by Jamie Begley
She had been withdrawn as a child, too affected by her parents’ constant fights to make friends easily. Then, as she had grown older and heard the hurtful remarks made by her classmates, she had drawn further away. Her first foray into drawing someone into her solitary existence had ended in disaster, not only for her, but her parents hadn’t been able to survive the fallout.
She made a quick stop at her house before going on a call of a stalled car that was blocking traffic on Main Street.
Her gloom drew darker as she approached the car, her gut clenching when she recognized it.
The emergency lights of the car were blinking, and Knox was in his uniform, directing traffic to go around it.
Driving past the car when Knox motioned her forward, she rolled her window down. “Find another to tow him.”
Knox walked to her window. “He’s blocking traffic.”
“Then help him push it to the side, or call Greg. Curt won’t get a tow from me.” She resolutely stared back at the aggravated sheriff as the cars behind her started honking.
Expecting him to blast her with curses, she was surprised when he nodded, then pushed a button on his radio attached to his jacket. “Greer, call Fuller Towing in Jamestown; tell him I need a tow. Then come here and help me move this car.” Once he released the button, he returned to directing traffic.
As she drove past Curt’s car, she looked down and saw the malicious way he watched her. Raising her hand high enough for him to see, she flipped him off, uncaring of the Christian values that Lucky tried to instill in his parishioners every Sunday.
She would starve and lose everything she owned before she would ever give Curt a tow.
Listening to the weather report, she decided to fill up her gas tank. The entire state of Kentucky was under a snow advisory. If she was lucky, the snow would hit before it was her turn to be auctioned off.
After refueling, she checked her tires and the extra snow chains she kept as spares. Some of the roads at higher elevations were treacherous and could be snow covered, leaving unwary drivers stranded. She had learned to be prepared.
Many of the mountain inhabitants didn’t have the money for a tow, and she would lend them the chains until they could return them when the weather was better. It was bad for business, as were the free tows she would give to any hard luck story that too many of her customers had told her. Her father had told her numerous times not to listen to them, but it was hard to do when she had volunteered in the church store and knew how desperate many of them were.
When she was finally satisfied that her truck was as equipped for the snowstorm as she could make it, Jo got back inside her truck and turned the heat up higher. Seeing the digital clock, she muttered to herself. If she didn’t hurry, Lily or Rachel would be calling, wanting to know where she was.
Curt’s car was gone, and traffic was back to normal when she drove back down Main Street. It only took five minutes to get home.
As soon as she made the turn onto her property, she felt a sense of unease. Feeling ridiculous, she drove past rows of dilapidated cars that had been crushed and stacked on top of each other, making it impossible to see her house until she rounded a small curve. Jo’s foot hit the brake when she did.
The front of her house had been egged. One of Curt’s friends, or a family member, had beat her home.
Edging her truck closer, she parked in front of the ramshackle home. She knew the fucking cowards were gone and weren’t waiting for her inside. The security alarm she had installed herself would have gone off if any of her windows or doors had been opened.
Looking at the rapidly darkening sky and the yard that offered many hiding places for anyone who could be waiting for her, she flipped her glove department open, taking out the small snub-nosed pistol that had belonged to her father. She slid it into her pocket before getting out.
When she climbed her front steps, eggshells cracked under her boots. It was going to be a mess to clean. The goo was already freezing to the porch and the siding of the house.
Keying in her security code, Jo opened the front door, then shut it behind her, determinedly putting thoughts of the waiting mess behind her. She didn’t have the time to deal with it now and be at King’s on time.
After resetting her alarm, Jo took a quick shower, wishing she had spent the extra money to install a camera on the outside. She should have anticipated Curt’s reaction and have come back home immediately. It was the only spot where she was vulnerable, and he had taken advantage when her back had been turned.
Drying off, she went into her bedroom, searching through her drawers for a strapless bra and seamless panties she could wear under her dress. She found what she needed in the back of her lingerie drawer. She had purchased them when her college roommate had gotten married, and she had been a bridesmaid. Luckily, they still fit.
Padding barefoot across the cold, wooden floorboards, she shut her bedroom door, then turned the old radiator on high, shivering in the cold air. Once she was dressed, the room was warm enough that she could concentrate on her makeup and hair.
When she was finished, she stared into the cracked mirror she’d owned since she was a young girl. Jo reached out, touching her reflection in the mirror, then her cheek. It was slightly unreal that the image in the mirror was actually her.
Going to her closet, she went to the tips of her toes in her new heels, reaching for an old shoe box. Grasping it, she tugged it down until it was within her reach. Opening the box, she took out the small black velvet clutch purse she had bought at the thrift store. When she had seen it on the wall, Jo had thought the vintage purse was beautiful and had bought it on an impulse. Lily hadn’t known who had donated it, but whoever it was had taken care of it, wrapping it in tissue paper and a cloth bag.
Jo wasn’t used to carrying a purse, usually shoving the items she needed in her pockets. Sliding the small amount of cash she had on hand, her license, and the pistol, she had to force the snap to close.
