by Debra Kayn
"Yeah. I do." Glen's gaze intensified. "I do."
Everyone in the room laughed softly. Glen cupped her face, turned to the minister, and said, "Let's lock this down."
"I now pronounce you man and wife." The minister smiled. "You may kiss your wife."
Glen leaned in and pressed his lips against hers in the lightest of touches. Her stomach quivered and her mouth curved knowing what he wanted.
He settled back on her mouth and gave her a short kiss on her bottom lip and pulled back. She raised to her toes and copied him.
Then, he kissed her. He kissed her the way two people who loved each other kissed.
Clapping and cheers broke them apart. She held on to him and laughed, filled full of the day, the people around them, the love they shared.
"I love you," she said.
"Love you more, Blue." He put his arm around her. "Let's get out of here."
She kissed him again. "Let me thank everyone first."
The minister congratulated her. She shook his hand and excused him to attend another wedding he had scheduled across town. Clara and Gracie flanked her sides, squeezing her in a hug.
"That was beautiful," said Clara.
Gracie nodded. "It was perfect, and now you have the honeymoon."
"Only one night." She smiled, knowing she was the luckiest woman. "We'll be ready to ride out tomorrow with everyone."
The Notus members had three days off from work and no active missing person case to work on. As a club, they'd decided to ride up north of Seattle and check to see if they could locate Rich. The detective Notus hired had provided a photo, and all the members agreed, it was their missing MC brother.
"You're still coming with us, right?" Ingrid held on to Gracie's hand.
"Apparently." Gracie shrugged. "Though who knows with Chuck. He could decide to take one of his women instead. If he does, I'll stay home. I have things to do and could use the extra time."
"He won't change his mind." Ingrid glanced around for Chuck, but he must've left her parents' bedroom. "I better go talk to the men before they disappear."
She hugged Wayne and Thad. "Thank you so much for being here with us."
"Not a problem." Wayne reached out and tagged Clara, bringing his woman to his side. "I think we're all going to roll out, get some rest before we hit the road in the morning."
Thad kissed her cheek. "Congratulations, Mrs. Steele."
Mrs. Steele. God, she loved that.
She stepped away to talk to Pauly and found Glen in front of her dad, leaning over, and talking to him.
As she approached, Glen straightened and raised his eyes. "Ready?"
"Almost." She reached out for Pauly's hand and squeezed. "I'm glad you could be here."
"Wouldn't have missed it." Pauly winked. "You're going to have a lifetime of happiness together."
Ingrid leaned down and kissed her dad's cheek, avoiding the tubing running to his nose for the oxygen. "It's official, Dad. I'm now your married daughter."
Her dad's gaze looked straight into her eyes. He'd lost any ability to express himself years ago, but she knew what he'd say if he could. That's all that mattered.
"I'll be back to see you and Mom in a few days." She kissed her dad again. "I love you."
Glen took her hand and led her to the door of the bedroom. Her mom hugged her. "Congratulations, baby. I'm so happy for you. You're going to have a happy life together."
"Thank you, and thank you for letting us get married here. I'll call you tomorrow when we get to Seattle and let you know we arrived safely." She blew an air kiss, straightened, and walked down the hallway and out of the house with her husband.
Stopping beside the Harley, she laughed leaning into Glen. There were beer cans tied to the motorcycle and streamers off the handlebar. A 'Just Married' sign covered the license plate.
She glanced around and found Chuck sitting on his motorcycle at the curb. He gave her a two-finger salute. There was no doubt that the Romeo of the club was the one responsible for the decorated sendoff.
Glen fastened her helmet on her head and then climbed onto the bike. "Get on, Blue."
She hitched up her wedding dress, got on behind him, and plastered herself to his back. She looked forward to tonight, tomorrow, next week because Glen was in her life. And, she'd loved him from the first day they met.
