Dakota intro James pov

Jame cruised slowly down the street. It looked like any other small town. Dirt road. Dogs running down the block with barefoot kids chasing after. You almost wouldn’t believe that 30 minutes farther into town it looked like a New York lunch rush right about now. But that was Sheridan for you. Half town half city. A weird blend of rush and slow. He slowed to let a couple crossing the street pass and whipped his hands on his jeans. He hadn’t washed after work. He had gotten the call from Dakota and just headed to her. His brow furrowed at the thought of her. As he usually did. She stressed him out. He loved her and she loved him. It just never worked and he wasn’t really sure why.
Gravel crunched as he slowly pulled in her drive. Her hood was up and she was half under it. As he put the truck in park she stood up right and kicked the old Nissan. He chuckled to his self. She always was a little fighty. He stepped out of the truck and walked words her “ alternator?” He asked with a smirk. “Alternator.” She growled back at him. “I’ll get you another one and put it on this weekend.” He said. Dakota shook her head. “ I’ll buy it if you put it in.. I’ll pay you for that too.” He shook his head “ no need just buy the part.” He crossed her arms and nodded glaring at the offensive vehicle. “Where are the boys?” He asked scanning the yard. “Killeen is watching tv with mom and Weston is napping” he nodded and looked under her hood. Checking her oil ,low, and her transmission fluid ,low, coolant, fine, brake fluid, fine… “ she good to do I need to take them both with me?” He asked as he kept checking stuff. Dakota shifted her weight so she was standing on one foot and sighed. “She’s not there yet but she’s started about a hour ago so won’t be long.” He just nodded.
He was here because Dakota had called for a ride to her second job. The one he didn’t like. She had come home to check on the boys just in time for her car to give out on her. He usually took his son at night when he got off work. Weather he took the other one depended on how her mom was doing that day. If she was done then he stayed home but if she had started drinking James took him. He stood and whipped his hands on his shirt. “Well if they are packed then go get ready and let’s go. My mom will drop dinner to us in a hour or so and I don’t want to miss her.” He said Dakota nodded and walked up the porch while he waited in the truck. He was welcome in the house but he felt awkward in there it was better to wait in the truck.