Ride Free

by Debra Kayn

  “I know. It’s my experience with my da that made me run.” She played with the hair that peeked over the neckline of his T-shirt. “Everything is so new between you and I. We’ll learn how this all works.”

  “Yep.”

  She sat on his lap for a while, both of them lost in thought. She held him close to her, reluctant to let go. Their first misunderstanding showed her how fragile their relationship was, and she realized that spending more time together would only strengthen their bond.

  “I think we’ve sat out here most of the day. The sun is already on the downward drop.” She sat up and stretched her back. “Your legs are probably numb.”

  “Yeah. How about going out for a beer?” He used the tree to lever himself off the ground.

  She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t drink, but I’ll go with you.”

  “Okay, let’s see who else is going out tonight.”

  ***

  Thelma, Louise, Crank, Shadow, and Crowbar sat at the large round table in the back of the bar with her and Reefer. Sarah tapped her foot to the music that played out of the jukebox. The other members had already left for the night after deciding they’d drank enough and played too long.

  “One more game, pretty please?” Sarah leaned over and pulled at Crowbar’s arm.

  He growled and snapped his jaws like a dog, making Sarah laugh. Reefer banged the table with his fist to egg him into another challenge.

  “I’ll let you win this time…” She flashed him a smile. “I’ll even give you an extra toss.”

  The biggest man in the family and also the scariest, with his constant scowl and huge size, proved a worthwhile competitor in the game of darts. Sarah learned quickly that inside the man lurked a tenderhearted protector who worried about anyone who didn’t wear a smile. Yet, he took winning so serious, she couldn’t help wanting to tease the man a bit.

  “No. You’ve embarrassed me enough.” Crowbar glared over the table at Reefer. “Tell your woman to find another fool to play with. I’m done.”

  “Come on, Kitten. Leave the loser alone. I’ll play you.” He slapped Crowbar on the back of the head in passing. “Wimp!”

  Sarah laughed. Who knew darts would come so easy to her? She’d won three games against Crowbar, and the others told her he held the record for most consecutive wins within the family. Or at least he used to.

  “I get to go first.” She stood behind the line, aimed the dart, and threw. “Yes, I’m going to win!”

  Reefer brought the beer bottle up to his lips but paused and shook his head. “Beginner’s luck. Don’t count your money yet, Kitten. I’ll empty your pockets before we’re done.”

  She kissed him and leaned into his body. “How about we make a wager?”

  He snorted and set his beer on a vacant table beside him. “Now you’re speaking my language. What do you have in mind?”

  “I win, we leave this joint, go back to the motel, and I blow your socks off.” She wiggled her eyebrows.

  “Okay.” He nodded. “If I win, you take me home and blow Junior’s socks off.” The top corner of his upper lip lifted, and endeared him to her even more.

  “Deal!”

  She squeezed one eye closed, toed the line, and… “Bingo!”

  “Wrong game.” He bumped her hip and scooted her out of the way. Sarah stood right behind him.

  “Choke. Choke. Choke.” She peeked around him…and might have accidentally bumped his arm.

  The dart landed in the center of the bull’s-eye, and the electrical sound of the scoreboard emitted a round of cheers. She snorted.

  “Sorry, Kitten, looks like you will be going down.” He jumped away from the hand that came up to slap his ass.

  After the last round, Sarah didn’t around wait to see what the light-up scoreboard flashed, but instead grabbed Reefer’s hand and pulled him around the tables. She stopped, told everyone goodnight, and hurried Reefer out the door.

  “You drive, Kitten.” Reefer walked her over to the bike and lifted her to the front of the seat.

  The bar only sat a few blocks away from the motel, so she didn’t mind taking them back. She placed her feet on top of his, started the bike, and with Reefer’s help got them out on the road. She didn’t know which she enjoyed more, riding or driving. Each way pleased her in a different manner.

