Read Online Yule Tidings by Savannah Dawn - Free Book Online Page B

and there wasn’t another car in sight.  She knew the closest house was probably a mile away, and she doubted she’d be able to walk that far in her present condition.  Anne limped past the man as he surveyed her car.  He seemed to be judging the best way to pull her out.  Anne didn’t think it should be that difficult, he had a big truck; all he had to do was wrap a cable from her car to his truck and go.  Anne struggled to climb into the cab.  She’d twisted her ankle on her trip back down the ditch, and putting weight on it was difficult.  Maybe it’ll stay this way and I’ll lose weight , Anne thought wryly, heaving herself into the truck.
                  Merle started hooking tow cables to the woman’s car, careful that he wouldn’t pull on anything that might come loose or break.  He wasn’t going to stop when he saw her flashers from a mile or so back, but when she’d practically jumped in front of the truck he didn’t figure he had a choice.  The damned woman was soaking wet.  He knew she’d catch pneumonia if he didn’t help her.  It was late, and this particular road seemed empty in the evenings; there would be no other cars.  He knew he looked frightening.  The look on her face when he walked towards her told him that; like she wasn’t entirely sure he was there to help.  He’d had a rough day at work.  The rain had turned the cement into mud, and he’d taken a bit of a spill on the front stoop.  Merle finished hooking up the car and connected the cables to his truck.  He climbed in next to the woman.
                  “Thank you,” she said, her teeth chattering, “I’m Anne.”
                  “Merle,” he growled.  He started the truck.  “I need your keys,” he told her.  She seemed to jump.
                  “I think I left them in the ignition,” Anne said, reaching into her pockets, clearly disorientated.
                  Merle didn’t say a word.  He climbed out of his truck and made his way carefully back down the gully, using the tow cable to help balance himself.  He climbed in the car from the passenger side and threw it in neutral.  He didn’t even bother trying the driver’s side.  He’d noticed that the door was caved in while he attached the tow cables.  He closed his eyes for a second, resting in her car before heading back up the ditch.  He was tired.  He didn’t want to help some random, disheveled woman.  She was overweight, her hair was totally disarrayed, and she had mud and gunk covering her clothes, which were obviously not appropriate for the present weather.  He sighed.  Once he got her car out of the gully he could be on his way.  Merle climbed back up the ditch carefully, and pulled himself into the truck.  He slowly worked the car out of its position, trying to make certain he didn’t damage it any further.  When the car was fully on the road he stopped and looked at Anne.
                  “I really appreciate this,” Anne said, taken aback by his silence.  She wasn’t used to people not talking with her.
                  “No problem,” Merle said before climbing out and unhooking the two vehicles.  Anne nearly fell as she jumped down from the truck, her ankle swollen and sore.  “Are you okay?” Merle asked, watching her struggle to remain standing.  He could tell she was gripping the door handle with all her might to keep herself upright.  He wrapped up his tow cables as he waited for her answer.
                  “I think so.  I just fell on my way out of the ditch and twisted my ankle pretty good,” Anne answered, leaning against the truck.
                  He watched Anne in some bemusement, not entirely sure what to do.  He didn’t want to look at her injury, but he needed some assurance that she could drive herself home before he’d feel comfortable leaving the scene.  “Let me see,” Merle