Ride Free (5 page)

Ellen hovered over the chair and let her body fall back with a plop. “Tell me how your weekend went, my dear. Any handsome rider find you and whisk you away for a romantic rendezvous?”

Sarah covered her face and groaned. She lowered her hands to peek over the top of them.

“You have no idea how close you are to guessing,” she said.

“Sit up and tell me. Don’t leave anything out. If we’re going to get you a motorcycle man, we need to work fast before they leave town.” Ellen waved her hand.

Her eyes took on an intensity that Sarah had never witnessed before. She sat up. For a split second she wondered if Ellen humored her and that maybe she shouldn’t allow the excitement to grow.

“Well, you were right. The whole gang showed up at the powwow.” She smiled. “He caught me dancing by the fire to the drums. I was so lost in the tempo and just being back home. I didn’t even realize the louder sounds came from all the motorcycles.”

“He? What’s his name? What did he look like?” Ellen laid her head back.

“He’s beautiful.” She shook her head. “I’m sure he’d hate to hear that, but he really is the most beautiful man I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

“Tell me more.” Ellen closed her eyes.

“He has dark hair. Not black like mine, but dark brown like it’s been warmed from all the rides he takes out in the sun. His eyes have the same highlights in them. The light casts gold flecks in rich dark chocolate. I swear he resembles my ideal of the perfect man.” Sarah leaned back on the couch.

“Those dark-haired men will get you every time.” Ellen nodded.

Sarah sat up in a rush and clapped her hands. “I left the best news for last.”

Ellen’s head came off the cushion. “What?”

“It’s the end man. The same man who asked me for a ride when I was here at your house.” Sarah squealed and covered her mouth. Her eyes grew wide in shock that she’d let loose such a girlish shriek. “He doesn’t know it yet, but he’ll be back. I know he will.”

“Of course he’ll be back.” Ellen nodded. “In the meantime, what are you going to do to guarantee that?”

“What do you mean? He’ll come back if we’re meant for each other.” Sarah stuck out her lower lip and blew the bangs out of her face. “Oh, God, what if it’s too big of a decision for him to make on his own? He’s not a talker. Do guys talk about women like that? I mean, what if they don’t talk about those inner feelings?”

Ellen held up her hand. “Don’t get ahead of yourself. Let’s think about this. You say he doesn’t talk much…”

Sarah nodded. “It’s true.”

“Okay, let me think where the riders might hang out while they’re in town.” Ellen pressed her fingers together under her chin. “You’ll need to check the lower-priced motels in the area and the recreational sites that allow tent camping.”

Sarah stood and paced. “No. That won’t work. He’ll think I’m a stalker.”

“Don’t let him see you. You need to find out where they’re hanging out for fun. Check the bars around the motel, the beach…oh, and the local mechanic’s garage. Sometimes they stay in town to do maintenance on their bikes if they’re getting ready for a long ride.” Ellen struggled to pull herself out of the chair.

Sarah held her hands out, helped Ellen up, and reached over for the walker. A few days ago, her only worries amounted to how to pay the bills and if her da received proper care. She never dreamed she’d have to chase after a man too.

“I’m not too sure about this. He didn’t really come across as the type who enjoyed women throwing themselves at him.” Sarah released Ellen and planted her hands on her hips.

“Oh, Sarah, don’t be silly. You’re only going to find out where he is and make it appear innocent when you show up.” Ellen smiled. “Make him feel like he can’t escape his feelings for you. In other words, tempt him. Drive him out of his mind with lust for you.”

Sarah swung around. Her jaw dropped. It took a moment for her to understand, and her lips curved. Yeah, she’d drive him mad.

“You are wonderful, my friend.” She carefully hugged Ellen. “Now, let’s get you back down in your chair and start your exercises. I’m so happy to see you up and about today. Did you have a good weekend?”

***

“Hey, Reef, get your ass in gear, boy. You’re holding us up.” Knuckles pounded his fist against the motel’s door. “Five more minutes and I’m sending in Crowbar and Stump to drag you out!”

Reefer dropped his feet off the coffee table, ran his hand through his hair, and dragged his feet across the room to the door. He exhaled in frustration. He didn’t have any desire to hit the bars, shoot pool, or play darts tonight.