  Reefer’s hands wandered up inside her shirt and landed on her breasts. A huge smile broke out over her face, and she thanked her lucky stars that the darkness hid her pleasure from the rest of the world. Her nipples, hardened from the vibration of the engine, peaked to an intensity of tingles under his fingers.

  “Keep going straight. I want to show you something.” His mouth attached itself to her neck.

  She shivered and nodded. Junior pressed against her backside, and she found it hard to concentrate on keeping the speed at a consistent level. The way Reefer distracted her made it hard to keep her mind on the task of driving, but she knew he had everything under control. No one had ever brought out those embers that warmed her lower stomach the way Reefer did.

  “Turn on the next street.” His hands slipped out of her shirt. “Hold on.”

  He reached out and held on to the handlebars over her hands, and scooted forward until she was sitting on his lap with her legs dangling over his thighs.

  “Reefer!” She removed her hands from under his and placed them on his knees, unable to believe she was sitting on his lap while riding.

  He pushed her other hand away and took control of the bike. She placed her hands on the gas tank and arched her back. It thrilled her to sit up front while he was the one driving. Wherever Reefer planned to take them, he’d better hurry and get there. He’s driving me wild.

  He pulled up to a waterfront park and drove along the boardwalk. Sarah shook her head, and laughed. He was a rule breaker, and even though riding along the walkway wasn’t high on the list of crimes, it was exciting to bend the rules. Tonight was theirs, and they could do anything they wanted. He coasted to a secluded spot at the base of the bridge and shut off the engine. From Sarah’s vantage point on his lap, she could see the Willamette River and the lights from the high-rises reflected off the surface.

  The ripples of the moving water cast a light show that rivaled any laser exhibit. The only thing missing was the symphony music in the background, and even that wouldn’t have made this night any more special. Blessed and content, she absorbed everything to remember this night forever.

  The sound of cars going over the bridge with their click-clack against the segmented concrete created background noise that left her feeling like they were the only two people in the world. Nothing stood between her, Reefer, and the quarter moon that hovered in the sky.

  “It’s hard to imagine we’re in downtown Portland,” she whispered. “All the lights, motions, noise, and all I can concentrate on is you.”

  His hands roamed up her back, down the sides of her hips, and around to her thighs. She raised her hands above her head and fell back against him. He circled her waist and hugged her to him.

  “I don’t know what I’d do without you beside me.” Reefer exhaled a contented sigh. “It scares me half to death that I love you this deeply.”

  “You finally said the words.” She brought her arms down and covered his hands.

  “Yep.”

  She stared out at the water, smiling. “I love you too.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Sarah sat on the back of the bike and gazed over at the other members who chomped at the bit to get back on the road. She basked in the aftermath of the last few days spent entirely with Reefer, but delighted in the adventure of traveling down to Arizona.

  Reefer informed her they’d ride back through Astoria and down Highway 101 along the pacific coastline and so far, the weather proved perfect for the off-road camping they planned to do.

  Margarine Montgomery strolled over in Sarah’s direction. Baby Harley bounced on her hip and pumped his arms at the rumble coming from the bikes gettin
g ready to depart. Sarah waved. For how much she’d expected Margarine to be a tough, take-no-crap kind of woman, she found her delightful and sincere.

  “I’m glad you came over to see everyone off. I wanted to thank you for being so nice to me and I can’t wait to spend more time with you. Reefer said we might spend winter over at your house up in Seattle.” Sarah reached over and stroked Harley’s back.

  “Oh good, I’m so glad. I still shake my head at my husband buying up the three houses surrounding mine, but when everyone comes and spends time with us, I’m sure glad he did it.” Margarine passed the baby to Sarah. “Here you go.”

  “How did you know I wanted to hold him?” She cocked her head and scrunched up her face to make Harley giggle.

  Margarine laughed. “I just take it for granted that everyone wants to hold him. Plus, Harley eats up the attention. I swear, by the time the kid is three, I’ll have a heck of a time keeping him off the back of someone’s bike.”

