ᴅᴏᴄ ʜᴜᴅꜱᴏɴ'ꜱ ᴘᴏᴠ:

"What brings you and your daughter here, Miss Adler?" Sally suddenly asked. 

Nataly, who has been drinking Fillmore's organic oil for the last few times, nervously replied with a smile, "Well, w-we...we actually are looking for a place to stay until we can hit the road again."

The thought of Nataly leaving, made my engine ache, I couldn't help but notice her tone was hesitant, as if she was hiding something and yet, I refrained from asking and continued listening to the conversation.

"I see. Traveling can be quite the adventure, especially with a little one in tow." She glanced at Heidi, who was playing around with Mater. "How old is she?"

"Heidi's six," Nataly said, her eyes lighting up with pride: "She's been my little explorer since the day she was born."

 Sheriff hummed, "Did you have a job?"

"Mommy used to be a historian writer." The little girl told him, making everyone impressed including Doc, "Well, used to be, she's now retired."

'A historian writer, huh? That explained how she knew Sarge's background.' 

I mentally chuckled until I realized something that made my stomach sink in dread, the presence of a historian here was something I should be wary of. I understood the importance of memories and history but I couldn't shake the feeling that someone like her could put my secret past at risk. 

Curiosity gnawed at me, though, and I found myself leaning in. "So, where exactly are you from?

"I used to live she said, her voice strong yet warm, "I hail from Motor City, Detroit, originally I was born in Thomasville."

A flicker of surprise washed over Sheriff that his eyes twinkled. 

"Hey, Doc! You're from Thomasville too!" His grin only widened as I felt the knot of uneasiness growing in the pit of my stomach. I swallowed hard, my mind racing with the possible connections. 

The thought of her potentially knowing my past as the Fabulous Hudson Hornet was a bitter pill to swallow: "Strange, but I think I do remember you," She casually mentioned, just as I was wrestling through my senses, that I should prepare for the worst. 

Then, she unexpectedly, asks me, "You requested my autograph at the Mechanical Schools of Carburetor County for my book 'History Behind a Doctor's Mind', didn't you?"

My jaw dropped, momentarily speechless. 

"I—uh," I stammered, my brain racing. "You recognized me?"

Her yellow eyes sparkled with a playful glint reminiscent of Heidi's. "Recognize you? Yes. I assume you weren't just after an autograph; you were eager for my attention!"

Laughter erupted from the group like a fresh breeze, and even I couldn't help but nervously chuckle at my embarrassment. However, the thought of her remembering me from my school days—sent a welcoming relief.

And before I could say anything, Sally chimed in, "You know, Nataly, we have a Cozy Cone that's perfect for you and Heidi. It's comfortable and cozy, plus it's free of charge." 

I noticed a look of surprise spread across Nataly's face. She shared a brief glance with her daughter, who was yawning and leaning against her, "I'm *yawn* tired, Mommy..." Her voice faded into soft snores, and I couldn't help but smile at how adorable the little one was. 

"Are you sure, Sally? I don't want to impose," Nataly's voice laced with hesitation. 

Sally waved her tire dismissively, "Nonsense! It's what we do here; we want to make sure everyone feels at home. Plus, I promise you, it's as cozy as a nest and perfect for a tired little one like Heidi."

Nataly glanced back at her peacefully sleeping daughter, her heart evidently softening before she nodded, "Thank you, Sally!" Nataly whispers out her gratitude. 

As they made their way towards the Cozy Cone.

Sheriff suddenly pulled up beside me with a playful grin, teasingly asking, "Falling in love, are we?" The way he said it took me by surprise, making my engine sputter unexpectedly while a hot rush of embarrassment crept into my headlights. 

"What?—well, I mean..." I stuttered, struggling to find the right words to respond, feeling flustered and caught off guard by the lighthearted jab of his tire on my fender.

"Come on, Doc. It's obvious," the Sheriff chuckled, smirking as he patted my side. "You've been in this town long enough; one look at a woman like Nataly tells me she's perfect for you!"

I shot a glare and shushed him up with a glare before I glanced back at Nataly as she chatted with Sally while Heidi tiredly followed by leaning on her side. 

There was this warmth burning in my heart that began pumping, the moment I caught Nataly's laugh, it was one of those kinds of sounds that wrapped around me like a hug, disarming and inviting.

Despite my uneasy feeling about her being a historian writer, I felt a twinge of admiration for her knowledge of cars. Still, I should be careful about what I say to make her recognize me, otherwise, she might tell the news about me.

I cannot risk that.

Though Sheriff's words about falling in love caught me off guard, they weren't what I expected at this point in my life. 

