This can't be happening. Not now. Not here. It was starting to rain and it was getting dark. My old VW Bug sputtered and chugged along the unfamiliar road. I looked around at the dark buildings on the street. Why did this have to happen to me? Then I saw a light at the end of the block. Oh, thank goodness, I thought as I pulled into the lot just as my Bug gave one last sputter and died.
The auto repair shop looked deserted. But there was a light on in the office and in one of the bays. I didn't see anyone around, but where else was I going to go? Getting out of my Bug, I locked it and walked slowly to the office door. A closed sign hung in the window. I knocked and waited but no one answered. Tentatively, I turned the knob and opened the door slowly.
"Hello? Is anyone here?" I called.
I heard a metallic banging coming from the auto bay and decided to follow the noise. I walked slowly, looking for whoever was there. The bay was lit by a couple of work lights and was full of dark, shadowy shapes. I called out again, but again there was no answer.
The noises seemed to be coming from underneath an old blue mustang. Walking around to the other side, I saw a man's legs sticking out from underneath. Lightly tapping on the side of the car, I called hello again. The banging stopped and the man slid slowly out. I watched, mesmerized as he appeared. Long legs, trim waist, muscular chest, followed by warm chocolate brown eyes, sandy brown hair and a handsome face with a very quizzical expression. Somehow, just looking into his eyes made me feel warm and sheltered and safe. And suddenly, very nervous as I reminded myself that he was a stranger.
"Um, hi. My... well, my Bug broke down and I was hoping you could take a look at me... I mean it.... take a look at it... my car" I licked my suddenly dry lips.
Greg looked her over as he slowly got to his feet. She was short, at least compared to his 5'10" frame. Curvy in all the right places, and kind of cute. Her short, light brown hair curled softly around her face and her blue eyes were wide with worry.
"I could look at you all night," he said with a lazy grin, "but let's start with your car first. A Bug?"
"Okay. Yeah, my VW Bug. It just started sputtering and then it died. I managed to pull it into your lot. It's so dark, and there were no lights anywhere, and I'm not from here, and I didn't know what to do, or where to go and....." I stopped talking, realizing I was babbling. I felt like I could tell him all my troubles. What was this connection I felt?
"Well, let's go take a look. You're lucky I was here. The shop closed hours ago, but I stayed to work on this mustang I'm restoring. I never get time during the work day." Greg realized he was running at the mouth, too. But she was like a damsel in distress, showing up at his shop on a rainy night. He wanted to be her hero and take the worry our of her eyes, replacing it with a passion he sensed was there, hidden underneath the surface.
We walked out to the lot where I had parked my Bug. The rain had stopped, but it was still very humid and wet. I knew my hair was frizzing up with this damp weather. Oh, why was I worried about my hair? Yes, he was really good looking, but I needed to focus.... focus on getting my bug fixed. Not on connecting with a stranger that I had just met. He might be able to repair my Bug, but he couldn't fix all my problems.
"Do you think you can fix me? No, I mean my Bug. Do you think you can fix it?" I could have kicked myself. What a dumb thing to say.
"Wow, this is one of the old ones. I haven't seen one of these in years." Greg said. "Let's see if it will start and then we can put it inside, so I can take a look."
"It's a '68. I bought it from my parents when I was 16. They had it shipped over from Germany." I realized I was babbling again. I got in and it started but it sounded awful. I drove it into one of the bays after Greg opened the door. Just as I pulled into the bay, it died.... again.
"Let me see if it's something easy," Greg said as he looked at the engine. "If you want, there are sodas in the fridge in the office and the bathroom's that door over there." He hoped the guys hadn't left it in a mess.
I wandered into the office and grabbed a coke. I sure hoped it was something easy to fix. That Bug had been with me for a lot of years. It was more like an old friend than a car. Dropping down onto the couch in the office, I sipped my coke. Tired, oh so tired. I laid my head back and closed my eyes. I would just relax for a minute or two.
Greg walked into the office to tell her the bad news. He saw her, sound asleep on the couch. She really was pretty, especially now that the worry was gone from her face. And those breasts! He sure would like to feel them and see them up close and personal. But it was getting late, and she couldn't be comfortable, not on that old couch. He wondered what her story was, and what had brought her to his shop. Well, he guessed it was lucky for him, and he smiled.
"Hey," he said softly. "Hey, it's time to wake up."
I woke up slowly. Opening my eyes, I got lost in his chocolate brown eyes and we just looked at each other for what seemed like forever, but was probably only a minute. Then I came fully awake, and straightened up on the couch.
