To Love Someone (Baytown Boys #14) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,34

Susan called out, walking past the exam room door.

She glanced down at her tablet to see who her next patient was, plastered another smile onto her face, and walked into the hallway, Joseph still on her mind. I wish I had time for his brand of complicated.

“Dammit!” Samantha cursed, fighting the urge to slam her fist down on the steering wheel. She had just entered the small town of Seaside when her truck lurched to the side. “This better not be a flat tire!” She cut the engine and pulled to the side of the road. Hustling around to the passenger side, she stared in dismay at the front tire losing air. Oh, shit… I don’t have a spare. She leaned forward, slightly banging her forehead onto the side of her truck window. I just need a break.

She was still standing there a moment later considering banging her head harder when flashing lights pulled up behind her. Twisting her head around, she watched as Dylan climbed out of the Seaside Police Chief SUV and walked toward her.

“Sam, when are you gonna put this thing out of its misery?”

Throwing a narrow-eyed, pinched-mouth expression his way, she plopped her hands onto her hips and shook her head. “As long as I can keep it running, it’s better than having to fork over money for a new one.”

He glanced down at the tire. “Well, at least it’s just a flat tire. I can get your spare on.”

Heaving a great sigh, she felt the heat of embarrassment hit her face and hated having to admit the truth. “I… I don’t have one. I took it out to make more room to haul things and forgot to put it back in.” She watched his brows lift and opened her mouth to tell him to keep his opinions to himself, but he just chuckled.

“Have you called for anyone yet?”

She shook her head and started to lean into the truck to grab her phone, but he beat her to it. She listened as he said, “Hey, it’s Dylan. Can you send someone with a tow truck? Looks like Sam needs some more help.” He grinned while still holding the phone to his ear. “Yeah, that’ll be fine.”

She crossed her arms over her chest, wondering if the scowl on her face was going to be permanently etched. “You called Jason?”

“I don’t know why you’re grumpy. Jason has the best garage in the area.”

“I was going to call someone from just up the road. Now you’ve got me being towed all the way back to Baytown.”

“Not if the person can fix it here.”

“Oh. Will they have the right size tire?”

“I don’t know,” Dylan said as he walked over next to her. He went back to his SUV and leaned in for a moment, shutting the door with his shoulder as he turned around. Walking back to her, he had two water bottles in his hands, reaching one out toward her.

She murmured her appreciation, and they chatted for a while until the rumble of a large truck could be heard rolling down the road toward them. Unable to see who was driving, she lifted her hand to shade her eyes and spied Joseph sitting in the driver’s seat.

Once more she hid the body shivers as she enjoyed the visual of watching Joseph climb down from the driver’s seat in all his rough, hot, gorgeous-bod, masculine beauty. Glancing to the inside of her truck, she spied her sunglasses and inwardly cursed that she didn’t have them on her face, hiding the way her eyes followed his movements.

He walked over, inclined his head toward her, and his voice rumbled as deep as his truck. “Samantha.” Shifting his gaze toward Dylan, he offered a chin lift before he turned and glanced down at her flat tire.

She winced, wishing that his glance could stay on her and didn’t have to focus on her truck again.

As though hearing her thoughts, Dylan chuckled and walked back to his vehicle. “I’ll leave y’all to it,” he said, offering a wave before he climbed into his SUV and pulled out onto the road.

“I’m surprised Dylan didn’t offer to change your tire.”

Joseph’s deep voice held disapproval, and she pinched her lips together, remaining quiet for a moment. Finally, not having any choice, she grumbled, “I don’t have a spare with me.”

His reflector-sunglasses kept his expression guarded from her, but she squirmed under his perusal. Finally, all her frustration exploded, and she waved her arms around wildly. “I know, I