Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 28

CHAPTER 18 2

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CHAPTER 18-2

had toast.” I said.

“That barely counts.” He said.

He handed me the plate before disappearing into the crowd again. And I watching him go as I shook my head.

“This town had become dangerously nice.” I said and Ben nodded.

“I don’t think there’s a cure.” He said.

Emma soon appeared with several of the club wives, all carrying trays of homemade desserts

even though it wasn’t yet lunchtime.

Children raced around the park with painted faces, balloons and little plastic motorcycles clutched

in their hands.

Laughter echoed from every direction and it was impossible not to smile.

This was nothing like the world I’d imagined when I first met the Iron Vipers.

There weren’t just bikers. They were parents, grandparents, neighbors and volunteers.

People who gave up an entire weekend to raise money for children they’d probably never meet.

As I tightened the last bolt on another motorcycle someone quietly placed a fresh cup of coffee

beside me and I didn’t even have to look.

“I was wondering when you’d show up.” I said and Jace smiled.

“You expected me?” He asked as I picked up the coffee.

“I was hoping someone would rescue me from drinking the stuff Hunter made.” I said and Hunter

looked over from the barbecue.

“I heard that.” Hunter yelled.

“You were supposed to.” I said.

Jace chuckled and instead of wandering away like he usually did, he stayed beside me while the line of motorcycles slowly moved forward.

Somehow, the busiest morning I’d had in weeks felt lighter simply because he was there.

That afternoon passed even faster than the morning.

The charity ride returned to the park without a single breakdown which I considered a personal

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few riders stopped by my tent afterward for one last inspection while others simply wanted to thank me for volunteering.

Ben had settled into the rhythm of the day surprisingly well and I only caught him reach for the

wrong wrench twice.

“That’s progress.” I said.

“I was hoping for employee of the month.” Ben said.

“You’ve been here a week.” I said.

“I believe in setting ambitious goals.” He said and I laughed and tossed him a clean rag.

Emma eventually convinced me to leave the tools alone enough to eat.

I found myself sitting at a picnic table surrounded by club members, wives, husbandsm children and enough homemade food to feed half the county.

Nobody cared where I came from or cares about my last name.

They simply slid another plate toward me whenever mine became empty.

One little girl climbed onto the bench beside me and held up a tiny toy motorcycle with a loose

wheel.

“It broke.” She said and I smiled at her.

“Let’s see what we’ve got.” I said having a look at it.

Using a small screwdriver from my pocket I tightened the loose screw and spun the wheel.

“There. It should survive at least three more adventures.” I said.

Her face lit up as she hugged the boy to her chest before running back to her friends.

Jace watched the whole exchange with a small smile on his face.

“What?” I asked but he shook his head.

“You fit in here better than you think.” He said.

I looked around the park and children laughed while chasing one another across the grass, music drifted from a nearby speaker and Hunter somehow managed to burn another batch of burgers despite standing beside the grill all afternoon.

“I think I’m starting to.” I said.

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