Ross considered that for a minute; then held up his hands。 In gracious
defeat; he stepped back。 She put the key in the ignition; pumped the gas
pedal; turned the key。 There was a click; but nothing happened。 She
repeated the sequence。 It always worked。 Granted; her small blue pact
had seen better days; but it had always started for her…until; she
realized as she turned the key a third time; this afternoon。 She had
heard the same click then; had run back into the house and brought Lee
out to help。 They had figured the engine was flooded; had waited and
won。 The car had started。 But Murphys Law said that it wasnt going to
start now。
〃Trouble?〃 Ross bent in at the window again。
〃Battery; I think。〃
He opened the door。 〃Let me try。〃
She slid out。 With an ease that belied his awesome length; he folded
himself behind the wheel。 The front seat was already back to allow for
the length of Chloes own long legs; and even then he gave a
good…natured grimace。 She had to smile。 Getting in was apparently the
easy part。 Maneuvering now that he was there was the challenge。
But he managed。 When he tried the ignition; though; he had no better
luck than Chloe。 He listened to that impotent click once; twice; three
times。 Then he hoisted himself out of the car and looked under the hood。
〃Youre right;〃 he said; straightening。 〃Its the battery。〃 He slammed
the hood shut and brushed his palms against one another。 〃It looks like
youll have to stay。 I dont see how youll get someone to e out at
this hour。〃
She reached for her bag。 〃I have triple…A。〃
〃Chloe。〃 He sighed softly。 〃This isnt a bustling metropolis。 By the
time…〃
〃Do you have jumper cables?〃
〃No。〃 He patted his pockets。 〃Not anywhere close by。〃
〃In your car?〃
〃Its a rental。〃
Her gaze fell to the pavement。 She could rant and rave all she wanted;
but it seemed she had little choice。 〃I suppose Lee could change that
early appointment for me;〃 she murmured quietly; then looked up。 〃And
you think your inn would have a room?〃
His gaze was steady。 〃Im sure it would。〃
Not one to belabor a no…win situation; Chloe sighed。 〃Lead on; Ross。
Lead on。〃