Red Truck Rendezvous

a strange place.”
“Gram, I’m sure Ms. Princeton doesn’t want to join us. She’s probably ready for a bit of a rest after an eventful day.” Pablo looked between the two women, barely repressing a growl when Portia smiled, accepting the invitation.
“Thank you,” she said, reaching for the chair and pulling her dress around her legs as she lowered herself to the seat.
“Pablo,” Jamie hissed, nodding at the chair and making her brother-in-law jump.
Pablo shook his head in disgust but helped the woman with her chair, offering her a polite welcome that he didn’t feel.
Returning to his seat, Pablo watched as the family introduced themselves while Gram waved down Portia’s server and had her meal delivered to their table. A strange sensation crept up the mechanic's spine, but he turned his attention to his meal, ignoring the foreboding hanging over his head.
“You must be the young woman having truck troubles,” Gram smiled. “You are very fortunate that campsite came open when it did. We’re booked out through the summer and into prime leaf-peeping season. It was a stroke of good luck that someone canceled when they did.”
“I’m so glad I ran into the garage when I did,” Portia nodded, popping a bit of perfect beef wellington into her mouth.
“Ran into is just about right,” Pablo quipped, his dark eyes shining with mischief.
“Now, I’m looking forward to getting Sweetie restored.”
“Sweetie?” Three voices chimed in unison as Carlos, Jamie, and Gram all turned questioning looks on Portia.
“It’s what I call my truck because it is such a sweet find. Sweetie was a farm truck that had been in regular use until about a year ago when the owner finally parked it in his chicken coop. The flathead V6 has plenty of pulling power and makes up in torque what it lacks in speed. Besides,” Portia smile brightly, “Sweetie matches my vintage RV.”
Pablo lowered his fork back to his plate, shocked at the woman’s understanding of what she had, but even more horrified that she had taken the truck on the road before having it refitted. “You shouldn’t have taken it on the road yet,” he blurted without thought. “Someone could have been hurt.”
“Well, I guess that’s true, but I couldn’t wait anymore. I was determined to have a summer on the lake, and as they say no harm, no foul. ” Portia smiled again, waving her slim hand flippantly. “Now, let’s talk about what I want to do.”
The rest of the family turned their attention back to still hot meals, Carlos struggling to replenish his son’s plate fast enough for Chris’s satisfaction. It was plain to see that the pretty young woman who had arrived in such a surprising fashion among them had her mind set on telling Pablo precisely what to do.
“No, I want the fenders painted black,” Portia snapped, leaning over the table. “I like the look.”
“But it isn’t authentic,” Pablo shot back. “Don’t you think you have the cart ahead of the horse anyway? What if we can’t get the parts?”
Portia brushed the comment aside with the wave of a hand. “I’m sure we’ll find what we need. We might just need to get a little creative. If necessary, Daddy will help, and as I said, money is no object.”
“So you said,” Pablo poked aggressively at the salad in his bowl. “But don’t you think safety should be our first priority.”
“Yes, yes,” the woman rolled her eyes, “but I want Sweetie to be pretty too.”
Pablo felt like his eyes were going to pop out of his head. Was this woman for real? “Pretty? It’s a truck.”
“But it’s my truck,” Portia leaned over the table, her aqua eyes hard. “So you need to get started, get help if you need it.”
Pablo gaped. He had no words. Didn’t she think he was capable of doing the work?  His eyes flashed as he leaned over the table, matching her glare.
“I. Will. Fix. Your. Truck.” The silence around them thickened as the whole table grew still, and the tension drew taunt. “You will just have to wait.” Pablo snapped his eyes from Portia’s with effort turning back to his plate and cutting into his tender beef with a scrape of knife and fork on plate.
“Do I have a choice?” Portia snipped, stuffing a cherry tomato in her mouth with a pout. “Just don’t waste time.”
Old Mrs. Walton pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, trying not to laugh. She liked this girl, but she needed to do something fast before Pablo messed up everything.
“What would you like to do while you’re here?” she asked. “I’m sure we can set something up to keep you occupied while Pablo starts work on Sweetie.”
Portia turned. staring at the older woman for a few beats before speaking. “What I’d love is a tour of this old house.” She felt the tension from a moment ago evaporate as she lifted her eyes to the beautiful white beams that decorated the dining room, each with a beautifully written inspirational quote etched out in black print.
“I’d love to show you around!” Gram enthused, clapping her hands together. “After all, I know all the secrets of the place.” The old woman grinned, offering Portia a wink and making the young woman laugh. “Maybe tomorrow morning, while folks are out at the lake, and another day, Jamie can show you the cottages as well and tell you all about them. They’re themed, you see. Each one has a different name and special look. Our most popular one is the Christmas Cottage, but it’s slightly larger, so that must be why.”
“I noticed the cabins on my walk over here,” Portia said, Pablo all but forgotten. “You have a Fish Camp, A Fourth of July, Big Bear, and you can’t miss the Christmas Cottage. It looks like Mrs. Claus decorated it herself.”
As dessert and coffee were served, the conversation turned to lighter chatter. Jamie, Carlos, and Gram seemed to be trying to out-do each other touting the delights of the area, as Pablo tried to