Chapter 16
That afternoon, after they presented a delighted and grateful Aldie with their gift certificate from the bike repair shop, Rafe watched Allison compete in the slow cone competition.
Impressed, he studied the way she maneuvered Phoenix around the cones. The big bike was awkward and heavy, and he knew from experience those twists and turns were a bitch, but Allison wove through the cones with skill. Mastering the course as easily as most riders drove on a straight line.
The orange cone formation became tighter, with little room for maneuvering, but Allison drove her bike on, not knocking over a single cone or falling off her bike.
Damn, she was good at this.
Was there anything she didn’t excel at?
When she finished and pulled away from the cones, a cheer went up from the crowd. His worries about someone targeting her abated as he headed over. The judges announced the score.
Almost perfect tens.
“Looks like you’re the winner,” he told her, feeling oddly proud of her skillset.
Allison pulled off her helmet and finger combed her hair.
“Winning isn’t as important as doing it right. I know that sounds hokey, but it’s what I believe. I like seeing others compete as well because this kind of competition means safer biking.”
“What’s your secret?” he asked.
“You ride on the rear brake for control—” she displayed it by touching the brake with her foot “—and throttle at the same time. That’s my trick.”
“Nice.” Rafe felt like a kid shown a new toy. “What about your line of sight?”
“Look at the horizon and don’t look at the cones or you’ll lose perspective and possibly balance.”
He’d done a few slow cone drills with motorcycle cops before. Their skills were at par with Allison’s, but she didn’t ride for a living like they did. “Steering?”
“Counter steering.” She demonstrated. “Push right, go right.”
He nodded. “I’ve done the same, but as a drill to be a safer rider, not to compete.”
“When you’re going that slow, it’s a good way to control the bike. I like the slow cone competition because it makes me more aware of hazards I could encounter. Like a dog rushing out in front of me, or a child.”
“Or a car that decides to wander into your lane.”
He wasn’t surprised when the judges announced Allison had won. Everyone gathered around her, asking questions, congratulating her as she returned from the podium where the judges had given her a blue ribbon. Rafe gave her space, wanting her to enjoy the spotlight and the attention.
He felt tremendously proud of her accomplishment.
When the crowd thinned, Diana rushed up to her and threw her arms around Allison. “My big sister, the winner. Always.”
He wondered at the slight bitterness in Diana’s voice.
Allison touched the blue ribbon pinned to her denim jacket. “We should go celebrate.”
Diana shook her head. “Ally, I’m a little tired. I’m going back to the cabin to take a nap.”
Tired? Or bored? Rafe assessed her sister, who was looking a little pale. Wedding jitters?
Or jitters about what he had proposed to Diana?
“You sure you’re okay? I thought we could eat dinner at that steak place on the river,” Allison asked.
“I’m fine.” Diana swatted the air. “I need AC and a good movie. All this fresh air is annoying.”
Allison laughed. “Right. You would say that in the middle of all this lovely scenery.”
‘Don’t worry about me, Ally. I need some alone time, ’kay?” She gave her a sly glance. “In fact, if you want to spend the night elsewhere, feel free. I could use a night alone.”
She sputtered. “I have no intentions...”
“You should have intentions.” Diana grinned at her and winked at Rafe. “Go for it, Ally. I’ll be fine.”
A blush tinted Allison’s cheeks. “Diana Lexington, I have a good mind to yeet you into tomorrow.”
Diana’s smile seemed strained. “You mean throw me into tomorrow. That’s what Mom and Dad would say. Not yeet.”
With a wave, her sister headed away. As she rode off, Allison shuffled her feet. “I, um, apologize for her.”
“Why?” He dug his hands into his jeans pockets.
“She comes up with the most absurd ideas.”
“Is it so absurd?” He gave her a long, thoughtful look. “Spending the night with me?”
Her blush deepened. Allison looked past the rows of bikers, of men and women wandering up and down the aisles, admiring bikes. “No, it’s not, but... I mean, you and me.”
Damn, he liked seeing her blush like this, knowing the idea of them sleeping together did it.
Allison waved a hand. “For that, I’m not as inclined to shop for a dress for her wedding this weekend.”
To his surprise, she winked at him. “In fact, I’m thinking of making a special appearance. She wants to have the wedding at our cabin in the woods in the yard by the creek. I’m considering running through the forest naked, screaming about Bigfoot. Care to join me?”
Rafe laughed. It felt good to laugh and release all the tension he’d been carrying on this trip. “Sounds like a plan. Do we run together or do you take the lead and I follow?”
“I should take the lead because, with that beard of yours, they might even believe I’m being chased by the mighty, mythical Sasquatch.”
Pretending to be offended, he stroked a hand over the beard stubble. “Hey, I’m not that hairy.”
Allison cocked her head to one side. “Dunno. Haven’t seen the whole package yet.”
And then, as if realizing what she’d said, she blushed again. He grinned, finding her reaction charming.
This kind of flirting was the type to lead to something... What, he wasn’t certain, but he knew for a fact he was enchanted with Miss Allison Lexington, expert trauma nurse practitioner and motorcycle slow cone competition champion.
Sam wended through the crowd, joined by Keith and Debbie, walking Comet. “Congratulations, Ally! You’re fantastic.”
“We were thinking of celebrating your victory over steak and beer,” Keith added. “Join us?”
“Maybe later,” he said slowly, looking at Allison, who didn’t seem enthusiastic about a group dinner.
Sam caught Rafe’s look and grinned. “We’ll be at the Pine Tree Pub on Main if you want to catch up with us. Or not.” Sam waggled his brows.
Thankfully, Sam hustled the couple away before anyone started asking questions. Allison lifted her head and looked at him. She had the most amazing brown eyes. Up close, flecks of green sparkled in them like shining emeralds.
“Shall we go to dinner, Supervisory Special Agent Rodriguez?”
“After you, Allison Lexington, motorcycle winner extraordinaire,” he murmured.
Tonight was going to be a special night, indeed.