Math Nerds and Mechanics
The Morrison Family Series
Short Story
D.R. Grady
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and incidents are all products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Known locales are also used fictitiously.
Please do not download this from anywhere except where the story is offered legitimately. All rights reserved - including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.
Copyright 2013 by D.R. Grady
Please Note: While I had help with this story, there are still likely mistakes on my part. Authors also like to stretch and change things to make their story work. So this book does not necessarily reflect reality. I hope you enjoy it nonetheless.
Math Nerds and Mechanics
By: D.R. Grady
The expensive car sputtered for a moment then abruptly died. Josh had just enough time to steer the vehicle off the road and coast to a stop at the shoulder before the engine shut off. He took a deep breath as he rested his head against the steering wheel. When he assessed the situation, he wasn’t hopeful. He was in the middle of who-knew-where after that last, obviously wrong turn, with a dead car. Without another vehicle in sight, of course.
Beside him lay field after field of varying green. Most of the crops like corn and hay he actually recognized. Not that that knowledge and the assorted other random facts rolling around in his head were going to help him with his current situation.
When he glanced around, Josh noticed he did have an audience. On the other side of the road stood a herd of black and white cows, all chewing with apparent contentment as they watched him grapple with what to do. He didn’t figure they could do much about telling him where he was. This was a shame because it was embarrassing to find himself in this predicament.
Give him a complicated calculus problem and he could solve it. Sometimes without a calculator. Give him a difficult theorem and he could explain the mechanics without having to look up the rules. He was even adept at handling unruly clients and belligerent suppliers. But please don’t give him an automobile to fix.
Out of sheer desperation he checked the gas gauge. Half-full, so forget that theory. Now what? He hopped out and popped the hood. Not that he knew anything about what was underneath, but wasn’t that what people did when they had auto problems? He figured he could look. At least it would give him something to do. Make him feel like he knew what he was doing.
What he took for the engine looked fine. He noted the windshield wiper fluid was three quarters full. Always nice to know. The radiator looked whole and a little shiny. The battery appeared fairly new, with little corrosion. Even though he recognized those things it was still probably a good idea to scratch the plan that he could figure out what was wrong by gazing under the hood. Why couldn’t automobile repair be more like rocket science? Rocket science was easy, this was... not.
He stood by the side of the road with the cows watching him with no other plans as to what to do. A rather uncomfortable feeling.
Surely he could figure out a Plan B or even Plan C. Fumbling in the console he grabbed his phone and after a quick glance at the screen, noticed the battery bar did show enough charge for a text message. Who could he contact to come and look at his vehicle? His parents were on a cruise. His sister was probably at work but Tia wouldn’t have thought to check the gas gauge like he had, so she’d be more useless than him. Bryan, his lawyer brother was at a conference in California and Nick was so busy with four kids and no help he was a barely living version of a zombie. Josh thought his mechanic might be on the same cruise as his parents.
That still left all of his Morrison cousins. Which meant he had to figure out which one to text. Lainy, Ed, and Max could easily help, after they laughed themselves sick. Hey, his Grandmom was knowledgeable about cars, he could contact her. She’d at least be nice about this.
Good, now he was getting somewhere and he quickly scrolled through his contacts before his excitement died. Grandmom was a great idea except he still had no idea where he was. The maps feature on his phone was excellent but it lost the satellite signal a few miles back because his phone was nearly dead and he forgot the car charger. That’s why he took a wrong turn in the first place. When he glanced around again, the fields hadn’t changed and the cows were still staring at him.
Josh glared at the phone, and decided he would take an auto mechanics class, because this was just plain ridiculous. As a grown man, he ought to know how to fix his own vehicle. With both mechanical and electrical engineering degrees and plenty of physics classes to his name, one would think he’d know something about the inner workings of his vehicle.
At this point, he would be thankful for anyone who had any sort of clue as to the inner workings of his car. He made a note in his phone to sign up for that auto repair class he needed to look into. Or he could talk his Grandmom or Lainy into giving him some pointers. Grown men should not stand helplessly beside their useless vehicles. His mechanic would laugh himself sick, but then he usually did when Josh showed up, so that wouldn’t be unusual. Old Jeb was probably sitting by the pool on his cruise ship, being served iced tea by some nice waitress.
With a sigh Josh looked down the road and his heart skipped a beat. Careening toward him, in a truck far older than his sporty little car, rattled a decrepit vehicle along the lonely stretch of road. As it neared, the clanking and sputtering grew louder. The driver evidently spotted him because with some protest, the truck whipped in front of him and stopped. Personally, Josh thought the backfire from the listing muffler unnecessary.
Feeling a bit skeptical, since the owner obviously didn’t maintain his own mode of transportation, Josh watched in some bemusement as a short, coverall clad figure emerged from the cab. The name stitched to the coverall read Ron. Great, he’d tower over the fellow who had been nice enough to stop and help him. Maybe he should stoop a little.
The man pushed the bill of his cap up, waved, and then shoved the front seat forward with a creak. A tool box, well-used, with ominous looking spots of... something covered the beaten surface. But when the man swung the box to the ground and opened the wide mouth, sunlight gleamed off the shiny, well cared for tools in a nearly blinding stream.