"Sheriff, she'll be leaving after her recovery in a few weeks," I said, attempting to sound unfazed even as I recalled she wouldn't stay. "You know she won't be here forever... Plus, she's—"

"If you think she's married, you're mistaken." 

Confused, I asked him, "What do you mean?" 

I needed clarification. 

The sheriff sighed and replied, "She's a widow."

This stunned me. 

And immediately, I quickly recovered and asked, "How do you know?" "Her kid told me after we brought her mom in last night. She says that her dad, Nataly's husband, was murdered during a fight with some thieves in an alleyway. Poor news broke the woman's heart."

"I see...anything else?" 

Sheriff shook his head, "Nop, that's all she said."

"Hm." That was all I could say before my mind drifted back to what the Sheriff had just shared—the painful loss that had driven her here.

'How did a 45-year-old single mother end up in a small town like Radiator Springs?' I couldn't help but feel sympathetic, imagining the grave weight of her heartache that led her to escape the bustling chaos of Motor City. 

I understood how one glimpse of happiness can be stolen from you. But when I realized how others can have the same suffering as she had, I couldn't help but wish to stop her suffering and comfort her: 'She didn't deserve any of that pain she carries.'

"You alright, Doc?" Sheriff's voice broke through my thoughts, nudging me from my contemplative state.

"Yeah, just...thinking," I replied, my tone hinting at the heaviness of my mind. "Heidi seems like a bright soul. This place is perfect for them to find some peace."

"The kid's lucky to have a mom like Miss Adler," Sheriff remarked, glancing towards her. "But I can't imagine the kind of life she had before. Couldn't have been easy on her."

"No. It could" I murmured, recalling the tales of families torn by violence, loss, and grief. How difficult it must be for her to rebuild after such turmoil, keeping a brave face for her daughter—who deserved to grow up in a world filled with laughter, not shadows of the past.

"Why not show her around after she tucks in Heidi? It might help her feel more at ease." Sheriff's suggestion hung in the air, a blend of invitation and hesitation.

I shook my headlights ruefully, the thought striking a familiar chord. "Sheriff, come on. I'm not exactly the social type, and showing her around? I don't know..."

"Doc, she's new here and won't know anyone or anything about our little town. She could use a friend, and so could you. You can't go hiding behind that clinic forever."

The Sheriff had a point. Perhaps it was time to stop lurking in the garage and start opening up. I worried that I was too old for all this socializing, too set in my ways. 

But alongside that nagging voice of doubt, there was another whisper of curiosity and longing—a yearning to connect, to help. I took a deep breath, my engine revving softly in thought.

"Alright, I'll do it," I said, my voice steady despite the uncertainty that flickered within my headlights. "That's the spirit!" Sheriff's grins, "You'll see, it'll be good for you. Just be yourself."

As I approached the Cozy Cone motel, I identified Nataly's location by pulling into Cozy Cone number 8. I prepared to ask her something but hesitated and decided to back off.

Before long, the garage door creaked open, revealing a tired yet lively Nataly, her headlights gently illuminating me.

"Oh hello, Doc." She whisperedly greeted me, "Heidi's asleep, but I'm afraid of waking her if I start talking too loud."

"That's great," I replied, relieved to see her stress fade as she focused on me, "You'll want her well-rested after all the excitement earlier. You made quite an impression on everyone—especially me."

She chuckled softly, making them sound like music to my audio receptors: "I can't shake the feeling that I'm just taking up space here," she confessed, her brow furrowing with genuine concern and fear evident in her voice.

"You're not just taking up space, Nataly," I assured her gently, "You and Heidi are welcome here. I promise you're safe." 

Her expression widened in surprise at my words, and I felt a tug at my heart when she looked down. Thinking I had said something wrong, I was about to apologize, but to my surprise, Nataly began to cry slightly, using her window wipers to wipe away her tears.

"...Thank you, Doc." Nataly sniffs, "You don't know much that means to me."

I sigh in relief: "You're welcome, Nataly."

We locked eyes for a moment as if time had stopped, while the world continued around us until I broke the silence:

I cleared my throat, feeling awkward. Without the Sheriff's advice, I'd be a mess. "A-As the town judge, I'd like to show you around... if you're interested?" She looked surprised, momentarily speechless, before a smile broke through. 

"I'd love that," she said, her yellow eyes sparkling with relief.

"Great." I positioned myself to lead the way, excitement bubbling within me. "Shall we?"

And with that, we drove off as I showed her the town.

A/N: Yes, I have rewritten it differently! And don't worry, I'll be updating soon.