Mustang Sassy (20 page)

Before waiting for Millie to finish, Sass walked briskly out into the hall and down the corridor.

Chapter Fifteen

It’s just sex, that’s it,
Sass reminded herself while driving back to the cabin. She should never have taken Jordan to Chesterville to meet Millie. Way too personal, particularly after he’d made it abundantly clear what he wanted. Sex and nothing more.

Fine by her.

That’s why she shot down his attempts at conversation with monosyllabic answers. What was the point in getting to know one another? Things would end in a week, maybe two if she was lucky.

When she got to the cabin, dusk was beginning to settle over the lake. She stopped the car at the top of the driveway and left it running.

Jordan sat there, watching her. What he meant to accomplish by staring at her in silence was a mystery to her.

Finally he said, “You coming in?”

“No.”

He rubbed the back of his neck, looking like he wanted to ask her something else. But he didn’t. Instead, he opened the door and got out but he didn’t shut it, but leaned down and asked, “When will I see you next?”

Sass shrugged, not trusting herself to look at him. “When I feel like it.”

The door was barely closed before Sass sped off into the night. Yes. That was better. She needed to remind Jordan, and herself, how things worked around here.

…

Despite her tough words, Sass found that she “felt like it” pretty much every night for the remainder of the week. It always started off the same. She’d come home from the shop feeling restless and out of sorts , so she’d tape up her hands and take a turn at her new speed bag.

Though her intention was to take her angst out on the bag so she’d stop thinking about Jordan, her plan backfired. All she heard in her head was his deep voice instructing her to listen to the rhythm of the bag. And, when she finally got into her groove, her subconscious would take over.

One, two, three…one, two, three…what’s Jordan doing?

One, two, three…one, two, three…it doesn’t matter, don’t think about him.

One, two, three…one, two, three…I won’t go out there tonight.

One, two, three…one, two, three…but the parts might come in tomorrow. Tonight could be the last night…

Smack! The bag would wobble off-kilter and Sass would swear. Even though she’d attempt to get back into it, the process would start all over again.

One, two, three…one, two, three…what’s Jordan doing?

At that point, she’d give up and drive out to the cabin. Sometimes she’d make it by supper, sometimes not until after. Even though sex with City-boy was hot, hot, hot
,
Sass always made sure she left before getting too comfortable.

All the sex she was having should have calmed her. But no matter what happened, no matter how blissful she felt in those few minutes after a randy romp with City-boy, Sass found the drive home excruciating. There was something wrong with her. Something seriously wrong with her inability to feel satisfied and there was only one thing she figured could be the cause.

She was worried about Buck.

It was the only plausible answer. After all, what she had going with City-boy was everything she’d ever wanted. He was wonderful, thoughtful, attentive, hot, great in bed, and undemanding. Hell, he was her dream guy. No, the problem couldn’t be with Jordan. The problem had to be something else.

As far as Buck was concerned, Sass was at a loss. She still hadn’t heard from him and she was beginning to get worried. The worry somehow merged into guilt over Jordan. Here she was having the best sex of her life and her father could be stuck in some hospital somewhere with a terminal illness. Clearly it was the worry and the guilt that made her feel so restless and distracted.

It was Thursday afternoon and Sass was on the phone with Ray from Goodmark when City-boy himself walked into the shop, appearing much more city than he had the last time she’d seen him. This meant, of course, that he was showered and shaved and actually had some clothes on. The work orders she’d been holding in her hands slid out of her grasp and onto the floor as she glanced up and whispered, “Hi.” At least, that’s what she’d intended to say. What actually came out of her mouth sounded more like a soft grunt.

Jordan smiled coolly and nodded. Was something wrong, or was he just respecting her wishes about making sure no one at the shop knew what was going on between them? His presence had thrown her off so completely that she missed what it was Ray was saying. “Sorry, Ray, can you repeat that?”

“Good news. The grille and hubs will be delivered tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” Sass frowned and glanced at Jordan. Tomorrow? That meant the car would be done tomorrow. That meant…

“Yep. Sorry about the wait—” Sass didn’t even hear the rest of what Ray had to say. All she could do was stare at Jordan and picture him leaving. Driving out of her life. Forever. She continued to hold the phone to her ear even after Ray had hung up.

