Restorations (Book One Oregon In Love) by Bonnie Blythe Read Free Book Online

She gripped the handle more tightly and wrenched
with all her strength. With a sound like a shot, the door flew
open, knocking her backwards.
    She dusted herself off, gamely climbed
in—wrinkling her nose at the smell of gas and grease—and gave the
key a twist. By pumping the gas pedal, she heard a few sputters,
and then, silence. Trying the key again, she only heard a
click.
    “It needs a new battery.”
    Sara started at the sound of Brian’s voice
and banged her knee hard against the steering wheel.
    “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
    Rubbing her knee, Sara didn’t reply. She
slid from the seat and noticed Brian wore essentially the same
outfit as she, a black T-shirt and faded blue jeans. Her black
leather coat and his jean jacket saved them from looking like the
Bobbsey twins.
    “How ridiculous,” she mumbled.
    “What?”
    Sara shoved her hands in her back pockets.
“Uh, I’m surprised that you’re up and about so soon after your, uh,
deathly illness.”
    Brian seemed unaffected by her mocking tone.
“I still feel a little weak, though I slept for twelve straight
hours after you left. I’m tired of lying around.”
    Sara studied him through her lashes. He
didn’t appear weak at all. Noting his lightly tanned skin,
sun-streaked blond hair, and guileless green eyes, he never looked
more hale and hearty. She caught a teasing glint in his gaze and
realized she'd been staring. “So, I need a new battery, huh?”
    He nodded.
    “Any idea where I can get a truck battery in
this one horse town?”
    “There’s an auto supply store not too far
from here. Can I give you a lift?”
    Sara wanted to say Of course, I need a lift! but refrained. Instead, she gave a bland smile. “Thank
you.”
    Brian swept his arm in the direction of the
driveway where his own truck was parked. Sara strode to his vehicle
and scrambled into the cab, wishing the whole ordeal was over
already.
    The trip to the store passed in absolute
silence. Sara pretended to be vastly interested in the scenery. She
needed the opportunity to get a handle on her emotions. Dismissing
Brian Farris from her mind and heart was much easier when he lived
in a different state. Sitting next to him, noticing all the little
things about him she used to find so attractive, made it a more
difficult task.
    She couldn’t wait to get the house finished
and get out of Buell Creek. She wanted to be rid of his disturbing
presence, for once and for all. No more 'coincidental'
meetings.
    Perhaps she could persuade Hattie to move
down to northern California with her.
     
    Brian glanced over at Sara,
disappointed in her silence. Either she found the scenery
incredibly interesting or she had no interest in him .
    He sincerely hoped the former. Sara was the
only reason he’d come to Buell Creek. Knowing she grew up here, it
seemed a logical place to begin his search for her. Besides, he
wanted to check into the building boom happening in Oregon.
Striking up a friendship with Eli proved providential, and Brian
took it as confirmation he was firmly in God’s plan.
    With her grandfather’s help, he hoped to
reenter Sara’s life at some point and at least make wrongs right
with her. Now without Eli’s encouragement, he felt less certain of
how to proceed. He couldn’t just blurt out his apologies after a
two-year separation. He wanted Sara to listen to him with a modicum
of trust. That meant rebuilding a connection.
    Right now, the situation
looked pretty discouraging. Her animosity made it clear she wanted
nothing to do with him. While Brian understood it up to a point, he
felt frustrated by it. And he knew of old that once Sara made up
her mind, there wasn’t much that could change it. Stubborn as always .
    He'd hoped she might retain a bit of
affection for him. He looked over at her and felt a quickening of
his senses. That he still cared for her was an understatement.
    Brian pulled into the local auto supply
store lot and parked. Sara scurried out of the cab and