire.” She stepped to him.

  Together, they removed the tire and dropped it on the ground under the vehicle. She rolled up the spare tire, and he lifted it and positioned on the hub. Once the rim was aligned with the bolts, he tightened lug nuts.

  She picked up the wrench. “Let’s make sure lug nuts are nice and snug.” Going in the star pattern, she tightened them.

  “Almost done.” He lowered the car to the ground and removed the jack, then put the old tire in the trunk.

  “Where did you learn how to change a tire?” he asked as they headed back to the barbecue place, respect evident in his voice.

  “The internet can be the girl’s best friend. I had to learn to take care of myself.” In a lower voice, she added, “Okay, of my aunt and other family members.”

  After they returned the jack to the kind man and washed their hands, Edgar asked for a table for two.

  As she settled in a chair, a nagging feeling about the trucker who’d let them borrow the jack didn’t leave her. With downward lips and hooded eyes, the guy appeared so forlorn. Most of a T-bone steak and a baked potato on his plate remained intact.

  Hmmm.

  The waitress, a young girl with beach-blonde shortly cropped hair mostly covered by a bandanna, handed them the menu. The uniform hung on her slim frame. “What would you like to drink?”

  “Iced tea, please.” They needed to get back on the road, so Sierra gave the menu a quick glance. “Brisket and fries look good. And a garden salad.”

  “What about you, sir?” The girl turned to Edgar.

  “I’ll take the same.” He handed her the menu while looking at Sierra.

  The waitress’s heels clicked away.

  Again, Sierra’s gaze flicked to the guy who’d helped them. “I think the man whose jack we used to change the tire has a problem. He looks upset about something. I have a feeling it’s a personal issue. He has the look of a guy who can take care of mechanical ones to me.”

  A light smile touched Edgar’s lips. “Knowing you, you’re going to charge to the rescue. Sierra, he’s not a helpless kitten with a hurting paw.”

  “We can’t just let him sit there upset, can we?” She jumped to her feet and headed to him.

  “Do you need my spare tire now?”
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br />   Undeterred by his unfriendly scowl, she took the seat near him without invitation and extended her hand. “My name is Sierra. I couldn’t help noticing you look sad. I know I’m a stranger and it’s a long shot, but if you tell me about it, maybe I can help you?”

  Edgar slid into another empty seat. “I’m Edgar.”

  The guy stared at him. “Is she for real?”

  “I’m afraid so.” Edgar nodded.

  A long-suffered sigh left the man’s ample lungs. Resignation loosening his tanned face, he shook first Sierra’s hand, then Edgar’s. “I’m Brock. Well, it might be easier to tell this to a stranger. There’s a young woman who lives down the street from me….” He stumbled, and red spots splotched his neck.

  Sierra leaned forward and gave him an encouraging gaze. “Yes?”

  He fidgeted, making the poor chair squeak. “I mean, we talk sometimes. Um, I helped her around the yard and such.” A long pause stretched.

  Edgar moved closer. “You like her, but you’re afraid to ask her out.”

  She suppressed a groan. Did he need to be so blunt?

  Apparently, blunt worked. “That sums it up.” Brock pulled up a photo on his phone. “This is Miranda. I got this photo from her social media account. Isn’t she a beauty?”

  Sierra stared at a petite woman with mousy hair and small eyes and didn’t even blink. “She certainly is.”

  “Look at me. I’m like a clumsy mountain compared to her.” Brock’s broad shoulders slumped forward.

  Sierra didn’t think a mountain could be clumsy, but she kept that observation to herself. “You know, if you don’t ask her out, you’ll never know if there could be something between you. Classic romantic dinner and a movie would work. A bouquet of roses.”

  “And a box with chocolate strawberries wouldn’t hurt. I know a place that sells amazing chocolate strawberries. I can order them for you if you plug in your home address.” Edgar searched for something on his phone.

  Hmmm, how did he know about those amazing chocolate strawberries? She pursed her lips.

  “Remember, the ones I gave you once when we still dated?” he whispered in her direction as he handed his cell phone to Brock. The guy punched in his address.