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“The tow guy says the engine is toast; cost more to repair than it’s worth, so I guess I’ll just sign it over to Mr. Ebenezer,” the owner of the Bronco said, his voice filled with disappointment.

“Yeah, I been checkin and the big rig guys don’t want to give us a ride,” Tim chirped, “bet if I had tits and a pussy between my legs they’d be fallin all over themselves to give us a ride.”

Kris laughed at the boy’s comment and said, “Look, I think I can help out guys. I’m heading west on the 10 towards Burbank. I’ve gotta drop two cars in Burbank later today and then I’m heading north on the 5 to Redding, California; you all are welcome to ride with me if you like. Only thing, one of you is gonna have to share the back seat with my dog, Donder; he’s in the truck.”

“No problem!” the boys cheerfully replied in unison.

“Hell, we’ll do anything to get a ride to be home in time for Christmas,” Tim said.

The three men walked over to Chet’s rig; a custom painted late model International 4400 Western Hauler that was pulling a fifty-five foot fifth wheel auto transport trailer with two cars centered on the ramp. Kris explained that he had been hauling cars into Scottsdale from all over the southwest since November in preparation for the big auction in January. He said that he had already dropped a load of vehicles at an earlier stop in Scottsdale. Then he was lucky enough to pick up the two on the back to pay for his trip back to Redding. He further explained that he had to drop the two cars he’d picked up in Scottsdale off at a warehouse in Burbank, and then he was deadheading the rest of the way up the 5 north to spend Christmas with his family in Redding, California. So, he invited the lads to ride along with him as far as Redding.

“So, you want to keep that Bronco or let the tow company have it for salvage?” Chet quizzed the owner.

“I’d like to keep it, but don’t have the money to pay the tow guy or pay storage to let it sit until I can afford to get it fixed,” Chuck said, “Man, I got over two grand tied up in them wheels and tires alone on that bad boy.”

“What if I pay the tow bill for now, and then we load it up in that empty spot on the back of my trailer?” Chet asked pointing to the trailer, “and you can pay me back later.”

“That’d be great!” Chuck exclaimed and then went on to explain, “My uncle that lives in Fresno is a mechanic with the Ford dealer in Clovis, and also has a small auto repair shop on the side. I really don’t want to lose everything and let the tow company have it all for just a $175.00 tow bill.”

“Let me handle it,” Kris said, catching the eye of the tow truck driver coming out of the convenience store. Kris walked over to him, “what’s the dollar damage on the Bronco on the back of your truck Mr. Ebenezer?”

“Right now with dispatch, mileage and all I got ‘bout a $185.00 bill against it.”

Kris sensed that the bandit tow driver had immediately boosted the tow bill by a few