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Looking a little more hopeful, the woman nodded. “Yes,” she said. “Whatever you need to do.”

“Sounds good,” Jo said, popping the trunk and pushing a few baby supplies to the side. The spare was tucked under the floor mat, so she grabbed the jack to get started. With a little luck, she could have the tire changed in less than ten minutes. Before she got to work on the tire, she shot a quick text to Evelyn. “Running a little late. Be there soon. Promise.”

Shoving her phone back in her pocket, Jo focused on the task. The woman hovered nearby, bouncing the baby wrapped in a blue blanket gently in her arms. The little guy stared at Jo with wide, curious eyes, and she grinned at him as she tightened the lug nuts. “Hey, buddy,” she said in a low voice. “You supervising?” The baby gurgled, blowing a spit bubble, and Jo chuckled. Standing, Jo wiped her hands with the rag from herback pocket before reaching out and tickling his tiny foot. The baby gave a delighted squeal.

“You’re a natural,” the woman said, smiling.

Returning her smile, Jo shrugged. “There’s some in the family. I can usually get them to smile,” she said. “Seems I have a knack for it.”

“I can see,” the woman said. “Thank you, seriously. You saved my night.”

“No problem,” Jo said, putting away the jack and loading the flat tire into the trunk before slamming it shut. “You’re good to go. Just get that tire patched or replaced soon, okay?”

“I will,” the woman promised.

Jo nodded, pulling her helmet back on. She gave the baby a mock salute, earning another giggle, then swung her leg over the bike. As she pulled away, she hoped Evelyn hadn’t been at Jo’s house for too long. Jo couldn’t wait to see her. After a hell of a long day, she was ready to relax and forget about everything for a while.

Evelyn sat in her car outside Jo’s house, scrolling her phone while she waited. Then she heard it. The low, familiar rumble of Jo’s motorcycle and her heart skipped a beat. A moment later, Jo rounded the corner, and there she was, straddling the sleek black bike, moving with easy, practiced grace. The leather jacket, the dark jeans, the black helmet. Evelyn couldn’t think of anything sexier than knowing it was Jo. Men with chiseled abs and brooding stares on romance covers be damned, a butch in leather on a motorcycle was hot.

As Jo coasted to a stop right outside Evelyn’s car window, her boots planted firmly on the pavement to balance the bike. She pulled off her helmet with a smile that could have melted eventhe most rigid ice queen. “Well, hello,” Jo said, voice low and teasing. “You stalking me now?”

Rolling down her window, Evelyn smiled at her. “Maybe,” she said, matching Jo’s tone. “You’re hard to resist when you show up looking like that.”

Jo laughed. “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet,” she said, giving Evelyn a wink before revving the engine once, just to show off a little. Evelyn shook her head, biting her lip to keep from grinning too widely. She thought briefly about asking Jo to take her for a ride, but she knew tonight was about relaxing.I will ask for a ride soon, she promised herself.Before anything changes.

“Gimme a minute to park,” Jo said, nodding toward a covered garage. “Meet you at the door?”

“Deal,” Evelyn said, already reaching for her shoulder bag. By the time she climbed out of her car, and unloaded her overnight duffle bag Jo had wheeled the bike carefully into the garage.

As Evelyn crossed the sidewalk, the woman caught up carrying a brown paper sack. “Sorry for the delay,” Jo said, unlocking the door and pushing it open for Evelyn to step inside. “Had a little roadside rescue situation.”

Evelyn turned to face her once they were in the living room, arching an eyebrow. “Rescue?”

“Flat tire,” Jo said with a shrug, taking off her jacket. “Baby involved. Couldn’t leave them stranded.”

Unable to help it, Evelyn’s heart squeezed a little at that.Of course, Jo stopped, she thought.She’s my knight in shining armor.“Then, you’re officially the hottest good Samaritan I’ve ever met,” Evelyn said, setting her bags by the couch.

Smiling, Jo sauntered toward the kitchen. “Speaking of good deeds,” she called over her shoulder as she walked. “I come bearing gifts. Rosa sent me home with a whole bag of empanadas.”

“You’re kidding,” Evelyn said. Her stomach rumbled on cue as she followed Jo into the kitchen.

“Nope,” Jo said, holding up the brown paper sack like it was treasure. “Dinner is served.”

“Oh, that’s perfect.”

“Exactly what we needed,” Jo agreed. “Go ahead and get comfortable on the couch. I’ll be there in a minute after I heat these up in the microwave. You know me, gotta have things gourmet.”

Laughing, Evelyn went and plopped onto the couch, kicking her shoes off and tucking her legs under her. After a few minutes, Jo dropped beside her, close enough that their thighs brushed, and started handing out the food. The smell hit Evelyn immediately. Warm pastry, seasoned beef, hints of cumin and garlic. Evelyn sighed happily. “I might be in love with Rosa right now,” Evelyn said, cutting into an empanada.

Jo nodded, her mouth already full. “Seriously true,” she said after a big swallow. They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes before Jo leaned back against the couch, a second empanada in hand.

She glanced sideways at Evelyn. “Okay,” she said, mouth half-full. “Serious question.” Raising an eyebrow, Evelyn tried not to overthink whatever Jo would ask.

She wiped her fingers on a napkin. “Shoot,” she said, keeping her tone playful.

“Why did you decide to get into environmental research?” Jo asked. “Why not the usual lawyer, doctor, some other super smart person job?”

Feeling her cheeks warm a little at Jo’s flattering comments, Evelyn took another bite as she hesitated. “I like to find solutions,” she said after a moment, a little more serious. “Of course, you know I love everything about nature. On every level.”She shrugged. “It made sense to use my skills to find ways to protect it.”