Dear Readers,
Thank you for reading Hard Escape, the second book of the Notus Motorcycle Club series. As with all my biker series, I like to bring a different purpose to the clubs. With Notus, we have men who learned to be loyal during childhood and as adults learned to be deadly when trouble threatened their path. It was through an unconditional bond grown over time, they learned the true sense of Brotherhood. I believe that their purpose of finding missing persons, understanding their drive, and seeing the good and the bad, depicts how we all feel toward crime. There is no right or wrong, only a deep sense of wanting better for ourselves and others (our community).
The subject of homeless people is viewed differently by others. Some people believe they made a choice to sleep on the streets, others have empathy and volunteer at shelters and soup kitchens. The reasons why someone would find themselves without a roof over their head are too numerous to count. It's not up to us to judge their life, because we don't walk in their shoes.
Ladies (and men) – Abuse and domestic violence is a serious matter. Tell someone. Call someone. Run away and seek help. Your life depends on it. If you feel alone, there is a National Domestic Violence Hotline that is open 24/7. Please, call. 1-800-799-7233
The next book in the Notus MC series is Thad's story. Like the books before his, the novel will be a standalone. I can't wait to share his story with you.
I'd also like to thank the readers who leave an honest review and invite everyone to come over to my Facebook page and join my other readers to keep up to date, share your love of reading, and have fun with me.
Love,
Debra
Author Bio
Debra Kayn is published by Grand Central Publishing, Simon & Schuster Publishing, Carina Press - Harlequin Enterprises Limited, and repped by agent, Stephany Evans of FinePrint Literary Management. She has well over forty contemporary novels available worldwide where heroes and heroines come from the most unlikely characters.
She lives with her family in the Bitterroot Mountains of beautiful Northern Idaho where she enjoys the outdoors, the four seasons, and small-town living.
Website: www.debrakayn.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/DebraKayn
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DebraKaynFanPage
Debra Kayn's Backlist
Hard Proof — Notus Motorcycle Club
The Higher You Fly
...or something – Ronacks Motorcycle Club
Don't Say It – Ronacks Motorcycle Club
Rather Be Wrong – Ronacks Motorcycle Club
Can't Stop Fate – Ronacks Motorcycle Club
Blow Softly – Red Light: Silver Girls series
Touch Slowly – Red Light: Silver Girls series
Fall Gently – Red Light: Silver Girls series
Wrapped Around Him – Moroad MC series
For Life – Moroad MC series
His Crime – Moroad MC series
Time Owed – Moroad MC series
Falling For Crazy – Moroad MC series
Chasing Down Changes – Moroad MC series
Breathing His Air – Bantorus Motorcycle Club
Aching To Exhale – Lagsturns Motorcycle Club
Soothing His Madness – Bantorus Motorcycle Club
Grasping for Freedom – Bantorus Motorcycle Club
Fighting To Ride – Bantorus Motorcycle Club
Struggling For Justice – Bantorus Motorcycle Club
Starving For Vengeance – Bantorus Motorcycle Club
Living A Beautiful War – Bantorus Motorcycle Club
Laying Down His Colors – Bantorus Motorcycle Club, anthology titled Melt My Hear
t
Archer – A Hard Body Novel
Weston – A Hard Body Novel
Biker Babe in Black – The Chromes and Wheels Gang
Ride Free – The Chromes and Wheels Gang
Healing Trace
Wildly – Playing For Hearts
Seductively – Playing For Hearts
Conveniently – Playing For Hearts
Secretly – Playing For Hearts
Surprisingly – Playing For Hearts
Modern Love - Anthology
Chantilly's Cowboy – The Sisters of McDougal Ranch
Val's Rancher – The Sisters of McDougal Ranch
Margot's Lawman – The Sisters of McDougal Ranch
Florentine's Hero – The Sisters of McDougal Ranch
Suite Cowboy
Hijinks
Resurrecting Charlie's Girl
Betraying the Prince
Love Rescued Me
Double Agent
Breaking Fire Code
Sneak Peek — The Higher You Fly by Debra Kayn
CHAPTER 1
If you love someone, set them free. If they come back they're yours; if they don't they never were. —Richard Bach
Puffs of cottonwood seeds fell to the hardwood floor in the kitchen. Jolene set the box on the counter and leaned over to pick up the fluffy white seeds, and her movement sent them floating along the surface and under the dishwasher.