Carlos chose that moment to enter the reception area. He’d probably seen Jordan drive up and had come to meet him and show him the car. Damn! The fact that Carlos would take credit for her work made Sass’s already unsettled mental state feel on the verge of crumpling.

“Hey, Jordie, what’s going on?”

“Not much. How’s the car?”

“She’s nearly there.” Carlos flicked his eyes to Sass who rolled hers in return, making Carlos grin wickedly. “Want to take a look?”

“Sure.”

Sass was about to follow the men into the bay at the back of the shop, when the phone rang. Alice was on her break, so Sass answered, “Hogan’s Auto Body.”

“Sass?”

“Buck!”

“Where you been, kid? I’ve left messages all over the place.”

For a man who normally
never
left messages, Sass supposed two whole messages might seem like he’d left messages “all over the place.”

“I’ve been around. I just keep missing you. Is everything okay? God, I’ve been so worried.”

“Of course. But I’ve been dying to hear what you think.”

“What I think? About what?”

Buck was silent. His voice dropped. “Don’t do this, Sass. Why can’t you just be happy for me?”

Sass frowned and started in on her thumb. It tasted like grease, so she promptly stopped and wiped her mouth with her sleeve. “Do what?”

“You could have phoned. I know it’s a shock. But it’s not like you to avoid me.”

“Avoid you? I didn’t know how to get hold of you.”

“I left you the number.”

“I couldn’t make out your messages because our answering machine is on its deathbed. I only got about every fifth word.”

Buck was silent.

“Buck? Are you there?”

“Yeah. So, you don’t know my news?”

“No.” Sass started to kick the side of the reception desk. He was being so friggin’ cryptic and now that she knew he was okay, she wished he’d hurry it up. She really wanted to intercept Jordan and Carlos because right at that very minute, Jordan was examining the car—admiring it—and thinking Carlos had repaired it.

“So, that’s my news.”

Damn. She’d done it again! She was so busy thinking about Jordan and Carlos that she’d missed what he’d said, again. “Can you repeat that?”

Buck sighed the way he used to when she was seven or eight and trying his patience. “I’m getting married, Sass.”

“Married?”

“Her name is Mary-Lynn and I think you’ll really like her. We’re going to get married in Florida next month—”

“Whoa, Buck, slow down. You met someone. I’m happy for you. But what’s the rush? You don’t need to marry someone you just met.”

He sighed. “Sass, I’ve known Mary-Lynn for over a year and a half.”

“What?”

“Why do you think I’ve gone on so many cruises this last year?”

“But…how?”

“We met online. Did you know there are all sorts of dating sites online?”

Sass finally collapsed into Alice’s chair and stared at the wall listening to Buck talking about the woman he’d been secretly dating for a year and a half.

He hadn’t even wanted the computer, hadn’t a clue how to use it, or so Sass thought. All that time, Buck was using the shop computer to sweet-talk women in cyberspace without her knowing. How was that possible? “Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked softly.

“Because I was…I don’t know. I’m not that good with this stuff.”

“So you’ve been dating for a year and a half and no one knew?”

Buck paused before he said, “Al knew.”

“You told Al and you didn’t tell me?”

“He’s my best friend. You’re my daughter.”

That stung. Sass felt it in her throat and her chest cavity. She swiveled the chair so she was facing the wall. “What do you expect me to say?”

“Congratulations would be nice.”

A hurt laugh burst out. “Congratulations, Buck.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I wanted to be sure.”

She swiped at the tear leaking out of the corner of her eye and took a deep breath. “So, what’s Mary-Lee like?”

“Mary-Lynn,” Buck corrected and Sass wondered if the woman was standing right there beside him. “She’s beautiful and wonderful and she’s coming for a visit next week so you’ll get to meet her.”

“Looking forward to it,” Sass said, sarcastically

“But, ah, Sass…there’s something else I need to talk to you about.”

She twisted the chair back and forth. What now? He was probably going to ask her to be in the wedding party. “Can’t it wait? Can’t you give me a day or two to process this?”

