A Man of Influence Read Online Free PDF Page B

going on.” Felix jumped a checker. “King me.”
    â€œNo license,” Phil grumbled. “No car. No ride for the playboy.”
    A chorus of “Phils” echoed through Martin’s Bakery.
    â€œDoctor’s appointment.” Mildred sighed, although how she could see the road through those thick glasses was beyond Chad.
    â€œDriving her,” Agnes/Aggie said, explaining everything.
    â€œRiding shotgun.” At least Rose had the courtesy to look apologetic as she twirled slowly in the corner.
    Everyone else looked as if they were happy to shirk tour guide duty.
    And inexplicably, Chad was okay with that. He smiled at Tracy. “I did shower today and use deodorant. Scout’s honor.”
    Tracy studied him as if he was an overpriced used car, one with high mileage and no warranty.
    He studied her in return. That tousled hair. That determined jut of her chin. It was weird. Just looking at her made him want to smile. That was the point of his new life, wasn’t it? He smiled.
    â€œFine,” Tracy grumbled. “But I’m driving.”
    â€œWhat?” Chad’s gaze bee-lined to his beloved sports car.
    â€œIt’s settled.” Agnes/Aggie clapped her hands.
    A few minutes later, he and Tracy stepped out on the brick sidewalk. Harmony Valley could have served as a backdrop for a Norman Rockwell painting. Old fashioned lamps lined Main Street. The buildings had brick fronts and canvas awnings. The wind blew brown and orange leaves down the road listlessly, as if even the elements knew the pace here was slow. Tracy zipped up her tan jacket against the autumn chill, and then extended her palm. “The keys.”
    â€œTo my car?” He glanced at his cherry red convertible and gripped the key in his hand. He’d ordered it custom from the factory. No one had driven it but him since he’d bought it. It required nimbleness to get in and out of. Neither a walker nor a wheelchair could fit in its trunk. “How about you sit in the passenger seat and I drive?”
    â€œNope.” She made the gimme motion with her hand and spoke slowly. “I had an accident...” Each word she spoke was labored. “I was in the... side seat.” She scowled, clearly not pleased with her word choice. “I don’t know you. Or how you drive. Or if I can—”
    â€œYou can trust me.” He gave her the grin he’d used to charm his mother’s friends when they’d come over to play Bunko. “I’m a good driver.”
    â€œDon’t. Finish. My sentences.” She glowered at him. As glowers went, it was cute.
    Chad’s father had been the King of Glowers. Until the last six months of his life when he hadn’t glowered at anyone. Dad’s soul, his personality, his very being had slipped away, leaving Chad to wait until his body gave up, as well.
    â€œGive me the keys.” There was a pleading note hidden between the demanding words and the glower.
    Chad stared at her, then at the gray-haired audience inside, and finally at his car. “It’s a stick shift.” A lost art form.
    â€œPerfect.” She breezed past him and slid into the tan leather driver’s seat, leaving Chad no choice but to ride shotgun. She held out her hand for the key fob as soon as his butt hit the stiff leather.
    He inserted the key in the ignition. “On cold mornings, she’s a bit touchy going into third gear.” He hoped Tracy wouldn’t grind the clutch. He hoped the B&B wasn’t far away. He hoped he wouldn’t regret coming to Harmony Valley.
    â€œI knew it.” She patted the dashboard and grinned. “Midlife crisis.”
    â€œI’m thirty-five. Too young for a midlife crisis,” Chad grumbled.
    â€œHuh. Makes me wonder...” Tracy swallowed, her grin fading as she forced out the words. “What you’ll drive...when the real crisis hits.” She shoved in the clutch and