Before I leave, I take the opportunity to pick out some reading material for the evening.Normally, I gravitate toward historical romance, loving the brief trip I get to take into ornate ballrooms from centuries ago.But a particular style of font on one book spine captures my attention.
Similar to what I’ve seen stitched on the back of a leather jacket.
Minutes later, I’m heading to the checkout with a motorcycle-club romance novel and trying hard not to think about my motivations.
“I’ve read this one.It’s really good.”The white woman with vibrant red hair who scans the barcode gives me an approving nod.
“Good to know.I’ve never read her work before.”I hand over my temporary library card.Luckily, I was able to get a card, even as an out-of-towner.Five bucks and unlimited books?I didn’t hesitate.
Still, I miss using my nice, sturdy Denver public library card.Plastic is so much more official.
“You new to town?”she asks, fingering the flimsy card stock before waving it under the scanner.
“Kind of.I’m just here to clean out my grandmother’s house.She passed away in March.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“I didn’t know her that well.”I didn’t know her at all.Guilt pricks at my gut to accompany the thought.“Maybe you did?Her name was Minnie Gunner.”
The librarian shakes her head.“I just moved here at the beginning of the summer, so our paths wouldn’t have crossed.”
You moved here?Why?
The questions flash through my brain, but I’m able to cut them off before they tumble out of my mouth.
“I’m Juliet.”The woman offers her name as she hands my book back to me.
“I’m Zoey.”
“Well, Zoey, I hope you enjoy your book.I read it years ago but devoured it in one night.Couldn’t put it down.Something about a man on a bike …” Juliet trails off, her face turning as red as her hair.“Never mind.I didnotmean to say that.”
Glancing down at the cover of the book, where we see a muscular guy dressed in a leather vest, I can’t help but grin.Plus, I get the sudden urge to put the librarian at ease.No judgment here.
“I met a member of The Dark Moon Riders the other day.So, I might be in a biker kind of mood.Do you know anyone in the club?”
Juliet shrugs, but her flush starts to fade, her mouth tilting into a frown.“Seen them around town.Maybe said a few words to one or two.”
The tight tone she uses has my interest bells ringing.
“Is there something wrong with them?”
“Not exactly.It’s just …” The librarian glances around the empty lobby.“From what I can tell, there’s no real consensus on the club.”
“What do you mean?”I lean on the counter, sensing that Juliet would rather keep her voice low.
“Some people seem to think they’re separate from the town.Like they shouldn’t have to follow the same laws we do.And there are others who basically ignore them.But I get the feeling a lot of people are scared of them.”
“Scared of them?Why?”
She raises a crimson brow at me.“Loud bikes.Mean faces.Dressed head to toe in leather.Bikers aren’t really the happy, cuddly type.”
I wonder if Juliet has ever met Warner.No way would I ever call his face mean.And he might not be so bad to cuddle with.He certainly was warm when I had my arms wrapped around him on his bike.
I push the teasing thoughts away and focus on the conversation.
“My dad is in a biker club.Up in Denver.They go riding on weekends, and they hold fundraisers for veterans suffering from PTSD.”My shoulders shrug.“I guess bikers don’t really scare me.”
Juliet sits back in her chair, eyes running over me as if I were something to be studied.She sighs, almost sounding relieved.“Me neither.”Then, she smiles with a soft curve of her lip.
