Roadside reunion

As she's about to lose hope for making the night perfect for her niece, Amanda finds help from an old 'friend'

- Beth Pugh

Amanda Wallace kicked the tire as dusk settled around her and the out-of-commission car. Flat as a fritter, much like her plans. No way they’d make it to the drive-in before the show started now.

“What’s wrong, Aunt Amanda?” Kayla yelled out the back-seat window.

“Just a flat tire,” Amanda answered, infusing cheer to cover her worry.

The only flats Amanda knew what to do with were the black leather kind currently on her feet. She had never so much as put air in the tire! But she had to try…for Kayla.

Searching on her phone, she found a video on tire changes. Soon, Amanda had removed the jack, but where to position it? The video is skipping some important information...ugh! She was trying to figure it out when gravel kicked up behind her.

Amanda turned cautiously until Jake Harmon stepped out of the pickup truck. He’d swapped his clean-shaven look with jawline scruff, but his bright blue eyes made him easy to recognize.

Jake waved. “Hello, ladies.”

“Hey.” Amanda stood beside her niece’s window and made introductions. “Kayla, this is my friend, Jake.”