Chapter 7
Ana laughed so hard that she needed to hold her side to catch her breath. Bone Crusher was aptly named. It was a four wheeler wrapped in a steel roll cage. It sat three across with five-point harnesses and had a flat bed in the rear. Christian clipped her into the middle seat.
"There's no escaping now."
"Prefer a lady restrained?" She giggled back.
Christian cocked an eyebrow. "Careful, you'll guess all of my secrets.
"Get in, you freak," Elliott laughed as he rubbed his hands together and cranked the ignition. With Murphy in the back, the threesome headed away from Grey Manor.
The roads were well plowed. The group found Wanda wedged into a foot and a half of firmly plowed snow. Murphy helped the Grey brothers dig out Wanda's front end while Ana watched on from Bone Crusher. It was a bit of a brutal task working to get enough clearance so that Elliott could wedge under the old VW to attach the winch to the axel. Christian dug out the driver's door so that he could release the parking break and shift the car into neutral. Murphy jumped into Wanda and refused to give up his perch from the driver's seat.
Once the winch was in place, Ana was tasked with taking the helm of Bone Crusher while the brothers pushed Wanda from behind. The winch alone was unable to dislodge the car from its snowy captivity. Ana worked the gas of the ATV until the car began to move. With a few more pushes and pulls, Wanda broke free from her captivity and moved forward onto the road.
Elliott joined Murphy and worked to crank the VW's engine. When nothing happened, Christian suggested they try to jump the classic car's battery. The power jolt did the trick and the VW coughed and sputtered back to life.
Murphy and Elliott drove Wanda back to Grey Manor. Christian and Ana led the way in Bone Crusher. Soon Ana's beloved Wanda was parked in the front drive of the home.
Elliott popped the hood to the car to inspect Wanda's engine for roadworthiness. If Christian has his way, the VW would never see the pavement of the I-5 again. With little else to do, Ana headed up to the guest room to collect her belongings. Christian followed Ana like a sad puppy.
"Are you really going to go? You need to take your car to a legitimate mechanic before you try to drive her all the way to Montesano."
Ana nodded in agreement. "There is a garage down the street from my apartment. I'm going to get them to take a look at Wanda."
"You aren't going to see Ray?" Christian appeared hopeful.
"Not until I can get my car sorted. Fingers crossed that a dead battery was her only problem."
"So, you'll be staying in Seattle this week?" Christian cocked his eyebrow and tucked a piece of hair behind Ana's ear. She tilted her face up and he lowered his until their noses touched.
"Yep. At least for tonight. It'll be just me, alone, in my apartment," Ana whispered, biting her lower lip.
Christian raised a hand to cup her cheek and gave her a smoldering kiss. He pulled back, "Hum, you'll be alone in Seattle. I'll be alone in Seattle…." He kissed her again.
"You know," Ana replied. "We could be alone…."
"Together," Christian finished with a final kiss.
Ana never did make it to Montesano that holiday season. Instead, she spent the week alone, together with Christian.