by Dawn, M. K.
“Good news for those who are traveling this weekend,” the anchor with an awful spray tan said. “The rivers have receded, and all roads are now open.”
They could finally get out of this town.
“In other news, a mysterious virus—” He switched off the TV, not caring what else the anchors had to say.
They’d planned on waiting until Sunday to leave because of the flooding, but since that wasn’t an issue anymore, he saw no reason why they couldn’t head out this morning.
He threw on a pair of jeans, a black T-shirt, a leather jacket and boots and walked to the diner attached to the motel where he met the others each morning.
Fifteen of the twenty riders he traveled with sat at mismatched tables pulled together in the center of the dining room, eating breakfast and cracking jokes. A couple other diners sat scattered around the room, their eyes darting to the bikers from time to time.
Axel dragged a chair over from an empty table and sat next to Queenie. “Did you watch the weather this morning?”
Queenie buttered her toast. “More rain? Because let me tell you, I’d love to spend a few more days in this hick town.”
Axel ordered a coffee from the waitress. “Nope, rain is gone and the rivers have receded. Time to get the hell out of here and back on the road.”
“Today?” Gunner nearly spit out his eggs, his round cheeks flushed. “I thought we were leaving tomorrow?”
The table laughed, except for Axel, who didn’t get the joke. “What am I missing?”
“Gunner made a lady friend last night.” Mac shoved the grinning man’s arm.
Axel suppressed a groan. Nothing good ever followed those words. “Did you? Who?”
“The bar’s weekend waitress.” Gunner beamed. “She’s a beaut. I’m supposed to be seeing her again tonight. Promised I’d take her to the church festival.”
Mac laughed, his deep brown skin wrinkling around his eyes. “And she promised something in return.”
There it was. The reason they would stay another night.
Axel didn’t argue; it was pointless. Instead, he laughed while they ragged on Gunner and finished his breakfast without another word. As the youngest of The Gravel Saints, his late father’s motorcycle group, he didn’t have much of a say in the happenings of the club.
After another round of coffee, Axel headed for his room, not sure what to do with the day. It wasn’t like there was much to do in this town. He could head to the bar, even though he said he wouldn’t. Day drinking on a Saturday wouldn’t be a bad way to pass the time, but he’d risk being hungover tomorrow. He liked the outdoors, and the countryside was nice, but he didn’t really have the shoes for a hike.
Maybe he’d take in a movie and kill a couple of hours. Or go for a ride by himself, explore the area before they moved on.
The hectic church grounds caught his attention. People rushing around, finishing the last of the setup. Sometime last night, the carneys came to town and assembled some kiddie rides. The smell of fried food and barbecue hit his nose, bringing back memories he wasn’t ready to relive.
“Axel?” The sound of Britney’s voice caught him by surprise.
He turned to find her coming up behind him, dragging a beach wagon full of cases of beer. “Wouldn’t it be easier if you brought your truck over?”
She pressed her lips together. “My husband dropped me off this morning before heading to the feed store. And it seems no one else here had a vehicle to spare.”
Trucks lined the streets. “I thought the people in small towns helped their neighbors?”
“Well”—she tugged on the wagon and headed toward the road—“when the queen bee herself threatens to outcast anyone who helps me, the Good Samaritan in people goes out the window.”
“Need some help? I can handle a few stones thrown in my direction.”
She checked the street for cars. “If you wouldn’t mind makin’ sure nothing falls off the back as I cross, that would be great.”
“Sure.” He followed close behind, keeping an eye on the wobbling cargo. “How many more of these trips do you need to make?”
“This is it.” She navigated her way around the parking lot to the booth with the beer and wine sign.
He gaped down at the twenty cases. “Not a lot of big drinkers in this town?”
Britney laughed. “Sam’s Bar donated these. There’s already a ton on ice and more ready to take their place. Not to worry, we haven’t run out in the ten years this event has been held.”
