Outlaw (41 page)

He looked down, and she knew he missed his kids. She
watched as he started to reach for a cigarette, and then glanced at her, and
stopped, as if thinking better of it.

“Please. Smoke if you’d like,” she said.

He grinned. “You sure it won’t bother you?”

She smiled, and shook her head.

Cole pulled a pack out of his cut, and shook one
out, lighting it. He took a deep drag, and blew the smoke toward the ceiling.

Natalie imagined he was nervous about having her
here.

“How long are you staying for?” Mack asked her.

She looked over at him. “My plane leaves Friday
night.”

“Do you have any plans for tomorrow?”

She shook her head.

“Ever been to California?” he asked.

“No. I never have. It’s certainly cooler than
Arizona,” she admitted with a smile.

Mack nodded. “Yeah. I’ll bet it is.”

“Have you ever been to Arizona?” she asked him.

“Actually, I was stationed at Luke Air Force Base
for a short time when I was in the service.”

“Really?” She smiled. “That’s not too far from where
I live.

“It was years ago, but I remember it being hot as
hell there.”

“So, you were in the service?”

“I only lasted four years. Authority and me? We don’t
get along too well.” He grinned.

She nodded. “I see.”

“How about I show you around tomorrow? That is,
unless Cole had plans.” Mack looked over at Cole, an expression on his face
that said he’d better not have any plans.

Cole shook his head, and raised his hands. “Nope. No
plans.” He looked at Natalie. She was on her own with this one. He actually was
interested to see how she’d handle Mack’s advances.

Natalie studied Mack. She had some things she’d like
to talk to him about, like why he’d sent Angel packing. And what he had against
the idea of Cole and Angel being together. Maybe this would give her the
opportunity to find out. “Well, if you’re sure it’s not putting you out.”

Cole tried to keep the grin off his face. He had a
feeling who he thought Mack was hoping would be putting out.

“Not at all,” Mack replied. “Do you ride?”

Natalie shook her head.

“Ever been on a bike?”

“No. I’m afraid not.”

“Would you like to? The coast is really something
better seen from the back of a bike.”

“I guess that would be okay, but I don’t have a
helmet.”

“Not a problem, darlin’. I’ll find you one.”

“Alright.”

Cole looked between them. He didn’t know what to
make of this. It could be good or bad.

Natalie looked over at Cole, and then back to Mack.
“Well, I’ve taken up enough of your time. I just wanted Cole to stop by for a
moment so I could see the place, and meet you.”

Cole was relieved. He was more than ready to get her
out of here. No telling what Mack would do, given more time, and the way he was
already hitting on her.

“No rush. You don’t have to run off.”

“I appreciate that, but it was a long flight, and
I’m tired.”

“Oh, of course. Well, I’ll pick you up tomorrow, say
about ten?”

She nodded, and stood. “That’ll be fine.”

Mack and Cole both stood as well.

“Well, thank you again. It was nice to meet you.”
Natalie extended her hand to Mack.

This time he just shook it. “I look forward to
tomorrow.”

Cole gave Mack a look over Natalie’s head, as if to
ask, ‘what the hell are you doing’, and he turned, and led her outside.

They climbed in the truck, and Cole looked over at
Natalie, and smiled, as he started the engine. “Well, you made an impression.”

She looked back at him. “Oh, Lord. I think I’m in
over my head, here.”

Cole laughed as he pulled out of the lot. “You’re on
your own, here, darlin’.”

“Maybe I should cancel.”

Cole looked at her, still smiling, and shook his
head. “I wouldn’t do that. Not unless you want to piss him off.”

“This was a bad idea, wasn’t it?”

“It wasn’t really your idea, now was it?” Cole
glanced between her and the road. He noticed the worry etched on her face.
“Don’t worry. You’ll be fine. If he makes any moves on you, and you don’t want
him to, just tell him no. He’s a big boy. He can handle it.”

“Will that stop him?”

“I honestly don’t know.”

When she didn’t say anything, Cole reassured her.
“Don’t worry. He’s not going to rape you, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“He’s not married is he? Or have one of those, what
do you call them, old ladies?” she asked nervously.

Cole smiled. “Nope. Not at the moment.”

When they got back to his house, they sat out on the
back porch, and talked.

“So, you’ve seen where I live. You’ve seen the club.
What do you think?” Cole asked. He had considered telling Natalie about the
money, but he didn’t want that to sway her decision. Either she liked him or
she didn’t. Either he was good enough or he wasn’t. He didn’t want it to be
about the money. He would tell them about that later. That would just be icing
on the cake.

Natalie looked over at him. “You’re quite a
contradiction, Cole.”

He wasn’t sure he liked the sound of that. “Am I?
How so?”

“A biker that likes flea markets, antiques, and
builds furniture. A man who’s a member of an outlaw motorcycle club, but calls
this quiet, tree-lined neighborhood home.”

Cole took a hit off his cigarette, taking that in.

She continued, “I think you have a lovely home. I’m
sure Angel and the kids would like it, too.”

He looked over at her, waiting. “But?”

She smiled. “But, it’s only a two bedroom. I don’t
think that will work out, at least not once the children get a little older.
Maybe you could make do for now, but-”

“That’s your worry? The number of bedrooms?” Cole
cut her off, astonished at the words coming out of her mouth.

“Well, it has to be considered, if you’re going to
bring your family here.”

Cole just stared at her. “I’m laying my whole life
out for you to judge, and all you can come up with is bedrooms?”

She smiled. “You’ll make her happy. And I know you’d
do anything to protect her, to take care of her. Of that, I’m sure. You love
her. That’s all I need to know.”

