Page 15 of Coyote
I shook my head, my emotions were all over the place. Callie had a supportive husband and money, at my lowest point Nessa and I were living in my car, and I was desperate for anything to avoid catching the attention of social services. Reggie straight up saved our lives. “Callie’s smart. I’m average at best. Not everyone is cut out for college, Lucas.”
Calling him by his given name instead of his club name affected him. He was quick to point out, “You’re smart too, querida. I wish you could see yourself the way me and everyone else sees you.”
“I have to walk my own path in life. Maybe one day I’ll see in myself what you see in me. Until that time comes, I’ll just have to struggle through, I guess. You don’t need to worry about me. I’m doing fine now. Better than fine actually. Reggie’s training me to be an event coordinator. It’s a career I really like, and it pays well. It’s something I can do without a college degree and I’m grateful for the opportunity.”
He looked down at my hand covering his and turned his hand to clasp mine. “As long as you’re happy and at a good place in your life, that’s all that matters, right?”
We sat there for a long moment holding hands and staring into each other’s eyes. Just when he opened his mouth to speak the server came with our food. I slid my hand out of his and looked away. I took a sip of my iced tea and tried to get a handle on my emotions.
We ate and talked about safe subjects like how Callie was helping him design a waiting room that was modern and looked professional. I don’t know why, but I found all the details fascinating. Between Callie designing his decor and me planning his grand opening, I envisioned him making an impact on the citizens of Griffinsford. As lunch wound down, we pushed our empty dishes aside and I opened my planning book.
I explained how the rockabilly event wasn’t viable because of the costs of hiring entertainers. “But the car show idea was well received by a couple of local antique car clubs.” I showed him images of a large white canopy and grills for hire. “I was thinking of setting up some tables with coffee, light refreshments and maybe some hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill. What do you think?”
He leafed through the pages, carefully inspecting all my ideas. “I like the idea of a canopy and refreshments. Antique car shows always draw a crowd. Do you think I can afford something like this?”
I nodded, “Yes, we can rent the equipment and buy the food at wholesale prices through our company. My planning got stalled out when I realized that I had no idea of the size or layout of your business.”
He scratched his head. “I’m not sure exactly what you need to know. We can make a site visit sometime if you like so you can feel for the space.”
“That would be wonderful. When do you want to do that?”
He shrugged. “My time is pretty much free. Working on my business is the only thing I’m doing right now. What day of the week works best for you?”
“I try to spend Saturdays with my daughter and work Monday through Friday. Sunday afternoon or any evening works for me this coming week. My boss is coming back next week, so that opens up most any day.”
Coyote closed my planning book and asked, “What about this afternoon? Is that short notice?”
“No, Sunday afternoon is the time I normally reserve for chores and whatever else I need to do. Reggie’s nieces help with childcare at the weekends, and they were taking Nessa to an activity center this afternoon. My daughter loves it, and it frees me up for a few hours to do all things that are difficult to accomplish with a little one climbing all over me.”
Coyote chuckled. “I can almost see that in my mind’s eye.”
The server laid our bill on the table, and he grabbed it before I could get to it. “Why don’t you pull your car around and I’ll pay the bill. You can follow me to the auto repair shop. Would that work for you?”
I came to my feet and smiled down at his handsome face. “I’ll be back in a flash. I saw your bike in front of our store. I’ll wait for you there.”
Walking out of the eatery with my planning book tucked neatly under one arm and a gigantic smile eating up my face, I couldn’t believe I was about to get the grand tour of Coyote’s new business. I was so proud of this man that I could burst.
My happiness was short lived, because when I approached my car I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. It was Rufus leaning against our store, smoking a cigarette. The look he gave me was absolutely lecherous. When he pulled his cigarette out of his mouth, threw it onto the ground and began walking towards me, I jumped into my car, locked all the doors, and started the engine. One minute he was standing on the passenger side of the car, bent down and staring through the closed window at me, and the next there was the throaty roar of a motorcycle engine, and he was gone. Feeling a chill creep up my spine and settle in my chest I remembered the last time a man like that got his hands on me.
Suddenly, there was a knock on my driver’s side window and looked up in a panic to find Coyote make the gesture for me to follow him. I pulled out, eager to put as much distance between me and Rufus as possible.
Chapter Seven
Coyote
Riding on my bike with Bethany following close behind in her car was enough to make me hope for more with her. Holding hands with her at the restaurant while she shared her life’s hardships with me felt intimate, like she trusted me to give her support and not judgement. That meant she trusted me on an emotional level. I would have liked nothing better than to have her on the back of my bike, but I didn’t want her to feel trapped with me. She left me for a reason, and I still didn’t know exactly what that reason was. Until I figured that out, I’d take special care to ensure she felt like she had an exit if she needed one. I’d love nothing better than to lure the only woman I’d ever loved back into a romantic relationship, but I cared more about her feelings and well-being than to pressure her. No, if she wanted me, she would need to be the one to let me know.
When we got out of my auto repair shop, we walked around the parking lot. It was an L-shaped patch of pavement that would easily hold fifty to seventy-five vehicles. There was more space in the grassy area around the back. I took her inside and gave her a tour of the building, gratified that she was sufficiently impressed with what I had accomplished.
My hand came up to move a strand of her hair out of her eyes. “I really missed you, Bethany. I hope you know that.”
She flinched, either at my words or my touch. Although I didn’t know which, I dropped my hand and took a step back.
She moved forward and brought my hand back up but instead pressing it against her cheek. Turning her head slightly, she placed a kiss on my open palm. It was all kinds of sweet. This woman was good at hitting me in the feels.
She looked conflicted for a moment before speaking, “I need to tell you something that might change your mind about wanting to be with me.”
“Nothing you could say would make me change my mind about wanting you.”