19. 19
“How are you feeling today?” Deacon asked as he handed Lisa a cup of coffee the next morning.
“Pretty good.” She took the cup and sipped it. “Why?”
“I thought if you felt up to it, I might take you for a ride today.” He watched her, having a good idea what her reaction might be. He wasn’t disappointed.
Lisa’s face lit up. Her eyes went wide, and she took a deep breath.
“Really? Yes, I’m up to it. Let me go get dressed.”
Deacon smiled as she hurried off, coffee in hand, to get ready. He wasn’t worried she’d wear something inappropriate. She’d spent years around him and Cowboy. She knew what to wear for ride on a bike. Turning to the fridge, he decided to fix them something for breakfast while she got ready.
By the time he had the bacon ready and finished scrambling eggs, Lisa was back and dressed.
“Where do you want go?” he asked as they sat down to eat.
“I don’t even care. I have been trying to get on the back of your bike for more than ten years.”
“I know you have. And I’ve decided to let you.” He shot her a grin. He thought about taking her to a movie in Bismarck, but after yesterday, decided they might not want to go back so soon. “When’s the last time you saw the Enchanted Highway?”
“Before I went to college. And never from a bike.”
“Then let’s do it. You mind if I call your brother and see if he and Ava want to join us?”
“That would be fun. And help make up for the trip you had to cut short yesterday.”
“Different kind of trip, but it will be fun. I’ve got another trip like yesterday’s in a couple weeks though.”
“Can I go on that one?”
“Sorry, bumblebee, that one’s like yesterday’s. Brother’s only, but we do have family events and some family rides. We just had a big barbeque a couple of weeks before you moved to town, for Memorial Day. I’ll find out when the next family event is and let you know.”
“You don’t mind me going?”
“Not at all. I like that you want to go. I’m proud you want to be involved with the Kings. Miles has been organizing events, but if you tell him you want to help, I’m sure he would welcome the assistance.”
“I don’t think I’ve met Miles yet.”
“I don’t think you have. He wasn’t part of the group that helped move you in. I’m pretty sure he was off doing something with his own family. That’s what he spends most of his time doing these days.”
“Are there a lot of families? I mean kids, not just wives or girlfriends.”
“A few, but the number is growing. Miles discovered his son just last month.”
“Discovered?”
Deacon nodded. “It’s a long story and not mine to tell, but yeah, discovered. I’m sure you’ll meet Courtney before too long. You can ask her about it if you like.” He pulled out his phone and typed up a text to Cowboy, letting him know what they were planning for the day and inviting him and Ava along.” He hit send then pushed the phone away and turned his attention back to Lisa. “What do you say we take the ride, then stop at the Enchanted Steakhouse to eat when we’re done?”
“That sounds like fun. I’ve never been there, but I’ve heard it’s good. Can we stop at each sculpture and take pictures?”
“We can do whatever you want, bumblebee.”
She bent and let her head rest against his arm. Warmth filled his chest and spread through him. How had he waited so long to feel this? Deacon knew the answer to that. He hadn’t known what he was missing. Now that he did, what would he do to not ever give it up?
That thought circled in his head as he leaned over and kissed the top of Lisa’s head. They talked about plans for the day, but his mind was only half on that. The rest was stuck on the realization that he’d found something he didn’t want to give up. Ever.