Tim was watching the clock intently, he wanted to get out before Caroline had to leave for her classes so she could have the car. The last thing he wanted was for her to be walking to the campus. 

The instructor finally finished, giving Tim only about 10 mins to run across campus to where he had to park this morning and get back to the apartment before she would have to leave. As he sprinted across campus, he could see someone standing near the car. It was Caroline. 'Damn it' he said to himself as he approached the parking lot. She stood their smiling and began walking his way.

"Darlin," he panted trying to catch his breath " the last thing I wanted you to do was walk here. It's not safe". 

"I didn't Timothy, I took the bus. There is public transportation that comes by here several times through out the day. Depending on my schedule, you can take the car in the mornings and I will just take the bus for mine" she told him as she gave him a quick kiss.

"No" he began, still slightly out of breath. "Baby, it's really not safe. If anything were to happen to you I could never forgive myself" he replied as he placed his arms around her.

"You worry too much" she laughed " I have to get to class, I will see you when I get home".

"I will be here to pick you up, just text me about 30 minutes before you're ready to leave. Please, Caroline, don't take the bus or walk, I will come and get you" Tim said firmly to her.

"Ok, ok" she blew him a kiss and ran off to class.

As he headed home, he decided to check out a local dealership to find a truck. He would get a used one and pay for it with some of the money he was saving. There was no way he was going to allow her to take public transportation or walk regardless of what she said. 'Where I come from, you take care of your lady, and that's exactly what I'm going to do' he thought to himself.

....

Tim found the perfect used truck. A Toyota Tundra with low mileage, was only 3 yrs old and decently priced. He couldn't help questioning the salesman if there were something wrong with it. It was practically new, "you don't normally find one in this great a condition and this low of a price unless there is a hidden issue" Tim told him. The salesman agreed, "the owner passed away and his wife no longer wanted the truck. She felt it was too big for her to drive, and it also reminded her too much of him. So when she brought it in she just said to be sure it went to a younger fella that would enjoy it and to give him a decent deal" the salesman stated. "They had been customers for years and had donated so much to our local charity fundraisers that we would sponsor, we could not refuse his wishes. So, you just happen to be the lucky fella, that is if you want it" he told Tim. 

"I'll take it" Tim told him. "Great, will that be financed through us or your bank" he asked. "It'll be cash", Tim told him as they walked to the office to complete the paperwork. The salesman seemed surprised that someone as young as Tim would be paying with cash. 

As they finished the paperwork for the title and registration, Tim handed over the money and asked if someone would be able to drive his car to the apartment while he drove the truck. They were more than accommodating with his request and advised him that if he needed anything to call them, night or day. 

'Apparently money does talk,' he thought as he walked back out to his car to grab his laptop and book bag. He checked the time to be sure he had plenty before Caroline would be texting for her ride home. The salesman took Tim's car while the service manager followed with one of the dealerships vehicles. They followed him to his apartment, parked his car out front and again thanked him for doing business with them before they left. Tim backed the truck into the driveway, locked both vehicles before heading inside.

....

Tim was tired but after Caroline had gotten up so early this morning to make him breakfast, he wanted to do something special for her. It was such a warm and humid day he knew she would not want to eat a heavy meal, and honestly neither did he. Plus he wanted to be sure it would be something easy because he would be picking her up before dinner. He decided on a grilled chicken salad with a raspberry vinaigrette, her favorite. They had picked up a few bottles of wine and a six pack of beer when they went food shopping, so he decided on serving a light white wine with it. He finished grilling the chicken and had washed and drained the greens just as Caroline sent him a text she would be ready in about 30 minutes. He quickly set the dishes in the sink and texted he was on his way.

He drove the car to the campus, he wanted to surprise her with the truck. The more he thought about it, he wanted her to have the truck instead of the car. The car wasn't very old and was in decent shape, but he felt a bit guilty having the newer of the two and felt the truck would be safer for her.

He pulled up in front of the classroom building just as she was walking out. She tossed her bag in the back before getting in the front and sliding over to give him a quick kiss on the lips. 

