Drive Me Wild Read online

  Drive Me Wild

  Jeannette Winters

  An original work of Jeannette Winters, 2019.

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, places, events, business establishments or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Contents

  Jeannette Winters

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Epilogue

  Also by Jeannette Winters

  By Jeannette Winters & Lena Lane

  Jeannette Winters

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  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to my Mary and Vinny. Can we ever have a conversation and it not turn into a book? Probably not. Guess that's why I love talking to you.

  Also a special thank you to Creeps Car Club. You guys are amazing and I'm thrilled you let me use your club in my story. Can't wait for the next show!!!

  * * *

  Taryn Lawson, my editor, you are amazing!

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  To my readers who continue to inspire me with endless messages and kind words. Always make time for romance.

  Drive Me Wild

  Who thought one thunderstorm could put the entire event at risk. The bands started to arrive yesterday and no power was going to be an issue. Never mind the three hundred hot rods which needed to be ready for display. In a few hours, the gates were opening and the ticket holders expected a great show. Whatever it took, Jody was going to get it all done. This was her reputation at stake.

  * * *

  Cole had been restoring his 56 Chevy for years and this was its first public showing. The competition was tough, but he'd worked hard to get everything just right. With any luck, he'd take home the trophy.

  * * *

  But Jody is forced to recruit help by calling in a favor and Cole isn't pleased to have been the one who was volunteered.

  * * *

  Will Cole be able to save the day so his car doesn't sit on the sideline? Or will Cole learn that Jody is the final touch his car needs.

  Chapter 1

  “What do you mean there isn’t any power? I checked everything yesterday and it was working,” Jody Flowers snapped at her crew.

  “That was before the thunderstorm. From what I can tell, the stage got struck by lightening and it fried all the outlets.”

  She didn’t have time for this crap. “Then fix them.”

  Bobby shook his head. “We set up the sound stage, but for this, you need a licensed electrician.”

  This wasn’t the news she wanted to hear the morning of the event. Creeps Car Club had hired her to ensure everything went off smoothly. Until a few hours ago, she thought she had nailed it. Who would’ve thought a freak act of nature might be what ruins my reputation?

  Jody said, “Then get one in here.”

  “It’s Saturday. It’s a holiday weekend. You’re not going to get someone to drop everything and show up now.”

  The words no, can’t, and impossible had been spoken to her more times than she could stand. She hadn’t even had her coffee yet. You have no idea how dangerous that is. She wasn’t a morning person to begin with, and with how this day was starting, it wasn’t helping.

  “There has to be someone available. Call the electrical company. They work 24/7.”

  “They do, but not for this. I’m telling you, you’re going to need a master electrician. I’m not sure how the hell you’re going to pull this off. I think you need to let the bands know there’s no power.”

  The hell I am. “Don’t you say a word Bobby. We have time.” Not much. “Let me make a call.”

  “I still think it’s a waste of time, but you’re the boss.” Bobby walked away from her trailer shaking his head.

  He doesn’t believe I can do this. I’ll show him. Bobby had been working for her a couple of years. Until today, he’d never been so pessimistic. Then again, things didn’t normally look so bleak either. But she had an ace up her sleeve, a favor she had been holding on to for a long time. It might be the day to call it in.

  She pulled out her cell phone and called Murray. A few years back he was doing a hot rod show in Maine and was short several pinup gals. Jody, having been from Maine originally, pulled a few strings and got him not just what he was asking for, but some of the best in the business. She knew in this business, it was all about having the right connections. Since she wasn’t from Rhode Island, hers were limited here. But she knew Murray had family here and she was banking on the fact that somebody would know someone.

  Heck, the entire state could fit in my city. How hard can it be to find one electrician?

  “It better be good if you’re calling me this damn early,” Murray grumbled.

  It was six thirty in the morning on the east coast. Depending on where Murray was today, it could be a lot earlier. “I’m desperate and I’m hoping you can help.”

  “What do you need?”

  “I’m doing the Hot Rods of the Hill event. The gates open in a few hours and we have no power.”

  “At all?” Murray asked.

  “The town does, but our pavilion was struck by lightning. Somehow it fried all the outlets. At least that is what my stage manager is telling me. He couldn’t fix it. I need an electrician. Do you know anyone? I mean someone who can come immediately?”

  “Where are you?”

  “Rhode Island. I thought you said you had family here.” Jody crossed her fingers that she had remembered correctly.

  “My brother’s kid lives there, or at least he did the last time we talked. It’s been a few years. I know he was working as a journeyman. He might be an electrician now. I can give him a call and check.”

