The rain was coming down in sheets, angry, punishing sheets that hit the earth with a force that matched how Cole felt within. He pulled the zipper up on his wet sweatshirt and squinted through the windshield of his old, rusted Chevy as the wiper tried to keep up. The glass fogged up with every breath.
Every mile down this muddy backroad made him feel like he was just keeping his life together with chewing gum and prayer. His seven-year-old son, Liam, was asleep in the backseat, holding a half-eaten PB&J like it was a prize. Cole’s heart sank as he stared at him in the rearview mirror.
That
He might be able to ask for an advance, but he loathed begging. Maybe. When he stomped on the brakes, his truck shook.
There was a red pickup truck in the middle of the road that was bashed up, with the hood popped and steam rising quickly. There was also a woman next to it, soaked to the bone, in a flannel shirt and jeans with dirt on them, holding a flashlight and flailing her arms. Cole’s gut told him what to do.
He
Her voice was shaky but strong. The truck got too hot. The battery light came on before it died.
Cole
Are you sure? He whispered, “Lady,” as he crouched under the hood with expert eyes. This month, I’ve fixed more vehicles than I’ve eaten hot meals. She stopped talking.
Cole didn’t see the boots that were hidden in the dirt. He didn’t see the gold ring hidden under her glove. He didn’t care that her flannel shirt was from a high-end brand, even if it was crumpled and wet.
He thought of her as just someone who needed help. And he would be damned if he let someone die of cold out here while he still had calloused hands and working tools. It was thirty minutes.
Liam moved around in the backseat and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. The woman, who still hadn’t told him her name, smiled softly and gave him a granola bar. Cole saw it out of the corner of his eye and felt something twist in his chest.
People didn’t generally give them anything. Are you from around here? Cole asked, making sure the last bolt was secure and the oil levels were right. She said something like, “Kind of.”
Got some acreage a few miles away from my family. I was looking at a property. I didn’t think the engine would break down…
Cole slammed the hood shut. You’re ready to go. Don’t go too fast till the fan starts up.
This thing is only held up by wires and grace. What do I owe you? He laughed, but it wasn’t funny. I didn’t do it for the money.
Just do something nice for someone else. She looked at him. Stared a lot.
Like she’d never heard those words before. After that, she looked at his pickup. Is that your son? Yes.
What is his name? Liam. Kid is cute. She stopped.
You didn’t even ask me who I was. Cole wiped his hands on his jeans, which were dirty. I didn’t think it was important.
You needed aid. That’s all I needed to know. She didn’t say anything.
Instead, she moved closer, looked him in the eye, and said softly, “You don’t know what you just did, do you?” Cole looked up with interest. Worked on a truck. Gave a hand to a stranger.
Drove home in the rain. That’s what I did. The woman grinned a little.
After that, she got into her truck and drove away into the darkness. But not before looking at Cole’s license plate and memorizing it. Cole had no idea that the woman he assisted wasn’t just a random person who was stuck.
Savannah Rowe owned Rowe Farms International. And in two days, she would impact his life in a way that no wrench or bolt ever could. Cole assumed the night would conclude with a bowl of quick noodles and a shower that wasn’t too hot.
Nothing unusual. He parked his car next to his old trailer at the edge of the woods, and the gravel under his tires made a noise. The roof still leaked.
The light on the porch flickered, like it had its own ghost. But that was home. He took Liam inside with him. The youngster was still half-asleep on his shoulder and breathing softly.
Cole felt like he had fallen so far since Savannah left him years ago with every stride he took across the little, creaky living room. His ex. Not the woman on the road.
It’s strange that name kept coming up. He put Liam to bed, kissed him on the forehead, and then sat quietly and looked at the peeling wallpaper. He was used to the quietness in a way.
Another part of it loathed it. But something was wrong. It felt like the air was too quiet.
Like there was someone observing. But he got over it. He had worked the next day.
The same dirty garage. The same broken carburetors. The same cheap clients that wouldn’t even provide a tip for extra hours.
