I was annoyed as trying to avoid pothole. Then I heard Noah voice. "I think my mom's right, Noah added quietiy, "There are certain principles of gravity and momentum to consider here. A body in motion will stay motion and all that. "
"I'm just concerned about this body staying out of the emergency room."He was quite for a moment, then added, "Maybe you ought to let me drive."
"Why? Because you're a man? Don't be ridiculous I said huffily.
The truck hit a major pothole, and I held on to the wheel with all my might. We were all hold our breaths, waiting to see if we'd make it to the other side. The water splashed up the sides of the truck. For a moment I felt as we were floating Then finally they were on solid ground again.I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding
"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all," he muttered as we passed my house and turned onto the main road. "Maybe we ought to turn back a wait for it to clear."
"It's a fine time to start having second thought," I growled back. You were whining all morning about leaving. weren't you?" You had some unbelievable nerve, backtracking this point in the game. What did I think I was, your personal chauffeur?
"I'm just thinking of our safety, he argued back "Everyone's safety. I didn t quite realize how bad It is out here."
I'd had about all I could take. It was hard enough to drive in these Conditions without listening to Brian .
"There's Noah here to think of What will you do on the way back home if the rain doesn't let up? You might get stuck alone out here."
His consideration for my welfare and the welfare of my son would have been touching..if I hadn't been so angry at him. But when he put it that way, he did make sense. Why should I go out on a limb to help him? He'd blasted into my life like a tornado less than twenty-four hours ago, and all he'd given me Was trouble and aggravation And one unbelievable, soul-rocking kiss, I added to the list But that hardly made up for the rest
"Fine, you want to go back, here we go....."With one hard pull on the wheel,I steered the truck into a huge U-turn.
"Good," Brian. said tersely as the car turned.
"I'm relieved to see you' re doing the sensible thing. Take it a little slower, will you? We can skid and flip over."
"We're not going to flip over, I replied through gritted teeth. As I heard the engine sputter alarmingly.
"What was that?" Brain asked.
I couldn't answer as I hit the accelerator hard, but nothing happened. I felt the truck coasting to a stop and concentrated on steering it toward the side of road.. but not so close to the shoulder so that we'd sink into the mire
"Blast," I sighed, and hit the steering wheel with her hand
"What's going on? Did you run out of gass?" he aked
"Worse. I think the wires got wet. Must have been that last puddle we forged. "I sighed "I might be able to fiddle around with them though. Let me get Out and take a look."
I fastened my seat belt and opened my door "Let me help you, Brian offered. He jumped out his side and quickly took over as she struggled to raise he hood.
The trucks raised hood offered only a small shelter from the gusting rain. I knew the cause probably was hopeless, but I had to try. I wiped off the connections around the spark plugs with a rag and made sure the wiring to the battery was tight.
"How do you know so much about engines?" Brian asked curiously. Staring into the engine, his face was very close to my own. I was momentarily distracted by the sight of fat, glistening raindrops that dripped down his cheeks, His thick black eyelashes were spiked with water, as well, making his dark eyes appear even larger and deeper
"Oh. you just need to Know these things when you live out here, I said as she pulled my gaze away from his own
I saw him squint, not quite believing her explanadion, I'd had to lean a lot of practical skills to get by as a single mother It just came with the teritory. But I didn't feel like disclosing any more of my personal life to him. Let him read about it in his report, if he was so interested.
"Okay, that's all we can do here. Close the hood and I'll try it."
He quickly did as I'd asked and headed toward the passenger side door. I turned and stepped to the driver's side. But just as I grabbed hold of the door handle, my booted foot flew out from under me, The next thing I knew, I was flat on my back in the mud, a ferce pain shooting through my left ankle.
"Olivia.....are you all right? He slipped his arm beneathmy shoulders and lifted her Up
I felt dazed and embarrassed. The fall had shaken me up, and I leaned back against Brian for support. The look of pure concern on his face made me feel better instantdy, But it wasn't quite enough to erase the pain in my ankle.
