Page 18 of Riding Hard
She shrugs. “Not sure. It’s been giving me trouble since I left the Springs.”
“That’s only two hours from here. I can take you home when I’m done with a meet—”
“I can’t go home!” Her voice is panicked. “I’m on my way to San Diego.”
Okay.My head spins with possibilities as to why this young woman can’t go home. Is she being hurt? Is she pregnant? Is someone after her?
Rain continues to fall as thunder grumbles in the distance. We’ve been getting terrible storms lately. We should both get out of the weather before something worse pushes through.
“That’s fine. We can sort out how to get you to San Diego once we’re dry. I’m heading to Rugged Mountain, which is about ten miles back.”
She drags a deep breath and nods. “Thank you. I’ll pay you when I get some cash.”
I climb off my bike and take off my jacket, sliding the waterproof gear over her cold shoulders. “You don’t need to pay me. I’m going that way, anyway. But the road is cold in the rain, so bundle up.”
“No. I can’t wear your jacket. I’ll be okay.”
“It’s already on you.”
She stares up at me, rich coffee brown eyes and a sweet, drenched smile that I can’t help but warm for. “I’ve never ridden a motorcycle. I mean, I’ve seen my brother ride before, but I’ve always been too afraid.”
I bundle the coat at her neck and climb back onto my Harley, revving the engine as wind blows through the wild grass in the field. “I’ll make sure you’re okay. Climb up and hold on to me tight.”
She does as I’ve asked, scooting her soaking wet frame in behind me. “I’m Millie, by the way.”
“Gunner.” I glance backward slightly so she’s able to hear me.
“Gunner. Is that military?”
I nod. “Army. You have a lot of soldiers in your family?”
“Maybe.”
I figure her answer is odd, but I don’t press her for more. The roads are slippery and I’m focusing on avoiding most of the bigger puddles in the heavy rain. If we were going more than ten miles, I’d pull over and wait out the storm under a tree, but we’re nearly to town.
Besides that, I like the way this woman feels holding me tight. I glance down and note her white knuckles gripped tight around my waist.Why does she have to be so fucking cute?
I glance back as we pass the welcome sign for Rugged Mountain. “So why San Diego?”
“Something new.” She says the words with a twinge of sadness that I recognize. It’s beneath the surface and hidden by her happy-go-lucky spirit, but it’s there. I’ve heard it before in myself.
Suddenly, I have a million questions that I have no right to ask.
“I was just out in California. There was an issue with some doors I’d ordered for a lodge I’m building with my buddies.” I figure telling her about myself opens the door to hear her story, but she doesn’t elaborate.I suck at this shit.
Rain slows to a sprinkle as we pull onto Main Street and roll down through Rugged Mountain. Striped awnings and colorful displays light up store windows as a few folks jog from the flower shop toward the diner. There’s no place like home.
I grew up drinking from this mountain, listening to this town’s gossip, and smelling the sunshine on the pines and wildflowers that grow in our fields. There wasn’t a summer that went by that I didn’t taste a frosty, sweet root beer from the general store. Hell, even when I was deployed, Mr. Robinson’s was the first place I went on leave. Rugged Mountain is in my blood.
I pull into the diner and Millie climbs off before I’ve killed the engine.
“Thanks for the ride. I’ll get someone inside to help me make a few calls and—”
“Your cell phone should work here.”
Her gaze drops to the ground before lifting again. “I don’t have a phone.”
Flags wave in my head. Piercing, ominous, yet intriguing red ones.