The fellow seemed to deliberate for a moment before selecting a tool Josh couldn’t name. He peered under the hood of Josh’s car and then tapped a few things with skill. When he looked up and grinned, Josh caught his breath. No wonder he towered over the fellow. His rescuer was a woman. With bright amber-green eyes and the prettiest smile he’d ever seen. The grease smear on her smooth cheek was endearing and seemed ...right.
“Your alternator died. You’re going to need a new one.” She spoke with a husky, albeit feminine, cadence. His heart flopped sideways.
“And where exactly will I find another alternator? Where exactly am I, for that matter?” he asked wryly.
She laughed - it was a throaty, magical sound he wanted to hear a lot more of. “You’re between Oakdale and Franklin. I’m on my way to Oakdale now to pick up some parts. Want a ride?”
Relief and something else unfolded somewhere near his still-not-behaving heart. He smiled at her because he couldn’t help himself. Those amber-green eyes twinkled with a light he really liked. There was something about the entire woman he really liked. And it wasn’t just that throaty laugh, the red-gold ringlets escaping her cap, or her knowledge of automobiles.
“That depends. I’m Josh Morrison.” He held out his hand.
She took his hand solemnly and he appreciated the warmth of hers. The calluses he felt there intrigued him. “I’m Ronnie Lawson.”
“Nice to meet you, Ronnie.”
She murmu
red a like statement. He enjoyed the semi-smile that played around her lips.
“You’re going to pick up some parts in Oakdale because?”
“Because I’m the only mechanic in Franklin and the parts I need to fix Mr. Slightbow’s Chevy didn’t come in. So I’m on my way to Oakdale to pick them up myself.”
Now it was his turn to laugh. “You’re a mechanic?” He sent her truck a disbelieving look.
“I am. The best one in Franklin,” she said with a wicked grin. Two mischievous dimples peeked out of her cheeks. He was entranced. What in the world was a woman like this doing buried in some small town in the middle of fields and cows?
“Nice to be the best there is,” he answered, tongue-in-cheek.
“Yes it is. So are you interested in a lift to Oakdale to pick up your alternator?”
“Are you certain that truck will get us there?” His voice sounded dubious. Most likely because that’s how he felt. His car had to be fifteen, if not twenty, years newer than the truck she’d arrived in.
“Mr. Slightbow’s truck has never let me down.” Those dimples popped again and he was enchanted all over again. Josh hadn’t been aware of having a dimple fetish. This must be new.
Then what she said clicked in his brain and he forgot her dimples for a moment. “Ah.” Now, that explained a few things. This was a client’s vehicle.
“Yep. The best way for me to make certain I’ve fixed the right problem, and figure out if there are more, is to actually drive the vehicle.” She darted a dubious glance at the truck in question. “I’ll have to have another look. I thought I fixed the backfiring problem.” Her frown made the dimples disappear but he still caught himself staring at her.
He found he wanted to spend more time with her. “Of course.” However he could manage to fit in spending time with her, he didn’t particularly care. Josh just knew he intended to do so. “Thank you, I’d love a ride into Oakdale. I suppose I could always push if Mr. Slightbow’s truck lets us down.” For some reason, that thought didn’t bother him nearly as much as it might have before she arrived.
The cows wouldn’t mind if he and Ronnie were stranded together, and he knew he wouldn’t mind, either. Her next statement shattered that little daydream.
“It won’t,” she promised. “I’ve been working on this truck for years, since he never listens when I bug him to buy another one. It’s shot, but the truck still works. It should since I’ve practically replaced everything in it.” She shrugged. “So what brings you to town?”
“I’m an engineer and on my way to meet a client in Oakdale.” He’d just have to figure out another way to coax her into spending a little more time with him. That shouldn’t be too hard. He was supposed to be smart.
“You’re a math geek?” Her husky, delighted laugh made his heart swell. He desperately hoped she had a math geek fetish.
“Absolutely.” He sent her a return grin. “So, you, um, have a problem with having dinner with a math geek?”
“None at all.” And those amazing dimples returned.
***
Later that evening, after being shown to their table, Josh found he had difficulty focusing on the menu. His companion cleaned up well. Which he told her as soon as he set eyes on her and hadn’t been able to look away since.
She had blushed and preened a bit under his praise before he settled her in the car she had fixed with little effort this morning. Now her dress swirled around her legs and her high heeled shoes brought her head to his shoulder, barely. Her gorgeous red-gold hair tumbled around her shoulders and down her back. The light glinting off it reminded him of her tools in the sunlight and kept distracting him.
“How did your client visit go today?” She asked after they gave their order. He was glad for the excuse to stare. Why couldn’t he take his eyes off her?
“Fine. I’m pretty sure I fixed their problem.”
“Do you do a lot of this? Travel to fix problems?”
He took a sip of water. “Yes, it’s part of the job. Although I don’t do a lot of traveling. But troubleshooting is something I enjoy.”
Ronnie cocked her head. “Should I call you Dr. Morrison?”
