It didn’t matter. No matter what obstacles she threw at him, he would overcome them. The three days since his conversation with Sergei had given him much clarity. Time spent facing his fears from the past and coming to grips with what he wanted for the future. What he believed in, and what he was willing to do to change his life.

And he was starting with Cassie.

“It was you, wasn’t it?” Cassie said. From the perplexed frown on her face, he surmised that the last few miles had indeed consisted of an internal debate she’d finally decided to make him a part of.

“I’ve taken many actions in my lifetime, but I’m afraid you’ll need to be more specific if I’m to accept responsibility for the one you’re referring to.”

She faced him, her gaze sharpening. “My car. You’re the reason it got fixed so quickly.”

Ever his reporter, piecing together details even when they were best left untouched. He’d be wise to be mindful of that as they moved forward together. Particularly where details of his business were concerned. “I paid them a visit and inquired as to the problem, yes.”

“How’d you know where I took it to get fixed?”

“There was a receipt by your sofa when I visited. I noted the business name and followed a hunch.”

Her mouth parted, the surprise on her face unmistakable.

“You aren’t the only person capable of investigations, Miss McClintock. I’ve been known to track down a clue or two on my own.”

She sat back in her chair and stared out the windshield, her hands clasped around her purse. “And the cost...did you fix that, too?”

A tricky answer. In Russia, a woman would expect such an action. Men demonstrated their ability to provide and care for them by any means necessary. But in America? Not so straightforward.

He opted for the blunt approach. “I did. A timing chain is very expensive, and you’ve just incurred the cost of moving. To have you field repair costs as well when I’m more than capable of covering them was unnecessary.”

She twisted her head his direction. “The guy told me it was something to do with a belt.”

“There was a problem there, too. I only paid for the timing chain.” He paused a beat and forced some levity into his voice. “You see? I didn’t totally absorb the expense.”

Whether she decided to accept the response, or was merely holding further arguments until they were inside her home, she kept her silence while he parked and helped her from the car.

At her doorstep, he held out his hand. “Give me your key, Cassie.”

For a moment, he thought she’d balk, the tight pinch of her lips and death grip on her purse indicating a hesitancy that made him bristle. She opened the tiny clutch instead. “We definitely need to talk.”

“I made you a promise, and I intend to keep it.” He took the keys she offered, opened the door and motioned her through. “Let me get the lights.”