  “I see you brought him over to ride with me.” Reefer peeked over Sarah’s shoulder, and Harley attempted to climb out of Sarah’s arms in his endeavor to get to his uncle.

  “Dad just got done reminding me that I rode in the sidecar at Harley’s age.” Margarine rubbed her arms. “Just thinking of doing that same thing with Harley gives me the willies. I can’t imagine.”

  “You ever get out to ride?” Reefer took the baby from Sarah, and Harley laid his little curly-haired head on his uncle’s shoulder.

  Margarine nodded. “Sure do. Remy and I take turns going out. I hit the road for a few hours at a time. I can’t give it up, but this little guy gets most of my attention these days.”

  Reefer kissed Harley all over his face and received drool and laughter in return. He leaned over with Harley secure in his arms and let the baby open-mouth kiss Sarah’s cheeks. She got her share of the drool. She laughed and gave Harley one more kiss before handing her to his momma.

  “Ride safe, you two, and I’ll see you again when the wind changes direction.” Margarine hugged Sarah, stepped over and squeezed Reefer. “Love you, Reefer. Take care of Sarah.”

  She gazed after the motorcycle princess. “She’s so wonderful and perfect.”

  Reefer coughed to hide his laughter. “She doesn’t think so, and if you knew her a year ago, you would have seen a walking disaster.”

  “You lie!” She shook her head. “She’s beautiful, graceful and her life is perfect for her.”

  “Yeah, now it is. I knew her when trouble found her at every corner and she screwed up everything she touched. She couldn’t roast a marshmallow over a campfire without setting someone’s tent ablaze.” He laughed. “She’ll be the first one to tell you she was cursed before meeting Remy.”

  “I’m sure you exaggerate.” She gazed over at the bikes leaving the lot. “Almost time. Better hop on.”

  “You want to drive?” He winked.

  “Nope. I think I’m getting the hang of riding in back, and besides, it gives me free range to drive you insane with my hands and there isn’t a thing you can do to stop me.” She patted the seat in front of her. “Come on, Lover Boy.”

  He turned his head and spat on the ground before getting on the bike. “You’re pushing it, Kitten.”

  She stuck her lower lip out. “I really don’t see what the harm is in giving you a nickname. You call me Kitten.” She wrapped her arms around his waist, and he turned on the bike. “Besides, you’ve never told me why you’re called Reefer!”

  She yelled loud enough so he must have heard, but he swung the motorcycle out and followed the others. His job of end man took all of his attention. She relaxed and enjoyed her first cross-state trip on the back of a Harley.

  ***

  They arrived in Northern California by sundown, stopping only for bathroom breaks and a quick lunch along the way. Sarah’s legs ached in a pleasant way that spoke of the miles they’d traveled. No doubt she’d get accustomed to straddling the bike before the trip ended and they left for the next adventure.

  The stopped at the campground, and the park quickly filled with riders. A couple of the members pulling small trailers behind their bikes handed out tents and supplies to everyone, while Reefer headed back to the nearest town to purchase her a sleeping bag.

  She wandered over to Sunflower’s campsite. Her gait was slow and awkward, and her thigh muscles protested each step. Even a bed on the ground sounded good to her, and she hoped Reefer didn’t mind calling it an early night.

  Knuckles and Sunshine welcomed her to sit down with them, and she carefully lowered herself to a stump that surrounded their fire. She laughed through her groans.

  “Please tell me my legs will get used to riding all day.” She ran her hands up and down her thighs and kneaded the sore muscles.

  “Sure they will.” Knuckles placed another log on the fire. “Doesn’t take long, and pretty soon you’ll find you can ride all day long without a break.”

  Sunflower laughed. “Wait until you hit fifty years old and the same muscles start screaming in protest again.” She rubbed her backside. “I’m getting old.”

  Sarah gazed up at the tall redwoods towering around the campground. “I’ve never set foot in California before. I pictured the area more populated.”

  “Wait until we go through the southern part of the state. Traffic is almost unbearable. I’m always glad to cross over into Arizona and leave the crazy convertibles behind.” Sunflower shook her head. “Tomorrow will show us some hard riding. None of the riders like stopping, so prepare yourself.”