“No. We’re probably going to be getting calls, and I don’t want you to freak out.”

“Freak out. Buck, I’m surprised. I’m shocked. I’m hurt as hell you didn’t tell me. But I’m not going to freak out.”

“It’s not about the wedding. It’s…” He didn’t finish his sentence and from the scratchy sound on the line, Sass was pretty sure he covered the mouthpiece so he could talk to someone. When he came back on he sounded more gruff than usual. “The thing is, Sass, after I get married, well…I’m going to move down here.”

“To Florida?”

“Yeah. Crazy, huh?” He laughed. “But I love it. The palm trees, the ocean. When I was here last February, I was out in my shirtsleeves, every day. It’s paradise.”

Who was this man? Had her father been abducted by aliens because Sass did not recognize the person she was talking to. “Wow, Buck. Those are big changes. Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

“I know it must seem drastic to you. But I’ve been thinking about it for a long time. I’m ready to retire.”

“Okay,” Sass said. “Good. I’m ready to take over, so, don’t worry about it.” She scanned the shop with new eyes. For the first time since starting this conversation, Sass tasted excitement. She’d make changes. She’d clean it up and modernize it a bit. She’d get rid of Carlos and hire another specialist.

“Sass?”

“What?”

“I can’t retire
and
keep the shop. You know that, don’t you?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m selling, Sass. I’m selling the shop.”

…

He slid his hand along the side panel of the Mustang as if he were caressing a lover—a lover named Sass. He could almost imagine the bead on the side of the car was Sass’s spine.

Dammit! Things were getting bad. Whether he was with or without her, she consumed his thoughts. It didn’t help that her presence in the shop was so vibrant. She looked so damned adorable in those blue coveralls all covered in paint and grease, as if she were just one of the guys working in the shop. Jordan was well aware of what those coveralls hid and the moment he saw her, he had a very vivid image of peeling them off her and finding absolutely nothing but a bare, sweet Sass underneath.

“So, what do you think, man?”

Jordan focused on the car again and said, “I don’t know how you did it, but she looks better than before.”

Carlos had a toothpick sticking out of the corner of his mouth. He bit down on it and then flipped it to the other side before he spoke. “You really think so?”

“Yeah. There were a couple of minor flaws along the right fender.” Jordan backed up to inspect the fender from a different angle. “I don’t know what you did, but they’re gone. Damn. The whole car looks like it just rolled off the assembly line.”

Carlos chuckled and chewed the toothpick. “You’d be surprised what some filler and a careful hand with the hammer and dolly can do.”

Jordan circled the car again. Amazed. Improbable as it seemed, the car was in better shape now than when he’d driven it into town almost two weeks ago.
This
was why he’d come here. He’d accomplished what he’d set out to do. Almost.

He leaned against the driver’s door and scratched his neck as he sized up the man who’d performed this miracle. Carlos wasn’t exactly his favorite person, but there was no doubt he was the secret behind Hogan’s success.

“How long have you been at Hogan’s?”

“Six years. I came here to apprentice under Dex Whelan.”

“Dex Whelan?”

“You heard of him?”

Now it all made sense. The time frame fit, too. Dex Whelan and Carlos Rodriguez were the reasons behind Carlyle’s loss of business. “Have I heard of him? He’s a legend, one of the few guys who works full sheets of metal by hand. The guy’s won awards for hot rods all over the country and one of his roadsters was showcased in the Smithsonian. And, you apprenticed under him?” Jordan was impressed. Carlos wasn’t going to get points for personality, but he had talent and the pedigree to prove it.

Carlos eyed him appreciatively. “You really know your shit.”

Jordan took a quick glance around before lowering his voice. “I’m paid to know.” He ran his hand along the ridge of the hood. “So, where’s Dex now?”

“Last I heard, New Mexico.”

“Why didn’t you follow him?”

“He didn’t exactly leave under the best circumstances.” It was Carlos’s turn to glance over his shoulder at the door. Then he continued, “I was his apprentice, but he didn’t only spend time with me.”

“Oh?”

“Spent time with Sass. A whole lot of time, if you know what I mean.”