Jeff Castle has changed lanes from the high-tech world to that of the classic muscle cars and their fans when he inherits his uncle's glorified junkyard. His new life is complicated when help is hard to find. An impulse leads him to pick up a hiker on a remote road, and the man turns out to be just the kind of muscle Jeff needs in every way. <br /><br />Released from prison after three hellish years, Mike needs help. All he can offer is his willingness to work and his background in repairing and racing stock cars. He gives this freely to Jeff and soon finds he wants to give more. Will his benefactor be willing to accept the love of an ex-con who still has a blot on his name? Mike is scared to ask, but nature takes matters out of his hands. <br /><br />Together, Jeff and Mike begin racing toward an amazing future.

Muscle Car Man

I want that sorry mother back in custody, damn it. If this shit has turned Jeff against me, he’d better look out. I’ll be on Filmore’s dirty ass as soon as I get mobile.


He didn’t have long to worry about Jeff’s opinion. His next visitor put his mind at ease. The deputy had hardly exited when Jeff came to the door. He stood there for a long minute, simply looking at Mike. Then relief and a wide grin swept over his face.


“You’re awake and alive! Maybe there’re guardian angels after all. And no, you’re not in any trouble I know of either. I heard most of what you told the deputy. But I already knew—you wouldn’t double cross me. I’d have bet my life on it. “


Jeff strode across to the bed and took Mike’s right hand in a crushing grip. “Don’t ever give me a scare like that again, though, or I’ll personally kick the dog turds out of you when you get better!”


He was laughing and crying at the same time. Mike wanted to hug him, but couldn’t reach. “Bend down, man. You’re too far away.”


Chapter 11