Chapter Two
Charli—Southern Idaho—present day
“Well, go’damn, are my eyes deceiving me?”
“Hi, Harv.” Charli smiled at the weathered face of Harvey Whitman, owner of the autobody shop simply named, Harvey’s Shop, and her dad’s former mechanic.
“I ain’t seen you since Hector was a pup, and that hound is pretty long in the tooth ‘bout now.”
Charli laughed, remembering Harvey’s twang and funny sayings.
He sounded like a good ol’ country boy transplanted into Idaho desert country.
Harvey was a born and bred Idahoan and damn proud of it.
His shop reflected that with old metal signs, flags, and framed magazine and newspaper clippings scattered throughout the space depicting the life and times of years gone by in the Gem State.
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” Charli said. “How ya doing, Harv?”
“Well, I’m right as rain now that I see your lovely face. Come here.”
He rounded the counter, holding out his arms, and Charli eagerly fell into them. The burly man smelled like coffee and cologne and a hint of grease. She breathed in deeply, letting the moment take her back to a time she wished she could return to.
“Good to see you, Charli,” he murmured into her hair before pulling back. His gaze roamed her face before staring into her eyes. “How ya been, darlin’?” He gave her shoulders a squeeze before dropping his arms.
She smiled. “Perfect, now that I got my daily hug from you.”
He laughed. “Oh, I’m just getting started. Stick around, and you’ll get more than you bargained for.”
“I’m actually hoping for that.”
He cocked a brow. “Is that so? Well, tell this ol’ man what’s on your mind. Come, have a seat. Want some coffee?” He waved to the leather couch taking up a good portion of one wall in the reception area.
Charli took a moment to look around, noticing changes while also seeing what had always been familiar. An anchor to a past she dearly missed. She was surprised to see the place empty of others at only 4:00 PM.
“Coffee?” Harvey prompted again.
“No thanks, I have some.” She held up a large tumbler that held her own iced concoction of the addictive dark elixir of life.
Harvey nodded as they settled into the cushions. “Pretty impressive artwork ya got there.” He eyed the visible tattoos on her arm and leg.
“Yeah, I’m an addict.”
Harvey laughed. “So, little miss, you back to stay?”
“I am. That is, if I can talk you into a sweet deal?”
He grinned. “Ah, and what might that be? I’m a little old to be romanced, but I never say never.”
Charli laughed. Truly laughed for the first time in months. “God, I’ve missed you.” She spared a glance around the space again. “Missed here.”
Harvey’s hand landed on hers, and she stared down at it. Perpetually calloused and stained fingers from years of turning wrenches and handling dirty, greasy parts. Large. Protective. Comforting. She turned her hand over and linked their fingers before meeting his gaze.
“I want to buy your shop.”
His bushy brow lifted while a half grin curled the corner of his mouth. “And what makes you think I’m selling?”
“Because I’ve got an offer you can’t refuse.” She returned his grin with a big one of her own. “Doesn’t have to be right away, but I’m interested, Harv. I’d like to come work for you, see how you run your shop, work with your mechanics, and learn who your customers are.”
“That what you been doing all these years you been away? Turning wrenches for someone?”
She nodded. “Guess it took twenty years to figure out where I belonged and what I wanted to do with my life.”
“I could’ve told you where you belonged all along, but I guess someone else had a say in that.” His words weren’t cruel, just a fact. The sadness on his face showed that.
It was no surprise to Charli that there was no love lost between this community and her mom.
She and her dad had met when young, fell hard and fast, and tried to make it work even though they came from different walks of life.
Not to mention different ends of the state.
Liam couldn’t convince her to remain in the south, so he stretched his bond with the Club, going north with Mom for a period.
But time and again, Hunt called him back. The Sons of Sin called him back.
And Charli had been in the middle of it all, wanting a life with both parents but settling with split time.
Hadn’t been her choice, but a child only had so much say when it’d been her mom’s decision, and her dad went along with it, hoping to make it easier on all involved. News flash—it hadn’t been easy at all.
It hadn’t been easy dealing with the loss of her father or the loss of her extended family and friends with the Club. It hadn’t been easy being apart and losing contact. Because when the dust settled and her mom took her away, Charli hadn’t stepped foot back in Hunt.
Until now.
Regret was a heavy weight she desperately wanted to shed.
“How is Sherri?” Harv asked.
