Page 37 of Burly Biker of Misty Mountain

“You wouldn’t dare,” I said. “That cocky little shit better not even look at you sideways, let alone lay a finger on you.”

Katie’s eyes gleamed as she squirmed in my lap on purpose.

“What are you going to do about it?”

Fuck, the minx was toying with me. Egging me on.

“You used to be shy,” I said.

She grinned.

“Not anymore.”

Epilogue

Katie - Five years later

Paint splattered my overalls, streaking my hands and arms. The shop was really coming together though—eggshell white, with blush pink accents, and a touch of lemon yellow to brighten it up. The building had been an old laundromat years ago, left to rot until I bought it for a song at auction.

After a grueling winter of gutting, cleaning, and rebuilding, the bare bones of The Enchanted Teapot were visible now. I could clearly envision where I would offer cooking classes for tea cakes, cookies, and chocolates. The shelves that would cover one wall, full of my signature tea blends. And there would be a little sewing nook for doll dresses, full of fabric and ribbon scraps, beads and buttons.

The murmur of voices drew me out of the back room. I emerged to find Maverick seated on the floor, broad shoulders hunched over, as he sipped at a rainbow unicorn cup.

His cut no longer bore the Nomad patch. Instead, he wore the patch of his club, Blacktop Brotherhood MC—a humble group of men who cruised the highways for leisurely rides on Sunday afternoons.

Our daughter, Katherine “Kitty” Hurst, arranged her dolls and plushies with their own cups to form a tea party. Ever since the day she was born, she had Maverick wrapped around her little finger. At nearly five years old now, it was becoming increasingly obvious that wasn’t going to change any time soon.

“Daddy, you didn’t stir the tea,” she said, exasperated.

“Ah, you’re right. Slipped my mind. Silly me.”

He picked up a tiny spoon and pretended to stir his non-existent tea. He presented the cup for Kitty’s inspection.

“How does that look?”

She gave a sage nod.

“Perfect. Don’t forget—it’s hot.”

I covered my mouth to muffle my laughter. Then I cleared my throat.

“All right, you two. Time for a lunch break.”

Maverick stretched his back and held his hand out, gesturing for me to come closer.

“Thank God. My knees can’t take much more of this, dove.”

I chuckled and crossed the room, clasping his hand to help him to his feet. Kitty bounced up and flung her arms around me.

“Mommy! Daddy said we could go to the toy store later and I could pick out a motorcycle for my Barbie,” she declared.

I raised my eyebrows and glanced at Maverick. He heaved a sigh and scooped Kitty off her feet, propping her in the crook of his arm.

“And you were supposed to let me break the news to your mother, you little chatterbox. Can’t keep a secret to save your life, I swear. Although I suppose that will come in handy when you hit puberty and start eyeing boys.”

Kitty wrinkled her nose.

“Boys are smelly and gross.”

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