Chapter 4
After quickly changing her clothes, Veronica raced back out of the apartment and down the flight of steps leading to the parking lot.
She didn’t bother hopping into her pickup, though.
The garage where she rented space was only a few blocks away.
Gregory, the man who owned the shop, had promised to bring by a potential seller for the frame she needed on the bike.
Veronica didn’t want to be late and risk the man leaving before she could make him an offer.
The impromptu conversation with her mother had slowed things down.
She shouldn’t have been surprised; Mauve Edwards had a way of sticking her nose where it didn’t belong, even when she didn’t know it.
She made it to the garage in under five minutes, racing inside to find the owner and the man in question admiring a perfectly preserved body for the bike she was after.
Instantly, her heart started to race once again, but this time, it wasn’t with anger or latent rage.
Instead, it was pure excitement. She couldn’t believe the perfect specimen sitting right in front of her.
Veronica knew she had to keep her cool if she was going to get her hands on the frame for the motorcycle.
It was thrilling to see it up close and in person.
“My name is Veronica, and I’m the one who’s made an offer on the body.”
“I figured that’s who you were, but it’s good to meet you in person,” the man said. “I have to tell you, though, I’ve already had three offers on the motorcycle frame so far. Do you think you’d be willing to raise your offer any higher than what you have already gone?”
“I’m not really sure about that, but I can say that I’m willing to discuss it.”
“I’m just saying, the motorcycle frame is an old M-72 original. Not only that, of every single one that has sold over the last few years, this one is the most solid. It doesn’t have a speck of rust on it. There’s absolutely no damage to the frame, and it has an intact gas tank.”
“I already know all of that,” Veronica said. “I have everything original on it except for the damn frame. I’ve gone through every inch of it on my own to ensure there is nothing wrong with it.”
“You seem to really know your stuff.”
“I’ve been doing this sort of thing and studying everything I can for as long as I can remember. Now, I’m just trying to get the rest of this so I can finish this project.”
“I have to say, I think it’s pretty hot that a woman of your caliber has that sort of knowledge. It’s a rare and beautiful thing.”
Veronica plastered a smile on her face. From the way the man’s gaze moved across her body, she was certain he wasn’t only talking about monetary compensation.
Almost immediately, though, Gregory jumped to her defense, scolding the man without resting for several minutes before she stepped in.
She absolutely adored Gregory for being so protective, but she could take care of herself.
She wanted the frame and would almost consider going on a date with the man just to get a hold of it.
The more she looked it over, the more Veronica realized it was a perfect fit for what she was trying to do.
Having first fallen in love with the build years before, Veronica loved everything about the compact little motorcycles.
They were nearly indestructible, surviving every form of attack that came their way during the war.
While later models had been improved upon, she liked the original best. Veronica would stop at nothing to have the frame.
With the decision already made, she was piecing the parts together in her mind.
If she skipped her parents’ anniversary party, she could have the long weekend to restore the bike and be riding it by Monday if everything went as planned.
As far as she was concerned, her time was considerably better spent at the shop than back in Colorado.
“I have to tell you that I have done plenty of research on these frames and bodies. I know what they average at the auction. I also know then I’m going to spend a little more due to the perfection you have here. That being said, I’ll give you fifteen thousand dollars for it and not a penny more.”
“I thought we were going to haggle a little, but I’ve had this listed at eighteen.”
“I understand.” Veronica smiled. “I was actually wondering if that price included the sexual harassment I was going to go through.”
He rolled his eyes. “Do you want it for eighteen thousand or not?”
“I tell you what. If you can give me a complete history of the bike as well, then I’ll give you your asking price.”
“Everything I said in the ad was exactly what I know about it. My great-grandfather brought it back with him after the war as a trophy. He absolutely loved the idea of getting it put back together, but he never got around to getting the rest of this so he could finish the project himself. It’s been stored and taken care of since then. ”
Veronica nodded. “That makes perfect sense with how pristine it is. Can you tell me if there’s been any actual touch-up work to the frame at all?”
The man shook his head. “It has practically gone untouched since the forties when my great-grandfather came back from the war. It’s been under a tarp and in a sealed garage since then. No work has been done to it at all.”
She wasn’t surprised that the man didn’t take the low ball off her right off the bat.
Veronica had no intention of buying it for the amount she had offered but wanted him to know she meant business.
Learning the history of the bike frame was just as important as the deal itself.
As she moved closer to inspect it further, she saw that what the man had told her appeared accurate.
It had been lovingly stored for most of its life.
Veronica wouldn’t doubt if some of the dirt on the frame had traveled all the way from Russia decades before.
Standing back up, she extended her hand.
The man grinned and took it, shaking it firmly to strike the deal with her.
Minutes later, she was writing him out a check after showing him the amount in her savings account online.
She didn’t want to risk him giving it to someone else by waiting until the banks opened in the morning.
Thanks to Gregory vouching for her, the stranger was happy to accept the check she gave him.
It would nearly drain her savings account, but the money was there for the sole purpose of building her dream bike.
Watching the pair go, she wheeled the frame over to her rented bay and immediately started working.
Just then, Gregory came walking back through the door and headed in her direction. As she stared at the motorcycle frame she had just purchased, she caught him coming over out of the corner of her eye. Veronica looked up and smiled.
“Judging by the look on your face, I’d venture to say that you’re pretty happy with your purchase.”
Veronica nodded. “I’m completely ecstatic about it.
I’m not going to lie. There were a few moments when I was looking for a frame that I thought I wouldn’t be able to find one.
It’s kind of hard to believe it’s finally sitting right here in front of me.
I’ll be keeping the doors open a little later than normal tonight. ”
Gregory laughed. “Well, you know I never have a problem with you staying late. Just make sure you lock everything up when you are finished.”
“Will do. I still can’t thank you enough for allowing me to work on my own project after hours.”
“I’m just happy to see it’s finally coming together in the way you had planned.”
“You and me both. I’ll make sure to lock up and set the alarm on my way out.”
“You know I’m never going to have an issue with you staying here and working on your bike. Just do me a favor and don’t be working in here too late. Don’t forget that you have other people’s stuff to work on at your real job in the morning.”
Veronica smiled and nodded. “You don’t have to worry about a thing. Just enjoy the rest of your night.”
She watched him heading for the door for a moment before turning her attention back to the frame.
It had been years since she had felt that same level of excitement and trepidation back when she first fled Colorado for the sunny California coast. Now older and wiser, Veronica was looking forward to setting out on yet another adventure.
Even as she set about getting to work, though, the lingering guilt of her youth danced in the back of her mind.