Case by case, he handed her the beer while she stacked them behind the booth. “Any of the other years did you host a group of twenty bikers?”
“Can’t say we have.” She paused. “You guys are staying? I thought since the waters receded….”
“We’re heading out tomorrow. One of my buddies met a girl last night and promised to take her here. The weekend waitress at Sam’s.”
“Mary Ann? That makes sense. She has a reputation.” Britney gestured for another case. “Tell your friend to be careful. She can be a bit clingy.”
“Good to know.” He passed her the last of the beer. “That’s all of them.”
She folded the wagon and tucked it behind the booth. “Thanks for the help. So, all of you will be here tonight?”
Axel studied her face, trying to get a read on how she felt about that. “Is that okay? Wait, is your husband some jealous, crazy mountain man who’ll kill me just for looking at you?”
“Lord, no.” She chuckled. “He doesn’t have a jealous bone in his body.”
“That’s a relief.” Not that he’d thought they’d done anything wrong, but some guys took offense when another man talked to their woman. “You need help with anything else?”
“I don’t think so.” A mischievous grin tugged at her lips. “Unless you want to volunteer for the dunk tank? Judgin’ by the way the women of this town are talkin’, we’d make a fortune.”
Axel ran a hand through his hair. “You can’t be serious.”
“Let’s just say your friend isn’t the only one who has a shot at gettin' lucky tonight. Whether you’re into a one-night stand or love at first sight.”
His mouth dropped. “What?”
“Yeah, you have a fifty-fifty shot around here.”
“Britney!” Susan yelled from the other side of the parking lot.
She hung her head. “The queen bee beckons. I have to go, but I’ll see you later.”
“Um, yeah. And maybe explain?”
“If you have questions on what girl falls under what category,” she said as she took off, “come find me.”
“Thanks,” he muttered, checking out the crowd. He counted ten sets of eyes on him, all women and all staring at him like they wanted a taste.
He shuddered and headed back to his motel room. He wasn’t much of a one-night-stand or love-at-first-sight kind of guy. Definitely didn’t want to get caught up in the town gossip. Maybe he should stay in tonight, get some rest. The drive tomorrow would be long and, with the winds, exhausting. Staying in would be the smart thing to do. The responsible thing to do.
He kicked off his shoes and flipped on the TV. He would stay in, order a pizza and call it a night. He wouldn’t let the others pressure him into going out. Tomorrow, this whole town and the crazy people in it would be nothing more than a memory.
CHAPTER THREE
“One more ride,” Molly begged. “Please, Mommy. It’s my favorite. I love it so much.”
Britney looked to John. “What do you think? It’s already ten and past their bedtime.”
“It’s Saturday.” John dug through his pockets and pulled out another ribbon of tickets. “Plus, we have all these left. Don’t want them to go to waste.”
“Yes!” Carson reached for the tickets. “I’m so close to winning the monster truck.”
John held them out of his reach. “These are for all three of you and will be split equally.”
Carson scrunched his nose. “Yes, sir.”
> He handed the tickets to their oldest. “Keep an eye on the twins. We’ll meet you by the picnic tables when you’re done.”
The kids ran off, and though Britney knew just about everyone in this town, she kept her eyes on them as they darted from ride to ride, game to game.
“Let’s get a beer.” John wrapped his arm around her waist and led her to the drinks booth.
The line stretched ten people deep but moved quickly. John ordered a beer while Britney opted for a glass of pinot grigio. They found an empty picnic table close to the festival to keep tabs on the kids.
“So, you’re gettin' up with the kids in the mornin’, right?” She took a sip of her wine. “Makin’ breakfast? Playin’ referee?”
“Maybe they’ll sleep in.”
“Wishful thinkin’.” Britney shivered as a cool breeze swept through the grounds. “Cold front’s movin’ in.”
“Remember when I asked if you wanted me to grab you a jacket?” John draped his jacket over her shoulders. “And you said no.”
