Chapter Two #2
“How ‘bout you come back tomorrow, prepared to work. I’ll introduce you to the guys, Stew and Tonto. Until then, I’m buying you dinner at The Grill, and I’ll catch you up on what’s been happening around here.”
“Sounds like a date.” Charli smiled.
“Hot damn, first one in too long.” Harvey winked. He then stood and offered Charli his hand. When she stood, he gave her hand a squeeze before releasing it. “Let me go wash up, then I’ll lock up and we’ll be on our way.”
“Sounds good. I’ll be right here.”
Harvey nodded and walked through the shop door, heading for the back office Charli knew was there.
She walked around the reception area, looking at the photos she hadn’t seen in two decades.
She smiled at one of her dad and Harvey with their arms slung around each other, celebrating their first win at the track.
She’d only been four at the time, living with her mom up north.
Moving on, she saw many familiar ones of racers, including Bradley and others with either their cars or motorcycles.
Other images showed the Club members with their bikes.
She grinned at one with Owen and his wife, Glenda, sitting astride a matte black monster.
It’d been their wedding day, she remembered being told.
Harvey had fixed up Owen’s bike after a crash.
Never deterred him from getting right back on the beast and riding it as often as the weather allowed. Which was fairly often.
Charli then came upon newer photos. Different men.
She studied the faces of one in particular, their expressions and their eyes.
Ferris eyes. Owen, Roark, and Bradley together with motorcycles in the background.
Owen, now with frosty hair and beard. More wrinkles around his eyes and mouth.
Broad smile just the same as ever. Bradley now looking so much like his father had those twenty years ago with auburn mixed into his dark blond hair and smooth face. He’d become a handsome man.
And Roark. God, Charli’s knees nearly went weak at the sight of him.
He stood taller than his father and brother.
Broader, too. He had shaggy black hair that reached his shoulders along with a nicely groomed beard and mustache.
Tattoos decorated his arms, but she couldn’t make out the details.
Brown eyes like molasses stared back at her from the image, and she was taken back to that split second in the stands.
When she thought he was going to kiss her. Before—
“Ready, Charli?”
She jumped slightly at Harvey’s voice. “Um, yeah. Ready.”
He came to stand by her side, looking at the picture she’d been studying. “Them Ferris men are a force, ain’t they? Those boys grew up to be good men. Bradley’s running the track now, and Roark is the Club’s SAA.”
Charli sucked in her breath. SAA. That’d been her dad’s position.
Harvey didn’t seem to notice as he continued. “Also owns a brewery over in Twin Falls.”
“Yeah? Can’t wait to hear more. I really need to get caught up if I’m going to consider myself a local again. Or was I ever?”
“Damn straight you were. Distance made no never mind. You’re a Campbell and always a part of the SoS. Remember that.”
Charli nodded at Harvey who led her out of the shop, locking the door behind them. When he looked up and spotted her car, he let out a whistle.
“Well, I’ll be,” he murmured. “A 1966 Chevy II Nova Super Sport. Tell me you got a V8 in that beauty.”
“Was there any doubt?” Charli teased. “427 Rat motor with a double pumper 750 carburetor producing over 500 horsepower.”
“Oo, wee!” Harv then whistled again.
They walked to the vehicle which was painted pristine white with an orange pin stripe along the body line from headlight to taillight. As Harvey inspected the car, he bent down near the front wheel on the driver’s side and froze. When he straightened, his gaze met Charli’s.
“Twenty-one,” he whispered.
“Twenty-one,” she echoed.
Above the Super Sport badge was the number twenty-one with angel wings. A tribute to her dad and his race car number.
“You build this beauty?”
“Sure did.” She beamed. “Only took about four years.” She chuckled, then held out the key. “Want the honor?”
“You sure?”
“Yep.”
“Then, hell, yeah.” He took the key and got comfortable in the driver’s seat while Charli strapped into the passenger seat. When he fired it up and heard the growl of the engine, Harv turned to her with a wide smile. “Hot damn.”
Charli laughed while Harv put the car in gear and rolled out of the parking lot, heading south into the small town of Eden.
Harvey’s shop was almost midway between Hunt and Eden.
The drive was quick, so Charli didn’t have much time to take in the scenery.
She did notice a few new businesses, and off in the distance she could see a housing development taking shape.
“Town’s growing,” Harv said. “Even got us a few of those fancy coffee shacks. Glenda owns them and has put girls to work that may not have had many other options. Even put one up in lil’ ol’ Hunt.
Getting more traffic coming through with the farms and fields being prosperous. As well as the racetrack.”
“That’s great. Momma to all, that woman.”