Grabbing a clean pair of coveralls, a change of clothes, and her boots before turning off the heater, she then gingerly made her way outside to her truck.
She nearly fell into the seat after clambering up her truck in her heels. Smoothing out her dress, she shut the door with a sigh of relief. She would be lucky if she didn’t fall on her face when she got out.
It had grown colder in just the short time she had gone inside her house. Relieving her fears that Curt or one of his minions would be waiting for her to leave, she told herself that the bastards would be safely tucked away somewhere warm.
Evil always preferred warmer temperatures. The place she was determined to send Curt was going to make him feel right at home.
It was almost closing time when Shade walked into the department store.
Aly excused herself from a browsing shopper to meet him at her cash register. Opening the drawer, she took out the receipt she had hidden under the drawer.
“Eight hundred, forty-three dollars, and sixty-two cents.”
Shade handed her his credit card without balking at the amount.
Motioning for him to sign the electronic receipt, she pushed a button on her register to spit out his paper receipt when he was done. Giving to him, she watched as he folded it neatly and placed both the receipt and the card back in his wallet.
“Thanks, Aly. Don’t forget, this is just between us.” His threat wasn’t obvious, but the chill he gave out had her hastily reassuring him of her silence.
“I won’t forget. I won’t mention it to anyone in town or any of the others in the club.”
“I appreciate it. I wouldn’t be happy if Moon or any of the other brothers asked me why I bought Jo a dress.”
She hadn’t asked any questions when he had come into the store that morning as Lily was putting up the flyers outside, and she didn’t ask for any now. She enjoyed the few times she had been allowed entry into the Friday night parties at The Last Riders’ clubhouse to ever jeopardize being able to go back.
&
nbsp; “Mum’s the word.”
“Exactly.”
As Aly watched Shade stride away, she nervously licked her lips. Damn, Lily was a lucky woman. Maybe she would get lucky herself, and Jo would make good on her threats. She would have no problem giving Shade a shoulder to cry on if something happened to Lily.
Aly rolled her eyes at herself. Nothing was going to happen to Lily. God was probably just as afraid of Shade as everyone in town was. Still, she had no intention of pulling those posters down. A slim chance was better than none at all.
10
“What kind of pie is that?” Moon tried to move closer to the table, but Rider refused to budge, crossing his arms over his chest to keep him from getting too close. He didn’t want Moon’s fingerprints in the snowy perfection of Willa’s candy.
Rider stood guard over the table where the baked goods were going to be auctioned off. He hadn’t moved since he had arrived. Besides, King’s bar and restaurant was filled to overflowing, and the only space available was near where he was standing. That was because he had glowered every time someone moved closer to inspect the variety of treats that the church hoped would provide the funds needed to help those in need.
Moon wasn’t about to be scared off as others had been. Dodging him to go to the other side of the table, he lifted up a place card and read it out loud.
“Buttermilk pie. Why doesn’t it say who made it?”
“Because everyone in town knows who made it. Tate Porter’s wife, Sutton, made it. You should bid on it. It’s delicious.”
Moon looked at it skeptically. “It doesn’t look that great.”
“It is; trust me. You won’t regret it. It’s like silk on your tongue.”
“Is it as good as Willa’s candy?”
“Better,” Rider unashamedly lied.
“You going to bid for it?” Moon gave the pie another skeptical glance.
“No, I’m not going to bid against Tate. You see that shotgun in the gun rack in the back of his truck?”
“No way to miss it. It’s really that good?”
“Better.”
Moon bent over, trying to get a whiff of the covered pie. “I’m going to bid. I’m not afraid of the Porters.” Straightening, he oozed confidence.
Rider nearly snickered at him. He wouldn’t touch that buttermilk pie with a ten-foot pole. Willa’s candy would go last, and that meant Moon’s pocket would be lighter after he paid for Sutton’s pie.
Rider was turned toward Moon with the bar and restaurant at his back when several people jostled him, making it difficult to turn and see what was going on. The cold air hitting him told him that someone had come in.
As an elusive scent wafted by him, his nostrils flared at the delicate perfume that filled his senses, bringing his dick to attention like a needle on a compass. He rudely used his elbows so he could turn around, wanting to see who was wearing the perfume.
Cash and Rachel were taking their coats off, and Shade was helping Lily with hers. Sliding closer to Rachel, he leaned forward to smell her perfume. Rachel gave him a withering look.
Rider stepped away. It wasn’t Rachel. Her scent had been spicy, not delicate.
Moving toward Lily, he picked up the glove she had nervously dropped when he had gotten too close. Lifting the glove to his nose, he then immediately gave it to Shade when his face turned red with fury.
“What the fuck?” Shade snatched Lily’s glove from him.
Rider hastily stepped back. Lily’s perfume wasn’t the one he was searching for either. Lily’s was too sweet. The one he was after was more floral, but not overpowering with nuances of jasmine and clover. It made a man think of sex on a rainy day or fucking in front of a fireplace. It reminded him of home.
He tried to look around the room, but most of the men were his height or taller, concealing most of the women. Fuck, he couldn’t go around the restaurant sniffing all the women.