“Thanks. It wasn’t cold when I was settin’ up. And I didn’t think we would stay so long.” She scrutinized his thin long-sleeve shirt. “Aren’t you cold?”
“Nah. I’ve got a couple extra layers keeping me warm.”
Robust laughter drew their attention to the back corner of the tables.
Axel sat on the edge of the group of bikers, sipping a longneck. His eyes met hers, and he lifted his beer in acknowledgment.
Britney smiled back and waved.
“That the new boyfriend?” John teased.
She rotated back around to face her husband. “That’s the guy I told you about. The one who helped move all the booths.”
“Oh. You mean the one all the girls in town are swooning about?”
Britney took a drink of her wine. “That’s the one. I tried to talk him into sittin’ for the dunk tank this mornin’, but he didn’t seem interested.”
“You talked to him this morning too?” John raised a brow and grinned.
“He helped me bring over the donated beer from Sam’s, since someone took the truck. He’s probably bored; small-town life must not be excitin’ enough for him.”
John took a pull of his beer. “So you’re telling me two days in a row, he’s come over and helped you out? Meaning I didn’t have to come in town and do it?” He waved Axel over. “I owe the man a beer.”
Axel hesitated but jogged over, his eyes darting to the nearby tables. He seemed a little nervous, which Britney understood. Even though John was as mellow as they came, he had the appearance of a man who’d shoot you just for the hell of it.
Not that Axel looked any tamer. He had a roughness about him that oozed danger.
John stood as Axel approached the table, then shook his hand. “Hey, man. John Campbell. Nice to meet you.”
“Axel Mordecai.”
“Have a seat, man. Let me buy you a beer.”
Axel sat and jiggled his bottle. “Thanks, but I just got a cold one.”
“Okay. But next round’s on me.”
Britney glared at John. “Next round?” If he started that, they’d never get out of there.
“I just want to thank your friend here for helping you these past couple of days.” John smiled—a genuine smile, though by the look on Axel’s face, he didn’t know that.
She should reassure him that John didn’t care, but letting him squirm turned out to be more entertaining.
Axel took a long drink of his beer. “No problem. I had nothing else to do.”
“Well, you saved me a trip and countless hours.”
“Ugh,” Britney groaned. “I would have found a way to set them up.”
Axel glanced at her, then at John and smiled. “She always this stubborn?”
“Man, you don’t know the half of it.” John nudged her arm. “When Brit makes her mind up about something or someone, there ain’t nothing going to change it.”
“I am not that bad.”
John coughed, “Bullshit,” and both men laughed.
Britney rolled her eyes. “Are you done?”
“What about you, Axel?” John sputtered, finally getting his laughter under control. “Where are you guys headed?”
“Canada.”
John nodded. “Where did you start?”
“New Mexico.”
“And that’s where you’re from?” Britney asked.
Axel drained his beer. “Nah, that’s just where my parents settled down after they retired. I’m an army brat. Moved all over as a kid, then enlisted right out of high school and got shipped from base to base.”
“That’s sad,” Britney said, feeling sorry for his unstable life.
“Brit.” John used his warning tone.
Axel waved him off. “It’s fine. I guess it’s kind of depressing in a way, but I’ve also seen the world on the government’s dime, so I’m not complaining.”
“Mom!” Blake put an end to the awkward silence as he flew his foam airplane between them. “Look what Carson won for me with his tickets!”
“He did?” Britney beamed at her oldest son. “That was nice of him.”
Carson grinned. “I already won the monster truck, and he used all his tickets on rides.”
“And Carson won me this unicorn!” Molly squealed, hugging the stuffed animal tight. “I love it so much. She’s so cute. I’m going to call her Rainbow.”
“I’m proud of you, son.” John patted him on the back.
“What did you ride?” Britney asked as Molly climbed in her lap.
“The teacups. Three times! I almost threw up, but I didn’t care because it was so fun.”
“Sounds like you had a good time.” Britney laughed. “Axel, these are the kids, if you hadn’t guessed. Carson, Blake and Molly. Kids, this is Mr. Axel.”
