Waiting for Willa (Big Sky, #3)(13)

Nada.

“Well, crap.”

“What’s wrong, Mom?”

“I don’t know how to put the car in gear,” I mutter, getting frustrated. Maybe I should have had Max show me how to drive this damn thing, after all. I had no idea that newer cars were so high-tech. I’ve ridden in plenty of them, but I’ve never had to pay attention because I wasn’t the driver.

Besides, my car is only five years old. It’s not ancient.

“You’re going to be so late if I can’t figure this out,” I mutter as Alex whips his seatbelt off and leans forward, helping me search.

“Here are the letters,” he says, pointing to the console to my right. “Push on that circle.”

Sure enough, it pops up, and when I turn it to the right, it shifts into Drive.

I just had to have an eight-year-old show me how to drive a car.

Is it too early for wine?

“Thanks, Bubba. Get in your belt.”

He grins proudly and buckles up, and we’re off. The ride into town is interesting as the car beeps and pulls me away from the lines, trying to drive for me.

I’m definitely having my own car fixed. I’m not ready for this technology.

“My seat heats up,” Alex says with excitement. I have to admit, it is comfortable. And when it’s not beeping, it drives smoothly.

I suppose I could learn to drive it if I had to.

I pull up to Alex’s school, and he leans over to kiss my cheek before he jumps out of the car and runs toward the teacher at the door. She smiles and waves at me before I pull away and drive the short distance to my shop.

I climb out of the Range Rover and scowl at it as I gather my things and hurry inside. The snow has picked up again, falling in huge flakes the size of quarters.

It’s pretty, but it’ll be slick to drive in later.

Once inside, I go about my usual routine of flipping on lights and pulling the cash drawer out of the safe and getting it set up. I lay out more coffee pods and make sure the water reservoir is full, then I rearrange a few of the displays to freshen the place up a bit.

Before it’s time to open, I check my email to see if anyone has responded to my ad for part-time help and smile when I see three messages from potential employees.

After calling all three and setting up times for interviews, I flip on the Open sign and get ready for another day in paradise.

***

“But I only wore it three times.” I’m holding a sweater that a customer is trying to return, staring at the burn hole in the hem. “It wasn’t my fault that my boyfriend’s fire sparked and it landed on me.”

But it was my fault?

“Well, I’m glad that you weren’t burned,” I begin, keeping my temper in check. Alex comes running in the front door. He hurries over to me and drops his book bag behind the counter, then leans in and hugs me.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Hi, buddy. Go get your snack and then get started on your homework.”

“Okay. I need help with the math.” He hurries away, and I sigh. Today has been another rough one. I’ve been busy in the shop, which is good, but the customers have been moody and demanding, much like the one standing before me now. And, of course, the garage called to tell me that my car won’t be ready for two weeks.

“What are you going to do about this?” the customer asks impatiently.

“Honestly? I’m not going to do anything about it except say I’m sorry that it happened to you. There’s no defect in the sweater.”

“I only wore it three times, and this sweater was more than a hundred dollars.”

“It sucks,” I agree with a nod.

“I won’t shop here again.” She glares at me, rips the sweater from my hands, and stomps out of my store.

I breathe a sigh of relief.

“I don’t think you’ll miss her,” Cara King says with a kind smile as she sets a pair of jeans on the counter. Cara is married to Josh King, an older cousin of Noah and Gray King.

The King family is big and has deep roots in Cunningham Falls.

Cara is a teacher in town and a kind woman. She’s been a great customer.

“I think you’re right.”

Once I have the jeans folded and in the bag, I add a pretty pink bow and wish Cara a good day.

“Mom, I need help.”

“I know, buddy. Let me just finish with these customers.”

Alex sighs and takes a bite of his apple. He’s always patient about sharing me with the shop. It was an adjustment for both of us.

The bell above the door dings, and I shrug. “I’m sorry, buddy, it’s busy today.”

“Hey, Max,” Alex says with a smile. “Can you help me with my math?”

“Alex,” I admonish and shake my head at Max. “Sorry about that.”

“Does he need help with his math?” Max asks.

“Yes,” Alex says.

“No,” I say at the same time, and Max cocks an eyebrow.

“I do too,” Alex insists. “But Mom’s too busy with customers.”

I shrug a shoulder. “I’ll get to it in just a few. Don’t worry about it.”

“Alex, you go get ready, and I’ll be right there,” Max says without looking away from me.

“Awesome,” Alex says and hurries away to his little desk in my office.