He walked her through the steps needed to get the car moving forward. As they crested the hill, he told her to stop. “Take it out of gear, release the clutch and hit the brake. Good. Now, this is the test.”
“I’m scared.”
“Don’t be. There’s nothing behind you to hit, so if the car rolls back a bit, you’re fine.”
“Gulp.”
“Let up on the clutch slowly as you press down on the gas. You feel that? Yes! Like that. Perfect.”
“I did it!”
“You did. Excellent job. Now stop again.”
“Do I have to?”
“Yep.”
“Ugh. Okay.” She brought the car to a stop but forgot to employ the clutch. Again, the car lurched forward and stalled. “Damn it.”
“If the car is in gear when you’re stopping, you need to push in the clutch.”
“Now you tell me.”
“I said that.”
“When?”
“You’re cute when you’re pissed.”
“Your charm isn’t going to get you out of this.”
“Good to know.” He loved being with her. He loved everything about her, even the stubborn set to her jaw as she tried to learn something new. “Let’s go through it again.” He went over each step required to get the car moving without rolling backward. “Ready to try?”
“No.”
“Yes, you are.”
“No, I’m not.”
He put his hand over hers on the stick shift. “Let’s do it together.”
“Is that a metaphor?”
Landon laughed. “Slowly let off on the clutch as you press down on the gas. Let’s do it.”
The car stalled again.
“It hates me.”
“Nope. Try again. You’ll get it.”
“What’s that burning smell?”
“My dad’s pampered clutch.”
“He’s going to be able to tell I ruined it.”
“You won’t ruin it. Just relax and feel the car. It’ll guide you.”
“Okay, Zen Landon. Whatever you say.”
“Less talking. More driving.”
After two more false starts, she succeeded in moving the car up the hill, letting out a victory whoop that made him laugh.
“Now we’re talking.” He let her enjoy the victory for a minute before he told her to stop again.
“No! I don’t want to.”
“Yes. Do it. And don’t forget the clutch.”
“Fine.” She glided to a smooth stop.
“Excellent. Now get going again.” This time, she went from stop to go and smoothly accelerated up the hill. “There you go! You’ve got it.”
“Yahoo! Check me out!”
“Don’t mind if I do.”
“I did it, Landon!”
“Yes, you did. That’s the hardest part of driving a stick. If you can do that, you can do anything.”
“Thank you for teaching me.”
He put his hand on top of hers on the shifter. “My pleasure. Now, let’s go down the hill, and you can take me for a ride.”
“Are we still talking about driving?”
“For now.”
“Thanks for this.” She glanced over at him. “It helps to stay busy.”
“We’ll keep you very busy this week and next, and soon enough, you’ll get to see your girl.”
“I can’t wait.”
Chapter Twenty
“A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.”
—Saint Basil
Amanda officially returned to work Monday morning with the training for the Abbotts’ sales team that was set to take place at the Grange, a function hall in town. Ella and Charley had provided a continental breakfast for the salespeople, who were mostly older women. From what Amanda had been told, many of them were second-, third- and even fourth-generation members of their families to work for the company.
She had tailored her presentation accordingly.
After everyone had a chance to get coffee and a Danish, Charley asked them to take their seats so they could get started. Ella and Charley were heading back across the street to work the floor in the store with Cameron and Lucy while the sales team was in training.
Wade Abbott stepped up to the podium. “Good morning, everyone. As the director of health and wellness, it’s my honor to welcome you today to this special training event for our new intimate product line. For the record, this was one hundred percent my father’s idea, so any complaints or concerns should be directed to him.”
While the others laughed, Wade flashed that unmistakable Abbott grin—a little bit mischievous and a whole lot sexy. Each of the Abbott men had that unmistakable something that made them catnip to women, and they got it from their dad and granddad, who were just as charming.
Which was why Amanda couldn’t wait to see what happened when the catalog hit and women came from all over in hopes of seeing the male models in person.
“All kidding aside,” Wade said, “we’re pleased to expand our offerings to include this new line,