Chapter Four, Guardian Angel?

Tap, tap, tap. "Hello…Miss…Are you ok?"

Beth eased her head off the steering wheel, waves of terror surging through her. Looking out the window, a pair of dark blue eyes locked onto hers. Her ears roared as she tried to steady her breathing.

"Are you ok?" His deep, smooth voice soothed her nerves. The obvious concern in his eyes called for trust.

Taking a calming breath, she told herself to get a grip and gave him a shaky smile.

"Are you out of gas?"

She nodded, dumb-struck by this man sent from God to rescue her. Of average height, he stood at five feet and ten inches with a broad chest. Black curly hair framed a tanned face, enhancing the dark blue of his eyes.

"I'll run down to the station and get you a couple gallons. Lock your doors. No telling what kind of weirdoes are running around."

Crinkling her brows in confusion, she said, "My doors are locked."

A slow smile spread across his rugged face as he reached over and opened her door. Beth's eyes went wide with horror and shock. A low, rumbling chuckle emanated from him as he squatted beside her.

"It's a good thing I'm not the weirdo," he said with quiet gentleness. "I'll be back in about ten minutes with your gas. I won't leave you here alone for long."

In a sweeping glance, she took in his stained and faded jeans, ragged flannel shirt, and mud caked steel toed boots. An imprint in his curls indicated that he must have left a ball cap in his truck.

"Will you be ok?"

"Um…sure…" She cleared her throat. "Thank you…I'll lock my doors and wait."

"Good. Sit tight. I'll be right back." Standing, he closed the door and waited for her to lock up before walking to his truck.

As rattled as she felt by the stranger's appearance, she felt bereft as he pulled away. Panic setting in, she prayed until he returned and emptied the gas into her tank.

"Alright, little lady...you're all set. That should get you to the station."

His gentle manners wrapped her in a blanket of security…a feeling quite foreign to her of late.

"Thanks, again. I'm so glad God sent you to help. You would think I'd learn to watch my gauge more closely." She rolled her eyes in exasperation.

His chuckle rumbled in her ear. "So this is routine for you, is it? No biggie. Glad I was here to help."

His eyes landed on her engagement ring and disappointment flickered across his face. With a strained smile, he said "If you're ready now, I'll follow you over. I was heading that way myself."

Her face lit with a smile as she said, "I'm ready…thank you."

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Beth paid for her gas and went next door to Taco Bell for supper. She sat staring out the window as she munched on her burrito. Ruminating over the day's events, she caught his reflection in the window.

"Mind if I join you?"


~Linnette R Mullin