Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 18

CHAPTER 13-1

Monday morning started with the sound of three motorcycles pulling into the parking lot before I’d even finished my first cup of coffee.

I smiled before I realized I was smiling and that was becoming a dangerous habit.

Only a couple of weeks ago, I dreaded opening the roller door every morning because never knew

whether anyone would show up.

Now I wondered which members of the Iron Vipers would arrive first.

Business had changed almost over night.

The monthly maintenance contract had guaranteed steady work from the club but something else had happened that I hadn’t expected.

People talked and apparently word spread quickly when a motorcycle club trusted the same mechanic with every one of their bikes.

Local riders began stopping by simply because they’d heard about Lawson Customs.

Some came for oil changes, some wanted tire replacements and others asked if I could rebuild engines that other garages had declared beyond saving.

For the first time since inheriting the shop, my appointment book was fill for almost three weeks in

advance.

I stood behind the office counter looking at the schedule with a mixture of disbelief and relief.

“You seeing that?” I asked and George leaned over the counter and adjusted his glasses.

“I am.” He said.

“I’ve got actual bookings.” I said and he pointed at the page.

“You’ve got people waiting.” He said and I laughed quietly.

“I never thought I’d be excited about having too much work.” I said and George smiled.

“That’s because you’ve spent the last few months wondering if you’d have enough.” He said.

He wasn’t wrong. And just as I finished writing down another appointment, the bell above the office door chimed and a young man stepped inside looking somewhere between nervous and

determined.

He couldn’t have been older than nineteen and he wore faded jeans, work boots and a plan gray

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CHAPTER 13-1

t-shit with a baseball cap pulled low over his dark hair.

“Morning.” He said.

“Morning.” I said and he glanced around the workshop before looking back at me.

“I heard you’re hiring.” He said.

“I don’t remember advertising.” I said.

“You didn’t. My uncle told me your business is picking up.” He said and I raised an eyebrow.

“Who’s your uncle?” I asked.

+25 Point

“George Miller.” He said and I looked toward George who suddenly found the coffee machine

fascinating.

“You planned this?” I asked and George smiled innocently.

“I might’ve mentioned you were downing in work.” George said.

“I wasn’t drowning.” I said.

“You were ankle deep.” He said.

“I was managing.” I said.

“Barely.” He said and I sighed dramatically.

“Traitor.” I said and George chuckled.

“I prefer helpful.” George said and the young man stepped forward and held out his hand.

“I’m Ben Carter.” He said as I shook his hand.

“Paige Lawson.” I said.

“I’ve worked in my uncle’s auto shop since I was fifteen. I know basic maintenance but I want to learn motorcycles.” He said.

I studied him for a moment and his handshake was firm as he looked me in the eyes.

Most importantly, he wasn’t pretending to know everything.

“Every rebuilt an engine?” I asked and he smiled sheepishly.

“Not successfully.” He said.

“Honest.” I said.

“I figured lying would end badly.” He said.

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CHAPTER 13-1

“It usually does.” I said.

Hooked around the busy workshop and three motorcycles waited for servicing.

And another sat on the lift with half its engine already apart.

+25 Point

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