Page 8 of Love on the Run

He tapped her hand. “Not that tight.”

Her grip loosened, but only a little.

“Where are we going?” he asked, keeping an eye on Dean and Misty.

“Your garage,” she said as she pressed the side of her helmet to his back.

As soon as he started the bike, Catherine Harrisstormed out the door with their friend Hadley on her heels.

“Go!” Anna shouted behind him.

He didn’t need to be told twice. Catherine Harris wasn’t his favorite person, and he’d do just about anything to avoid her, including riding off with Anna on her wedding day.

Chapter 3

Anna

Every muscle in her body ached and spasmed by the time Beau parked in front of Blackwater Automotive. Her heart threatened to beat out of her chest even after the roaring of the engine died. Vibrations continued to surge through her body long after the silence engulfed them.

That wasn’t the kind of excitement she expected on her wedding day. It wasn’t even on her bucket list.

When Beau stuck his hand out to the side, she slowly peeled herself away from his back and placed her hand in his. Her arms and legs shook as she carefully crawled off the bike.

Beau stood in front of her by the time she removed the big helmet from her head. Wisps of her hair flew in front of her face.

He reached for the helmet, andshe handed it over. Without something to hold onto, her hands shook even more.

Beau pulled her clutch out of the side bag, and she took it from him. He jerked his head toward the garage. “Let’s get you inside.”

The cold breeze stung her cheeks, but his jacket and sweatpants covered the rest of her body. She followed him through a side entrance, and warmth greeted her as soon as she stepped into the building.

She spent plenty of time at Beau’s garage. All of their friends did. It was a central hangout since Beau and Gage worked there, Asa and his son fixed up old cars, and Olivia made sure her brother and his employees always had good food to eat.

Beau led her to the break room and pulled a seat out at the table on his way to the refrigerator. “You hungry?”

Anna settled into the seat, and her shoulders rounded forward. The ache in her middle had subsided, overridden by the adrenaline rush of riding Beau’s motorcycle. “I don’t think I could eat.”

“Ginger ale?” he asked.

“That would be great.” The rolling in her stomach had started to ease, but a ginger ale would help a little too.

Dean cheated on her. The blow still hadn’t fully registered. She wasn’t getting married today. The future she’d planned disappeared into a cloud of smoke.

Oh, and she’d commandeered a ride from Beau. On his motorcycle! She’d never even considered getting on the back of a bike before, but today, she’d been all too eager to jump on to escape the disaster waiting inside that church.

Beau passed her a can and rested against the counter, crossing his arms over his broad chest. His pale-blue collared shirt only reminded her that they’d both planned to be at the wedding today.

“You need anything else?” he asked, looking down at his boots.

She placed the cold can on the table and wrapped her arms around herself, unwilling to give up the jacket he’d let her borrow. “I think I’m okay. Thanks for helping me get out of there.”

Beau didn’t say anything, which was exactly what she expected. He’d probably used up his allotted words for the day going back-and-forth with her about the escape.

The phone in her small clutch vibrated, and she reached for it.

A photo of Olivia with her arms wrapped around Anna’s neck smiled at her from the screen. “Do you mind if I answer this? It’s your sister.”

Beau pushed away from the counter and walked right out of the room. He’d probably been itching to get away since the moment he saw her running out of that church.

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