She straightened, unable to worry about a few of nature's wonders getting lost for years until one day she replaced the dishwasher and found a next of questionable items. Living in Northern Idaho on the edge of Federal Forestry land, she'd soon have bits of dirt, pine needles, and pollen hiding in the nooks and crannies of her new house.
New to her, but old.
The abandoned cabin had always been her dream to own, and she finally achieved another goal she'd set for herself.
She inhaled deeply in satisfaction and removed the pots from the box. It took her four months to pay to have the repairs done to the roof and new appliances installed before she could move from Colorado back to Idaho, where she'd grown up. For as long as she remembered, the cabin had sat vacant. She'd assumed it was used for hunting or maybe for a group of men who enjoyed spending a couple weeks in the mountains on their snowmobiles.
The location was perfect for her to work from home. She had shows booked for the next two years and needed the solitude and the time to create her new jewelry line.
Putting the last pot in the cabinet, she carried the empty box outside and dropped it on the porch. She stomped on the cardboard, flattening all sides, and added it to the pile that would go to the recycling center. After three days of unpacking, she had everything in its place and her workroom set up.
All she needed was food for her kitchen.
Hating to cook, she went inside and grabbed her purse. She'd tackle shopping tomorrow. Tonight, she'd go into town to eat. She was dying for a Reuben sandwich and a hot fudge sundae that she'd seen advertised in the window of a small bar when she'd visited the realty office.
Halfway to her car, she remembered her phone she'd left in the house. Hurrying back inside, after searching three rooms, she found the cell in her back pocket. She hated carrying the thing but there was no landline to the cabin, and with a show last week, she wanted to be available to the gallery owner in case any details were needed.
In the car, she gazed back at her house and smiled until the long gravel driveway took her out of view. She never thought she'd come back to Federal, but she'd reached the time where she wanted to take her career to a new level, and she found herself wanting to move back where she became the most motivated. On a whim, she contacted a local realtor in the area to find and approach the owner of the cabin with an offer.
The day the acceptance came, she let herself get excited. Now that her parents were living in Arizona, she could finally return to her home state without having them influence her life. She looked forward to living remotely and concentrating on her work.
It'd been twenty years since she graduated high school and moved away. People have come and gone in Federal, it wasn't like anyone would remember her unless she used her family name. But, she bought the house and opened the bank account under her artist name.
Jolene Shayne was long gone. She was simply Jo Smyth. The reclusive jeweler.
She turned the volume up on the stereo, shut the air conditioner off in the car, and lowered the window. Inhaling deeply, she let the clean, pine-scented air, rejuvenate her after a long day of unloading boxes.
A soft beep sounded, and the gas tank sensor flashed red on the dash. Slowing down in case that helped save gas, she headed straight to the gas station on the edge of town. Pulling in beside the pump, she stopped the car and found her debit card in her purse.
One step out of the car, she groaned. Her gas tank was on the other side of the vehicle. Glancing around, she exhaled and slid back into the driver's seat and turned the car around. Thankfully, no other customers were around to witness her mistake. She'd only had the car for a month, deciding she'd need an all-wheel drive to handle the snow. Winter came fast, and Northern Idaho was known for having snow for at least half the year. She'd need the reliable transportation to make it back and forth to town.
After sliding her debit card through the reader, she put the nozzle in her car and stepped back to let her tank fill. To her right, Federal Inn still used their old billboard to welcome specific guests for their stay. Apparently, the Starlight Festival was this upcoming weekend. She'd need to get her shopping done tomorrow and make sure she stayed out of town for the duration.
