A Most Shocking Revelation by Kristi Gold Read Free Book Online Page B

latch. Once he had that removed, he raised the door, revealing a large object draped in beige canvas, presumably a car.
    â€œWhat is this?” she asked when he started to pull back the cover.
    â€œYou’ll see in a minute.”
    And she did, starting with the taillights before a bright red spoiler came into view. By the time he had the car completely exposed, Valerie could only stare in wonder until she recovered her voice. “Oh my gosh, it’s a GTO. What year?”
    Gavin dropped the canvas and stood at the hood, looking very proud. “A ’69 model.”
    Valerie walked to where Gavin was standing and asked, “Can I see underneath the hood?”
    He looked genuinely perplexed. “Yeah. Sure.”
    He lifted the hood and secured it with the pins for Valerie to peer inside. “Wow. A four-fifty V-8. I bet it can fly.”
    â€œYeah, if you’re so inclined.”
    She was. “Incredible. It’s in mint condition.” She looked up to find him smiling. “I don’t see you as a classic-car kind of guy.”
    â€œIt’s the size of the engine that gets me going.”
    She rolled her eyes. “Men and their motors.”
    He laughed then, a low, compelling laugh. “You can tell a lot about a man if you look under his hood.”
    She folded her arms across her middle against the sudden boutof chills. “I suppose you’re going to say something about the big block.”
    He forked a hand through his hair. “No, but now that you mention it…”
    â€œOh, please.” She sounded appalled, when in fact she was getting a bit warm just imagining the possibilities. “Do you use it often?”
    â€œThe car?”
    â€œOf course I mean the car.” However, she still was considering Gavin’s personal motor.
    â€œNot often enough these days.” His tone bordered on suggestive, and Valerie wasn’t about to walk into that trap, even though she was sorely tempted.
    â€œI understand why you would want to limit the mileage,” she said. “It increases the value.”
    â€œIt still needs to be driven, and that’s why I want you to drive it until your car is fixed.”
    â€œThat’s very sweet, Gavin, but I can’t do that. What if something happens to it?”
    â€œI trust you.”
    Valerie internally cringed. “You don’t really know me.”
    â€œI’m getting there.”
    Oh, but he hadn’t come close. “I’m still not sure it’s a good idea.”
    â€œWhy? Can’t you handle a stick?”
    â€œBetter than most women.” And she couldn’t believe she’d just said that.
    â€œThat sounds interesting.” He dropped the hood closed and nailed her in place with his grin. “You don’t have to decide to take me up on my offer right now. But I might be tied up when you need a ride. This way you’ll have your own wheels.”
    â€œOkay, I’ll think about it.” Truthfully she was dying to get behind the wheel and turn it loose on the rural roads. Probably not a good idea unless she was alone, considering he was authorized to give her a citation.
    Gavin narrowed his eyes. “How do you know so much about cars?”
    â€œI spent a lot of time with someone who was fascinated with them. That’s all he could talk about.” A sixteen-year-old boy she’d counseled. She’d learned all she could about his passion in order to get on his level, hoping to keep him from dropping out of high school, and she had succeeded. A success among the failures.
    â€œHe taught you well,” Gavin said.
    â€œI’m a quick study. Always have been.”
    â€œGood.” He wiped his hands on his jeans. “Now you can help me with something.”
    She pointed behind her. “I thought I might start dinner.”
    â€œIt’s already in the oven,” he said.
    â€œNow I’m doubly