“Open up.” Crowbar added his voice to the group outside the door.

Reefer swung the door open, leaned against the frame, and waited for the cajoling to begin.

“Damn, you look like shit.” Crowbar stepped back. “You sick?”

Knuckles elbowed Crowbar out of his way and stepped up to Reefer. “Where does it hurt?” He laid his palm on his forehead.

Reefer jerked away. “I’m not sick. You guys go on without me, see if Vixen can watch your back tonight.” He moved away from the door and sat back down.

Knuckles followed him inside and stood over the couch. “I’ll go get Sunflower. She’ll know what to do.”

“I said I don’t need anything. I’m not sick. I’m fine.” Reefer picked at a piece of thread that came loose from the couch. “I just want to sit back and be alone for a change, without you assholes around all the time.”

Knuckles motioned the other guys to close the door, sat beside Reefer, and lifted his feet to the coffee table. Reefer snorted. He knew better than to think Knuckles might leave him alone. The man had practically raised him and always made sure he wanted for nothing.

“You got a problem with someone in the family?”

He shook his head.

“You miss Margarine?”

Reefer turned and gazed at Knuckles. “Yeah.”

“Me too.” Knuckles’ expression brightened. “Did Sunflower show you the latest baby pictures she sent us?”

Margarine Butter, his best friend and life-long, trouble-making companion. He grinned, happier than hell for the life she’d found for herself.

“She sent me one too. I can’t believe how big he’s gotten. Did you count his teeth?” He wagged his head in amazement.

“Sure did. I let her know we’d come soon.” Knuckles gazed around the motel room. “Still can’t believe my baby went to the dark side and bought herself a house. Of course, right now she’s at Remy’s house.”

Knuckles blew out a big breath, and Reefer emitted his own sigh. Life seemed to change at a drop of the clutch lately.

“Come on, son, let’s go have a few beers and forget about our troubles.” Knuckles grunted, stood, and held a hand out.

Reefer slapped the hand away. “You’re sure getting touchy-feely in your old age.”

Knuckles threw his head back and laughed. “Yeah, and if you spread that lie around, I’ll kick your ass hard enough you’ll have to buy a Buick if you want to drive.”

Chapter Seven

It took no time for Sarah to find the motel where the bikers stayed. The only one in town with a parking lot filled with a mix of custom-made Harley Davidsons in a myriad of colors and chrome, and leather-wearing people who loitered around outside in seventy-five degree weather.

She hurried home, ran up to her apartment, and flung most of her clothes off before her feet hit the bathroom. She turned on the spigot and shed her underwear. If she wanted Reefer to notice her, she’d need to appear her best.

She left her hair loose, slipped on a summer dress with a pair of sandals, and double-checked the time. In five minutes she’d make the phone call. She decided to order dinner to go and arrive at the bar across the street from the motel Reefer stayed at to pick up her meal.

With no idea if she’d run into Reefer or not, she wanted to catch his attention with her girlish charms. She giggled and laid a hand on her bare chest. Ellen had blown her away earlier with her ideas on how to catch his attention. She giggled again. The idea of standing atop a table and dancing was out of the question. She might be comfortable dancing to drums on the reservation, but wouldn’t have the confidence to shimmy in front of strangers. She’d have to rely on an accidental meeting.

She carried the cordless phone into the kitchen, opened the phone book, and found the number for Bernie’s Bar. She didn’t let on to Ellen that she’d never in her life set foot inside a bar.

She played it safe around alcohol and stayed far away from the stuff. With both her parents victims of the bottle, and witnessing the destruction that happened to her own family, she’d rather not start something she might not be able to stop.

“Hello, I’d like to place an order, please.” She held her hand to her forehead. No doubt the man on the other end of the phone laughed at how clueless she sounded. “Yes, one cheeseburger basket…and do you serve club sandwiches? Great, I’ll take the turkey sandwich. Thank you.” She pushed the button to end the call. Her shoulders slumped. The first part of the plan was done. Now, on to the next.