"How was your day" he asked as he waited for her to put on her seatbelt. "Quite interesting. There is such a diverse group in all my classes, by age, cultures, backgrounds. I think it's going to be a very informative year" she smiled as she continued to tell him all about it. He loved listening to her, the excitement in her voice and how her eyes would light up when she was so passionate about something. 

As they pulled up to the apartment she noticed the truck in the driveway. "Do we have company? I don't recognize that truck" she said as he walked around to her side to open the door. 

"No company, it's ours" he said with a smile. "Ours? How, when" she asked as they walked over to it. "I went to a local dealership after I left you, to mainly just look around. I came across this truck. The salesman told me the story behind it how the owner had passed away and his wife wasn't able to drive it because it reminded her too much of him. She made a stipulation that it had to go a specific type of person. Apparently, that person was me" he smiled at her.

As she looked at him, she could see that there was just something about the story and him that seemed to fit. It was something he needed. She was happy for him but had to ask "how did you pay for it?"

Tim hung his head a bit, and quietly replied, "with a bit of Nana's money I have saved."

She placed her hand under his chin as she lifted it slightly to look him in the eyes "I think she would approve" she said to him. 

"I want you to have it" he told her.

She gasped, "no Timothy, that is yours."

"Caroline, I want you to be safe. The car is in good condition, but I know this would be safer for you" he replied as he pulled her closer.

"Baby, I understand, but I don't think I could drive it. It's HUGE" she laughed. "Have you seen how tall I am compared to how tall the front end of this is".

He had to agree with her, she was petite and may have a hard time getting into it. He just sighed, "I guess I hadn't really thought this through" he said.

"It's perfect for you and I know your grandmother most likely had something to do with you getting it" she assured him as she hugged him.

"I will have the car thoroughly checked out to be sure there is absolutely nothing wrong with it for you to drive. But please, any time you want to just take it, no need to ask, it's our truck, ok?" he told her. 

....

Tim grabbed her bags out of the car as she unlocked the front door. "If you want to change or whatever, I have dinner waiting. Just something light, I know in this heat you really don't care for a heavy meal" he said as he walked in behind her.

"Let me freshen up and I will be right back to help you" she said as she walked towards the bedroom.

When she came out, Tim had the table set, the salad on each plate along with two glasses and the bottle of wine chilling nearby. As she walked in he lit the candle in the center of the table. He walked over to her, giving her a light kiss and pulled out her chair for her at the table.

"This is beautiful Sweetie, but you didn't need to" she said as she sat down in the chair.

"You got up at such an ungodly hour this morning and made breakfast for me, the least I could do was make you dinner' he smiled as he poured them each a glass of wine.

They sat there for a while, each talking about their classes and schedules while they enjoyed their semi-romantic dinner. Afterwards, Caroline was adamant that she wanted to clean up the kitchen and that he should go relax, having been up so early. He didn't argue, he had one more thing he wanted to do for her this evening.

After she finished and turned off the kitchen light, Tim met her in the doorway. He pulled her close, kissing her lightly and thanked her for taking care of the dishes. "We're a team, remember" she said softly against his lips. He took her by the hand and walked towards the bedroom. She could feel her heart begin to race as she became anxious, wondering what he had in mind. He stopped in front of the bathroom door "Open it" he said to her. She looked at him then opened the door. Inside he had placed several candles along the sink in front of the mirror as well as a few along the garden style bathtub. He had drawn her a hot bath scented with lavender and placed a single red rose along the edge. Nearby he had hung a white, fluffy bathrobe for her to put on when she finished. She stood there in awe, covering her mouth as tears began to form in her eyes. She turned to Tim as he spoke " no strings attached, this is for you my love" as he leaned down and kissed her softly. She placed her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, returning his kiss. She pulled back just a bit, looking into his eyes. "Enjoy and just relax, I love you Caroline" he said as he kissed her one more time before leaving the room.

Tim smiled as he drove that same truck he had left at his Mother's to the University campus. He was in town for a few more days and decided to visit a few of his former teachers, mentors before leaving to be with Chance.