Page 41 of Tempted By the Single Dad Mechanic
Casey thinks for a moment. "Yes. That you're staying in Blackwater Falls for a while. That we like each other and we're going to see if we can make this work. She's four, but she's smart. She'll understand."
"Okay," I agree.
We head back out to the main shop, and Casey unlocks the front door. Almost immediately, an elderly woman walks in, keys in hand.
"Casey! I saw your truck out front. Is my car ready?"
"Almost, Mrs. Henderson. Just finishing up the alternator now. Give me twenty minutes?"
"Of course, dear. And who's this lovely young lady?"
Casey glances at me, and I see the exact moment he decides to just go for it.
"This is Morgan," he says. "My girlfriend."
The word sends a thrill through me, even though we literally just decided this five minutes ago.
Mrs. Henderson's face lights up. "Girlfriend! Casey, that's wonderful! It's about time you found someone."
"We're taking it slow," Casey says quickly. "She's new to town."
"Well, welcome to Blackwater Falls, dear," Mrs. Henderson says to me. "It's a good place. Good people. You'll love it here."
"I think I already do," I say, looking at Casey.
He smiles, that devastating smile that makes my heart skip, and I know I've made the right choice.
After Mrs. Henderson leaves, the rest of the afternoon passes in a blur. Casey works on cars while I answer phones and schedule appointments. We don't talk about what happened in the back room, but every time our eyes meet, I feel it: the connection, the promise of something more.
At three-thirty, Casey locks up the shop and we head to pick up Riley from pre-K. She's waiting by the door with Miss Amy, and when she sees us, her face lights up.
"Morgan! You came!"
"Of course I came," I tell her, crouching down to her level. "I wanted to see you."
"Did you have a good day at the shop with my daddy?"
"The best day," I say, and it's not even a lie.
On the drive home, Riley chatters about her day, something about Jacob and the playground and Mr. Shellby eating a whole carrot, and I listen, my heart full.
When we get to the house, Casey decides it’s time for Wednesday pancakes on Tuesday, and the three of us eat together at the kitchen table.
It feels like family.
It feels like home.
After dinner, Riley asks me to read her a bedtime story, and I do, using different voices for each character while Casey watches from the doorway with a smile on his handsome face.
When Riley's asleep, Casey and I sit on the porch swing, the night air cool and comfortable.
"Thank you," Casey says quietly.
"For what?"
"For staying. For giving this a chance."
"Thank you for asking me to," I counter.