  Sarah nodded and turned to gaze over her shoulder. “Sounds like another bike coming in. Probably Reefer with my sleeping bag.” She stood. “Excuse me, but I’ve got a date with the ground.”

  “Sleep well.” Sunflower moved over to sit closer to her husband.

  “You too. Sweet dreams, Knuckles,” she said over her shoulder.

  Knuckles winked. “I’ll be dreaming of Harleys and my woman…”

  The rest of what Knuckles said got lost in the distance between them, and she hobbled back to the area Reefer chose for them to sleep. She forced herself to walk faster, despite the sore muscles, when she saw Reefer standing beside the erect tent. How he managed not to show any signs of exhaustion from the trip remained a mystery.

  “I’ve never been so happy to see someone in my whole life.” She leaned into him and laid her head against his chest. “I’m pooped.”

  “Go ahead and crawl in the tent. I zipped your bag up with mine, so you’ll stay warm tonight.” He unzipped the tent and held the flap open.

  She bent over and crawled inside. She kicked her shoes off and shoved them in the corner. The sleeping bag open, she lay down and used her leather jacket for a pillow. She promised herself she’d only lie down for a few minutes.

  ***

  By the time Reefer finished talking over tomorrow’s plans with Knuckles and walked back to camp, he needed to use the flashlight to find his way through the National Forest. He shone the light inside the tent and chuckled. Sarah lay sprawled out on her stomach sound asleep, her mouth open and breathing heavy.

  He crawled in the tent and removed his boots, leaving his pants and T-shirt on in case he needed to jump up in the middle of the night. He pulled the sleeping bag up over the fully clothed Sarah. She didn’t move closer to cuddle, but instead groaned and turned her face away from him.

  He leaned over and pecked the back of her head. “Sleep, Kitten. I won’t bother you tonight.”

  After seeing she was asleep, and that nothing would wake her up, he lay on his back, his arm over his forehead, and listened to the crickets chirping their serenade. It always amused him that no matter what area they stopped in for the night, whether it was the city or smack dab in the woods away from civilization, the darkness played a litany of music. From the frogs that croaked or the owls that hooted, it gave him a soothing effect and let him fall asleep with ease.

  “Reefer!”

  He sat up, his gaze instantly
drawn to Sarah, but she lay beside him, asleep.

  “Reefer!”

  The urgent call came from Crowbar, who stood outside the tent. He threw his pants over his shoulder, grabbed his boots, and unzipped the tent.

  “What’s going on?” He hopped from one foot to the other in an attempt to get his pants on.

  “Crank got himself tangled up with some locals down at the tavern. Split his head open pretty bad. Thelma, or maybe it was Louise, asked if Sarah might come over and patch him up. They think he might need stitches, and money is running short.”

  “Damn. What made him get into trouble this time?” Reefer laced up his boots.

  The other man shrugged. “Who knows. He’s drunker than I’ve seen him in a long time. Between you and me, if I was married to Thelma or Louise, I’d have a problem with the bottle too.”

  “Shit.” Reefer ran his hands through his hair. “Sarah is passed out from the trip. I hate to wake her.”

  “She’s a nurse, man.”

  “I know.” He paused. “Hang on, give me a few minutes to wake her up. Where’s Crank now?”

  “Knuckles has him over at his campground. He’s acting up for the women, and his brother is in the same shape he is, except for the injuries.” Crowbar stepped away.

  Reefer entered the tent and rubbed Sarah’s back. “Kitten?”

  “Hm?” She wiggled.

  “Sarah, wake up. There’s an emergency.” He pulled on her arm.

  She struggled under the sleeping bag and sat up. “What? What happened? My da?”

  “Oh, jeez, no. Sorry. It’s Crank.”

  The night hid her face from his view, and he explained what he needed her to do while he searched for her shoes in the tent. He found them and helped her slip them on.