Cole looked away. Her words meant more to him than
she could know. He couldn’t believe how relieved he was to hear her say those
words. He closed his eyes. He hadn’t realized until just this moment how badly
he’d wanted Natalie’s approval.

“Now, we just have to get her out here.”

He looked back at her, and nodded.

*****

Cole was standing on the back porch with a cup of
coffee. The roar of a bike coming down the block broke the early morning quiet.
He turned, and watched as Mack made the turn off the street, and rolled up the
driveway.

“Mornin’,” Cole said, when Mack got off his bike,
and walked up the stairs.

“Mornin’.”

“Want some coffee?” Cole offered.

“Sure.”

They walked inside. Mack sat at the bar, and Cole
walked around to the kitchen, and poured him a cup. He set it down on the bar
in front of Mack.

“She ready?” Mack asked.

Cole set his own mug down, and walked the few steps
to the hall, and tapped on the bedroom door. “Your ride’s here.”

Her muffled reply came from the other side of the
door. “Thanks. I’ll be right there.”

Cole walked back into the kitchen, and picked up his
mug. Leaning back against the opposite counter, he took a sip of coffee,
studying Mack.

“You okay with this?” Mack asked him.

“Oh,
now
you ask.”

Mack spread his hands, and bobbed his head. “You’re
right. Shoulda run it past you first, but hell, one look at her, and-”

“Yeah. Yeah. I was there. Don’t need the replay.”

“So? You good?”

“I’m fine. Not so sure she is.”

“What do you mean?”

Cole shrugged. “She was having second thoughts about
this last night. Thinking maybe she was in over her head.”

Mack looked toward the bedroom door. “Yeah. Maybe
this was a bad idea.”

“I think you make her nervous.”

Mack grunted. “I seem to have that effect on women.
The good ones anyway.” He took a sip of his coffee, and then looked up at Cole.
“Maybe you should come with us. It’d probably make her feel more at ease.”

Cole almost laughed. “You’re kiddin’ me, right? I
don’t think so. Not interested in bein’ the third wheel, here.”

Mack took a sip of his coffee. “I don’t care. You’re
comin’.”

Cole smiled, noticing the tremor in Mack’s hand.
“Now who’s the nervous one?”

They both turned their heads, as Natalie walked out
of the bedroom. She was dressed in jeans and a black tank top. She had her hair
pulled over one shoulder, and she was finishing braiding it. She wrapped a band
around the bottom. She held a pair of sunglasses between her teeth.

“Good morning.” Mack smiled at her, his eyes sliding
over her. “You ready to go?”

She pulled the sunglasses out of her mouth, and
nodded. “Good morning.” She smiled back at Mack.

“Cole is coming along.”

Natalie looked over at Cole. He tossed the rest of
his coffee in the sink, and set his cup down. She didn’t think he looked too
happy to be tagging along on their date. But she was glad he was. She smiled.
“That’s wonderful.”

“Yeah. Wonderful,” he agreed sarcastically, leaning
back against the counter, and folding his arms. “So, where’re we goin’,
anyway?”

“Thought we’d ride down the coast. Maybe stop, and
have lunch somewhere.”

“Well, she’s a new rider, so you probably don’t want
to ride all day,” Cole felt the need to point out.

Mack gave him an exasperated look. “I realize that.”

Natalie looked between the two men, and grinned.
Cole was going to look out for her, and she knew she could relax, and enjoy the
day. Papa Bear was on chaperone duty, and apparently he was taking his
responsibility seriously.

They headed out the door.

Mack pulled an extra helmet out of his saddlebag,
and handed it to Natalie. “Here, darlin’. See if that fits.”

She put it on, and he helped her with the strap.
“It’s fine. Thanks.”

Cole got on his bike, and sat watching them.

Mack swung his leg over his bike, and Natalie
climbed on the back. They both fired them up, and pulled out.

They rode along the coast to Monterey and Carmel. It
reminded Cole of the time he’d taken Angel on this same ride, so long ago. They
stopped for lunch at a place that looked out over the ocean. They ate seafood,
and had a great time talking and laughing.

Cole watched Mack and Natalie together. They
clicked. Whatever that magic was, that some couples found, they had it. Cole
smiled, seeing the effect Natalie was having on Mack. He lit up whenever she
smiled at him. Cole supposed that was probably the same effect Angel had on
him.

They were sitting at an outdoor table, and had
finished eating lunch, and were relaxing, having a beer.

Natalie got up, and excused herself.

Mack stood up.

Cole lit a cigarette, and watched as Mack sat back
down. He blew a stream of smoke in the air, and grinned.

Mack looked over at him. “What?”

Cole shook his head. “I seem to remember someone
once telling me not to let a ‘damn broad’ turn my head.”

Mack tried to look menacing, but in the end he
couldn’t help but smile. “She’s something. Like nothing I’ve ever had before.”

“Yeah. Well, you ain’t ‘had’ her yet, brother.” Cole
grinned.

“You know what I mean. She’s different. She’s got
class. And she’s smart, and she’s got a great sense of humor.”

“Make a list, why don’t ya?” Cole laughed.

Mack shook his head, and laughed. “Fuck. I guess I
sound like a love-sick puppy.”

“That talk about a Leukemia Run, you serious about
that or were you just trying to impress her?” Cole asked him, referring to a
suggestion Mack had made earlier to Natalie.

Mack looked over at him. “I meant it. I think it’d
be good for the club. Do something good for the community, and for your family.
Maybe we could call it, Melissa’s Ride.”

Cole just looked at him. He wasn’t sure what to say.
He nodded. “That’d be real nice, Mack. Thanks.”

“And I want to involve all the chapters. Make it
big.”