Page 53 of Biker's Babygirl

“What’s that?” I ask, smiling hugely at the promise of anext timewith Ellie.

“Oh, it’s our favorite diner. When we have to leave town for work, it’s always our first stop when we get back.”

“Sounds good.” I’m so thrilled she actually likes me and wants a friendship with me, that I’d probably agree to go anywhere with her.

“Awesome, we’ll make a plan of it.” We’ve made our way to Ellie’s bike, and she lifts up the bags she’s carrying and sets them down into the motorcycle car.

“I’m not sure we’re going to be able to get all these bags in,” I comment as I set mine down on top of hers.

“Oh, ye of little faith!” Ellie laughs. “Let me at it.”

In the end, however, we have to concede that we bought too much.

“You should have brought a car,” I complain.

“I like the bike.”

“Easy for you to say! You’re not going to be the one squished with all the shopping bags!”

“It’s just clothes, but if you’re that cranky about it you can ride with me.”

She hands me a helmet and I put it on. “I’ve never really ridden on a motorcycle before,” I say as I settle in behind her.

“You’re going to love it! And I won’t go too fast,” she promises.

“What? What do you?—”

But the sound of the engine roaring to life cuts off my question and my grip on her waist tightens as we take off. My pulse picks up and I can’t help but squeal as we leave the parking lot and veer onto the road. But after a few minutes, I relax my grip and acknowledge that it’s fun. The world passes by in a blur or color and motion as I feel the wind whip in my face.

I don’t think I could ever drive one of these myself, but I bet I could grow to really like riding on them. I wonder if Duke would like to take me out on his bike sometime…

The thought makes my belly do a little flip and I’m back to smiling.I can’t wait to see him. Maybe I can put on a private little fashion show. I bet that dress Ellie talked me into will really knock his socks off!

I’m so lost in thought that at first, I don’t realize there’s a car on the left lane drifting over. But as soon as I do, my grip on Ellie tightens. I can see by the tenseness in her shoulders that she sees it, too. That, and the fact that she guns it, and we’re soon barreling down the road at a speed much faster than before.

Whew! That was close!

But before I can even relax or truly express my relief, even to myself, the same blue car comes into my line of vision again.

What’s going on? Are they… are they following us?

“Ellie!” I screech at the top of my voice, hoping to be heard over the commotion of the engine and the wind. “Ellie, they?—”

“I’m on it!” she hollers back.

And she must have floored the gas because we zip down the road at a speed that terrifies me almost as much as my sneaking suspicions about the car.

What’s happening?As panic rushes through my racing mind, I suddenly remember last night with startling clarity. I see Shep sitting at the table, with that brick in front of him.I’m coming for you.

But before I can even say anything to Ellie, they’re back. I feel them before I even turn my head and see the car trailing us down what is now a one-lane road.

“Ellie! It’s them!” Fear makes me sound hoarse.

“I kinda figured!” she screams back.

“Let me off!” Even as I speak, I’m loosening my hands. “They won’t follow you, they?—”

“Not a chance, Ginny! Now hold on tight, or I’ll tell Duke to blister your ass!”

---