Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 32717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 164(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 164(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
“Hey, sorry it took me a bit longer to get here.” Sable greets me first, eyes locked on mine for a moment before she sees Nellie. “I can come back another time.” She takes my hesitation for intrusion.
“I’m Nellie. Daddy and I did a test on your car.” My girl clears the air, getting the formal greetings out of the way in the form of putting her own spin on things.
“I’m Sable, and I’m so grateful for the help. I bet you did most of the work, didn’t you?” Nellie nods, hops down from the table, and edges closer to the newcomer. Following a seemingly gravitational pull that clearly isn’t a party of one, Nellie must feel it too.
“He let me do the pump part, then it made a big mess, and this colorful stuff got on Daddy. It was funny.” Sable drops to a squatting position, getting on Nellie’s level. A lot of people who aren’t around kids much usually aren’t apt to get low like Sable is doing.
“It looks like you two cleaned up at least. I won’t keep you guys too long.” She sends a wink Nellie’s way, causing her to attempt to do the same. Her whole head bobs, and her mouth opens, showing off her missing front tooth, and still, she doesn’t get it. Neither of us says a word.
“I’m going back to my book scrapping.” Nellie is already out of her coveralls, and her hands are washed. She’s done with getting dirty for the time being. That is, until I start working on the next project. The Camaro has too many problems for her to be involved with right now. You think you’re fixing one problem, only for the next one to pop up.
“It was nice meeting you, Nellie.” Sable gives her a slight wave as she stands.
“You too,” she replies.
“Nell, we’ll be in the office. You need anything, come on in, alright?” I’m given a thumbs-up in response. Sable lets out a light laugh. I shake my head, a smile pulling at my face at my daughter’s antics.
Sable and I walk toward the small area we keep as a sort of business front, where customers can sit, have a cup of coffee, and watch television while we work on their car. There’s a reception area, but it hardly ever gets used besides when Nora comes in a few times a week.
My hand slides to her lower back, thankful that I took the time to clean myself up a hell of a lot better than I usually would, and I can feel her sink into my touch.
“I’m sorry if my car is eating into your time with your daughter,” she says as we enter the room. I go around to grab the paper. I’m not charging her some fuck-ass deposit, either, more or less having her sign off on what we found and what we’ll be repairing.
“You’re not. We’d be doing the same thing even if it weren’t your car.” I slide the paper across the counter, snagging a pen along the way. “I just need your John Hancock.” Our fingers touch, and my eyes aren’t drifting away from the motion.
“Hey, would you want to grab dinner tonight?” she asks after signing her name, a quick scribble of what looks like a big S, a punch of curls, and another big M with the repeated process.
“I’ve got Nellie tonight,” I reply without hesitation. I’ve never had a woman around my daughter, was always adamant I’d meet them on my own, put them through some kind of three-ring circus to make sure they knew we’re a package deal, and Nellie would always come first. Yet, with Sable, I don’t feel the same way.
“Oh, well, she can come with us. That is, if you even want to go out. I’m sorry. Maybe I read the room wrong.” I noticed on the phone earlier she’d ramble when nervous, and she’s doing it now.
“You didn’t read the room wrong. How about we have dinner at my place? Nellie and I will pick you up from the B&B around six?” Sable nods in response. “I try not to eat out too much with her, plus we had lunch from the diner, and she’ll be able to chill once dinner is over.”
“I’d like that. What can I bring? And before you say anything else, how about I walk over, but I’ll gladly take a ride home?”
“You don’t need to bring anything. And we’ll be out and about anyway, so we’ll pick you up and take you back.” I lean in, my hand moves up, and my thumb brushes along the apple of her cheek.
“Yeah, okay. I’ll still figure something out to bring with me.” I shake my head, letting her have this win. With her staying at the B&B, it won’t be too much, or at least I hope so.