Chapter 14
Rafe made the executive decision to push farther ahead instead of stopping for the night. He told their group at the next rest stop. It wasn’t as much to make up for lost time.
He wanted to put as much distance between Allison and the threat left on the bathroom mirror.
How many times had someone threatened her while at work? Someone who had lost a loved one, or helplessly watched a spouse in a coma, and blamed her because of the outcome?
Rafe began to understand why she chose to become a traveling nurse. No attachments, no bonds to either friends or a particular hospital.
Work at one place and move on.
Almost like running away from her problems.
When they finally stopped for the night, he asked Sam to watch over Allison as she sat in the bar, drinking a soda. Rafe checked into his room and made a few phone calls.
No progress yet on the Hernandez case. His director had assigned Jase to take over and Jase told him they had nothing yet. He looked at the teddy bears he’d brought into the motel room.
Rafe arranged them on the other double bed and studied them.
A short time later, he joined Allison and Sam at the bar and ordered a bourbon on the rocks. Sam glanced at him and grinned.
“I’ll leave you two alone. Gonna grab some z’s. See y’all tomorrow,” he said, sliding off the stool.
Rafe sipped his drink, enjoying the burn as it slid down his throat. He seldom drank on the road, but today rattled him.
“You are a bad ass, know that?” he asked her.
She stirred her drink. “I don’t feel like one.”
“You handled the trashing of your room as if it were nothing. If you’d have been any cooler, we’d be in the Arctic.”
A brief smile. “Thanks.”
More bourbon slid down his throat. Rafe began to finally relax. “You’ve always shown remarkable confidence and aplomb, Ally. Working as a confidential informant for me with the Devil’s Patrol showed it.”
“Not that you gave me much choice.” Allison tossed her long hair. Suddenly he wanted to run his fingers through it. Maybe pull it back and stare into her eyes right before he kissed her, long and deep.
Rafe cleared his throat. “I know. I had you in a tight spot, but Ally, you must know if you didn’t have what it takes, I’d never have put you in that position. My job isn’t to endanger my CIs. You were different from the start.”
Her hair curtained her face. Resisting the impulse to draw it back, see her expression and those soulful brown eyes, he waited for an answer.
“Different how?”
“Strong. Independent and confident. I never would have let you even set foot around those bikers in the DP if I didn’t think you could handle them.”
Now she did look up and smiled. “Are you flattering me?”
“I’m telling the truth, Ally. The biggest problem I had with you was you were too confident and courageous and I had to rein you in at times.”
“I’m used to risks.”
“Well, don’t take any more.”
His voice was sharper than he intended. Allison brought out feelings he hadn’t had in a long time for a woman, feelings that had intensified since she’d become a CI. He wanted to throw a protective shield around her to keep anything bad from happening to her.
Expecting a sarcastic reply, he was surprised to see her nod. “I won’t. I’m done with them. For now. You won’t see me pulling any more risks on the road. This trip is all about my sister.”
“I don’t want to talk about your sister.”
Allison gave a derisive snort. “Most men do.”
“I’m not most men. She’s nothing compared to you.” Now he did reach out and tucked a strand of her amazing, silky hair behind her ear. “Not every man is attracted to only looks and body. Some of us, me in particular, are drawn to strong, independent women who can hold their own.”
“Ah, the old brains over beauty noble speech.” Allison blew bubbles into her soda. “Been there, heard that.”
“Did I say you weren’t beautiful? You are.”
“Right.”
At her derisive snort, he reached out and covered her hand. “I mean it, Ally. Don’t sell yourself short simply because your sister is always hogging the spotlight. You are beautiful.”
“Thanks.”
Allison flushed and pushed back her soda. “I’m kinda tired, Rafe. Have a good night.”
Gently gripping her wrist, he stayed her. “Ally, if you need anything, call me. Or knock on the wall. I’m right next door.”
Her mouth quirked. “Why don’t you just sleep in the same room as me?”
“Is that an invitation?”
He meant it as a tease, but not really.
“Maybe. If my sister wasn’t sharing a room with me.”
Rafe’s heart skipped a beat at her sultry smile, and the way she trailed a finger down his bare arm. The promise and intent clear, he took a deep breath.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” He raised his glass. “When you are ready, I will be as well.”
Ally flashed him another smile and walked off. He watched her, enjoying the gentle sway of her hips beneath her jeans. Denim never looked so good on a woman.
After paying for his drink he went to the lobby to arrange for a wake-up call. Diana was there in a chair, palming her cell phone.