“Sorry,” he apologized to Shade and Lily, going back to the auction table, where Moon had taken residence.
“Did you see who was behind me when I was talking to you?”
Moon shook his head. “No. Why?”
“Never mind.”
Rider’s attention was no longer focused on the auction. One by one, he scoped out the crowd. The Porters were grouped together, so were the Colemans and the Hayes. The three families had been feuding longer than he had been in Treepoint. He believed even they didn’t know what had started the bad blood between them.
His eyes moved on to the old biddies who belonged to Lucky’s church. Most of them haughtily stared at those around them who were holding drinks from the bar. Lucky and Willa were standing by the arch of the door that led toward the restaurant, greeting those who had just arrived.
Evie, who looked like she could give birth at any time during the auction, and King were trolling around the room, making sure that everyone had drinks, both alcoholic and none. Bliss and Drake were talking to the city council. Viper and Winter were settling at a large table where The Last Riders had congregated. His eyes were moving away from the table when Lily waved at someone who was coming from the bar.
Rider’s eyes went to the area Lily was waving at, and then he started walking toward her, confused as to who she was greeting, when he noticed a woman sidled between Knox and Diamond, their height previously obscuring her from his view. His mouth dropped open when he recognized the woman.
“Excuse me. Lily wants me.”
Rider heard the soft sound of her voice, not recognizing the sultry tone, used to the tart one she normally used when addressing him.
“Holy hell. Who is that?”
“Jo,” Rider answered Moon’s question, despite wanting to keep the fact to himself, but he knew Moon wouldn’t stop until he found out.
“That can’t be Jo.”
Rider felt the same disbelief as Moon as he took in the dress that clung to curves he hadn’t known the woman had. He had caught a glimpse of her breasts when she had been at Cash’s, but the generous expanse of cleavage she was showing tonight was enough to make him swallow his tongue to keep from drooling.
“It’s her. She has her radio in her hand.” Rider couldn’t believe the sophisticated woman who had gone to Lily’s side was Jo. He hadn’t believed she owned anything other than jeans or coveralls. He for fucking sure had never seen her hair curled and wound into a bun on top of her head with tiny ringlets escaping.
He watched as she talked to Lily then Beth as she entered the group. Her hands moved as if she were emphasizing a point she had made. When she opened her clutch and took out a wad of paper, Rider knew what it was.
“Seems she doesn’t appreciate the flyers Lily put up as much as we did.”
Rider felt Moon move from the other side of the table to better see Jo.
“She looks fine in that dress. Is there an ATM in here?”
“No.” Rider knew Moon was worried he didn’t have enough money in his pocket to win the auction for her.
He didn’t.
“There’s one in the diner,” he offered, knowing it was out of order.
“I’ll be right back.”
“Take your time.” Rider waited until Moon went out the door before he made his move.
He stealthily walked through the crowd until he was standing behind Jo. Razer was standing slightly back behind Beth, faking an interest he didn’t feel. Rider asked him who was babysitting their kids while deliberately listening to the conversation the women were having.
“How many of those flyers did you put up?”
“A few.” Lily wasn’t upset at Jo’s question. “I told you about them. I even showed you the mock-up before I sent them to the printers.”
“The mock-up you showed me didn’t have my name on the list, and it damn sure wasn’t the very first one. I would have remembered that.”
“I didn’t think you would mind.”
“Well, I do. Lily, it’s embarrassing.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean t
o embarrass you. It is for a good cause.”
“You don’t sound very sorry.”
Rider’s lips curled in amusement at Jo calling out Lily for not being sorry. Even Shade was having trouble keeping a straight face. All the club members knew that Lily, as sweet as she was, could be ruthless when it concerned her charity.
“What are you going to be bidding on tonight?”
“This and that,” Rider answered when he realized Razer had answered his question and asked one of his own.
“I bet one of them will be the peanut butter candy. Good luck. King told me he would be bidding. He plans to sell it by the piece to his customers.”
Rider only half-listened, trying to get closer to Jo to smell her perfume. When he did, the scent had his balls tightening.
A tug on his sleeve had him returning to awareness as Razer moved him away from Jo just as she turned, startled at seeing him so close to her.
“Can I help you?”
Trying to come up with an excuse, too afraid he would stutter if he did, he shrugged like a lame-ass idiot, then turned toward Razer for help.
His friend raised a mocking brow before stepping in to rescue him. “Rider was trying to get Lily’s attention to start the auction. I think there’s something he wants to buy.”
“We should have started ten minutes ago!” Lily grabbed Jo by the arm, rushing by him. “Come on, Rider. I have everyone listed on the flyer in the order they’re to be auctioned off. You’re third.”
“I’m first!” Jo’s screech was drowned out as King saw Lily’s wave and jumped onto the small stage that The Last Riders had built, despite King’s protests.
“Of course. I didn’t want you called out before it was your turn.”
For a pregnant woman, she had no problem rushing Jo through the crowd. Rider had trouble keeping up with the crowd converging on them.