Now it was his turn to blush. Something he hadn’t done in a long time. “No, my sister has a Ph.D. I just have two Master’s degrees.” He cleared his throat. “You should call me Josh.”
There was that smile again, the one that seemed to light her from inside and he basked in the glow. “I’ll be glad to call you Josh then.”
“Thank you,” he managed to utter through the lump in his throat.
“So where do you live?” He liked the sound of that slight teasing note in her voice. Like she liked him and enjoyed his company. Josh agreed – that’s how he felt about her.
“In Hershey.”
“Oh, that’s not too far from here.”
“No, so long as a person knows where he’s going.” His voice was just dry enough.
She laughed, as he hoped. There was no way he’d ever get tired of that amazing laugh. “Maybe you should invest in a car charger.”
“I have, I just forgot it. I also think I’ll take an auto repair class.”
“I’m surprised you don’t know how to fix your own vehicle. I thought engineers knew a lot about mechanics.”
He surveyed her face at a leisurely pace. “Not nearly enough, Ronnie.”
The delight on her face warmed him. “Maybe I could teach you.” Her eyes sparkled.
He discarded his idea of asking his Grandmom to teach him. He decided he still definitely wanted to learn all about auto mechanics. But only this one.
Note: If you enjoyed this story you can learn more about Josh and Ronnie in Macy’s Parade, Book 6 of the Morrison Family series.
About the Author
D.R. Grady lives with her husband near Hershey, PA. She loves gadgets, books, plants, shoes and writing stories that resonate with others. You can generally find her in her “office”, a chair in the living room, hopefully writing, but sometimes playing Angry Birds or reading.
Visit her website for more information.
https://www.drgradybooks.com
Macy’s Parade
Book 6 – The Morrison Family Series
Macy Beckman has a dream of becoming a veterinarian. As soon as some smart school finally accepts her, she’ll be on her way. Nothing will interfere with her goals. Except maybe Nick Morrison and his four kids. They’re now offering Macy another dream, one she thought had died. Soon this amazing Morrison family wiggle their way into her heart and she’s not sure she wants to leave. But the school that finally accepts her isn’t within commuting distance to Hershey. Now Macy has to make a heart-wrenching decision. Can she give up her dream job for her dream family?
Macy’s Parade
Chapter 1
Macy Beckman stared through the open door dismayed at the chaos. Nick Morrison, her maybe employer ushered her into the house and Macy swallowed hard, but complied. Okay, so the house looked like several bombs had gone off before the entire disarray was sprayed with water and feathers. So she knew four kids and various wildlife lived here. So the man who would employ her had good looks like she’d never been excited by before.
Hot only began to describe the man. With his dark curls, blue eyes and square jaw, she wanted to stare to her heart’s content. Of course, she wouldn’t because her mother had taught her that wasn’t polite, but oh, the temptation...
After viewing the house, Macy figured the sleepy bedroom eyes were likely a product of the fact that he didn’t sleep. She knew the man was a busy architect and had run through no less than fourteen nannies. Most had all ranged in duration from a week to two hours. When she answered his internet ad, she’d done so with the assurance that she could handle most anything. Now her confidence waned. She’d end up overflowing the washing machine because of daydreams about her boss.
“You’re familiar with kids?” He shoved various unidentified items from the sofas and Macy gingerly perched
on the edge of hers. Nick flopped into the other and traced a weary hand over his face. Yes, he looked about ready to nod off. And she didn’t think it was because he found her boring. Then again... Macy yanked her thoughts back to the interview.
“I am. I’m the oldest of five kids.”
“How about animals?”
“I’ve applied to veterinary school every year for the last five years.”
He stared at her through his hand. “Veterinary school?”
Macy nodded. Not that any of the schools she applied to took her seriously. She’d never even been granted an interview yet, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t determined. Vet school was harder to get into than medical school. At least the schools she wanted to attend were.
She noticed he didn’t write anything on the tablet in his hand. Was that a good sign? Or was this going to prove as fruitless as her numerous veterinary applications?
A little boy raced into the room, bounded on to the back of the couch where Nick sat then had an all out sword fight with an imaginary foe before he bounced off the back. Nick didn’t so much as blink. “My son, Brandt. He’s eight.”
“Hello, Brandt.”
The boy waved before he took up another battle. He made all the appropriate sounds of battle, complete with growls and bangings.
Macy couldn’t contain her question. Darn her curiosity. “Who are you fighting?”
Brandt stared at her for a moment. “My orc army and I are going to defeat Middle Earth.” He said it so matter-of-factly Macy almost missed what he said. This kid liked orcs and even led an army of them? Weren’t orcs the bad guys? Confusion reigned before her eyes trailed back to his hottie of a father.
Nick sighed at the same time Brandt resumed his battle. “Brandt likes things with big teeth.” He glanced down at the pad in his hand. “And claws. So you can patch up animals if it comes down to that?”
“Yes.”
“Maybe I should introduce you to our livestock.” He pursed his lips and let out a shrill whistle. She wanted to purse her own in appreciation. But she was a mature, responsible adult on a job interview. She knew how to behave. It was the doing that tended to get her. A wolverine burst through the door and skidded to a halt beside him. “This is Riley.”