"Oh, sorry. I must have dozed off there. It's been a long day. So, what's the word on my Bug? Is it an easy fix?" I said hopefully.
Greg shook his head. "No, I think I'll need to order some parts. I want to go over it again in the morning, but if it's what I think it is, well, it will take awhile to find the right parts."
"Oh, no. I know how hard it can be to get parts for it. I wanted to be farther north than this when I stopped." I looked around. "Do you know of a campground near here? I have all my camping stuff in my Bug. I can't go to a hotel. It's not in my budget, and now with the cost of parts and your labor... Maybe I could stay here, and sleep in my Bug?"
"You can't stay here. It wouldn't be safe. And when I turn on the alarm... well it's got a motion detector, so you can't stay here. There aren't any campgrounds near here, either." Greg said, and then he watched her face fall. Oh, no. She wasn't going to cry, was she. He couldn't let that happen. Maybe she could stay with him? Would she? Stay with a stranger? Maybe he was crazy, but he sure wanted to take her home and keep her safe.
"I'll tell you what. I have a big house not far from here. It has lot's of empty bedrooms for when my kids come to visit. Why don't you come home with me, and we'll see what your car needs in the morning?" Greg watched her face as she processed his words.
"I, well, I don't know you." I said. "I don't even know your name."
Greg smiled at her and held out his hand. "Hi, my name is Greg Wagner, what's yours?"
I smiled back. "My name is Brianna, but my friends call me Bri." I put my hand in his large, strong hand and was instantly enveloped with feelings of warmth and safety. I looked at our hands and wondered what was this connection I kept feeling.
"And can I be your friend, Bri?" Greg asked. He squeezed my hand and then reluctantly let go. "I promise, you will have your own bedroom and bathroom. The door locks, just like a hotel. I'll bring you back in the morning and then we'll see about fixing your car."
"I guess that would be okay. I'm going to text my friend, though, and let her know where I am and that I'm going to your house. Just an extra precaution, you know." I looked up at him. "Let me get my bags from my Bug."
Greg watched Bri get two bags out of her car. He put away his tools and turned out the lights, setting the alarm. Then he took the bags from her and they walked out to his truck.
"Have you eaten dinner?" Greg asked. "I usually just eat leftovers or a sandwich when I get home, but we could call for pizza if you want."
"Oh, no. I don't want to be a bother." I answered. "I'll have whatever you're having. I really do appreciate this. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't been there, what with my Bug dying and all."
After arriving at his house, Greg showed Bri her room. He told her to make herself at home and then he went to take a shower and get cleaned up. Wow, who ever would have thought that he'd be bringing a pretty lady home with him today. He hoped he could be her friend. Hell, he hoped they would be lots closer than just friends. But he would have to play it cool. He didn't want to scare her off. If he had to order parts for her car, she just might be here for a few days.
I checked out my room and the lock on the door. It was just as Greg had said, I would have my privacy. Leaving my bags, I went to find the kitchen. I checked out the refrigerator for dinner ingredients. There wasn't much, but he did have some cold cuts and bread. I made a couple of sandwiches and pulled out a bag of chips and two sodas. Putting the food on the table, I sat down, just as Greg walked in. Boy, he sure cleaned up nice. He had showered and put on a dark blue t-shirt that hugged his broad chest and jeans that hugged his, well, let's just say he looked really good. No wedding ring.... I wonder if he has a girlfriend? I realized I was staring and I blushed.
"I made some sandwiches. I hope you don't mind?"
Greg sat down at the table and grinned at her. 'She sure looks pretty when she blushes,'.he thought. "That's great. You didn't have to do that, though. But I appreciate it. So what brings you to my town?"
"I'm a writer and I decided to drive around the United States and write a book about my adventures. I'm taking pictures, too." I answered. "I started in Seattle and drove down the west coast and then across the southern states. I'm on my way up the east coast. Or, I was, until my Bug broke down."
"That's some trip. How long has it taken you, so far?" Greg asked.
"Longer than I expected. And it's costing more, too. I've been stopping here and there, waiting tables to add to my 'trip' fund. But now, with the Bug breaking down, well, do you know of any restaurants in the area that might need a good waitress?" I smiled. "Oh, and don't worry about getting paid for fixing my Bug. That's covered in my emergency fund. I knew it would break down, sooner or later. I'm just glad it was later!"
"There's a diner down the street," Greg looked at her. "But maybe we can make a deal. I've been really busy at the shop and I haven't had time to take care of my house. My kids are coming to visit in a week. Maybe you could clean the house to get it ready for them and I could pay you."
"I can't take advantage of you like that!" I said. "You're giving me a place to stay and feeding me. I should be paying you!"
