Page 64 of Desperate Justice
“It’s in Randall, north of here.”
“Di, it’s the weekend of the Teddy Bear Run. Everything in town is sure to be booked up. Maybe we should hold the wedding there. Has to be plenty of room in a warehouse.”
“A wedding in a warehouse? No, use your charm, Ally. I know you can find something. Maybe Rafe can help you.” Diana winked at her in the mirror.
“I have to practice for the competition tomorrow.”
“You’re good and you can do both.”
As Diana preened, Allison went outside to haul her belongings into the cabin. Terrific. She’d have to return to town to scout out both hotels with available rooms and now a restaurant with a private room for the reception.
But she wouldn’t lose her focus on the cone competition tomorrow. There was a practice lot near the hotel where Rafe and the others were staying. She could set up obstacles there and do a little run. She was good at it, really good, something that made her stand out amongst the competition.
Not so good at finding a guy to marry, like Diana had, and wear a beautiful white dress, floating down the aisle to her intended...
I don’t look good in white.Okay, Miss Sour Grapes. Try to cater to your sister’s joy. Besides, would you really want to marry a guy like Paul? I mean, the way he probably wants her to do dishes instead of modeling? Don’t think so!
Amused, she trudged up the stairs with her backpack. Whatever Diana needed on this trip to reassure her and get her quickly married to Paul, she’d comply.
Her needs always came after her little sister’s wants.
* * *
The following day, the Teddy Bear Run got off to a start at the county fairgrounds. Debbie and Keith had taken all the bears to photograph for Debbie’s photo album and would return them for the big public relations photo shoot ride into town. Rafe had spent the previous afternoon in his hotel room, on the computer, accessing the FBI databases.
Jase informed him Marty was still tight-lipped, and in jail. Chances were he feared Hernandez’s repercussions more than the FBI. Rafe had secured a list of bikers participating in the run and wanted to check all of them out. Most were law-abiding and there were several law enforcement bikers.
However, a few riders stood out, with criminal records. Yet none were felony convictions or anything violent. Mostly petty theft. None fit the profile Jase and his team created for thugs Hernandez would send after Allison.
It should have reassured him, but still, he couldn’t shake off bad feelings.
So this morning after a hotel breakfast and plenty of coffee, he headed to the bike show. Several custom motorcycles were on display, including a cobalt blue custom bagger with thirty-inch blue wheels. As Rafe chatted with the proud owner, other bikers rode around the enclosed lot, showing off their bikes. He glanced around for Allison.
Not here.
He did spot Sam, dressed in blue jeans, a blue T-shirt, a denim jacket, a cowboy hat and boots, walking up and down the aisles. Sam saw him, headed over.
“This is better than a car show any day.” Sam grinned.
“You see Allison?”
“Nope. Or her sister. Want me to keep an eye on them?”
“Just her sister. I can handle Allison.”
Sam gave him a searching look. “Can you?”
“Ha.” They walked outside the roped-off area displaying the custom bikes to the parking lot. He saw the women weaving through lanes, searching for spaces. “There they are.”
He and Sam caught up with them as they parked. Diana beamed, the glow of a happy bride, he supposed. Allison seemed more subdued. Her long brown hair unbound, she looked mighty attractive today in a lemon yellow shirt, jeans that hugged her long legs and her usual Dr. Martens.
He barely glanced at Diana.
“Did you practice the slow cone drill?” he asked.
Allison made a face. “Only for an hour. I spent most of yesterday looking for venues for Di’s reception. I couldn’t find anything within forty miles except for a taco restaurant that has amazing fish tacos and terrific chili. They have a private room they can rent out for a small party. You think my sister would mind eating tacos, black beans and rice for her wedding dinner?”
Rafe grinned. “Tacos are good. I’d skip the beans, though. Might make for an awkward wedding night.”
