Page 2 of Riding Dirty
“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 with newspapers covering their heads. 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.
No phone and she doesn’t want to go home. This is not your everyday situation.
I should ignore the urge to fix all of her problems. I have plenty of my own. That said, the next words out of my mouth are, “Get back on.”
Her brows wrinkle. “What?Why?”
“I live twenty minutes away. Come over, get dry, and you can use my phone.”
Her small hand twists at her soaking wet hair. “That’s weird. I’m smart enough to know stranger danger when I see it.”
I chuckle. “I have some things to take care of. I’ll drop you off at my cabin and head over to the meeting I have. You’ll have the place to yourself for a couple of hours. You can make your calls, warm yourself up, and put something dry on.”
“And you’re not worried about leaving some drifter alone in your house while you’re gone? I could steal all your stuff and sell it for cash before you even get back.”
I laugh. “Well, you won’t be making much. I have some solid wood furniture that I’m not sure you could lift and a few odds and ends. You’d make five hundred bucks at most.”
She smiles sweetly and looks toward the busy diner before walking toward me. “I’ll bet you do this with all the hitchhikers you pick up. You’ve probably got a mountain dungeon full of unsuspecting girls.”
I nod. “And they will be so happy to meet you. It’s been a while since I’ve brought home a new friend.”
Millie climbs onto the back of the bike and wraps against me once again. Either I’m helping a woman out or I’m being dragged into her drama. Either way, I want her to hold me tighter.
Chapter Two
Millie
Gunner is a giant. Big, tall, wide, and his hands are the size of my head. I’m surprised they make bikes big enough for him. His heavy boots hit the gravel driveway with zero grace. I should be afraid of him. Not only is he huge, but I’m not sure he’s cracked a genuine smile since I met him. Men like that are bad news.
My life is hard enough as it is. I don’t need to add another bad decision on top of my already heaping pile. That said, if I’m tossing gasoline on the rest of them, why not take a chance on a sexy biker? Worst case, he’s ash with the rest of my problems.
“There are towels on the sink for you.” His voice is deep and rough, like he’s chewed up some rocks. “I’ll leave my phone on the table. It’s unlocked. Help yourself to whatever else you need. I’ll be back in a couple of hours, and I’ll take you wherever it is you need to go.”
“You’re going to take me to San Diego?”
He stares at me as though he’s waiting for my laughter to signify the joke I’ve made.
“I’m kidding.” I tap him on the shoulder. “You’ve helped me more than enough. I’ll get someone to wire me some money and I’ll be back in my car in no time.”
He nods, though I see he’s contemplating questions. I’m grateful he doesn’t ask. The truth is, I have no idea what I’m doing. I have no friends, no family, no money, no job, no prospects, and so far, my adult life has been one huge mistake after the next. A hot shower is the first break I’ve had in months.