Chapter 8
Lily gripped Nana Ruthie’shand and watched Gage as he handled the onslaught of questions from everyone in the room. Most didn’t care that The Ren would be closed temporarily, or they were happy about it. But Damian Fawkes strode up the aisle, his attention on Gage who still stood behind the podium.
She had to give Gage credit. He stood in front of everyone, in jeans and a black T-shirt, and didn’t appear at all stressed. He wasn’t gripping the gavel or dripping in sweat. He just crossed his muscled arms over his wide chest and waited while Damian yelled at him.
“Where did Ryan go?” Nana Ruthie stood to see what was going on behind them. “He’s disappeared.”
Lily turned as well and saw a few members of the MC milling around near the exit, talking to each other with rapid hand movements.
Finally, Jacob and his brother Ben, who she hadn’t seen in ages, came into the barn through a side door. Although Paula appeared by Jacob’s side, like a highly charged magnet, he searched the room until his gaze focused on Clara. Clara and Harry sat a few rows behind Lily. It took a moment, but Clara must have felt Jacob’s regard because she raised her gaze in his direction and blushed.
Interesting.
Gage banged the gavel against the podium and the room quieted again. Damian stormed off and left the room, followed by the MC members. “Okay. I motion to end this meeting—“
“Wait.” Mr. Elmer stood again and looked directly at Lily. “I’d like to make a motion that the town throw Lily and Gage and engagement party. Since the Fourth of July is on Thursday, and today is Tuesday, I suggest we have the engagement party on Saturday.”
Nana Ruthie stood with her hands folded, like she was some kind of saint. “I second the motion. And the motion to end tonight’s meeting.”
The room erupted in ‘ayes’, and Gage hit the gavel.
Jacob and Ben appeared next to her and gave her hugs.
“Congratulations, Lily.” Jacob kissed her cheek. “We always knew you and Gage would end up together.”
Ben squeezed her so hard she thought she’d break. “I’m so happy you’re finally joining the family.”
The crowd swallowed Nana Ruthie, and Lily’s chest felt tight, like she couldn’t breathe. She’d been dropped into some bizarre world where she’d fought a motorcycle-riding bully, fractured her fingers, and ended up not only running a Fourth of July picnic, but also engaged to man she’d loved since middle school. And, most likely, would lose her job.
“Hey.” Clara took Lily’s arm and led her to a quiet corner while the rest of the townsfolk broke up into small, chattering groups. “Are you and Gage really engaged?”
Before she could answer, Eve appeared and touched Lily’s shoulder. “Let’s get out of here.”
She nodded. “Honestly, I’d like to go home and sleep. I’m still jetlagged and the pain medication is messing with everything.”
Lily allowed Clara and Eve to drag her through the barn still filled with people, and out a side door until they stood on the footpath behind the barn. Near the river’s bank, they were close enough to hear the water’s rush and to feel a fine spray of water. Light from the barn filtered out, dispelling some of the darkness, but also leaving shadows.
A perfect metaphor for her current emotional state. She was driving on unfamiliar roads, in the dark, with a low-voltage light to guide her around the treacherous mountain curves.
She sat on a nearby bench and allowed the mist to cool her face. “I don’t even know what’s happening anymore.”
Clara leaned against a tree whose roots led into the rapids. “I’m glad I’m not the only one in the dark.”
Eve sat next to Lily and squeezed her unhurt hand. “This is all Caleb’s fault.”
“That doesn’t surprise me at all.” Clara’s voice sounded harsh and dry. “Caleb Mosby was always a—“
“Manipulative bastard,” Lily and Eve said together.
The three of them laughed, and Lily felt the heaviness lift from her chest. She held up her left hand with the sparkling diamond. “I’m not sure what’s going on either, but Gage asked me to trust him. So I am.”
“Wow.” Clara wrinkled her nose. “I’m surprised, but I’m also happy. You two belong together.”
Lily deliberately didn’t mention that the engagement was a ruse. Mostly because she wasn’t sure what was going on and didn’t want to betray Gage.
“I’m happy too,” Eve said in an uncharacteristically firm voice. “You and Gage deserve to be happy. Although I’m not sure why we need to have this Fourth of July picnic or how we’re going to plan an engagement party in a few days.”
Lily and Eve looked at Clara, and she held up both hands. “I may be an event planner, but I’m booked out for months.”
Eve’s phone buzzed, and she checked the text. “It’s from Gage. He’s asked the picnic committee to meet in the kitchen of Harry’s café tomorrow morning. Nine a.m.” Eve glanced at Clara. “He asked if you’d be on the committee as well.”
Clara sighed heavily and nodded. “Fine. But I have to be in Milltown by eleven to meet with a bride.”
