Chapter 45

Rachel and Ed slept in then made love slowly until they were both deeply satisfied. Afterwards they had a lovely Sunday brunch at the hotel before heading home. Ed wanted to tell Grace right away about her new car but Rachel convinced him to meet her at the dealership the following day. Grace had classes but her college was close to where they would pick up the car. He could meet her there on his lunch hour.

Monday morning Ed went to speak with Mr. Drakos and arranged to have the following week off. He had vacation time coming and promised to complete all of his inspections by Thursday. His boss agreed and told him to speak with his daughter to update the company calendar.

Lunch time finally arrived and Ed was standing outside a restaurant next to the dealership when Grace rushed up to hug him. He hugged her back and when she turned to enter the restaurant he stopped her.

"I just want to show you something before we eat," he said with a smile. Grace blinked then followed him across the lot and inside the dealership. He took her immediately over to a little sports car which looked like the one on the voucher.

"Oh! It's so cute!" Grace smiled.

Ed opened the door and she slipped inside with a grin. He watched her delight as she touched the controls and got a feel for the interior.

"May I help you?"

Ed turned to see a man in a well-tailored suit standing behind him. Grace looked up sheepishly from inside the car.

"Yes, my name is Ed Walters and I'm here to pick up my prize," he said as he pulled the voucher from the pocket of his work coverall. He pulled out his driver's license as Rachel explained he should do that and the man took both.

Grace's eyes were bugging out as she stared up at Ed.

"Very good sir. If you would be so kind as to follow me to my desk we will make the final arrangements," the salesman said and Grace's jaw dropped. Ed opened the door of the car and helped her out. He had to put his arm around her to guide her numb body over to the salesman's office and into a chair.

"Ed. What's going on?" Grace said with a trembling voice.

"Remember the charity dinner I attended with Rachel on Saturday? I won a door prize," he said with a grin.

"A car?!? You won a car?" she squeaked and the salesman grinned at her.

"I won a car, for you," Ed corrected her.

Grace burst into tears and leapt over to hug Ed who grinned at the salesman whose own smile threatened to split his face. As Grace cried onto Ed's shoulder he handed the man his insurance papers. Grace settled down but she wouldn't let go of Ed's left hand.

"Now, which color would the young lady prefer?" the man said as he handed Grace a tissue for her eyes. He slid the brochure across his desk showing the paint options.

Grace was trembling as she looked over her choices. Ed was pretty sure he knew which one she'd pick. There was a gleaming black color-

"Red!" Grace exclaimed, pointing to a fiery red one.

Ed glanced at her in surprise and smiled. Red it was.

The salesman put the order in the system and handed them the invoice. Luckily Ed could sign it with his right hand as Grace still hadn't released his left. The salesman left for a bit and returned with Ed's copy of the invoice.

"It will take one to two weeks to get the car to the dealership. We will give you a call when it comes in. It was delightful doing business with you Mr. Walters. Congratulations again!" He shook their hands and Ed led Grace from the building.

"You are too wonderful!" Grace gushed as she hugged him again.

"Do you have time to eat?" he asked and she pouted as she looked at the time.

"I have to get back to class though it's going to be difficult concentrating this afternoon," she said with a dazzling smile.

Ed leaned down and kissed her, tasting her mouth and feeling her wonderfully soft lips against his.

Finally she patted his chest and gently pushed him back. "ED! I'm never going to get back to school at this rate! So much for concentrating!" She gave him a quick peck and rushed away to return to her classes.

Feeling deeply satisfied Ed headed back to work. He had inspections to do. It was going to be a busy day but it was already a good one!