Page 146 of Heartbeats & Highways

“Riley.” Her eyes went to Clementine. “Ah, can Clementine hang out here while we look at my car?”

“Sure thing.” I smiled. “I’ll keep her company.”

“Okay, but what about a donut?” Clementine asked hopefully.

“One donut,” Riley allowed.

Clementine grinned.

“Let’s go take a look at your car,” Virgil said, placing his hand on Riley’s back and guiding her to the front door. It jangled shut behind them.

“Another one bites the dust,” Roman said with a grin.

“What bites the dust?” Clementine asked.

“Never mind,” Roman said. “You like chocolate milk?”

“Are you on your way?” Savage asked.

I climbed into the car. “I’m leaving now.”

“You sure you’ll be able to find the clubhouse okay?”

“Yes. I’ll plug the address into my phone. I should be there in about half an hour.”

“Okay, babe. Drive safe.”

On my way to the clubhouse, I heard a siren behind me. I looked in the rearview mirror and saw the blue and red lights of a cop car swirling.

Swallowing my nerves, I pulled over onto the side of the road and rolled down my window. The cop got out of his car and sauntered toward me.

He came to the driver’s side window. I couldn’t see his eyes because he was wearing a pair of sunglasses. “License and registration.”

“Sure thing, Officer,” I said, my heart pattering away in my chest. I leaned over to the glove box and grabbed the registration and then opened my wallet for my ID. I handed him both documents.

While he was examining them, he asked, “Do you know why I pulled you over?”

“No, sir. I don’t.”

“You were speeding.”

“I apologize,” I said, attempting to look ashamed. “I was excited. I’m due at the clubhouse and I’m already running late.”

He paused. “Clubhouse?”

“The Tarnished Angels clubhouse,” I clarified.

“You run with the Tarnished Angels?”

“I’m Savage’s Old Lady.”

I instantly felt guilty for pulling the Old Lady card, but I really didn’t want to get a ticket, and I remembered what Savage had told me about the police in Waco.

The cop handed me back my license and registration. “Look, you weren’t going that fast. I’ll let you off with a warning tonight, but watch your speed, okay?”

“I will. Thank you.”

“Tell Colt Officer Fletcher said hello.”

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