Chapter 4
“So, I was thinking. If you add this to the Rolling Thunder Motorcycles website, anyone already on the site will be able to click easily on the Veteran’s Ride information.
We can capture early sign-ups, which should relieve some congestion on ride day.
We can have a separate table set up for those who have pre-registered, where they can get their wristbands and swag before we ride.
” Joci smiled at Jeremiah as she explained her marketing strategy.
“This is amazing, Joci. We’ve never had this so organized. How have I been able to pull this off before? When I look back on it, I’m almost embarrassed at the state of organized disorganization I had here.” Jeremiah looked into her eyes and held her gaze.
Joci’s heart was thumping away loudly in her chest. She could hear her heartbeat in her ears, drowning out almost everything else.
Everything except Jeremiah’s low, soothing voice as it slid over her.
Gawd. Her resolve was waning where he was concerned.
He had taken great pains to let her know that he was not with LuAnn over the past three and a half months.
At the ride meetings, he always made sure LuAnn sat at the opposite end of the table, while Joci sat next to him.
“This is going to be amazing. I bet we have more riders than ever before,” Ryder stated, smiling at Joci.
“That’s true,” JT chimed in. “You should hear all the comments and compliments from customers on the logo. Every day, someone says something about it.”
“Oh, bullshit, JT. I never hear anyone comment on the fucking logo.” LuAnn’s snarl hit an all-time low as she leveled her sights on Joci. “It’s not like she cured cancer or anything. I’m sick of hearing how great the logo is.” LuAnn jumped up from her seat and walked out.
Ryder smirked as she left, then looked at Joci and smiled brightly. “I think it’s fucking hot!”
Joci smiled at Ryder and nodded once at his compliment. “Thank you, Ryder.”
“Okay, now that we’ll have some peace and quiet, let’s get down to work.” Jeremiah smiled. Chuckles erupted around the room.
Joci lost herself in the meeting. It was enjoyable without LuAnn. She knew she wouldn’t be sniped at every time she said something. The others in the room were in high spirits as they threw ideas around and worked out minor details.
* * *
“Gunnar, thanks for figuring that out. The parking has been an issue from the beginning. I don’t know how you got Mrs. Wilkes to agree to let us use her land, but thanks,” Jeremiah said with a smirk on his face.
Gunnar was a nice-looking man, so the women always said.
He knew exactly how Gunnar had gotten their neighbor, Mrs. Wilkes, to agree to let them use her land.
One big smile from him with those dimples like his mom’s, and the old lady probably puddled in her undies.
Jeremiah had been trying to get her to let them use her land for years now.
He had tried buying it, renting it, borrowing it.
Nothing. She wanted nothing to do with him or Rolling Thunder.
A couple of visits from Gunnar, and suddenly, they could use her land, provided they mowed it, kept it neat, and returned it to her in better condition than they got it to begin with.
“No problem, Dog. So, we need some volunteers to go over and start taking care of it. We’ll need to mow it and plant a barrier of evergreens.
They won’t be very big this year, but I thought if we planted them in a row between her house and the field she’s letting us use, it'd give her the privacy she’s concerned about. ”
Gunnar’s comments were to the group at large but focused on JT and Ryder.
“I don’t want that old bag watching me plant trees on her property,” JT hissed.
“All she wants is a little eye candy for a day or two. Since when don’t you want a woman to look at you?” Gunnar shot back, smiling broadly.
Deacon laughed. “Besides, you’re in a dry spell right now anyway. Maybe she’ll put out for you, JT.”
“Fuck you, Deacon,” JT snapped.
“Okay, okay.” Jeremiah was laughing at the banter.
This was the most enjoyable meeting to date.
“April tenth. Let’s plan on being over there at eight o’clock sharp and begin working on Mrs. Wilkes’ property.
Gunnar, you and JT want to go over after the meeting and schmooze with her and let her know we’ll have a bunch of shirtless men out on her property beginning then? ”
Gunnar smiled at JT and nodded, while JT wrinkled his face.
Jeremiah looked around the room at this group of people.
He was a very fortunate man. Though he hadn’t enjoyed the company of a good woman as a constant in his life, he had this.
Last year, Gunnar joined his shop, and this year, Joci started helping with the ride and marketing.
When he first met Gunnar, there was something about him that instantly clicked with Jeremiah.
He had hired Gunnar on the spot and had been proven right a number of times.
His boys loved Gunnar, and Gunnar loved them back.
They went out together, teased, cajoled, and enjoyed each other.
Now he had to get Joci to come completely into the fold. He wanted her to be that constant in his life. He looked forward to days when he would see her. He went to bed most nights thinking of her.
“Okay. Two weeks back here. The ride is less than three months away. Thanks, everyone.”
All the staff members got up and started throwing garbage away and filtering out of the room. “Joci, I’d like a word, please.”
Joci looked at him, and his breath caught. “How can I help?” She had a little smile on her face, which created those irresistible dimples, and his cock jerked in his pants.
Jeremiah looked up and noticed everyone else had left the room. “I want to start over.”
Joci’s brows furrowed. “Start over?”
Extending his hand, Jeremiah’s grin spread across his face. “My name is Jeremiah. I’m single with two grown boys. I work hard, and I’m honest. I ride motorcycles and eat hamburgers and brats. I drink beer, and I love my parents. And you are?”
Joci laughed. Start over, okay. She laid her palm against his and looked him in the eye.
“Hi. My name is Joci. I’m a single mother with a grown son.
I’m a graphic designer and often have my head in my latest project.
I’m honest and dependable. I ride motorcycles, eat hamburgers, drink wine coolers, and love my son and my sister. Nice to meet you, Jeremiah.”
With their hands still linked together, Jeremiah’s eyes never left Joci’s. Great start over.