  “Oh Murray, that would be awesome. I really owe you if you can pull this off.”

  He laughed. “Let’s just consider the slate wiped clean. But don’t get too excited until I find out if he’s even still in the state.”

  It was hard not to, because time was of the essence and this was at least better news than she’d been given from Bobby. “How long till you know?”

  “Give me a minute to wake up. I need to call my brother to get the number. I’d say an hour.”

  Hour? “Murray, is there any way you can call now? Please?” She resorted to begging, but if it worked, she didn’t care.

  He let out a heavy sigh but said, “Fine. I’ll call you in ten minutes. No promises.”

  “Got it.”

  Sitting there and doing nothing wasn’t her style, or very productive. Jody had confidence that Murray was going to pull this off. There were a few people she could count on to be there in a crisis, and he was one of them.

  Grabbing her coffee, which was now cold, she he
aded out to walk the grounds. The vendors would be the first to arrive. That wasn’t an issue. They didn’t require anything except direction as to where to set up their tents.

  The hot rods were a different story. For the most part, everyone was great to work with, but there were always a few who were the exception. Even though each knew exactly where they were going to be, there were always a few who didn’t like their spot. Too sunny, not sunny enough, under a tree, the lighting wasn’t good for photos, and so on. Jody was prepared for them, but right now, she had bigger issues.

  The bands were an important part of the event, like the pinup gals and photographers. They got the crowds buzzing and were a major draw. If you were lucky and they liked your hot rod, one of the ladies might end up on top of it getting their picture taken. Who knows where that photo would end up? In a calendar, or maybe a magazine. No matter what, it was an honor and a fight to get as many of them as you could to notice your vehicle. Thankfully all she had to do was organize it all.

  And right now, I’m not sure the car club would think I’m doing a good job at it. But she had time, not much but hopefully enough, to get it back on track.

  Come on Murray. Call. Call already!

  * * *

  Cole was in his garage double checking everything. She was…beautiful, and in a few hours, everyone was going to see her. Thankfully his job lent him the trailer, which he was using his work truck to pull. The price of their generosity: he had to work the next few holidays. It was going to be worth it.

  He walked over to the truck and climbed in. Before he had a chance to back it up, his cell phone rang. It was his boss. Cole was on call this weekend, but all he needed was about six uninterrupted hours.

  “Hi Larry, what’s up?” Cole figured he’d take the info and call one of his co-workers to step in. They covered for each other all the time.

  “Just got a call from my uncle. Seems he needs a favor. And you have been volunteered.”

  “Sure. Just throw it on my schedule for next week, and I’ll be sure to take care of it.” He didn’t care how many hours he put in, as long as it wasn’t today.

  “No can do. There is an emergency and they need you right now.”

  “Now?” He looked at the clock. If it wasn’t major, and it was close, he could still have time to load her up and get her to the show. Check-in time was still more than two hours away.

  “Yes, lightning strike took out their electrical.”

  “Isn’t that for the electric company to handle?” He could only hope.

  “Unfortunately it’s on private property. I’ll text you the address. I’m sending John to give you a hand.”

  “Help? I probably can handle it myself.” What the hell am I thinking? More help means done faster. “I get the impression they need it done quickly.”

  “Yes. They are having a major event today. You have two hours to get it up and running.”

  Wow, that was cutting it close. He was going to need the work truck, and sure as hell couldn’t show up with his ’56 Chevy being pulled on the trailer. It was going to look…unprofessional. It wasn’t like he could pull it close to the job site and drop the trailer. He wasn’t leaving his car anywhere unattended. There wasn’t a mark on it and he wanted to keep it that way. At least until after the judging.

  “We’ll do our best,” Cole said.

  “Let me know once it’s complete. I’d come and help, but my wife is in labor. If I leave, I’m a dead man,” Larry admitted before ending the call.

  Damn. Now I feel like an ass. Cole had only been focused on the hot rods, and totally had forgotten his boss telling him last night his wife was in labor. Not really shocking, as Cole avoided anything that had to do with babies and children. He didn’t mind them, just didn’t want any. At least not anytime soon.

  He was thirty-one and life was good just as it was. Why fuck it up? It would be his luck that he’d be saddled down with some woman who wanted him in the house all the time watching movies. That wasn’t him. When he wasn’t working, he spent his time in his garage restoring his baby. Thinking that she was ready and he might not make it pissed him off. Then again, sometimes that’s the way the dice rolls. Someday it will roll in my favor.

