Page 26 of Biker's Temptation
Eddie’s mouth settled into a grim.“Well, you’re not the man I would have chosen for her—.”
“I know I’m not the man any father would want for his daughter,” I interjected, fully aware of my shortcomings.“I’ve done some terrible shit, but I paid my dues.I’ve made amends and—.”
“If you’d let me finish,” Eddie cut in gruffly.
I shut up and nodded stiffly.
“You’re not the man I would have chosen for her,” Eddie repeated, “but the man I approved of before you was a monster.”Pain crossed his face.Regret.Guilt.“I should have seen it.I should have recognized Cade was cruel and nasty and mean.I didn’t see it because I was so fooled by the face he showed the world.Smart.Polished.Ambitious.Driven.I thought she couldn’t do any better than a doctor.”Eddie sadly shook his head.“I couldn’t have been more wrong.”
“I won’t hurt her, Eddie.”I needed him to know that.“I won’t let anyone else hurt her either.”
Eddie seemed taken aback.“I know you won’t, Shane.”
“I don’t know how long she’ll let me stay in her life, but until she tells me to get lost, I’m committed.”
“I don’t think she’s going to tell you to get lost.”Eddie smiled.“She asked me if she could come over for breakfast tomorrow.She only does that when she wants to ask me for something or tell me something she thinks I won’t like.I suspected it might be you that she wants to discuss.I thought I’d come over here and get your side of things first.”
I didn’t think Melissa was going to be happy about that, but it was his funeral.“And?”
“And, if you need it or want it, you’ve both got my blessing.”
I relaxed for the first time since discovering Melissa’s dad in my office.“Thank you, Eddie.”
He waved his hand.Then, clearing his throat, he said, “Well, now that the awkward part is over and I don’t have to defend my daughter’s honor, can we chat about the other reason I’m here.”
“Okay?”
“You know the old fellowship hall behind our church?”
“Yeah.What about it?”
“When was the last time you were inside there?”
I had to think about it.“Three years ago?Pancho’s funeral?After he laid down his bike and slid up under that eighteen-wheeler on 59.”
Eddie grimaced at that memory.“Bad wreck.”
The funeral had been closed casket for a reason.
“You remember how the hall was in pretty poor shape even then?”Eddie asked.
“It didn’t look good,” I agreed, remembering the aged facility.“Why?”
“Can you come by and walk through it with me and our committee?Give us a quote for outfitting the kitchen and pantry spaces?We want to renovate and expand those areas to better serve the congregation.”
“Sure.”I walked around to my desk and grabbed a yellow legal pad and a pen.“Tell me more about the project...”
We chatted for another ten minutes or so, set up a time to meet and then I walked him out of the office.Eddie ran into Joanna on the way out, and I watched the two with interest.Joanna actually blushed as Eddie held the door for her, and he watched her with appreciative interest as she crossed the room to her desk.
I couldn’t wait to tell Melissa about that.She had been complaining for the last week that her dad needed to get out more, needed to make some friends who weren’t part of the Knights of Columbus or his barbecue and chili cookoff buddies or the motorcycle club he rode with on Sundays.Well, did I have good news for her!
The amusing thought of setting up Joanna and Eddie rattled around in my head as I rode my bike over to her place after closing up the shop.That morning, I had swapped out my usual Dyna Street Bob for the Road King I liked for longer trips.It would be more comfortable for Melissa, and there was enough room for clothing and a few other necessities in the saddlebags.
When I pulled onto her street, I spotted Melissa at her little library, swapping out books.That was her Friday routine, rotating her book stock to make sure she always had something new and fun and interesting for the kids and adults who stopped by the house.There had been no issues with the neighbors since I had replaced the library post and repaired the library itself.There hadn’t even been a scowl or ugly look when I put in the pink box that offered up pads and tampons, baby wipes and diapers and non-perishable food.
Melissa grinned at me as I pulled into her driveway and killed the engine.I lowered the kickstand and climbed off the bike.She finished what she was doing and then made her way to the mailbox that was next on my list to replace.She had some really beautiful boxes on the Pinterest boards she had shared with me.I couldn’t wait to get her one of them.
As she gathered up her mail, I walked toward her.My arms ached to hold her again, and I wanted a taste of those pouty lips more than anything.She caught my gaze and blushed.“Oh, no.I know that look!We’ll never get to the beach house if you start kissing me and patting my butt, Shane.”
