Free Mating Thomas Brac Pack by Lynn Hagen Page B

so much for the community that they feared he would stop the funds and the small town that everyone loved would dry up. No, no one around here would have done this.
Thomas glanced around but didn’t see anything out of place. The parking lot was empty, save for his car, and most kids around here lived on farms. That meant they wouldn’t be around until early tomorrow morning. The weather was balmy, but he didn’t think any of the kids were still hanging around. Besides, Thomas highly doubted one of the kids from the rec center had done this. They were a great bunch and he knew each and every one of them.
He stood on the step for a minute trying to figure out how he was going to lock the rec center. When his back reminded him that he needed to get moving, Thomas conceded. He made sure the place was closed tight and then hurried to his car.
He’d have someone come and look at the lock first thing Monday morning, but until then, he needed to get home for a nice long soak.
Thomas was glad the day was over and ready to go home and soak his aching back. He wasn’t as young as he used to be, and the kids around Brac Village were wearing him out.
He rubbed the small of his back as he headed for his compact Honda. He knew a hot soak in the tub and a few aspirin should help. His back felt like an elephant was sitting on it as he slid into his car, wincing from the pain.
He was in his late thirties. He shouldn’t be in this much pain. He had worked at the rec center for so long that there was no way Thomas didn’t stay in shape. The kids kept him active, and Thomas made sure he ate a healthy diet.
But the pain in his lower back was arguing otherwise.
Hell, it was shouting at the tops of its lungs.
Inserting the key, Thomas groaned and hung his head forward when the engine wouldn’t turn over.
This.
Cannot.
Be.
Happening.
He did not need this trouble right now. His Honda wasn’t so old that it should be giving him problems. Thomas wasn’t sure if the car was still under warranty, but prayed that it was. Even though Mark gave the best prices around, and had a payment plan set up for those who couldn’t afford the services, Thomas wasn’t looking forward to a costly repair bill.
He tried once again to start his car, but the dang thing wasn’t having it. The car just sat there, making no sound at all. Not even a whine. He had stayed later than expected and Mark’s Garage would be closed by now.
It was the only mechanic shop in Brac Village.
Sighing heavily, Thomas gave up trying to start the damn thing and slid from his car, heading back toward the rec center. He was going to have to call Maverick and see if the man could send someone to give him a lift. He would have to call Mark in the morning about his car.
It was a big hassle to catch a ride, but Thomas had no choice.
“Car trouble?”
Thomas spun around to see a very nicelooking man sitting in his truck. His window was rolled down, and his arm was resting on the window frame. And what a nice arm it was. The skin was tanned with sprinkles of black hair dusted over the arm.
“Yes.” Thomas nodded. “Do you know anything about cars?”
The man eased out of the truck and closed the door, and Thomas nearly swallowed his tongue. The man was simply gorgeous! His steel-grey eyes flickered over Thomas, as if assessing him from head to toe. Thomas fought the shiver that racked his body.
“I know a thing or two,” the man said as he walked over to Thomas’s car. The walk was sleek, loose-limbed, and good lord almighty, Thomas was going to melt on the spot. Did men really come in that size?
Of course they do. Look at the Lakelands and the men who live with Maverick.
Thomas pushed the thought aside. He didn’t care about any other man but the one standing next to him making his heart race out of control.
“I’m Tyler,” the man said as he stuck out a scarred and tanned hand. As soon as their hands touched, Thomas felt a shiver of electricity shoot through his body.
Thomas