To her left, the North Fork river flowed, leaving town, and disappeared under the interstate. She crossed her arms and brought her attention back to the dollar sign growing higher on the pump. As long as she made a conscious effort to forget her previous life in Federal, she'd be fine. All she had to do was look for the changes. Like...she peered past the Inn. The tree in front of the library was twice as big, and the mural on the side of the high school had changed.
No doubt, Mr. Granger, the principal, was dead. He was ancient when she was in school.
The nozzle clicked off. She removed the hose from the tank and screwed on her gas cap. Brushing off her hands, she waited for the receipt to come out and found the read-out display telling her to go inside and see the cashier.
Her stomach growled. Grabbing her purse out of the car, she walked around the bumper and pushed through the front door. A bell jingled.
"I'll be right with you, honey," said a female voice.
Jo looked around the small convenience gas station, not seeing the woman who'd spoken. She grabbed two Ice Cube chocolate pieces out of the container and laid them on the counter, then dug a dollar out of her purse.
"Sorry about the wait." A slender woman wearing a red apron walked behind the counter. "It's delivery day, so when I get a break from the rush of customers, I like to stock the shelves."
Jo smiled and pushed the chocolate toward the cashier. "I'd like to get these, and I filled my car up with my debit card and the pump said to come in here for my receipt."
The woman sighed. "Let me ring you up, and then I'll get your receipt. The tech that keeps our equipment running is due in the morning to fix the problem. Most people don't want a receipt, so..."
"Sorry, but I do need a receipt." Jo grabbed her candy and her penny change and tossed everything in her purse. "Tax purposes."
The woman picked up the phone and turned her back toward Jolene. "Hey, I need a receipt for pump two."
Jo stepped away from the counter and looked over the selection of beef jerky, pondering if she bought three or four sticks it would count for dinner, and she could skip eating in town. Her personal quota on dealing with people for the week already met, she could go home and separate the garnets that were delivered yesterday. She'd put off opening the package, knowing once she got a glimpse, she'd spend all night peering at what would soon turn into perfection once she cut
and polished the gemstones.
The cashier opened a carton of cigarettes and proceeded to put the packs above her head in the dispenser. Jo tapped her foot and looked out the door. How long could it take to print out a receipt?
She walked back to the counter, set her purse down, and took out a business card and a pen. "Never mind about the receipt. I'll just write down how much I spent and get out of your hair."
Her accountant was going to chew her out. A stickler for proper tax deductions, Jane Carrows, wanted receipts, framed and signed, when dealing with the IRS.
"Oh, here he is with your receipt," said the cashier, pointing behind Jolene.
Jolene turned around, reached out, and froze. She couldn't hear, breathe, think. Imploding inside, her muscles lost their fight or flight tendencies. Maybe the man holding the receipt wouldn't recognize her.
She barely recognized him. Gasping, she swallowed her shock. That wasn't true.
He was different.
He was bigger.
He was more intense.
He had a beard with some gray.
But, it was her Caiden. Caiden Hall. The man who she'd lost her virginity to and had changed her life forever. The man who'd gone to prison for murder when she was at her happiest. The man she hadn't seen in twenty years and had thought about every day since.
Wearing a pair of Levis that hugged his solid thighs, a flannel shirt that was unbuttoned one too many holes to be considered appropriate, Caiden stood in front of her looking right through her with stormy, gray eyes that gave nothing away.
Cold.
Impersonal.
Hers.
"You either want the receipt, or you don't." Caiden held the piece of paper between his index and middle finger.
His gaze challenged her, dared her, mocked her. She reached blindly behind her, grabbed her purse, and walked out the door without her receipt.
She fell into her car, started the engine, and gunned the accelerator. The next thing she was aware of was pulling to a stop in front of the cabin. She stared out the windshield. Caiden Hall.
He was supposed to be long gone. What was he doing back in Federal?