"Guess slipped in the mud. I twisted my ankle a little," I added.
I looked down at my left leg and began straighten it out I tried to hide a wince of pain but Brian immediately noticed.
"Easy now," he said to me, He touched my shoulder lighty. "Don't make any fast moves."
"No problem.," I replied dryly. I realised Id landed in a huge puddle, The mud had now seeped through my jeans and my underwear. Still I had no Choice but to lie there motionless, while Brian stepped carefully around me and crouched do near my legs.
"Mom- are you okay? Cant you get up? I felt Noah's light touch on my shoulder and glance Over at him. His eyes were large with shock and Worry
"I'm okay, honey, I promised Noah. I don't think it's broken. Besides, I always wanted to try a mud bath. They say it's very beautifying," I noted, trying to get a smile out of my son
"I'm going to straighten your leg out now, Brian announced. He took my left boot in his hand. "I'll try to be as gentle as I can."
He was gentle. But it still hurt mightily, I was leaning back on my elbows. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes until it was over
when i opened her eyes again, Brian was very close to me He looked so worried about having possibly hurt me, I wanted to reach up and touch his cheek with my hand. He was pompous and overbearing at times. Impossible, actually .But he really did have a good heart underneath it all.
"Are you okay? Maybe we should try to get you to a hospital. Maybe you need an X ray."
"That wasn't so bad, she assured him. " I don't think it s broken. I can even wiggle my toes now That's a good sign, don't you think?"
"Let's get you back in the truck, he said, Then we'll figure out if anything's broken. Noah, I'll need you to help. Open the door on this side, then get in and help your mom side cross the sat while I push from this end."
"Sounds like you're hauling a sack of potatoes," I said as I sat upright in the mud. "Let's get this over with,'" I sighed
"No problem. Hang on tight now, " he replied He squatted down beside me, gripped her around the waists and lifted me up off the ground as if I weighed no more than a feather. I had no choice but to wrap my arm around his waist and lean against him, my head tucked against his broad shoulder. He was stronger than I expected, and in some distant part ofmy mind she took a moment to savor the feeling of his tight, secure grasp, the warmth of his body seeping into her chilled bones as westood hip to hip
"Okay now, into the truck, he said once we stood balanced together. With Brian's support, I hobbled over to the truck. I turned to face him, about to speak, but Brian quickly put his hands around my waist and lifted me up onto the seat.
I sat facing him exactly at eye level. He was so close-barely a breath away. My ankle throbbed, and I took a moment to catch my breath
"Are you Okay?"he asked with quiet concen
"Just grand. Thanlks for the lift."
"A Sack of sweet potatoes, I'd say, he teased me. "Does that make you feel any better?"
Emnensely, she replied. He laughed. With his help pushing on one side and Noah tugging other, I was soon sitting in the middle place with Noah on my right and Brian in the driver's seat .
"Cross your fingers, everyone ." Brian said as he reached down to turn the key in the ignition.
I did more than cross my fingers, I squeezed my eyes shut and sent up a silent prayer . If it were a clear day and I had two working legs, we were only a short walk from the house.
But in this weather, and in my condition, it would be a long hard journey to lug me back to the house.
The engine gave a clicking sound, and Brian cursed under his breath
"Come on, roll over, baby, he sweetly coaxed the truck as he tried again. I felt my heart sink. Despite the dire circumstances, I felt myself secretly smile at his soft, persuasive tone.
Heck, If I were stalled out in the rain, I'd start up for him, I thought.
Seconds later I heard the engine rev, and miraculously, we were under way.
Good job, I complimented him.
"Let's hope we make it back without stalling again." he replied. I'll try not to hit too many bumps," he promised, glancing down at my ankle.
"I'm okay, honestly, I assured him. It was so dumb of me to slip and fall like that I should have been more careful."
"Nonsense. It was just an accident. If anyone s to blame, it's me. I should never have let you go out in this weather."