Page 69 of Out on a Limb
“What?” She sounded a little panicked. “I need to go home.”
“You can go home after work.” I kicked up the stand on my sport bike and rolled it out of the garage.
“I need to gobeforework.” She stepped a little closer as one of my neighbors came out their front door. “I need a bra.”
My eyes dipped all on their own. “We can’t go to your house. We have to go to the garden and we have to get there before anyone else.” I tried to come up with a viable alternative. “Could Julia bring you one?”
Collette rolled her lips inward, pressing them together. “Julia and I aren’t really the same size.”
“Oh.” I glanced at my watch. We might have just enough time for a quick stop. “Can you find something at Walmart?”
She nodded.
“Perfect.” I swung one leg over the bike and settled into the seat. “Ready?”
“No.” Collette grabbed my shoulder. “If I fall off and die I’m going to kill you.”
“If we fall off I’m the one who’s going to die.” I started the engine as she settled my helmet onto her head. “Hang on tight.”
I didn’t want to give her too much time to think about things. Riding a bike wasn’t for everyone, but right now it was the only option we had. I eased down the driveway, past my truck and onto the street, keeping my speed and turns in check as I took us to the closest open store that would sell what she needed.
I’d never had a passenger before, and it was more distracting than I should let it be.
Collette held tight, her front pressed to my back as I moved through the light traffic of the early morning, doing my best to make sure she felt as secure as possible. I didn’t want to start this whole day on the wrong foot. Not when so much was at stake.
I pulled into the parking lot of the Walmart at the edge of town, picking the closest spot I could find. I waited while she worked off the back, then got off as she fought her way out of the helmet.
She shook out her hair the second she was free. “This thing is heavy.”
“That’s so it can protect your brain.” I took it before snagging one of her hands and dragging her into the store. We didn’t have time to waste. Not if this was going to work out the way I needed it to.
I’d been in the store a million times, but never paid attention to where the women’s section was, so it took a second for me to find it. Once we were there Collette dug through a rack of bras of various shapes and sizes, finally coming back with one that looked pretty basic.
“Ready?”
She gave me another nod.
After a quick check out and a stop in the bathroom we were back on the road. This time her hold on me wasn’t quite as tight as we moved toward the garden. I let out a little breath when we pulled in and the lot was empty. I usually got to work a full hour before even the gardeners showed up, and we still had twenty minutes before that happened.
Just long enough.
I started to pull back toward the employee lot, but Collette pointed to the line of cars reserved for the family.
Honestly it was a smart move. One more way to keep from activating any suspicions that we might be tied to the truck abandoned in the lot last night. I parked in the spot she usually took, turning Collette’s way as she climbed off. “You did good.”
“Thanks.” She hooked the helmet under one arm as she watched me get off. “It was better once I had a bra on.” She grinned. “Less bouncy.”
“So no braless bike rides in the future.” I took the helmet. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Are you inviting me for another ride?”
“I guess that depends on if you want another ride.” I stuffed the bike key into my pocket and unhooked the rest of my keys from where they were attached to my belt loop.
“I wouldloveanother ride.” Her voice was a little husky. “On your bike.” The addition was sharper, almost abrupt.
“I’ll give you a ride whenever you want.” I paused, letting my eyes drag her way.
Making sure she knew that whileshemight be talking about my bike—
