Chapter 3
MARGARITAS, TACOS, AND A TWILIGHT marathon isn’t how I expected to spend last night but that’s exactly what Vera and I did. I suppose Vera is the epitome of “don’t judge a book by its cover.” With her over the top makeup, overly styled hair, and no-nonsense attitude, I expected a little more of an in-your-face type of movie, not a story about sparkly vampires. After we left Gerty, Vera drove us through town and to her house. Her commentary as we drove through town had me in stitches.
Once we pulled up to her cute little bungalow-style house, I was reminded of the places my friends lived in, growing up. A bit of nostalgia tugged at my heart as I remembered summers playing in the sprinklers and sleepovers with friends. With a bountiful garden of bright flowers, yard art, and a bright red front door, Vera’s home was exactly like her—inviting, bold, and a bit quirky.
After a quick tour of the house, Vera led me to the restroom where I stripped off my day-old clothes and indulged in a long hot shower using all of Vera’s fancy body scrubs, gels, and masks. After my shower, I was greeted with a margarita and a plate of delicious tacos. Vera is the ultimate hostess, and I’m grateful for her hospitality.
When I woke this morning with a slight headache, I wanted to blame it on sleeping in a strange bed or not having my own pillows. But I couldn’t do that when sleeping in Vera’s guest room bed was more like sleeping on a cloud. Or, what I’d expect a cloud felt like. Nope, the headache was likely thanks to the pitchers of margaritas and debate over Team Edward or Team Jacob. Honestly, I had never seen the movies, so I just went with Jacob because that actor is smoking hot. Now. Not then. Then he was a child in the most unfortunate wig. But now, in real time, he should be modeling those abs he sports.
Once I’ve sucked down twice as many cups of my morning coffee as usual, I get ready to head to town with Vera. Vera doesn’t bother with the radio during our short drive. Instead, she fills the quiet with commentary on the townsfolk and an update on her cook. She assures me there’s plenty of time for me to check in with Earl before the diner is busy. Parting at the front of Miss Maye’s, I head down the street toward Earl’s shop sending up a little prayer he has good news for me.
I’m standing here, watching Earl flip pages in a catalog, tap on his computer, and then sigh dramatically for about twenty minutes now. Sure, he greeted me with smile and offered me a bottled water when I first arrived. Other than that, though, he’s been engrossed in whatever research he’s doing.
“Umm, excuse me, Earl?”
Another sigh followed by a grunt is his response. Well, alrighty then. Admitting defeat, I take a seat on one of the red vinyl chairs against the large plate glass window to wait. Looking around the waiting area, I can’t help but wonder why Earl wouldn’t update the décor. It’s a little dated, and while I’m no computer whiz, even I know his computer with the apple on it is pricey. If I were Earl, I’d replace the cracked and peeling linoleum with something more durable and of this century, add some color to the wall behind the counter, and for all that is holy reupholster these chairs.
I’m mentally ticking off the simple steps Earl could take to modernize this room when he clears his throat and catches my attention. Still not speaking to me, he motions for me to join him at the counter. The look on his face does not fill me with confidence. Maybe I’ll be lucky and there’ll be a bus, or someone headed to Austin to catch a ride. I have a feeling Gerty and I are about to part ways.
“Just give it to me straight, Earl. I’m ready.” I’m not.
“Miss Mercy, your car”—he pauses—“well, she’s about had it in this life.”
“I figured. Thank you for taking the time. I’m sorry to have bothered you. If you can refer me to a junkyard or something, I’m sure I can get her out of your way today.” I hate how my voice hitches at the loss of my car. It’s a car, not a person, but I’m still bummed as hell.
“Now, don’t get ahead of yourself. I said about had it. I can fix her for ya. That is, if you’d rather put money into her instead of a new vehicle.” My eyes widen and a loud squeal escapes. My reaction is emphasized by the echo through the room, but I don’t care as I invade Earl’s space and throw myself in his arms.
“Yes! I mean, of course I’d love a new car, but I’m broke as fu—heck,” I say sheepishly, causing Earl to laugh. “I don’t have a lot of money so please make my day and tell me this won’t cost me a ton of money.” I know Earl isn’t in control of the cost, but I’m hoping his friendship with Vera and his small-town manners will work in my favor.
“Well, the parts will be about one hundred fifty,” he says, scratching his scruffy beard and looking out the window. I can do one hundred fifty. It’ll suck, but I made a chunk of that yesterday helping Vera. When Earl looks back at me with sympathy, I have a bad feeling. “And, well, the labor would normally be about five hundred, but Vera is a friend, and she said I’m to extend you a little Mason family discount, so I’ll shave that down to two hundred. It’s just . . . well, the part will take about a week to ten days to get in.”
“Ten days!” I shout before covering my mouth in horror. “Earl, I don’t have anywhere to go. I can’t stay here for ten days. I need to get to Austin, find a job, and start my life.” The tears begin before I can fathom stopping them. Earl awkwardly pats my shoulder in sympathy and lets me cry for a few minutes.
But, self-pity isn’t in my DNA, so my cryfest is short-lived. I tell Earl to order the part and do his best to get me on my way quickly before making my way back through town and to Miss Maye’s diner to talk with Vera.
I’m about to open the door when the “Help Wanted” sign catches my attention again. With a quick plan made, I open the door and grab the sign from the window before making a beeline to the counter where Vera is standing with a smile on her face.
“Don’t get too excited. A week to ten days tops.” My tone leaves no room for discussion, but Vera’s wide grin still broadens as she laughs.
“Sweet Mercy, we’ll just see about that. How about a little room and board in exchange for an hourly wage and you keep the tips?”
“Vera, you drive a hard bargain. You also keep this sign in the window in case someone looking for full-time work comes calling.”
“Honey, I think someone just has. I have a feeling things are about to get real interesting around Mason,” Vera says, looking from me toward the door that signals a new arrival.
I follow her gaze and my breath catches at the sight filling the door. Tall, dark hair, muscles that only come from working with your hands, and half-day scruff fills the doorway with the late morning sun casting an angelic haze behind him. The moment he catches my eye and smiles, exposing a dimple on his left cheek, I realize Vera’s right.
Things are about to get real interesting.