Eve texted Gage back. “I let him know.”
“I have no idea where Nana Ruthie went.” Lily motioned toward her cast. “And I didn’t bring my phone since it’s hard to use right now. Would someone give me a ride home?”
“I will.” Gage’s voice came out of the dark as he walked toward them. “Jacob and Ben went to the ranch and picked up Caleb’s truck so I can use that for now.”
She was grateful the darkness hid her blush. Her embarrassment was silly, but it also made sense. He’d borrowed Eve’s car earlier, and his only other vehicle was his motorcycle. And tonight, after everything that had happened, she wasn’t sure if riding behind his hard body on a fast-moving motorcycle was the best choice.
How could she still be so attracted to a man she’d not seen in twenty years?
It was a question she’d been pondering all day. She also didn’t want to decline Gage’s offer. Since they were supposedly engaged, it would seem strange. So she stood, rubbed her damp hands on her skirt, and met his gaze. “Thank you.”
* * *
Gage parked the truckin front of Nana Ruthie’s house. The streetlamp illuminated the beautiful woman who sat next to him. The woman whose lavender scent was driving his libido into high gear. The woman who deserved so much more than being used in one of Caleb’s schemes.
He was so not a hero. “There have been a lot of surprised today. And we have a lot to talk about.”
”There have been, and we do.” She held her hand covered in the cast against her chest. “Gage...” her voice carried a silent plea, “I can’t do it tonight.”
He released a loud exhale that didn’t hide his relief. “I can’t either.”
She met his gaze, and they both smiled. Then they started to laugh. And that laughter released all the tension between them.
He reached over to tuck stray hairs behind her ear. “Tomorrow. I promise. I’ll tell you all I can. I just appreciate you following along for now.”
“Tomorrow.” She touched his hand that hovered near her head. “I’ll hold you to that promise.”
He stared into her dark eyes, knowing what a gift her trust was. He’d had every intention of running away with her after graduation, until he changed his mind. Although knowing it was still the best decision a seventeen-year-old could make, part of him ached at the life they could’ve already had together. A life that included love, commitment, and possibly children. “Lily...” his voice broke on the single word, and he cupped her cheek in his palm.
“It’s okay, Gage.” She leaned into his hand. “I understand now. Maybe that’s the benefit of time and age, but you were right to leave. We never would’ve survived alone, on our own, at seventeen.”
He used his thumb to trace the contours of her cheek. “I’m sorry.”
“I know.”
“I loved you.”
She glanced away. “I know that too.”
“Hey.” He gently turned her face so their eyes could meet. “I never stopped loving you.”
Even within the shadows, he saw a tear course down her cheek. Before he could talk himself out of it, he leaned over and kissed the tear away. He heard her intake of breath, felt the softening of her neck, and gently moved his lips until they covered hers.
His lips hovered for a long minute before they descended. The kiss started out slow and soft, so similar to their very first attempts. But when her unhurt hand landed on his chest, he tilted her head to deepen the kiss.
Without warning, heat filled his body, hardening every muscle... and more.
He pulled her against his chest, as close as he could get within the confines of the truck, and took control. He didn’t want to hurt her, but a need raged through him that demanded satisfaction. Even the slight murmur of consent, her soft moan of pleasure, left him achy and hardwired for more adult action.
When her tongue tentatively touched his, he plundered her mouth and took possession of all she had to give him. The kiss went on and on, and the part of his brain that recommended breaking it off before things went too far was getting harder and harder to hear.
When her hand reached around his neck, she released a soft, “Oh, Gage.” It was a plea he understood. A blinding need, a pounding desire, yet also a powerful relief. A relief found when you’ve been wandering for years and have finally found your way home.
A loud honk broke them apart, and then bright lights blinded them. Nana Ruthie pulled into the driveway, and Gage let Lily go. She touched her lips, stared at him for a long moment, and then left the truck. She ran up the steps and met Nana Ruthie who was unlocking the front door.
He expelled a deep breath and rubbed his fist across his chin. Before Lily shut the front door, she paused to look back at him. And, for a moment, he was sure she smiled.
He sat for a long moment before starting the truck. Seeing Lily shattered all of the preconceived notions he’d had about his life. He’d not had any options at seventeen, other than to join the MC, until Caleb had convinced him to join the army and leave Lily behind. Ironically, now it was Caleb who, despite his death, was bringing them back together.
Gage pulled out into the street and drove the two blocks toward Jacob’s apartment. While he drove, he couldn’t help but hope that this time, the second promise he’d made to Caleb wouldn’t destroy this unexpected chance he had to love Lily again.
Because if he screwed everything up, this chance would be his last.