And no matter how hard he worked, the bills still felt like vultures circling overhead. Savannah Rowe was sitting in the back of a luxurious black SUV parked outside a modern farmhouse she didn’t use very often, twenty miles away. She had changed out of her dirty clothes, but her hair was still wet from the rain.
She looked at a laptop screen while her assistant’s words came through the speaker. You asked for a check of your background. We found him.
The name is Cole Whitaker. Three-three. Father of one.
Seven years ago, his wife left him. Since then, he’s been taking care of the child by himself. Has three jobs.
Lives in a trailer next to Hollow Creek. Savannah leaned back. Eyes narrowed.
And his boy. Liam is the name. Nice child.
Never been into trouble. Teachers believe he doesn’t talk much. Good…
She took a slow breath. That boy’s memory. Eyes are tired but sparkling.
Holding that granola bar like it was worth a lot. It bothered her more than she thought it would. Savannah said to set up a meeting.
“Meeting,” her assistant said, shocked. With the school. And the person who owns the trailer park.
Dude, why? Savannah’s voice got lower. Because that man was there for me when I needed him most. And he didn’t ask for anything in return.
You think I’m going to forget that? Cole drove into the garage lot two days later, but there was already a black SUV parked out front. A man in a suit got out and said something that made Cole’s stomach plummet. You are Cole Whitaker? Yes.
Who is asking? Come with me. Cole got tense. I have things to do.
Not today. I have to feed my kid, dude. Is this a court order? Because if it has to do with Savannah.
The man answered, hardly suppressing a smirk, “It’s not that Savannah.” Believe me. She’s not going to court against you.
She wants you to come. Cole laughed out loud. What are you inviting me to? Court for small claims.
The dude didn’t say anything. He only opened the door to the automobile. They drove without saying a word.
Cole’s thoughts were racing. The man wasn’t a police officer. He was confident of that.
But the way he moved was planned. Like he was used to making big deals and keeping secrets. Finally, they parked in front of a farmhouse that looked like it came straight out of a movie.
There were two horses eating grass in the distance. The front door was framed by a wraparound porch. And there she was, Savannah, on the way.
This time, though, she was wearing a pretty blue dress. Crossed arms. Eyes are stormy.
Cole stepped outside, very confused. What is this? Savannah’s face softened as she walked nearer him. You were there for me that night.
You didn’t know me. You didn’t care. You shared your last ounce of warmth and comfort without asking for anything in return.
Cole moved about uneasily. What is this? Sad? Giving? Her jaw got stiff. No.
This is thanks. Thank you very much. He stared at the big home.
The well-kept land. That stupid horse was trotting across the field like it owned it. He said under his breath, “I don’t belong here.”
“Yes, you do,” she responded firmly. You just don’t believe it yet. He turned to go.
He said gently, “I didn’t help you get anything.” Savannah stepped forward, her voice shaking a little. And that’s why you deserve it all.
A small figure came out from behind the SUV before he could answer. Dad. Liam yelled and ran up to him, grasping his leg.
Cole stopped moving. Hey Liam? What are you up to here? Savannah got down on her knees and smiled at the lad. Hey there.
Do you remember me? Liam nodded, his mouth full with amazement. You gave me the food. I did.
And I want to say thanks. Thanks for letting me spend time with your dad that night. Cole’s throat got constricted.
You brought my son here. I told your neighbor to get him. I wanted this to be a visit with my family.
His eyes got smaller. What? Savannah looked him straight in the eye, serious and clear. Because I want to give you something.
Not simply a job. Not just a freebie. What now? She took a deep breath.
I want to help you start over. You are in charge. I want to offer your son a future.
I want to do it the way you did it for me. With kindness. Not what I thought.
Cole stood still. He felt a dozen different things at once. He felt confused, thankful, proud, suspicious, and something else he hadn’t felt in years.
Hope. That night, Cole didn’t sleep. He sat on the side of the luxurious guest bed that Savannah had given him and Liam. He stared at his calloused hands as if they contained all the answers to his questions.
The walls were silent. Too quiet. No wind getting through broken windows.
There were no noisy pipes or rats scratching behind the thin drywall. This wasn’t his world. The sheets were excessively soft.
