The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

"Is your car giving you trouble?" Haynes asked.

Stella barely glanced up from the engine, answering absently, "Yeah, something's off," as she continued to tinker under the hood.

Wind and rain lashed the empty road, and Stella was soaked to the skin. She looked utterly bedraggled, hair plastered to her cheeks and clothes clinging uncomfortably.

Haynes leaned out his window. "Come get in my car-I'll drive you home."

She shook her head, trying to sound casual. "That's all right. I'll just call a friend to pick me up."

Haynes frowned. "It's over an hour to the city from here, and with this weather, anyone coming out would take close to two. The sun's already down for the day, and this is the middle of nowhere. It isn't safe for you to wait out here alone."

Stella didn't want to get involved with Haynes any more than necessary. Her tone was deliberately noncommittal. "I'll be careful."

When she still made no move to accept his offer, Haynes abruptly pushed open his door and stepped out into the storm, holding a large black umbrella.

Stella tensed, watching him warily as he approached, but Haynes said nothing more. He simply walked over and began inspecting her engine, one hand awkwardly holding the umbrella, the other reaching under the hood.

Between the two of them, the umbrella barely shielded their upper bodies from the downpour. Rain hammered against the fabric, cold water dripping down Haynes's sharply cut features.

Stella hesitated—she'd wanted to refuse his help, but now that he'd gone out of his way and was getting soaked himself, insisting again would just seem petty.

She reached for the umbrella. "Let me hold that for you."

"Thanks," Haynes said, handing it over without looking up.

He finished his inspection and straightened, rainwater running down his face. "Engine's got a

P. You're not going to be able

to start it-you'll need a mechanic."

Stella frowned, worry creasing her brow.

"Let me drive you back," he insisted. "It's cold out, and sitting in the car won't help. You've got that big competition coming up, and you're still prepping for your concert.

Getting sick now would be ther

worst

thing for you."

Stella paused, considering. He had a point—she could hardly afford to lose time

to illness with her schedule already packed.

She nodded, conceding. "All right. Could you take me as far as downtown? I'll have my friend meet me there."

Haynes looked at her for a moment, then said quietly, "Stella, with Keen between us; it's impossible to pretend we're strangers. Drawing such hard lines-it can't last. You've always believed I wronged you. If that's true, why not let me do this as a way to make amends?

Her voice was flat, emotionless. "You're a businessman, Mr. O'Brien. Everything you do for me comes with a price tag-one I'm expected to pay back eventually."noveldrama

Haynes's expression darkened, shadows flickering in his eyes.

Stella handed his umbrella back and turned toward his car.

She pulled open the rear door, surprised to find she wasn't alone. Mr. Walden sat

on the back seat, and Rachel was in the passenger seat up front.

Rachel looked back at her. "Come on, Stella. The rain's getting worse-get in." Neither Rachel nor Mr. Walden looked at all surprised to see her, as if they'd been expecting her to join them all along. Walden nodded a silent greeting.

Stella slid into the back seat. There was plenty of room-she didn't feel crowded at all.

A few minutes later, Haynes climbed in, his clothes dripping wet. Rachel quickly handed him a clean towel.