Read Online Captured Again by L.L. Akers - Free Book Online Page B

now. I’ll call someone to take a look at it,” Emma said. “I really appreciate the ride though.”
    “I already called a buddy of mine. He does know something about cars. He’s meeting us there and picking up a new battery on the way—just in case.”
    “When did you call him?” Emma asked, confused.
    “I texted him when you were in your sister’s house. Told him we got nothing when we turned the key. He said it may be a dead battery. If it’s not, he can take it right back, no problem.”
    “Wow. Thanks, I guess. How much is this guy going to charge me?”
    “Nothing. He owes me a favor. If you can afford to, just reimburse him for the battery—if it works. If you can’t, I’ll pay him,” Dusty offered.
    “No way. I can definitely pay for the battery. I just hope that’s all it is.”
    Emma was starting to get nervous now. All she needed was a huge car repair bill on top of a DUI arrest. She’d had to call out of work tonight because she’d been too tired, so she’d have a short check this week anyway.

“Dust ... my man! How ya been, dude?”
    “I’m good, man. How are you and the family?” Dusty answered as he climbed out of his patrol car to shake the dirty hand of the smiling man sitting on Emma’s hood. Emma watched their hands, noticing the blaring differences. Dusty’s was large and clean, while Jump’s were thin, rawboned, the creases in the skin pitch-black with layers of oil.
    “Aww, you know, dude. They’re all cool,” Jump answered, hiding his eyes with stringy brown hair that was too long and flopped forward when he tilted his head down. “Let’s pop the hood on this baby and see what’s going on,” the man said, still smiling.
    The smile never left his face, even when he was talking. Now this is one friendly guy, Emma thought while looking him over.
    “Emma, this is Jump. He’s the best guy I know to work on cars. Loves his job, too.”
    “Hi, Jump,” Emma said apprehensively. She wasn’t sure if this was a joke on her or if his name really was Jump—and if so, why?
    “Hiya, sweetie. Nice to meecha. Pass your keys to Dust, wouldja?” Jump said while leaning on one foot, then the other, kind of teeter tottering in place, as if he couldn’t stand still, and his eyes didn’t stay too long in one place either, dodgy-like.
    Wow, he talks fast, Emma thought as she dug through her purse and found her keys, tossing them to Dusty, who climbed in to pop the latch and get the key into the ignition, awaiting instructions. He looked at Emma and winked, after they both watched Jump dive under the hood so fast it looked like he was searching for gold.
    “Okay, Dust! Turn her over.”
    Dusty turned the key and nothing happened.
    Jump fiddled with something again and yelled out, “Again, Dust.”
    Dusty turned the key again. Nothing.
    “Cool. Not a problem, dude. Her battery’s just shot. I brought you one,” Jump said as he practically hopped to his truck, reached in, and hopped back to Emma’s car, carrying a battery, in about twenty seconds flat.
    “See why we call him Jump?” Dusty asked and laughed as Jump dove right back into unhooking the old battery and putting in the new one.
    “There you go. Give her a whirl now, Dust,” Jump instructed, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
    Dusty reached again for the key, turning it, and to Emma’s relief, her car started.
    “Thank you, Jump! And you too, Dusty!” she babbled. “I can’t believe how fast all that was. Jump, can I get your number in case I ever have car problems again?”
    Jump’s smile left his face for the first time. He looked at Dust, shaking the hair out of his eyes, then back at Emma, his face reddening to the tips of his ears.
    “Your boy Dust has my number. You need me, he can find me,” Jump said while fast-trotting to his own car one space over.
    Before Emma could get any money out of her purse to give him, he was gone—in a flash. She watched, flabbergasted, as he tore out of the parking lot,