Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 27

CHAPTER 18 1

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CHAPTER 18-1

Saturday morning arrived earlier than I would’ve liked.

My alarm went off just after five and I laid in bed staring at the ceiling for a few second before convincing myself to move.

The apartment was still quiet and the streets outside hadn’t quiet woken up yet.

I showered, brushed my teen and pulled my hair into a ponytail and traded my usual grase stained shirt for a clean Lawson Customs T-shirt that still smelled faintly of fresh cotton.

It felt strange wearing clothes without engine oil already on them.

I made coffee and two slices of toast before looking out the kitchen window.

The sunrise painted the sky in soft shades of orange and gold and for the first time in weeks I

realized I wasn’t dreading the day ahead.

Today wasn’t about overdue bills or lawyers or Charlotte.

The Iron Vipers hosted a charity ride every year to raise money for the county children’s hospital

and somehow I’d been talked into volunteering as the event mechanic.

Emma had asked nicely and Hunter had asked repeatedly. Jave hadn’t really asked at all.

“You’ll enjoy it.” Jace had to say simply.

And I still wasn’t sure how he’d sounded so confident.

By seven o’clock I had loaded my toolbox into the back of my truck and driven into the town park

where the ride would begin.

The place was already buzzing with activity.

Rows of motorcycles lined the parking lot, volunteers set up folding tables beneath large tents and

the smell of fesh coffee mixed with bacon and pancakes drifted through the cool morning air.

Children darted between picnic tables wearing tiny event shirts while parents tried unsuccessfully

to slow them down.

It looked more like a community festival than anything involving a motorcycle club.

I climbed out of the truck and looked around.

“I’ve been lied to.” I muttered.

Hunter appeared beside me carrying two folding chairs.

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CAMPTER 18 1

“Morning.” He said.

“Lthought biker events involved dramatic speeches and intimidating stares.” I said.

“We save those for Tuesdays.” He said.

“I’ll update my calendar.” I said.

He laughed and pointed toward a large tent near the registration area.

“Your office for the day.” He said.

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Several long table had already been set up with spare oil, tire gauges, jumper packs, tools and first

air supplies.

Someone had even hung a handwritten sign that read:

FREE SAFETY CHECKS PROVIDED BY LAWSON CUSTOMS

“Who made that sign?” I asked and Hunter proudly raised his hand.

“The kids helped.” He said.

“I can tell. The letters are crooked.” I said.

“They’re artisticand learning and enthusiastic.” He said and I smiled despite myself.

“They’re perfect.” I said.

Throughout the next hour riders continued arriving from neighboring towns and some wanted quick tire pressure checks before the ride.

Others asked me to tighten mirrors, adjust clutch cables or inspect brake pads.

Most repairs took only a few minutes but every rider thanked me as though I’d rebuilt the entire bike. And word spread surprisingly quickly.

“That’s the mechanic from Lawson Customs.” Someone said.

“She’s the one who fixed my Road King.” Another one said.

“She rebuilt my engine.” A third said.

By midmorning there was a short line in front of my tent and Ben arrived carrying another toolbox almost as big as he as.

“I brought backup.” Ben said.

“You remembered everything?” I asked and he proudly held up a box of shop rags.

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CHAPTER 18 1

“I even labeled them.” He said and I looked inside.

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