The Wedding Bargain. Lisette Belisle
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least he didn’t have to worry about that anymore. For too long, he’d relied on his family’s wealth and position. With it, he was nothing—a spoiled, arrogant young man. Without it, he didn’t know who he was.
Fifteen minutes later, the repair truck pulled up to the curb. A mechanic called out, “You the guy with a breakdown?”
Drew smiled. He was close. “Yeah, that’s me. I checked the car battery. It won’t hold a charge.”
“Well, let’s go have a look. You coming?” he added when Drew didn’t make a move toward the truck.
Drew wasn’t sure of his next move. In all honesty, he was tempted to give the guy directions and be on his way, but the memory of a woman’s resigned smile stopped him. Olivia had rightly guessed he was a loner; she probably thought he was a loser, as well. Under the circumstances, he couldn’t argue either label, which should free him from obligation.
She obviously didn’t expect him back. He didn’t know why she didn’t expect more from men, or from life. But for some reason, he wanted to prove her wrong, at least in this instance.
The mechanic said curtly, “You coming? I don’t have all night.” The man’s impatience did it.
With a resigned sigh, Drew climbed into the truck. He didn’t like the thought of Olivia dealing with the situation on her own. Face it, he felt protective. He frowned at the admission, not liking that at all. After today, he was never going to see her again. Until then, what was a few more hours of inconvenience?
“You’re Drew Pierce,” the mechanic said after they’d been driving awhile. His gaze remained fixed on the two-lane highway.
“Yes.” Drew braced himself for the rest.
“I remember seeing your picture in the newspapers.”
That wasn’t surprising. The trial had been a three-ring circus. Instead of reacting to the man’s open challenge, Drew raised a casual eyebrow. “That so?”
When Drew failed to react, the man backed down. “Yeah, well…guess it was long ago. Most folks have forgotten.”
Drew doubted that very much. Small towns had long memories and even longer grudges. He had vivid memories of faces filled with hatred and contempt. The judge had thrown the book at Drew, giving him the maximum sentence. Well, he’d served his time. He wasn’t about to defend himself all over again.
“That’s the car.” Drew spotted the small blue car, relieved to cut the subject short.
It didn’t take long to install a new battery.
Drew turned the key in the ignition. Nothing.
With a shake of his head, the mechanic pronounced, “The car’s in rough shape. It needs some other new parts.” He listed just a few. “I can order them. Could take some time, though.”
“It’s not my car.” Drew frowned as the awkwardness of the situation began to sink in. He didn’t have money for repairs. In addition, he wasn’t going anywhere that night. Neither was Olivia. They were stranded. “You can ask the owner.”
The man frowned in confusion. “Fine with me. Where?”
“Back there.” Drew nodded toward the rough logging road.
Fortunately, the tow truck had four-wheel drive. When they reached the camp, Drew was surprised to see the place softly lit. Smoke came from the chimney, and Olivia stood in the door.
Waiting.
“Hi.” She smiled a warm greeting, all flushed-faced and sleepy-eyed, and Drew could feel himself falling, tumbling—
The mechanic broke the spell. “Looks like you got a cozy setup here.” He was leering at Olivia.
Drew shoved his hands in his pockets. He wanted to hit the guy. Instead, he took a deep breath, admitting that the man’s reaction was only natural. Olivia was a sight to behold. He couldn’t deny his own gut response. Since the first moment he set eyes on her, he’d wanted to punch every man who looked at Olivia—which was pure insanity. Or something else. Whatever it was, he’d get over it.
The mechanic introduced himself. “Hi, I’m Walt.”
Olivia smiled that megawatt smile. “How do you do, Walt?”
Now the mechanic had a name.
Drew liked him less and less.
The door opened wider.
Olivia hid her pleasure at Drew’s return, instinctively protecting herself until she could control her response. Half-asleep, she’d heard the sound of an engine, at first surprised, then relieved to see Drew. Perhaps that was why her heart was racing. Despite all the inner alarm bells issuing a warning, she liked him.
And he was proving more dependable than a lot of men.
Could he be the solution to all her problems?
“Won’t you come in?” She tried to focus her attention on the mechanic, deeply aware of Drew when he moved to stand near the fireplace, unbuttoning his jacket, then leaning his shoulder against the mantel. “Do you think you can fix my car, Walt?”
Entering the rustic cabin, Walt took off his hat. “That’s what we have to talk about. I replaced the battery—that’s part of the problem, but not all. I can get new parts, but it will take a day—or two.”
“Are the parts expensive?”
Walt named his price, assuring her it was fair. “In the meantime, I can give you a lift to town. Don’t know if you’ll find a room, though. Things are pretty well booked up with tourists.” He scratched his head. “Wish I could be more help.”
Mentally calculating the cost of parts, plus labor, plus towing costs—the list kept growing—Olivia knew she could afford a motel room or car repairs, but not both.
“I suppose we could stay here.” She glanced at Drew. “I mean, we are here. And there’s no sense looking for a place for just one night, is there?” When he raised an eyebrow, she rushed on. “It’s warm and dry.” And free. “What do you think?”
Drew shrugged. “Guess that settles it.”
Olivia smiled in relief. “Guess so.”
For a moment, their gazes met, a head-on collision. Olivia flushed at the expression in his eyes. Odd how they could agree so completely, yet leave so many questions unanswered.
“Well, if you’re sure,” Walt said a moment later when he turned to leave.
“We’re sure,” Drew said dryly.
Walt gave Drew a lift back to the car to get his backpack and Olivia’s one piece of luggage, which she’d brought in case she’d decided to stay overnight in Bangor. Drew couldn’t help wishing she had—they might never have met.
After seeing Walt off, Drew walked back to the cabin, where he turned on the generator before going inside. He found Olivia asleep on one of the cots. She’d removed all but the white tailored shirt and set her clothes out to dry.
Wrapped in a blanket, cocooned, with her arms curled around a pillow, she looked so young. Pale shadows lined her eyes; she looked exhausted. Yet she’d never complained. Not once. Her insistence on looking at the bright side of the situation was almost comical. It was also touching.
Tearing his gaze away, Drew frowned, not liking the direction of his thoughts. He looked around the room. She’d found some sheets and a blanket and made up his cot. It looked narrow, meant for one, not all that inviting.
With a weary sigh, Drew took off his jacket, then stripped down before he dropped onto the cot. It felt lumpy and hard, but he’d slept on worse. He closed his eyes. A room, at least fifteen feet wide, separated him from Olivia.
A warm fire crackled in the grate. A log fell. Wind battered the small log building.