“Gone. Six months now.” She felt his fingers tighten instantly. “Brain cancer. Gone within four months of being diagnosed. The only blessing was she hadn’t suffered long.” Charli’s voice hitched with those last few words, and Harvey drew her to him for another hug.
“Oh, Charli, darlin’, I am so damn sorry.”
She remained quiet, soaking up his comfort. It’d been too long since she’d had any.
Harvey pulled back and held her gaze. “You got a place to stay?”
“I do. I don’t know who all knew this, but Dad had property by the twin lakes between Eden Road and the 1500. Even Mom was surprised.”
“I knew. Wasn’t sure what he ever planned on doing with it. Guess now I know.”
Charli nodded. “I learned about it when I turned eighteen. An executor had been in charge, paying property taxes. Dad had a bank account in my name I gained access to as well. With working, savings, and that account growing, I’ve got a healthy amount there when I need it.”
“And do you need it? I don’t recall the property having a house. You better not tell me you’re living in a damn vehicle.”
“As a matter of fact...” Charli laughed. “Easy, Harv,” she said, calming him when he gave her a stern look. “There’s already water and electricity. I moved an RV in there two days ago. It’s plenty for now until I decide otherwise.”
“How’d you manage to sweep back into the area without anybody hearing a peep about it? Ain’t no secrets around here.”
“Is that a fact? Well, guess I’m stealthy like that.” Charli winked, causing Harvey to howl with laughter.
“Guess it won’t be long before that changes. You been by to see Owen and the family?”
Charli briefly hung her head before meeting his gaze. “I haven’t. Didn’t think I could just waltz right up to the compound and say, hey, remember me?”
“You sure as hell could. They’d accept you no matter how many years went by. Them Ferris boys sure were fit to be tied when you got taken back north without so much as a howdy do and never a word since.”
Feelings of both warmth and sadness swirled inside her at the mention of the Ferris boys.
Bradley. Roark. She’d kept tabs on them at times through social media.
Mostly, it’d been limited to posts about the racetrack that Bradley had been operating for a while.
Charli hadn’t garnered much personal information about either over the years, making her wonder if they had families of their own now.
Something twisted in her gut at that thought, and she chastised herself, saying she had no claim on them. On Roark, specifically, because he’s the one who’d occupied most of her thoughts.
“Owen tried to make them see it wasn’t your choice,” Harvey continued. “And, well, with as much time that passed, they figured you had your life sorted and that was that.”
Charli huffed. “As if. Does anybody every really have their life sorted?”
“Sure. Me. Been living and loving nearly every day for as long as I can remember. Thought it might come to an end after what happened to Liam, but he wouldn’t have wanted that.
I miss him every damn day, but life goes on, right?
So, I had racing, had the Club friends, along with working and running my shop.
I got two mechanics now that pretty much take care of it all. I just sign the checks.”
“Which makes me wonder where they’re at. Isn’t it early to close shop?”
“Oh, we always close early on Wednesdays. Midweek racing at the track during the summer. Bradley started that a while back. Gives the local kiddos something to keep them outta trouble.”
Charli smiled at the man. “Did you ever have a love interest, Harv? Anyone special in your life? Children?”
He got a wistful look in his eyes as he stared off into space for a moment. Then he shook his head and grinned. “I had love once. Cherished memories that’ll always be with me. No children, and that’s okay. Got plenty others I’m a father figure to, and that keeps me content.”
Charli only nodded, knowing there were no other questions to pepper him with.
“So, you got a place to stay, you got money when you need it, and you’re looking to make a stake here for your future. That about right?”
“It is.”
“And why my shop? Seems like you could do anything you want.”
“It’s what I want. I’m in no hurry to run you off, but I want to continue this legacy.
I want to belong to a place that holds special meaning to me, a place I shared with people I loved.
My dad. And still love—you, the Club. I love the garage, love being a mechanic.
Some may think it’s not traditional for a woman, but I’m not looking for anyone’s approval but my own.
Well, and yours. I’d never want to tarnish your reputation. ”
“Darlin’, that thought never crossed my mind. Doesn’t matter I haven’t seen you in twenty years, I know you’re a good person. In your core, where it matters, you’re a Campbell. Hearty. Trustworthy.”
Too choked up to say a word, Charli just stared at Harvey, willing her eyes to remain dry.