  His phone vibrated with a text message. Cole had to read it twice. No fucking way. What were the odds the urgent electrical issue was happening at the Hot Rods on the Hill event? Of course that also might be bad news. Was the event going to be cancelled? That would be a first. Then again, Cole having a car to show was as well.

  What would be the harm in pulling his Chevy to the event? Yeah it was too early to set up, but if he didn’t, that might not be a concern later. Since he had his work truck ready, all he needed to do was hitch the trailer up, load the car, and get his ass to the hill.

  It took longer than he expected, and now he was thirty minutes later than he’d wanted to be. But when he arrived, he saw John was there with his pickup.

  “Damnit Cole. You’re lucky it’s me and not Larry you kept waiting.”

  “Traffic,” Cole replied.

  John laughed. “A lot harder to maneuver pulling that thing. She looks a lot better in person than those damn photos you send me.”

  “Well if we don’t get their electricity fixed, it won’t matter, cause it will be staying on that trailer.” Unfortunately that was the truth. He could pull it off, but how would he explain to Larry that he blew off the customer so he could get his car in position? A trophy won’t do him any good if he suddenly becomes unemployed.

  “Then I suggest you go find who’s in charge. I’ll stay here and watch the truck. And your Chevy.”

  Cole shot him a warning look. “Look. Don’t touch.”

  Then he headed into the park and found the security guard. He directed Cole to a white trailer and told him to ask for Jody. When he arrived he could hear a woman giving someone hell, even through the closed door.

  “I don’t care, the clock is ticking and he still hasn’t shown up. If I need to call his boss, I will. I’m not paying for someone who isn’t here. I was told fifteen minutes and it’s been forty-five. If that jerk can’t tell time, what makes you think he can fix the electrical?”

  He’d been called a lot worse, but never because of his work. Cole knocked on the trailer door and was surprised to see the tall, stunning redhead who answered.

  “Can I help you?”

  “Yeah. I’m the jerk you’re waiting for.”

  She looked at him and said, “You don’t look like an electrician.”

  Then he remembered, he hadn’t changed into his uniform. He was still wearing a pair of sshorts and a cotton button down shirt, that wasn’t buttoned all the way. “I guess if I fix it, then you can believe me. What seems to be the problem?”

  “That building got struck by lightning and now nothing works.”

  That was some information, but not everything. “Is there someone who can show me around?” Besides you?

  “Yeah. I’ll have Bobby meet you there. But you’ve got only two hours to get it up and running. Got it?”

  “Yes ma’am,” Cole replied and left her standing in the doorway. She might be beautiful, but damn, she was…high stress.

  When he arrived at the pavilion, he asked, “Are you Bobby?”

  “I am. Jody give you an ear full up there?”

  Cole shook his head. “Not me. But I feel for whoever was in there with her. Is she always so high strung?”

  “No. But this storm set everything back a day. If you know anything about these types of events, it becomes chaos when everything arrives at once.”

  Good thing my car is here early. “Then let’s take a look.”

  Sure enough, the outlets were fried. But Bobby offered to help and John was there too. It was going to be close, but with the truck well stocked, they didn’t have to lose any time running out for supplies.

  “Okay Bobby, go flip on that circuit breaker.”

  Bobby rushed around the building and then shouted, “All
set.”

  Cole tested the outlet. “That’s one. John, let’s check them all in case any had more damage than we first noticed.” He wasn’t leaving anything for Jody to complain about. And if anything, she should be singing his praise. This job normally would’ve taken half the day. But what that beauty didn’t know, nor did she need to, was she wasn’t his motivation.

  It’s all about another beauty and she’s waiting for me right now.

  When he was confident everything was up and running, probably better than it was to start, he thanked John for showing up. “I appreciate you hustling today.”

  “No problem.”

  “I owe you,” Cole said.

  John grinned. “Bet your ass you do. And I know exactly how you can pay me back.”

  Cole didn’t want to ask. “How?”

  “Let me stay and help today.”

  “You’re not on the clock anymore you know.”

  John laughed. “Hell Cole, I’d pay to see all those pinup gals sitting on your car.”

  Cole could only hope that someone thought all his work was worth that. He said, “Not one word to Larry that we took the Chevy with us.”

  John shook his head. “Larry won’t even remember he sent us here once that baby is born. What do you need me to do?”

  “Just wait for me, I have to update Jody and we’re free to go set up.”

  As soon as she arrived back at her trailer, he could hear her snapping orders to her staff. Obviously Bobby had already delivered the good news. He waited a minute until she was free before approaching her.

  “I already know,” Jody said.