She rolls her eyes.

Alex pulled over to the shoulder as the car groaned and shuddered; he just made it before the rear wheels locked up, bringing them to a halt. He turned off the engine.

She stays quiet.

Alex blew out a breath. "So I guess I'd better go take a look." Though he knew it would be a miracle if he could actually tell what was wrong. He and Jake had both learned to drive when they were around ten--doing donuts in the Jeeps out in the desert--but neither of them had ever been much good with engines.

He popped the hood switch and got out of the car, immediately feeling the steamy Tennessee heat pressing down on him. The hood creaked as he opened it; he propped it onto its stick and gazed down at the Mustang's innards. God, this thing should be in a museum. For lack of any other ideas, he checked the oil, wiping the dip stick off on the edge of his T-shirt. Big surprise; it was fine. Ditto for the water. Great. What now? Alex shoved his hands in his back pockets and glanced up the freeway, trying to remember how far the next town was.

She just sits there.

He wondered if she knew anything about cars

Probably not.

Well...great.

Yeah. They're stuck.

"Well...we'd better see if we can get a lift into the nearest town. And then I guess we'll have to get the car towed."