Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 126

CHAPTER 78-2

You always said talking to yourself was the first sign of madness.” I chuckled as the wind stirred

softly through the trees and I smiled. Then emotion tightened my throat.

“You were right about everything. I hated that.” I said and a tear slipped free as I wiped it away

immediately.

“You told me I was stronger than I thought. You told me not to let people decide my worth. You

told me to fight for the garage. And you were right.” I said.

The tears came easier after that. Not dramatic tears and not broken tears. Just honest ones.

The kind that appeared when love and loss occupied the same space and I looked down at the

headstone.

“Lawson Customs is doing okay. Actually, it’s doing more than okay.” I added as a smile touched

my face.

I told him everything. The contracts. The employees. The customers and the victories.

Even the disasters. Especially the disasters because Uncle Will would have found most of them

hilarious.

Eventually my voice became quieter and more emotional.

“I need you to know something. The garage isn’t going anywhere. It won’t be sold. Not now. Not

ever.” I continued as the words caught briefly in my throat and I rested my hand against the cool

stone. The promise settled into the silence.

“Everything you built matters. And I promise I’ll protect it.” I finished as I smiled through the tears.

For a long time afterward I simply sat there remembering. The lessons. The laughter. The grease

covered hands. The endless patience and the unconditional belief.

When I finally stood, I felt lighter. Not happy or healed. Just lighter.

As though speaking the words had helped and Jace was waiting beneath a nearby tree.

The moment he saw me approaching, his arms opened and I stepped into them without

hesitation. He held me quietly. No speeches or advice. Just comfort. And that was exactly what I

needed.

That evening, I expected to spend the night alone with my memories. Instead, I arrived at the clubhouse and discovered something unexpected. A barbecue.

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CHAPTER 78 2

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Not a party. Not a celebration but something quieter and something meaningful.

The grills were running and food covered several tables. Families filled the yard and children played in the grass.

The atmosphere felt warm and welcoming and I looked around in confusion.

“What is this?” I asked and Emma smiled.

“For Uncle Will.” She said.

“What?” I asked confused as Mason walked over carrying a drink.

“We figured if we’ve heard stories about the man for two years, then we should probably honor him properly.” Mason said.

Emotion immediately hit me. Hard.

“You did this?” I asked.

“All of us did.” He said as people around the yard nodded.

Some smiled. Others raised their drinks and suddenly I realized something. Most of these people had never met Uncle Will. Not once. Yet they knew his stories.

They knew his advice. They knew how much he meant to me. Because I had talked about him. Because they had listened and because they cared.

My throat tightened again and the entire evening passed in a blur of stories and laughter.

People shared their favorite Uncle Will moments and even Jace contributed.

By the time the sun disappeared below the horizon, I found myself smiling more than crying.

And sitting there surrounded by friends, family and people who genuinely cared, I understood something important. Uncle Will wasn’t gone. Not completely. His garage still stood and his

lessons still mattered.

His memory still lived and now it lived in more people than just me.

Across town, Victor Kane sat inside a warehouse office reviewing maps spread across a large

table. Routes, schedules, territories and timetables.

Months of planning finally coming together and one of his men entered the room.

“Everything is ready.” A man said and Victor looked up slowly.

“And the Iron Vipers?” Victor asked.

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