can return it and buy the necessary part,” I assure her, holding the door open. “Want me to run you home?”
She glances back at Lizzie, considering her options. “We could wait here,” she suggests, a strand of hair falling across her forehead.
I shove my hands back into my pockets to keep from reaching for it. “It might take me a little time, and I thought you might want to get Lizzie home.”
Mallory sighs and grabs her purse. “Okay, you’re probably right.” She opens the back door and unbuckles Lizzie from the car seat.
“Nuggies!” Lizzie shouts once more.
Mallory looks on the verge of tears. “No, no nuggies now, sweet girl. Mommy has to fix her car.” She reaches into the back of her vehicle and tries to unfasten the child’s seat. Considering she’s only able to use one hand, it’s difficult, and I can tell she’s struggling.
Without saying a word, I step up beside her and take Lizzie. The little girl comes to me willingly and places her small hands against my cheeks. When she brushes against my stubble, she giggles the sweetest sound ever. “Nuggies.”
Mallory wrestles the car seat out of her vehicle and sets it on the ground. Those green eyes look sad. Defeated. “I knew I shouldn’t have said anything,” she whispers, almost to herself.
I grab the car seat with my available hand and start to head for my Jeep. Mallory makes sure she has her purse and a small bag and locks her doors. “Should I put up the top?” I ask when we’re standing beside the CJ.
“Uhh, I’m not sure. Is it super windy?”
“It can be.” I set Lizzie down in the driver’s seat, who instantly stands up and grabs the wheel. She starts turning it and making a noise, like she’s driving. Laughing, I set the seat on the back bench and pull the seat belt. “Through here?” I ask, trying to figure out how this contraption works.
“Yes, like that,” she says, reaching over the roll bar and pointing.
“Okay, I think I got it. Hop in, and I’ll get Lou.”
“Lou?” Mallory asks, her eyes smiling for the first time since I found her outside with a car that wouldn’t start.
Shrugging, I explain, “Lizzie Lou. I don’t know where I came up with it, but I just shortened it to Lou.”
She fastens her belt while I try to strap the toddler in the seat behind her mom. Fortunately, Lizzie helps me out by sticking her arms through the harness straps and holding the buckle. “Thanks,” I tell the little one, bopping her on the tip of her nose and making her giggle.
I jump into the driver’s seat and start my old Jeep. “If it’s too windy, I’ll put the top up.”
Mallory nods and slips her sunglasses on her face. I’m not sure why, but she looks sexy as fuck sitting in my CJ, wind already blowing her blonde hair.
I back out of the parking spot and find Jameson heading my way. “Hey, man, you busy?”
“Nope.”
“Can you run to the auto parts store and grab a battery for her Escape?”
“Can do,” he says. “What year?”
“Oh one, but you don’t have to do that. I can get one,” Mallory argues.
“I got it, Mallory,” Jameson insists, like I knew he would.
“I’m gonna run them home and I’ll meet you back here,” I tell him, throwing the manual shifter into first gear and driving away once he waves. Pulling out into the street, I head toward the golden arches.
“Oh, Walker, I live the other way,” Mallory says, pushing hair that has fallen from her ponytail behind her ear.
“I was heading to get nuggets.”
“Umm, that’s not necessary.”
When I reach a stoplight, I turn and look at her. “I don’t mind running over there real quick, even though it’s against my religion to get burgers from there.”
Something crosses her face. “Well, I have to get a battery now.” Her gorgeous face flushes with embarrassment as she casts her eyes downward.
That’s when it hits me. The money she was going to use to buy McDonald’s is now going toward her car. Realization sets in. Things are tight for Mallory. She clearly has a budget and sticks to it.
The light turns green and I continue on my way, pulling into the parking lot. “Walker,” she starts, but I cut her off by placing my hand over hers.
“I got it, Mal.”
She swallows hard. “I’ll pay you back,” she insists.
“I’m not worried about it, Mal. I can surely pay the artist for such a wonderful piece