This drama act she swore to perform might be out of her league. She thought up every possible scenario that could happen, and it drove her blood pressure up. She always tried to tell the truth. Should she stoop to lying if he caught on to her game plan?

She must not search him out the moment she entered the bar; instead, Ellen told her to swish her hips and stride across the room. What did she call it? Own the room? With her luck, she’d trip, the hem of her dress would rise, and she’d flash everyone with her granny panties.

“Oh, shit!” Sarah kicked off her sandals, ran to her bedroom, and exchanged her underwear for a white lace thong.

She stopped in the bathroom, ran her hands under cold water, and patted her cheeks. She gazed in the mirror.
Keep it together, Sarah Lightfeather, or Reefer will think you’re a scatterbrained twit.

A quick check of the time on the wall clock in the living room, and Sarah grabbed her purse. She locked the door behind her. It surprised her that the further away from the apartment she walked, the calmer she grew. She climbed into the car, drove five blocks, and arrived at the bar.

Without hesitation, she strolled up the walkway. But as soon as she opened the door, her step froze over the threshold. The place reeked of spilled booze, body odor, and an odd mix of gasoline. She clamped her lips shut and squared her shoulders. Despite the seedy customers lining the bar and the grimy floor, she was not going to chicken out.

The pool balls finished their clatter and rolled to a stop. Men halted their conversations to stare. Sarah held on to the door handle with a grip that threatened to break every fingernail on her hand. Not sure whether to run out or finish her task, she caught her lip between her teeth. The pull of all these bikers in one area won out against the smell of her childhood.

She walked forward, straight to the bar, and concentrated on keeping her facial muscles relaxed to hide the distaste of the odor. She laid her hands on the bar edge in front of the bartender.

“Hi, I placed a phone order earlier. My name is Sarah.” She fought the desire to roll her ankles and fidget from one foot to the other.

The man tossed his rag over his shoulder. “It’s not quite done. Take a seat.”

Perfect!

She smoothed her dress over the back of her legs and slid up on the barstool. The bartender placed a tall glass of ice water in front of her, and she smiled her thanks.

With her back to the other men in the room, she hid her grin behind the rim of the glass. If Reefer came with his friends, she knew without a doubt he’d make his move soon. She only needed to wait.

The chatter commenced. The clank of a cue ball knocking a pile of balls to all four sides of a pool table filled the room. Sarah let out the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. None of her plans included having an audience, and she relaxed knowing they’d moved back to their games.

She gazed at the pictures across the bar on the wall lined with bottles, and kept her attention away from the crowd. The desire to turn around and scan the room for Reefer more than tempted her, but she had to play it cool.

“Here you go, Miss.” The bartender set two small bags down on the bar. “That will be twelve twenty-five.”

Sarah lifted her clutch purse and extracted a twenty-dollar bill. “Thank you.”

He handed back her change, and she slid two dollars to him for a tip. She stepped down from her seat and walked towards the door. She blinked against the moisture that fogged her vision. It never entered her mind that Reefer might not approach her if she showed up at the same place.

She pushed the door open. Once on the sidewalk, she wanted to shut out the smell, the bikers, and forget about her stupid ideas. She growled in frustration. The only thing left to do was to go home and pig out on a cheeseburger and fries. She’d save the turkey sandwich for tomorrow’s lunch.

Sarah tossed the bags on the passenger seat and closed the car door. She turned the key in the ignition, and raised her head to check for traffic. The knock on her window sent her hands up to her chest.

Reefer stood on the other side of the door. His hair fell forward, and he shoved his hands in his pockets. She cranked the window down, but didn’t speak. Her gaze ran up and down him, and she wished he’d declare his undying love and get on with it.

“What the hell are you doing here?” He frowned.

Her hands fell to her lap. “Wh…what?”

“I told you there could never be anything between us.” He stepped back from the car.

Sarah turned away and gazed out over the street. Her stomach clenched, and she wondered if it might hurt less if Reefer physically sucker punched her instead. He acted rather cruel, and she didn’t understand why he confronted her if he wanted her to walk away.

She glanced over her shoulder, pulled the shifter into drive, and drove away from the curb. She dashed away the one tear that escaped her lashes and drove home on automatic pilot.