“Well, look what the cat draggedin.”
I turned to the familiar voice that came from behind me. “Weston Davis, well I’llbe.”
After pulling out the seat next to me for my old friend, I signaled to the bartender to bring him the same drink I washaving.
“So, how is the mechanic business treating you?” Weston asked before taking a long pull from hisglass.
“It’d be better if some of my usual customers brought their bikes in for maintenance moreoften.”
He chuckled a little, shaking his head. “Yeah, my baby sure as hell needs to be brought in. Hell, she needs to be ridden. It’s just with the kids now, I find myself riding less and less. You know how itis.”
I held up my left hand, showing my empty ring finger while shaking my head. “I still have no idea how that is, man. My bike is the only vehicle I want to drive. I have a truck for parts running and the braggin’ rights, but that’s aboutit.”
“Oh, come on, big ol’ Bear will eventually find someone who will make him want to trade in a bitch seat for a carseat.”
“Ain’t found that kind of a unicorn yet.” I finished the last sip of my drink, slamming the empty glass downhard.
“So, what brings you over on this side of town?” he asked before throwing back the last of the amber liquid in hisglass.
“A friend is healing up from a little accident at the hospital. I was on my way for a visit when I decided to stop inhere.”
A knowing smile pulled as Weston pointed his tattooed finger at me. “It’s a girl, isn’tit?”
I nodded. “Jaxon and I found her wrecked on the side of the road. I’m just playin’ goodSamaritan.”
“Keep telling yourself that, Bear.” Weston got up from his seat. “It was good seeing you. I need to head home before Aspen chews me out for getting home lateagain.”
“Give my best to the old lady and the kids. Bring your bike by the shop sometime soon. Maybe after I give her a nice tune-up, we can take our hogs out for a littlerun.”
“I look forward toit.”
* * *
Scarlett wasin the hospital for a few days. Without fail, I visited her morning and night. It was a miracle that she didn’t have any broken bones, but her concussion and road rash had really done a number onher.
“Are you ready to go home, darlin’?” I held out my hand to help her get out ofbed.
She just sat on the edge, dangling her feet in the air, her gaze locked on thefloor.
“Scarlett?” I put my fingers under her chin, trying to get her to look up at me. “Darlin’? You allright?”
She didn’t respond, didn’t evenmove.
Kneeling, I got down on her level. “Come on, you can talk tome.”
A tear rolled down her cheek. It was the first real tear I had seen since the very first morning I spent with her, and I had chalked that up to the drugs and pain. From what I had come to know about Scarlett, she was one strong-ass broad who didn’t let her emotions get the better of her even in the harshest ofsituations.
Under her breath, she murmured, “I don’t have a home to go backto.”
I didn’t even think to question her on that. If she didn’t have a home, I was going to get her to mine. Without even thinking about it, I dug my cell out of the pocket of my jeans and dialedJaxon.
“Yeah?” he answered rightaway.
“Can you bring me my truck and drive my bike back to myplace?”
“You’re at thehospital?”
“Yes. And bring some women’s clothes that would fit Scarlett. She’s probably about your old lady’ssize.”
