Page 26 of My Christmas Biker
“Of course.”
“Could I get a fried egg? I’ll make it myself,” I offered.
“Only if you make me one too.”
“It’s a deal.”
Half an hour later, I rubbed my stomach. “I’m stuffed.”
Brick lowered his head, whispering in my ear. “Yeah, you are, Sweetheart.”
We said goodbye to Birdseye, and I hugged him. “Thank you. I’d like to see you again. Maybe we could swap stories about my dad.”
“I’d like that.”
“Then we’ll be back,” Brick promised.
Birdseye grinned. “Yeah, I know you will.”
CHRISTMAS DAY—
“Mom!” I shouted, rushing through the front door as I inhaled the familiar scents of home. The inviting aroma hit me as I entered, and I couldn’t wait to hug my mother, uncle, and cousin. My mother always burned candles that smelled like pumpkin, spices, and vanilla. When combined with her holiday dishes, it was mouthwatering. All the years I rushed inside after school, assaulted with those heavenly aromas, surfaced.
Nothing was better than home.
“Ginny!” My mother rushed from the kitchen with her arms open, engulfing me in one of her signature, too tight hugs that I adored. No one could ever accuse her of not squeezing enough. Mom was the older blonde version of me if you added glasses. I thought she was beautiful.
“Oh, wow,” she gushed, noticing Brick as she released me. “Hi.”
“Hey, Ciara,” he greeted her. “It’s been too long.”
“It has.” She stared at him, and I wondered if she thought of my father as her gaze swept his cut. “You’re with Ginny?”
“Yes.”
Her eyes widened, and she stepped back, looking me over. “Are you hurt? What’s happened?”
I decided lying served no purpose and told her the story of how I bumped into Brick at the airport, how we were chased and ended up on his Harley. Luckily, the salt trucks were out by the time we left Birdseye’s cabin. The ride here hadn’t been bad. I had a warm leather biker to hold onto the whole way, so maybe I was biased.
Mom listened to everything and nodded, gasping when I got to the part about the black truck. “And your leg?”
“Fine. Just a scratch.”
“And your cheek, too.”
“I’m fine. Really,” I assured her.
Brick slid an arm around my shoulders, hugging me against his side. “I made sure she was safe.”
My mother understood his meaning without the extra detail.
“You saved her,” she gushed, tears filling her eyes. “Thank you, Brick.”
“My pleasure, Ciara.” He cleared his throat. “That’s why you’ll understand when I tell you I’m taking her away after Christmas.”
My jaw popped open. What?
“For her safety, I’ll kidnap her if I need to, but she’s not staying at this house. It’s too dangerous.”