Love Rents A Room
Chapter 60: The Question

Chapter 60: The Question

Liam and Timmy hit it off instantly. As Liam explained the parts under the hood, Timmy’s eyes widened with awe, soaking in every detail.

As expected, the car didn’t start. Liam muttered something about the engine—terms Joanne didn’t fully understand—before heading into town to grab the necessary parts.

Timmy lingered, still mesmerized by the car.

"It’s beautiful, isn’t it?" Joanne said, watching him. "They don’t make them like this anymore."

Timmy nodded, almost reverently. "Can I... sit inside?"

"Go ahead," Joanne chuckled, finding his fascination endearing. She still didn’t understand what it was with boys and cars, but seeing his excitement, she wasn’t going to question it.

Leaving him to explore, she went back inside to check on the girls—and JD.

From the window, she spotted JD walking toward the row of oak trees, camera in hand.

It’s a beautiful day for photography, she thought. The summer morning sky shimmered in soft golden hues, the air crisp and fresh.

After feeding Hannah and Lizzy, the toddler quickly dozed off again, while Hannah, ever the curious one, wanted to see the baby animals. Timmy, the doting big brother, immediately took her hand and led the way.

Joanne was about to join them when Patrick swooped in, taking charge.

Well, that’s handled.

Just then, Liam’s truck pulled back into the driveway.

She made her way to the garage, leaning casually against the Audi as Liam got to work.

Watching him tinker with the car brought back memories—ones she hadn’t revisited in a long time.

Was he always this tall?

She still remembered the scrawny kid, barely sixteen or seventeen, who had begged her Papaw for this very car. Papaw had been furious with Liam for messing up the pond where the fairies supposedly lived. But somehow, Liam had charmed his way into Papaw’s good graces, convincing him to hand over the keys.

Liam had always been a sneaky bastard. That’s how he’d managed to sneak into her heart too, all those years ago.

Liam glanced up from the engine, shooting her a glare.

Joanne rolled her eyes. "Come on! I’m safe now. Isn’t that all that matters?"

Liam exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "When James talked to me this morning, I felt like a damn fool. I was right there, and you—" He stopped, jaw tightening. "You’re cruel, Jo."

Joanne sighed. "I’m sorry, okay?" She crossed her arms. "Sorry for not disturbing you while you were celebrating with your wife."

That had been the real reason she hadn’t called Liam for help.

She knew Fiona would have told him the happy news—that she was pregnant. They would have been celebrating the good news, and Joanne had no intention of interrupting that moment. Even if Fiona held no ill will toward her now, some things were better left alone. She knew because she too was a woman.

Liam only scoffed, but there was a layer of shock on his face. Maybe he was surprised why she knew about his celebration. Joanne wondered if she had ran her mouth again.

Damn! What did Fiona tell him? Is it possible he doesn’t know about Fiona’s visit? Uh-oh!

Joanne forced a bright smile, raising her hands in mock celebration. "Congratulations!" she said, enthusiastically shaking her hands above her head.

Despite everything, she was happy for him. Maybe a little jealous, too, but mostly happy. "You’re going to be a great father, Liam." That was as true as the sun and the moon.

Liam let out a deep breath, his face disappearing behind the hood of the car. Joanne watched him carefully. Does he even know Fiona came to see me yesterday?

His voice broke her thoughts.

"You should take the kid to a hospital. He probably has some cracked ribs."

Joanne’s stomach dropped.

"Really? It can’t be fractured, right?" She didn’t doubt Liam’s words—he would know. He knew how to deal with tough kids like Timmy. He’d been one himself.

"Unless he’s the best actor I’ve ever seen, I’d say they’re just cracked," Liam said. His voice was steady, but Joanne knew what he meant. Kids like Timmy—kids who grew up taking hits—acted tough. They masked their pain, convinced that kindness was a burden they didn’t deserve.

Joanne exhaled and immediately called Dr. Marvin. She’d already set up an appointment, but now she’d bring Lizzy, too—maybe even Hannah, just to be sure.

She lowered the phone and muttered, "I knew you’d be better with him."

Liam didn’t look up, but his hands paused for a fraction of a second.

JD was great, but Timmy was different. JD might not know how to reach him, but Liam? Liam understood kids like Timmy in a way only someone who had lived through it could.

He kept working in silence before finally speaking.

"So... what else did she tell you?"

Joanne frowned. "Who?"

Liam gave her that look.

Joanne gulped. So, he does know Fiona came.

"She said my lemonade wasn’t that special," she said with a smirk.

Liam huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head as if he wasn’t even surprised. "And?"

Joanne chuckled and perched herself on the hood of her Audi, watching him. "What did she tell you?"

Liam pressed his lips together as if he could stare the truth out of her. In the past, that might’ve worked, Joanne thought, but not anymore. She met his gaze head-on, unwavering.

"What?" she said. "Sister code. Whatever you want to know, ask her. I’m not telling you anything."

Liam rolled his eyes. "Sister code?" He ducked back under the hood. "Let’s see how long that lasts."

Joanne grinned. "Yeah, sister code. It’s like bro code, but better."

Liam didn’t even look at her, just kept tinkering.

Joanne let the silence stretch before dropping the question she really wanted answered.

"So... how did you know I was going to marry Jeffrey Winchester?"

Liam’s hands stilled.

The wrench slipped from his fingers, clattering through the engine with a series of metallic dings before hitting the concrete floor with a sharp clunk.

Joanne’s heart clenched.

Liam bent down, picked up the tool, then turned to the car. Without another word, he twisted the key.

The engine roared to life. The deep, steady purr filled the garage, mixing with the dusty scent of exhaust.

Liam kept his focus on the car, his voice controlled. "Let it run every day for a while. Take it out on a drive. A beauty like her shouldn’t be locked up in here."

Joanne narrowed her eyes. He was dodging the question.

"Liam." Her voice sharpened.

Nothing.

"How did you know?" she pressed. "Who told you?"