Seeing him, she frowned.
Well, hello to you as well.
“I wish Ally never came on this trip. I don’t think you’re good for her.”
Rafe arched his brows. “And you know best.”
The sarcasm sailed over her brunette head. “I’ve been preoccupied with the wedding, but Ally’s my sister. I don’t want to see her hurt.”
“Neither do I. I’m concerned about the break-in.”
Diana looked bewildered. “What break-in?”
Sorry, Ally. Rafe told her what happened. Diana paled.
She set down her soda on the table and palmed her phone. “I need to make a call.”
I bet you do.
A few minutes later, she returned. “He’s agreed this is too dangerous. Paul is flying up to Atlanta, and he’ll meet me at my parents’ cabin. We’re going to elope. He’s already arranged to ship the veil and gown to the cabin. It won’t make Uncle Hector happy, but Paul says it is for the best.”
That will make your sister happy. While she’s still sleeping...
“Speaking of your Uncle Hector, there’s something I’d like to ask you, Diana,” he began.
* * *
Allison slept deeply, immersed in a delicious dream about Rafael. Only wisps remained when she awoke, refreshed. Something about him being naked. Oh yeah, it was quite nice.
In a great mood, she quickly showered and took time selecting her outfit.
For once she chose an impractical blouse, hand embroidered with black silk thread, and designer jeans.
After brushing her hair, remembering Rafe’s touch, she studied her appearance in the mirror.
Maybe not beautiful in the classic sense, but not bad.
Certainly Rafe had thought so.
She downed coffee and a quick breakfast in the lobby. No one else was around. Through the lobby windows, she saw the others preparing their motorcycles.
Diana came inside, joining her. “Ally, I have some news. I’ve taken your advice to heart and called Paul. He’s flying up to Atlanta, and Mom is shipping my gown and veil so it should be there when I arrive. He’ll meet me at the cabin. We’re going to elope.”
Squealing, she hugged her sister. “I’m thrilled, hon. This is the best news you could have given me.”
Diana smiled. “I’ll meet you outside.”
One thing about Rafe. He was organized and efficient and herded their little group together better than a kindergarten teacher nudging students into quiet time. She appreciated him letting her sleep late and cutting her some much-needed slack.
He greeted her as she walked outside with her belongings. She saw his hooded gaze before he hid it behind his aviator glasses.
They got on the road before nine o’clock. Skies were overcast, with thick clouds threatening to the east, but despite this and heavy traffic, Allison felt encouraged. With a little push, they could make their next stop for the night in seven hours.
More encouraging was Diana’s news about eloping as soon as Paul arrived and he found a minister to marry them.
The Teddy Bear Run, which had started out as a disaster, was turning fun.
Humming, she relaxed and enjoyed the ride, the wind rushing past, the steady throb of the bike beneath her and its tremendous power. Rafe still rode in back of her, Diana in front and then Keith with Comet, Debbie and Sam leading their group.
Her burst of joy didn’t last long. Taillights flashed and vehicles slowed. She geared down to a crawl, and then traffic came to a dead stop.
Idling, she pulled out her phone and called Sam.
“It’s a bad wreck a few hundred yards ahead. We may be here for a while,” he told her.
“EMTs there?”
“No. No cops, either. Must have happened recently. Traffic isn’t backed up much.”
Allison knew her duty. “Tell Rafe I’m headed there. They may need me.”
“Allison, wait, it may not be safe...”
She hung up, pocketed her phone and roared on the breakdown lane ahead of everyone. The crash site was about four hundred yards ahead. Allison pulled to a stop and saw a small sedan, front end accordioned, and a bigger vehicle off to the side. She made sure she had her backpack and ran forward.
Good Samaritans had pulled out the passengers from the sedan. A woman, perhaps a middle-aged mother, lay on the swale, groaning.
Nearby people huddled over a child. An older boy, who looked about thirteen and wore a gray concert shirt, looked up helplessly. “She’s my sister. I was riding in the car behind her. I don’t know what to do.”
Ignoring the roar of the bikes behind her, Allison raced forward.
Rafe joined her. He looked grim. “I told you, we stick together. When will you ever listen to me?”
“I’m a nurse. Let me do my job.”
Squatting by the child, who looked about eleven, he joined her. Rafe smiled at the child, who struggled to breathe.
“Hey, sweetheart. What’s your name?”
The girl coughed violently.
“Her name is Jenny,” the middle schooler answered.
Then he looked at Allison. “How bad is she?”