Free Sweet Memories by Nicola Starks Page A

do it myself.”
     
    “Hey, don’t be in such a rush. I don’t mind pumping your gas.”
     
    Pride urged her to march out the door, but the snow falling steadily convinced her otherwise. “I would appreciate it. I’m not dressed for a snowstorm.”
     
    “You don’t say.”
     

     
    Gritting her teeth, she watched him walk toward her car. Jeans had rarely looked so fine. But a superb ass didn’t make up for a sarcastic personality. She sipped the steaming coffee and made a face. The motor oil in the rack by the grimy window probably tasted better.
     
    A few minutes later, the boy said, “Your tank is full. With the coffee, it comes to $52.50.”
     
    She paid with a credit card and took a five dollar bill out of her wallet. After signing the receipt, she left the store, dropping the cup of coffee in the trash can by the door. Blinking against the falling snow, she approached the man scraping snow off the windshield of her rental car and held out a hand with the folded bill in it.
     
    “Thanks, I appreciate the help.”
     

     
    He   stared   down   at   her.   “How   about   I   give   you   a   tip   instead.   This   storm   is supposed to get worse. Highway patrol is advising motorists to stay off the roads. There’s a motel about two blocks up the street. Get yourself a room for the night.” Blood pounded behind her temples at his big strong man is smarter than the dumb little lady tone. When her male colleagues spoke to her that way, she wanted
     

     
    to… She closed her eyes for a moment and shoved the five back in her purse. “I’m afraid I have a plane to catch.”
     
    “In Atlanta?”
     
    She opened the car door. “That’s right.”
     

     
    His gaze drifted to her bare left hand. “Let me guess. You went home to your family for Christmas, and your boyfriend is chomping at the bit, waiting for your return. No man is worth risking your life. Change your flight.”
     

     
    “If I were you, I wouldn’t quit my day job. Your fortune telling skills are pathetic.”
     

A wide grin stretched across his face, revealing even white teeth. There was something familiar about that smile… She shook her head. The man was a complete stranger. He probably looked like some bit actor she’d seen in a movie.
     

     
    “Well, at least I won’t be the one scraping you off the pavement. My shift’s nearly over.”
     
    She raised one brow. “I don’t understand.”
     
    He jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “I drive the tow truck.”
     

     
    It figured. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.” She slid onto the car seat and slammed the door. Pulling out of the gas station, she glanced into the rearview mirror. Mr. Hottie Mitch Whoever stood with his arms crossed over his chest, watching as she drove into the blinding snow.
     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     
    Chapter Two – The Winding Road
     

     

     
    Candy tried her cell phone again. No service. Which was worse? Being stranded in the middle of a snowstorm or having help arrive in the form of an arrogant tow truck driver. Go away.
     
    But the flashing lights grew closer.
     

     
    She sucked in a breath. I can deal with this. Glancing through the fogged up window, she couldn’t make out much except the flashing yellow lights growing brighter in her rearview mirror.
     

     
    The truck pulled to a stop behind her. A door swung open, and a husky masculine form emerged. It was him. Okay, she admitted feeling a certain amount of relief. The snow showed no sign of letting up. She was stuck on a dark country road…alone. Her cell phone had no reception.
     
    Just her luck. In the middle of nowhere, and her knight in shining armor arrived in a tow truck. God only knew how he’d found her.
     
    Her plan to wake up in her own bed in New York had taken a detour when her car skidded off the icy road. Her hands hurt from her panicked grip on the wheel. Her legs still trembled from