Page 4 of Biker's Babygirl

“Got you a little something from our travels.” He hands her a small cloth gift bag that he must have been keeping in his coat pocket.

Her mouth drops open in surprise, then she turns to me and regards me with a scowl that looks a little more real than the one before. “You could learn something from him, Duke.”

“It’s just a little something,” Shep repeats, giving me a shit-eating grin.

“Thank you, doll. You’re eatin’ on the house today.” She pins me with another frown before walking off, muttering, “Little brother my foot,” loud enough for me to hear.

“Thanks for that,” I grumble.

Shep doesn’t even bother to hide his amusement. Even Elvis is grinning. “She’s right. You could learn things from me, bro. So start learning—and be quick about it. Time’s running out.”

When our meals arrive, we eat in relative silence, the only sound the clinking of silverware on plates. But despite my best efforts, I can’t put Shep’s words out of my mind. I do turn forty-five next month, and while I firmly believe you’re only as old asyou feel, and all that kumbaya stuff, I can’t deny that I feel a longing for a companion.

And not a perpetually cranky one like Ellie, or one that has to stay put, like Peggy. Anddefinitelynot one always trying to get my goat like Shep.

What I need is a woman who craves adventure, like I do. And who doesn’t mind the occasional—and sometimes more than occasional—camping, because sometimes I get called to places that don’t have a roof for me to sleep under. Someone who doesn’t mind traveling the wide, open road, who’s good with meeting new people and doesn’t mind the often-demanding hours of my job.

So, basically a person who doesn’t exist. And I know it’s true, because while I would never tell Shep, I’ve looked, and it’s been a long time since I’ve even found someone worth trying for. Truth be told, I’m starting to think there isn’t any reason to bother anymore.

Which is fine. While I wish my wife had never gotten sick and had lived long enough for us to grow old together, I’ve grown to like being single and doing what I please without anyone tying me down. Or so I tell myself.

“You ready?” I ask as I pay our bill, leaving Peggy a hefty tip.

“Yep.” Shep pushes his empty plate back and pats his belly, a satisfied look on his face. “I’m stuffed.”

We’ve all just risen to our feet when Peggy comes rushing over, a brown paper bag in her hand which she hands to Elvis.

“Don’t forget your to-go order!”

He pulls out his wallet and hands her a crisp twenty-dollar bill with a nod of thanks as he takes the bag from her.

“When did you order that?” Shep asks with a stunned look on his face.

I smother a chuckle. Our fellow doctor is a man of few words. Fewer than most, in fact. Which is to say, he hardly ever saysanything. And maybe it would bug me, except that it absolutely drove Shep crazy, so I stayed more amused than anything else.

“For Ellie?” I ask.

Elvis shrugs, but the corners of his mouth are tugging, and confirm my suspicions.

“All right then, let’s get it home so it’s still warm.”

Ellie greets us as we walk in the door, and she’s a much nicer person now that she’s fresh and clean. She eagerly accepts the bag Elvis hands her, and even leans over and kisses his cheek.

I stand back, watching the two of them in a way that I haven’t before. Shep sits down at the table with them, chatting away while Ellie eats. Elvis watches with a pleased look on his face, just content to be in their company.

Ellie and Elvis, huh? Who woulda thought? Maybe… Ellie does talk enough for the both of them,I muse.Now I just need to get Shep squared away.

At the thought, there’s a pang of longing in my chest, but I push it away. I’m happy like I am, and too old to change anyway.

CHAPTER TWO

Ginny

I’m cold. I’ve been shivering so long, that my ears have gotten used to the clattering of my teeth. I hardly notice it anymore.

It’s dark, and not only because I’m hiding inside a foxhole. It was a move of desperation, when for lack of better options, I ended up digging until my fingers ached. I’d covered it with as many leaves and branches as I could find, working only until the sun began to set. I would have happily worked longer, but I didn’t want to take any chances. Because the man that’s looking for me, he and his crew only go out hunting after dark.

If I was smarter, I wouldn’t have ended up like this, hiding half-buried, afraid to so much as sneeze while I wondered if I’d die slowly from hypothermia or starvation. Of course, ifhefound me, I wouldn’t have to worry about either one, but I would wish Mother Nature had gotten me first.

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