Page 97 of The Belle and the Biker

"I know what you're going to do with some of it," Crash says, reaching down to scratch Rhett behind the ear. Rhett has decided that Crash can stay, which is a high honor. Rhett doesn't like just anybody, and he's still iffy about my father. And he flat out wants to kill my mother.

"Invest in a custom motorcycle shop and garage for you and Tank?" I know it's something Crash has been wanting to do for a while. Currently, there's no motorcycle shop in Swampy Bottom County, so it's natural. Tank's been discussing moving his sister and Buttercup down here and retiring from the Skeleton Crew. He and my great-aunt have been seeing a lot of each other, and they're actually…shudder…going steady.

He shakes his head. "I want that shop, but I'm an old-fashioned kind of guy. I wouldn't feel right if I took money from you. Tank has a bunch of money saved up, I have some money saved up from security jobs, and we both actually have excellent credit, so we can get a loan for the rest. Tank also has plenty of inventory already, and I'm going to help him move it up here. With how Chase promotes all of the businesses in Bitter End, it's a sure bet."

I consider my options. "Okay, so what are you suggesting I do with the money? Invest in Hell's Belles clothing company and be one of their models?"

"That too. But you'll start a no-kill animal shelter in Swampy Bottom County. Because, face it, Savannah, you love dogs."

"I do?" I consider this. Rhett burps supportively and thumps his tail. I reach down and scratch behind his ear. "I do," I admit.

I look at Crash in admiration. "You know, that's genius. I can still be doing public service; this way, I won't be offending anybody by trying to give them very excellent fashion and etiquette guidance, which, in my defense, they really could have benefitted from. But this is brilliant. I can employ the people who work at the shelter, and I can save dogs."

"I did good?" He smiles.

"You did good. Crash, how did you get to be so smart?"

He shrugs and takes a sip of his Guinness. "I just hide it well most of the time."

We sit there in silence, warmed by the sun and enjoying each other's company.

Pretty soon, we'll have to figure out where we're going to live. I'm leaning more toward Bitter End than Sugar Hill, and Crash agrees.

My father will stay here at the house, and if my mother ever stops threatening to sue us, we will find a place for her to move into in Sugar Hill. One of the estates I now own has an empty guest house on it, and I'm considering offering it to her rent-free, which is more than she deserves. With what she'll get from alimony, she'll be far from starving, but her lifestyle is taking a drastic downturn, and she's about to find out who her real friends are. I suspect her social calendar's going to be pretty empty.

"Penny, for your thoughts," Crash says. "Oh, wait, more like a million pennies."

"Ha-ha." My iced tea's empty, and I lean over to pour more and grimace at the twinge in my arm.

"Let me get that." Crash leans over and grabs the glass jug. "Oh. My stepmother called a little while ago. There's an update on my family."

I roll my eyes. "Please tell me they haven't found you another fiancée."

"Well, not one prettier than you, anyway." He winks at me.

"I mean, how could that even be possible?" I take a sip of the tea, enjoying the mix of sweet and tart.

"Anyway, my stepmother's filed for divorce from my father. She and I talked about how he treated my mother and lied to her about it all these years. Turns out that he's gotten physical with my stepmother a few times over the years, and with him freaking out over his campaign, it happened several times recently. Including the night before last."

"What a son of a bitch." I set my drink down. "Does she need a place to stay?"

He laughs. "No, she'll do okay in the divorce, but that is very kind of you. The only reason she didn't leave him years ago is because he's rich and connected, and she was afraid he'd get custody of the boys, even though he's an abusive sack of shit. But now my youngest half-brother is 18 and in college, and all the boys are siding with her. Every one of his sons has turned against him. She called the cops on him after he slapped her the other night. She's pressing charges, and the news outlets have picked it up. He's dropping out of the senate race."

"Woohoo!" I hold up my drink. "Here's to new beginnings!"

He leans in and kisses my cheek, and warmth floods my body. We've spent the last few nights enjoying ourselves in my family's guest cottage. I just couldn't be with Crash in my childhood bedroom, with my row of stuffed animals staring at me from their shelves. Also, it's on the same floor as my dad's room. Awkward.

"Speaking of which, Tank wants me to meet him in town to look at a place where we might locate the garage. Do you mind?"

"Not at all, babe. Actually. I wouldn't mind going with you to pick up a few things. I need to support Harper's business; frequent shopping sprees are the best way to do it. I get to put it in my book of good deeds, too. Did you just roll your eyes at me?"

He snorts. "Maybe."

* * *

Crash is supposed to meet me at the diner in an hour, but he keeps sending me texts saying he's not ready yet. I'm getting annoyed and hangry.

Another hour drags by, and I'm just about to get snappish when he finally sends me a text telling me to come over.

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