Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 96

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CHAPTER 60

Sunday mornings usually belonged to the garage but today belonged to the clubhouse.

I woke just after six with sunlight creeping through the curtains above Lawson Customs and for a few peaceful minutes I simply lay in bed listening to Diesel snore softly from his favorite spot

beside the bedroom door.

“You know we’re supposed to be up early.” I said and one ear twitched.

“That’s the effort you’re making?” I asked.

His tail thumped lazily against the floor before he stretched so dramatically that I laughed.

“Fine. I’ll make breakfast.” I said.

After a quick shower and brushing my teeth, I pulled on a pair of faded blue jeans, a white T shirt and an old flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled to my elbows. It felt strange not putting on my work shirt for once, but the garage was closed and the clubhouse barbecue had been planned for

weeks.

The kitchen soon filled with the smell of vanilla and cinnamon as I finished two apple crumbles Uncle Will had taught me to make years ago. They were never fancy, but they disappeared quickly

whenever I brought them anywhere.

Diesel stationed himself exactly three feet from the oven.

“You are not supervising.” I said and he blinked.

“You’re waiting for something to fall.” I added and his expression suggested he considered that a

perfectly reasonable strategy.

By eight o’clock the desserts had cooled enough to pack and I carefully loaded them into the truck before clipping Diesel’s lead onto his collar.

“You ready?” I asked and he bounded toward the driver’s door.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” I sighed.

The drive to the clubhouse was peaceful and the moment I turned through the gates I realized I

was already late.

Not because anyone had started eating but because everyone else was already working.

Motorcycles lined the parking area, children raced across the grass with footballs tucked beneath their arms and laughter drifted from behind the clubhouse where smoke curled lazily from three

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large barbecue grills. And Hunter spotted my truck first.

“There she is.” Hunter sang out.

“I brought dessert.” I said and he placed one hand dramatically over his heart.

“I knew there was a reason you’re my favorite mechanic.” He said.

“I’m your only mechanic.” I said.

“Details.” He scoffed.

Emma walked over carrying a large bowl of potato salad.

“You made the apple crumble, didn’t you?” Emma asked.

“Maybe.” I said and she grinned.

“I knew it.” She said.

Before I could grab the dessert dishes, Jace appeared beside the truck and lifted both of them

with ease.

“I had those.” I said.

“I know. You also carried them all morning.” He said and I smiled.

“I suppose you can help.” I said.

“I appreciate your permission.” He said.

We walked toward the clubhouse together while Diesel trotted happily between us. The backyard looked more like a community picnic than a motorcycle club gathering.

Long folding tables stretched beneath the shade trees, covered with homemade salads, fresh

bread, grilled vegetables and enough desserts to feed a small town. Children darted between

adults with endless energy while several club members stood around the barbecue arguing about the correct way to cook steaks so Cole pointed at one grill.

“You flipped those too early.” Cole said as Roman folded his arms.

“I absolutely did not.” Roman said.

“You absolutely did.” Cole said.

“I’ve been cooking longer than you’ve been shaving.” Roman said.

The argument dissolved into laughter before either man could pretend to be offended and Emma

linked her arm through mine.

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“Come on. We’ve got vegetables to chop.” Emma said.

“thought today was relaxing.” I said.

“It is. We relax while working.” She said as she handed me a chopping board.

“I suppose that’s one way of looking at it.” I said.

Inside the clubhouse kitchen, half a dozen women moved comfortably around one another,

carrying bowls, stirring sauces and passing ingredients across the benches without anyone getting in the other’s way and Sophia looked up as I walked in.

“Our dessert queen has arrived.” Sophia said.

“I made two.” I said.

“You should’ve made four.” She said and Rachel laughed.

“She’s trying to feed the club, not the entire county.” Rachel said.

The conversation flowed easily as we worked, jumping from recipes to funny stories about the children and back again. Every few minutes someone burst into laughter and nobody seemed

worried about whether the meal would be perfect.

It didn’t have to be. Everyone was already exactly where they wanted to be.

By lunchtime the backyard was louder than ever. Plates were piled high with barbecue, salads disappeared almost as quickly as they were set on the tables and every few minutes another burst of laughter rolled across the yard.

Diesel quickly became the unofficial entertainer of the day. The club children took turns throwing tennis balls across the grass and he chased every single one with tireless enthusiasm before proudly bringing it back for another throw. Even the youngest children climbed all over him, but he

accepted every hug and pat with patient eyes and a constantly wagging tail.

I stood beside the dessert table watching the chaos unfold when Mason walked over carrying two

cold drinks.

“You’ve done something special here, Paige.” Mason said and I frowned.

“I brought apple crumble.” I said making him smile.

“You brought more than that.” He said as he looked around the yard where everyone talked, laughed and relaxed together.

“People seem happier. The kids adore you, the wives love having you around, and the boys haven’t stopped smiling in weeks. You brought everyone a little closer together.” He continued and he

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