Aaaaaand—

Nothing.

I don’t even bother cursing my car in my head this time. The sound of its grumbling makes me think it’s already laughing at me.

I try again, just for luck, but no such thing.

My door opens a few seconds later. “I don’t think you’re leaving in this one tonight.”

I look at him blandly. Great sense of observation.

“Want a ride?” he asks.

“What do you mean?”

He snickers, that smile appearing once again. “I mean, want a ride?” When I lift an eyebrow, he says, “I was already going back to Boston to pick up some stuff and sleep in my bed for once. I can give you a ride and bring you back here tomorrow.” He gives my car a quick once-over. “We can call the local mechanic to come tow it in the meantime.”

I wring my fingers a little longer before saying, “Are you sure?”

“Very sure.”

I only hesitate for about a second before making my decision. My dogs are waiting for me at home. I’m not letting them down, even if it means getting into a car with a near stranger for a two-hour drive. With a little huff at the Universe, I grab my stuff and follow him to his small SUV. After getting into the passenger seat, I put my bag at my feet.

“You can put that on the backseat,” Aaron says as he puts his seatbelt on.

I shake my head. “That’s fine. I like having it here.”

He looks at me but doesn’t say anything else before turning his car on—successfully. Lucky him.

We get out the long driveway surrounded by tall trees, and in a light clearing, I notice a small wooden house that looks right out of a Nordic town, with its log walls and small chimney on top of the roof. It almost looks like a miniature replica of the Scott-Perez home. It’s cute.

As soon as we get onto the long road that leads to the highway, Aaron tells me to look through his phone for the number of the garage. I do, then call and explain to the mechanic, who explains what the problem seems to be.

“Crap,” I say as I hang up the phone.

“What?” Aaron asks.

“They said they can come tow the car today, but they’re booked for the next few days, so it might take a while for them to get to it.” My fingers tighten around Aaron’s phone.

His lips twist to the side before he says, “There’s a cabin.”

“Huh?”

“We rent it sometimes to tourists who want to live the full Christmas experience, or whatever that means. You could stay there until your car is ready or until the case is done, if you want.”