She nods. “He needs to slow down and write better. I can’t keep guessing or running down to ask him.”
“I’ll have a talk with him. Before you leave, I want to show you something.”
She smiles. “It is about that time, huh? Okay. What do you have for me?”
I motion for her to follow me. When she does, I stop her beside the Malibu in the parking lot. It looks good now.
“This is pretty. Is it yours?”
I shake my head, handing her the keys.
“What is this?”
“It’s a club car. They use it from time to time when riding a bike isn’t possible. Smoke and I want you to have it. I fixed it up, so it’s safe.”
“I can’t accept this.”
I laugh. “Of course you can. You have already done so much for the club. The shop is running more smoothly than ever, andyou have collected on bills so past due that Smoke was going to write them off. Trust me, you are an asset, and we need you to be able to get around without relying on strangers. Please accept it. Not for you, but for the kids.”
She sighs. “I really want to be proud and say no, but it’s a relief. I hate getting rideshares.”
The guilt gnaws at me, but I push it aside.
“Good. So you’ll take the kids home. I even put booster seats in there for them both. I know Tanner is almost to the height, but the lady at the store said four feet nine inches, and he is about nine inches short, so…”
Her sudden hug catches me off guard. I wrap my arms around her instantly.
“Thank you for caring for my kids,” she whispers.
“You don’t have to thank me for that. I enjoy taking care of them. Taking care of you too, honestly.”
She pulls back, looking up at me. For a moment, I consider kissing her. It’s too soon, but fuck if I don’t want it.
The moment is broken when Emily comes running out with Tanner on her trail.
“I want a hug,” Emily yells.
I laugh as I kneel to hug Emily. Looking up at Tanner, I open my free arm.
“You want one too, bud?”
He is reluctant, but steps into my arm. I squeeze them both before pulling back and standing.
“Go get cleaned up. I need to shut a few things down, but then we will go home in our new car.”
“This is ours?” Emily asks, eyes wide.
“All yours,” I promise her.
She squeals, making me laugh.
“Thank you,” Jane says.
I only nod. She doesn’t know it yet, but I would do anything for her.
Emily watches TV while Tanner works on his homework at the dining room table. For the third time since I got home, I grab my wallet from my bag and look down at the cash inside.
It’s overflowing.
