“You wouldn’t happen to know a mechanic around here, would you, Gus?” Dakota asked, looking around the emptiness all around her.

Now it was clear why Gus’ Gas was still up and running – it was the only option for gas for miles and miles, in the middle of nowhere.

Dakota and Wes had taken less-traveled roads to avoid casualties or chaos when Elias inevitably sent another one of his minions after them, and that had been a good thing when it came to their confrontation with Red. But now that they needed the perks of civilization, it seemed they were screwed.

Now all Dakota’s hopes lay with Gus.

The man scratched his head through his trucker cap, sucking his teeth.

“I know a guy a couple of miles that way,” he gestured vaguely. “But you’ll never make it in this,” he added, looking at the front of Dakota’s Toyota.

“Is there any way you could help us get to this guy you know?” Dakota asked, batting her lashes at Gus. “It’s just that we’re on our way to see our grandma, and she doesn’t have a lot of time left, god bless her,” she added, really laying it on thick.

Luckily, Gus didn’t catch the half-proud, half-disapproving look Wes shot her way. Sure, the dying granny story might have been slightly distasteful and a whole lot deceptive, but Dakota didn’t really have time to come up with something better.

It wasn’t like the truth was an option.

With a small sigh, Wes stepped closer, throwing an arm around her shoulders.

“Gam-gam’s all we have left,” he said, the sincerity of his tone catching Dakota off guard.

A better actor than I would have thought… she mused, suppressing a grin.

“I guess I could tow you there….” Gus said, and Dakota immediately clapped her hands together, hopping in place with only half-feigned excitement.

“Oh, that would be amazing, and so kind,” she replied, her voice an octave higher than usual.

“Yeah, yeah,” Gus waved a hand, but Dakota caught the crinkling around the man’s eyes, and a twitch around his mouth.

It was outward grumps like Gus that usually had the most generous hearts, especially when it came to helping a lady in trouble. Maybe she reminded him of a daughter, or niece, or perhaps even an old flame, it didn’t really matter. He was going to help them, that was what was important.

Yet, Dakota couldn’t help but feel a little squeeze around her heart, her thoughts drifting back to her dad. Now there was a man who would gladly give someone the shirt off his back.

Instinctively, she pressed even closer against Wes, her arm wrapping around his lower back. Him just being there, beside her, gave her comfort. He gave her shoulders a squeeze, and suddenly, the feelings stirring inside her couldn’t have been less familial.

It was almost as if she could sense the animal inside him, dangerous, powerful and thrilling.

Clearing her throat, she took a step away from him, refocusing her attention on Gus.

“You wait here, I’ll go get my truck,” he said, and Dakota nodded.

“Thank you so much, sir,” she said, as Gus turned around and headed back toward the gas station.

Wes and Dakota watched him disappear somewhere behind the house.

“I sure do hope grandma makes it,” Wes said quietly, as soon as Gus was gone.

“Shut up,” she replied, playfully swatting at his shoulder. “I had to think on my feet, all right.”

“Hey, no judgment,” Wes spread his hands, grinning. “Just odd seeing you so… girly, I guess,” he shrugged.

“Dresses might not be my thing, but I still have my charms,” she replied.

“You sure do,” Wes muttered, sounding like he might not have intended to say that aloud.

The head-to-toe look he gave her, though, said even more than words, and sent a shiver down Dakota’s spine. Whatever it was that had blossomed between them from that moment they met in Pinedale, it was getting near-impossible to ignore.

If it wasn’t for the fact Gus would be back any second, and they were supposed to be siblings, she wasn’t sure if she wouldn’t have jumped on Wes that very moment. There was an ache inside her that demanded she find out what it was like to kiss him, to have his arms wrapped tight around her…

The sound of a loud, clanking engine brought her back to reality. She turned toward the gas station only to see an ancient-looking truck pull up from behind it. With its huge, bulbous front, open bed and boxy frame, it didn’t look like it even belonged to this century.

“Is that…” Dakota trailed off, not really knowing how to end that sentence.

Gus’ idea of a Joke? A museum piece? A death trap more dangerous than a demon?

Beside her, Wes’ eyes lit up.

“A ’53 Chevy 3100? You bet,” he said, with an unwarranted amount of enthusiasm.

“It’s a rust bucket!” Dakota argued.

The truck must have been green once upon a time, but now, its main color was a rusty brown. Gus, however, seemed entirely unperturbed as he pulled up next to them and swung the door open.

“A beauty, isn’t she?” he asked, patting the dashboard before stepping out.

“Uh…” Dakota drew out.

“Magnificent,” Wes answered for her. “Does it still have the original engine?” he asked.

“Sure does,” Gus pulled his hat lower over his eyes. “My buddy, the one I was telling you about, has worked on it a couple of times, but it still runs.”

“This buddy of yours…” Dakota started cautiously. “He does work on modern cars too, right?” she asked.

“If you can call that piece of plastic a car,” Gus huffed, sparing a glance at her Toyota. “But yeah, he works on all kinds of machines.”

Dakota almost let out a sigh of relief before her initial shock wore off and she realized why exactly Gus had gotten his truck out of retirement, where it belonged.

“You’re going to tow us in that thing?” she asked, unable to keep the disbelief out of her voice.

“Yeah, I ain’t gonna push it over to Mack’s place, now am I,” Gus replied.

Oh boy, Dakota thought, ignoring the way Wes was staring at the truck in barely-contained awe. This ought to be interesting.