Carson gaped at Axel for a moment. “Are you an actual biker? Like you belong to a biker gang?”
Axel laughed. “No gang. But I do belong to a biker club called The Gravel Saints.”
Carson’s eyes widened. “And you have a real motorcycle? Like a Harley Davidson?”
“I do.” Axel pointed out to the parking lot. “Last one on the right.”
“Cool! Can I have a ride?”
“No,” John and Britney said in unison.
Carson dropped his head. “Fine.”
“How old are you, kid?” Axel asked.
“Nine,” he mumbled.
Axel winked at Britney. “Your parents are right. You’re too young to ride, not because they don’t want you to but because of the law.”
Carson’s mouth gaped as he faced his parents. “When I get older? I mean, I already drive a four-wheeler.”
“Um….” Britney had no idea how to answer that. “I—”
A panicked scream silenced the fair.
“Who was that?” Britney rose from her seat and searched the area. “Is that Thomas?”
John ran over to help Patty, who struggled to keep her husband on his feet.
“Shit,” Axel muttered. “What happened?”
“He’s been sick.” Britney watched as John threw Thomas’s arm over his neck.
Thomas thrashed his head in every direction.
“He looks delirious.” Axel took a few steps closer. “Does John need some help?”
“I don’t think so.” Britney gathered her children. “Come on. Let's check on your dad and head for the truck.”
“Be careful,” Axel called out to her.
Britney turned around. “I’m sorry. I forget you’re leavin’ tomorrow. You guys have a safe trip, and if you find your way back to Myrefall, we’re about thirty miles north of town. Name’s on the mailbox. Stop by and say hi.”
“Thanks.” Axel smiled. “But you just told a stranger where you live.”
“Don’t you worry.” Britney grinned. “I know how to use a gun.”
***
“When’s Dad coming?” Carson asked as Britney tucked him into bed. “And how is he going to get
home when we took the truck?”
Britney kissed him on the forehead. “He’ll be home in a little while. He needed to help Miss Patty get Mr. Thomas home.”
“What’s wrong with Mr. Thomas?” he asked through a yawn. Unlike the twins, he hadn’t fallen asleep on the ride home. “He looked a little scary.”
She sat on the edge of his full bed. “Scary? How’s that?”
Carson yawned again. “His face was funny. Kind of mean, like he was trying to bite people. Is Dad going to be okay?”
“Why wouldn’t he be okay?”
“I don’t know.” He rolled to his side and closed his eyes. “What if Mr. Thomas hurts him?”
“Your daddy is a strong man. He’ll be just fine.” She flipped off the light. “Get some sleep, and try not wake up too early.”
Carson smiled. “Seven’s not early.”
“Good night.”
Britney peeked in on the twins before heading downstairs to check her phone. Patty and Thomas lived in town not two miles from the church. The plan was John would drive them home and help get Thomas inside and in bed, then drive Patty’s car home. Tomorrow they’d drop it off at the Anthonys’ house before church and check in on Thomas.
With no missed calls or texts, she sat on the couch to read. She liked to wait up for John when he stayed out late. The dangerous road leading to their house had caused its share of accidents.
Thirty minutes passed without a word, and Britney began to worry. John said he’d be right behind them. Him being a talker, it wasn’t unusual for his goodbyes to turn into a full-blown conversation, but with Thomas being sick, Patty would have sent him on his way as soon as they got settled.
At the hour mark, Britney called John’s cell. The familiar George Strait ringtone went off in the house, and she found his cell on the table where they kept the keys. Late and no cell phone. Way to go, John. She would give him an earful when he got home. He knew how she worried.
As a child, when her father was late coming home from being out with his buddies, her mother would call all their houses, trying to put a timeline together to know whether to go looking for him. It didn’t happen often, but a few times Britney could tell her mother was scared. Thankfully, he’d always found his way home. To a very pissed-off wife, but at least he was safe.
