Loner

<p><em style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>Everyone deserves a chance to be rescued.</em></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>That's the mantra I'm repeating when a well-equipped biker pulls over to save me. One glance at the scowl Crawford Doxe is wearing proves he isn't impressed with the task. My efforts to change his mind deflate faster than the shredded tire at our feet. But disgruntled or not my so-called hero still agrees to fix my flat.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>I don't expect to see Crawford again but he's suddenly very visible in our small town. Avoiding him would be my preference. That's not how this story goes. For whatever reason my daughter finds an ally in the broody mechanic. Denying her is something I do my best to avoid. I can only hope Crawford's shine wears off before he tarnishes what little trust still exists.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>As if the odds are ever on my side.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>Commitments are a foreign concept to him. He doesn't make any promises to try. That should've been enough for me to steer clear. It most certainly isn't.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>What follows can only be described as a disastrous clash of epic proportions.</span></p><p></p><p><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>But one indisputable fact remains. That lone soul has no plans of opening his heart.</strong></p>