“Yes, she is.” Harv parked the car near the back of the lot behind The Grill where only a few other vehicles sat. “Early for the dinner rush, so won’t be crowded yet.” He met her gaze. “You ready?”
Charli felt her brow wrinkle. “Sure. Why wouldn’t I be?”
He chuckled. “Well, for one, this car gets noticed. And something about a new girlie in town stirs the gossip mill. Wouldn’t doubt if the entire SoS descended on the place within the hour.
” Harv winked then laughed when he saw Charli’s eyes widen.
“No time like now to make your presence known. And if you don’t want that, well, then, I’ll get something to go, and we can head back to the shop. ”
“No. No, it’s fine. You’re correct. Best to jump on in,” she said, mimicking his twang.
“That’s my girl.”
Those words touched Charli’s heart.
They exited the car, and Harv handed back the key. As they entered the diner, which had undergone an expansion and makeover, they were greeted by a woman Charli didn’t recognize.
Well, what did you expect? It’s only been two decades.
“Hey, Harvey!” the gal greeted. “Pick anywhere you’d like.”
“Thanks, Marlo. Hey, let me introduce you to Charli, Charli Campbell. Charli, this is Marlo Black. She runs this fine establishment.”
“Nice to meet ya, Charli. Welcome.” She looked Charli over, lingering on her ink. “Beautiful work.”
“Thanks. And nice to meet you too.”
Charli thought Marlo looked to be close to her age, maybe mid-thirties. She was petite and pretty with strawberry blonde hair and striking pale green eyes.
“Can I start you off with some pop? Maybe a shake? Or do you want to look over the menu first?”
Harvey led Charli to the nearest booth where they slid into opposite sides with Charli’s back to the door. He then waved to Charli, indicating she order first.
“Do you still do the cherry soda floats?”
Marlo smiled. “Sure do. So, you been here before? First time seeing you, and I’ve been running the diner for a handful of years.”
“I—”
“Charli used to live here,” Harvey said. “Been away a while but she’s back now and here to stay.”
“Awesome. Welcome back. Hope to see you around then.”
“I’m sure you will,” Charli said. “Especially if you still make the meatloaf dinner.”
“Happens to be our special tonight.” Marlo winked.
“How ‘bout two of those with all the fixings, a cherry soda float for Charli, and coffee and water for me, please.”
Marlo picked up the menus she’d just laid down and nodded. “You got it. I’ll bring those drinks right out while Cook starts those dinners.”
“Cook?” Charli said. “As in, Lester “Cookie” Rand?”
“The one and only. I take it you knew him.”
“Yeah,” Charli answered softly.
“I’ll send him out with the plates when ready and you two can have a chat.” With that, she twirled away, greeting another customer who just entered. “Hey, Darnell. Order’s ready, let me just get it all boxed for you.”
“Happy to help, Marlo,” said a deep voice behind Charli.
While the man and Marlo’s voices faded, Harvey looked at her. “That’s Darnell Richmond, one of the prospects for SoS. Picking up dinner for the crew at the track. Think you’d want to go down there after we eat?”
Charli hesitated, wondering if she was truly ready for this. But she was here, and there was no avoiding it. She’d have to make her presence known at some point. Because wasn’t that the point?
“Yeah, I’d like that.” She smiled at Harvey, who returned a smile of his own.
“That’s my girl,” he echoed those endearing words from earlier.
Marlo returned with their drinks and within moments, their food arrived.
“Heard there’s someone here to see me?”
Charli looked up into the bright blue eyes of Cookie’s. When she remained silent, taking in his appearance, he searched her face until recognition took hold.
“CC?” he practically whispered. “Is it really you?”
Charli stood, towering over the man by at least six inches. “It’s me, Cookie.”
The man threw his arms around her, pulling her in for a fierce hug. “Damnation, it’s good to see you.”
Charli returned the hug, clinging to another link to her past. “Damn good to see you too.”
When they pulled away from each other, the man had tears in his eyes.
“Now, don’t you dare start that, or you’ll have me a blubbering mess.” Charli teased.
Cookie sniffed and nodded. “Yep, yep. Okay, okay. Sit, sit, eat ‘fore it gets cold.”
Charli sat, still looking up at the man who’d always been nothing but kind to her as a young girl.
“You save room for my pie,” Cookie said. “Got that apple with the caramel crumble topping just like you like.”
“Can’t wait.”
“Okay then, got orders to pack, but we’ll catch up.”
“We sure will. I’m back, so be prepared to feed me.”
Cookie sputtered with laughter before nodding and heading back to the kitchen. When Charli faced Harvey, his smile couldn’t be any prouder. “Welcome home, Charli.”