CHAPTER 26 #2
“Do you even know how to drive it?” Sue asked, her voice quiet but filled with something that silenced the table.
“Yes, Mother, I can ride it.” Lynn’s voice sharpened, defensive. “Took a two-day course before I bought it. Got a big break on insurance, too.”
She raised one booted leg, showing off her knee-high leather boots with three-inch heels. “Since I’m the only vertically challenged one in the family, I have to wear these just to touch the ground.”
Then, with a mischievous little grin she added. “It’s such a thrill.”
Sue stood quickly, her chair scraping softly against the floor as she pushed it back. Without a word, she walked to the patio door and stepped outside, the door clicking shut behind her.
Lynn’s grin faltered.
“What’s wrong with Mom?” she asked, in frustration. “It’s just a bike.”
Beth slowly shook her head, giving Lynn a look that wasn’t condescending but heavy with meaning.
”Sorry, sis. But Mom’s never going to see it as ‘just a bike.’ She and Dad will always see it as the contraption that killed her brother and sister-in-law. She’s afraid of losing her baby girl too.”
Lynn winced, her shoulders sinking slightly. “[CENSORED],” she muttered. “I forgot Uncle Roy and Aunt Helen died in a motorcycle wreck.”
She looked toward the patio, her jaw tightening, her heart rate kicking up another notch.
“I’ll go talk to Mom,” she said resigned. Then, louder, “You guys get ready—we need to leave in the next ten minutes.”
She left the room, her boots thudding softly toward the door, but the silence lingered.
Staring at the view without really seeing it, Sue poured her heart out to the Lord.
The sunlight danced on the horizon, but all she could feel was the heaviness in her chest.
“Lord, I’m scared. Not of the bike. Not really. I’ve lived through loss—I know what it feels like to bury someone you love. And yes, losing Roy shattered me, but even in the grief, I had peace. I knew where he was. I knew I’d see him and Helen again.
But with Lynn… I don’t have that, and Lord, that terrifies me more than any accident ever could.
She says she doesn’t want to know You. I don’t know if she really believes You love her—or if she even cares.
I’m so afraid that her life will be cut short and I’ll have to stand at another graveside, this time without the comfort of knowing where my baby girl’s soul rests.
Please, Father, please. Call her name so loudly that she can’t ignore it. Relentlessly pursue her. Break through her stubbornness, her anger and her pride. Not for me—but for her. I can survive the heartbreak of life without her. But eternity without my baby...”
Sue exhaled shakily, pressing a hand to her lips as a tear slid down her cheek.
She felt Lynn step beside her, silently wrapping her arms around her waist. Sue didn’t move. Not yet. She let her prayer finish echoing through her soul, letting it land where only God could reach.
Then, finally, she rested her hand over Lynn’s and leaned gently into her daughter’s embrace. A few minutes later, the patio door slid open and the two women stepped back inside—Lynn looking more grounded, Sue composed but tired.
“So,” Sue said with a sigh, reaching for her purse, “I guess I’m driving.”
She glanced toward the door, then gave her daughter a sideways look. “Let’s go see this bike.”
“She’s a beauty,” Bryce said reverently, running his hand along the bike’s sleek frame.
“What is it?” Kim asked, eyes wide. Then, catching the glint in Lynn’s expression, she pointed a sassy finger and added, “And don’t you dare say ‘it’s a motorcycle.’”
Laughing, Lynn conceded. “A 2021 Yamaha MT-07.”
“It’s pretty,” Kim admitted, a little sheepishly.
“How on earth did you pay for that?” Beth asked, looking at what she assumed was an expensive machine.
Lynn held up her left hand and flipped her ring finger skyward. “I sold my engagement ring. And a few other things Rick left at my place. The good news is—I’m debt-free now!” She grinned wickedly.
That stopped everyone in their tracks. They stared at her, open-mouthed.
“Why on earth—?” Beth finally asked, bewildered.
“I showed up unannounced one night and found him in bed—with two other women,” Lynn said coolly. “So, I kicked him to the curb and sold his stuff. It’s over.”
“Oh no,” Kim gasped.
“Wow,” Beth breathed. “I’m not sure what to say.”
“Lynn…” Sue began, her voice a fragile mix of hesitation, shock, and confusion. “Didn’t you tell me that ring was a family heirloom?”
“Yes, it was an heirloom and it was pricey!”
“CaroLynn…”
“Relax, Ma. I pawned his stuff and gave him the claim tickets when I told him it was over. He’s got sixty days to buy it all back.”
“Nice,” Bryce said, offering Lynn a high five, which she returned with a proud slap.
“That is wrong, Lynn. So very wrong… yet so very funny,” Beth couldn’t help laughing. “You’ve always been creative with your paybacks… in an evil way.”
“Dude got off better than he deserved,” Bryce said, slipping an arm around Beth’s shoulders and drawing her in close.
“Like I always say, Bethy—why get mad when you can get even?” Lynn shrugged.
Clapping her hands, the sharp echo bouncing off the walls of the parking garage, Lynn ushered Kim and Sue toward their mother’s car.
“Let’s go, ladies. Beth—kiss your husband and say your goodbyes. We’re not coming home until we find the dress.”
Beth blushed, the warmth blooming across her cheeks. But she didn’t pull away from Bryce’s side. Instead, she leaned into him a little more, then nodded toward Lynn’s bike once they were alone.
“You look like you want one,” she teased.
Bryce grinned. Gently guiding her a little farther into the garage, he stopped in front of a black and red Triumph motorcycle a few spots over.
“I already have one.”
Beth’s eyes widened. “That’s yours?”
He nodded and sat down on the bike, casually settling into the seat before motioning for her to step closer. She moved between his legs.
“But don’t tell your mom,” he whispered, mock-serious. “Her reaction still scares me.”
Beth’s gaze swept over him—dark jeans, button-down shirt stretched across his chest, forearms relaxed but strong where they rested on his thighs. He looked ridiculously good.
If I’d seen him on a bike like this back in Vegas… she thought.
She opened her mouth and gave in to the desire to flirt—really flirt—yet somehow, the words still came out a little sideways.
“If you rode that in Vegas... and all sexy-walked over... well, yeah... it’s a good thing you didn’t look good then or now, because—it would’nt’ve taken a lot more than just alcohol to marry you.”
Bryce blinked, one eyebrow slowly arching.
Proud of herself, Beth smiled triumphantly and kissed him on the cheek, having only heard the version she meant to say—completely unaware that what she actually said made no sense.
Bryce let out a low chuckle, shaking his head slightly as he watched her walk away.
He had no idea what she meant. None.
But it didn’t matter.
His wife had just tried to flirt with him again, and it was worth every insult she’d unintentionally delivered.