Page 42 of Reckoning with the Cowboy
I can’t wait to see Dry Gulch—and you. Thank you for inviting me to come visit. Especially for saying I can stay with you until I get my feet under me again. It won’t take me long and I will be forever indebted to you. You’ve been so generous and sweet.
One of my cellies sold me his motorcycle so I’ll have wheels. I just need to pick it up at his sister’s house. Thanks, too, for the traveling money.
I still can’t believe this is happening. All because of you. You gave me hope when I had none. You definitely are my angel.
Until I see you,
Shane
CHAPTER NINETEEN
When Goldie saw the stranger ride in on the motorcycle, she thought he might be the one—the one she’d been waiting for who would take her away. He pulled up in front of the café and cut his engine. He was dressed in all-black leathers. The only color was the American flag on his helmet.
For a moment, he simply sat there as if admiring the view—the view being Dry Gulch. Goldie couldn’t help but stare when he took off his helmet. His long dark hair was pulled back in a low ponytail, which heightened his lean features, the high cheekbones, and when he looked in her direction, his eyes looked dark as midnight.
She felt a shiver she took for desire. This man was nothing like Max Lander, so he was perfect. She heard Maggie hit the bell three times in succession and finally turned.
“Something shiny outside catch your eye?” the older woman asked. “Your order is up.”
Goldie grabbed the plates off the pass-through and hurried them over to the waiting table. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched the biker, wondering if he would come in the café. She was sure he was only making a quick stop in town. He looked a little young for her, but maybe that was good.
She realized that what she was really looking for was someone who would make Max jealous—and this biker might be just the ticket. She hoped he was staying in town at least long enough for a meal in her café.
When an SUV pulled up next to the motorcycle and someone got out, Goldie hardly noticed—that wa3s until she saw the biker burst into a smile and walk over to the woman and give her a hug.
For a moment, she was too shocked to take a breath. Amy Sue Brand? The biker was holding her at arm’s length. Was Amy Sue actually blushing? Goldie had never seen Josie’s younger sister looking like this. Even the way she was dressed—as if she was going on a date. With the biker?
* * *
News traveled atthe speed of mouth in Dry Gulch and the town had its share of loudmouths. Josie was having a hard time understanding what Goldie was trying to tell her because she was whispering.
“Your sister just stole my pretend boyfriend,” Goldie finally blurted out.
“Have you been drinking?”
“No, I’m down at the café working and this good-looking biker pulled in. I was thinking he might want to help me make Max jealous when your sister pulled up. Theyknoweach other, if you know what I mean.”
“I don’t.”
“Theyhuggedand were real friendly.”
“I think you’re making a bigger deal out of this than—”
“Amy Sue is dressed for a date. She’s wearingmakeup.”
Josie spun her chair around to look out the window down the street toward the café. She could see Amy Sue’s SUV parked out front. “I don’t see a motorcycle.”
“That’s because she climbed on the back of it—without a helmet, I might add—and they roared off together,” Goldie said. “With her arms around him and her face pressed into his shoulder.”
For weeks, Josie been waiting for the darkness on the horizon to either evaporate like a false alarm or descend on the town. She’d been frustrated with her inability to see what it might bode. All she’d felt was that the menacing threat was out there waiting for something.
“You’ve never seen the man before?” Josie asked.
“No. Why do you sound worried?” Goldie asked, her earlier excitement gone.
She stated the obvious. “This is not like Amy Sue. She hinted there might be a man in her life, but I thought it was Tillis at the grocery store. I saw the two of them laughing together the other day. She put her hand on his shoulder.”
“Tillis?He laughs with everyone.”
