A Nashville Collection (71 page)

Al motioned for Reggie to step aside with him. “Reg—” His voice broke, and when he looked up, a dewy sheen slipped across his brown eyes. He sniffed, raised his chin, and drew a deep breath. “We done good, girl.”

“Yeah, we did.” A well of tears filled her own eyes. “I owe you, Al. Big. Now we just have to figure out where our next job is coming from. I was thinking—”

“Have a good night, Reg.” Al grabbed her shoulders and turned her around. “I just wanted to tell you I was proud of you. Now, go. Have fun. Laugh. Enjoy your success.”

“We are a success, aren't we?” She smiled.

“A one-car success, but yes, so far, so good.”

“Al, say, what if we—”

“Girl, go have fun with your beau.”

“He's not my beau.”

“Fine. Just go. Enjoy. Miriam is waiting for me at home with the grandkids. It's popcorn and Disney movie night for me.” Al's bold laugh rang out. He was having the time of his life.

“Well, okay.” She patted her hands against her legs. “Off I go.”

“Good. Off you go,” Al echoed her intent.

“Look, now, if you need anything, call me.”

“Reg, what could we need at seven thirty on a Tuesday evening?” Al grabbed her shoulders and turned her toward Mark. “Have fun. That's an order.”

“Yes, Master Sergeant Love.”

Walking with Mark toward his car, she exhaled, pressing her hand over her middle. She'd done it. They'd done it. Restored a whole car.

“We were down to the chassis when we started working on that Challenger,” she said to herself more than to Mark.

“Old Mr. McCandless is going to wonder where I've been.” Mark aimed his remote at the late-model Porsche sitting at the entrance of the track. “What about seven was so hard to do, Reg?”

“I was working.” She ran ahead of him, waving and cheering, chasing the Challenger as Rafe, Wally, and Al exited the track and headed for the shop.

“Let's go,” Mark called.

Reggie met him at the Porsche and slipped into the passenger seat with confidence in her belly that she'd finally found her destiny.

 

The story continues in
Princess Ever After
by Rachel Hauck.
Order here
.

ALSO BY RACHEL HAUCK

O
THER
L
OWCOUNTRY
R
OMANCE
N
OVELS

Love Starts with Elle

Dining with Joy

 

T
HE
R
OYAL
W
EDDING
S
ERIES

Princess Ever After

Once Upon a Prince

How to Catch a Prince
(Available Winter 2014)

 

The Wedding Dress

Diva Nashvegas

Lost in Nashvegas

W
ITH
S
ARA
E
VANS

The Sweet By and By

Softly and Tenderly

Love Lifted Me

About the Author

RITA Finalist and Carol Award winner Rachel Hauck was recently chosen by Family Fiction readers as one of the top five romance authors in CBA. She has written more than fifteen novels, including the acclaimed Songbird novels with multi-platinum country singer Sara Evans. Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband, and writes from her ivory tower (her office really is in a tower, and it's painted ivory!). Visit her website at
rachelhauck.com.
Twitter:
@RachelHauck
Facebook:
rachelhauck