“Depends on my finances, but I’m thinking about it. If you have time tomorrow, Gran would love to see you. When I visited her this morning she was disappointed you weren’t with me. I don’t know why she thought that—she knew you were getting home around dinnertime tonight. Maybe because I dropped by unexpectedly.”
“That’s not like you, Vi. You always set up things like that in advance. When I call her later, we’ll figure out what time works for her.”
“I didn’t want her to know I was coming because…” Vi paused. There was so much to say, and she wasn’t sure where to start. “I’d better update you first,” she said as she neared the complex where she lived.
“More about the car accident? Is she hurt worse than you thought?”
“The opposite—she’s healing nicely. This has to do with her and Malcom.” Vi filled her in as she pulled into her garage and headed into the house. A wind had kicked up and clouds scuttled across the blue sky. She hoped it wouldn’t rain.
“You didn’t tell me about the fight at the restaurant,” Rose said. “All that yelling must’ve been so embarrassing.”
“I guess I forgot to mention that. It was uncomfortable, at least for Blake and me. Gran semi-apologized in passing, but as far as I know Malcom hasn’t said a word about it.”
“Poor Gran.”
“Malcom, too. They’re both suffering. Blake and I are changing our minds about them getting involved so quickly.”
“That’s twice you’ve mentioned him in the last few minutes. How is he?”
“Hello, Mr. T,” Vi crooned as she entered the house and silently thanked him for saving her from talking about Blake. The tom meowed and twined himself around her ankles. “Sorry, it’s too early for dinner.”
“Give that sweet boy a smooch for me,” Rose said. “My ride’s here. Hey, why don’t you come over around dinnertime?”
“I was about to invite you to the townhouse. We’ll get takeout, okay?”
“All right. I’ll show you my photos and tell you about my trip. And you can talk about Blake.”
CHAPTER 15
Not long after he’d left the restaurant earlier and still seriously irritated that Vi had compared him to Devin, Blake needed to clear his head. A hard, fast ride should do the trick while tying in nicely with testing the Bad Boy 3 Bike, a new model hybrid that looked promising. If he liked it, he’d add it to the inventory at both bike stores. He changed into cycling togs and packed clean clothes and a waterproof jacket in the waterproof bike pack he always carried on rides, just in case.
After donning his helmet, he headed up the highway toward Port Simms Park and Lockleigh Trail. Before being repurposed into a trail, the Lockleigh had been a train track that circled the perimeter of the park and continued for nearly 40 miles. Perfect for the rigorous test he had in mind.
A while later, the wind picked up. No problem, he was used to pedaling uphill which was similar to riding against the wind. As always, he relished the effort needed to speed along. It was good to be outside, nodding to other bikers, noting the birds swooping in the wind and the signs of spring everywhere. Flowers, new grass, trees unfurling their leaves and fat with buds.
Savoring the freedom and joy of riding, he veered off the trail and segued onto another more rugged path farther awayfrom home. The wind held a trace of moisture now, signaling an upcoming rain. He paused to pull the jacket from the pack and put it on. And realized he was only a mile or so from Vi’s place.
What was he doing all the way out here?
Yes, he wanted to clear up the questions she’d put into his head and hadn’t answered, but not a few short hours after they’d parted ways, especially when he stunk of sweat. Besides, he wasn’t even sure she was home. On a Saturday afternoon she could be anywhere. She’d also made it clear that she appreciated a call first.
A raindrop splashed his cheek. He glanced up at the dark clouds rushing by as if being chased by more clouds behind them. This was going to be a doozy of a storm. A heavy downpour started, and he doubted the rain gear would keep him dry on the long ride home or that it was safe to ride in this weather.
Leaving him little choice where to go. Vi’s it was.
He pedaled toward her townhouse.
The wind wasfierce and rain pummeled the window. Vi thought about Rose. By now, she was either home or almost there. She texted her sister to let her know she was eager to see her, then sat down to scroll through the menus of various restaurants. Her mouth was starting to water when someone knocked at the door.
Could that be Rose? But no, Blake stood on the step wearing a bike helmet. She wondered about that. “Dropping by unannounced again? Don’t make a habit of it,” she scolded, but right now the poor guy needed shelter. “You’re a wet mess.” She gestured him inside.
He didn’t move. “Is there a safe place to stash my bike?”
“In the garage. I’ll open it.” After shutting Mr. T in the broom closet to keep him from running outside, although in this weather she doubted he’d be tempted, she hurried into the garage and activated the garage door. Seconds after it slid upward, Blake wheeled the bike in. He wore bicycle shorts that hugged his narrow hips and reached to midthigh. The loose jeans he favored had only hinted at the powerful muscled legs exposed now. Wow. No doubt from the cycling he did.
“There’s room in front of the garbage bin on that side,” she said, pointing leftward. “The door on the opposite wall leads into the utility room. When you’re finished, come through there.”
“Will do. There’s a change of clothes in my waterproof cycle bag. I’ll bring that in with me. I sure hope the thing didn’t leak.”
