Free Wind Shadow by Renee Roszel Page A

rubbing a hand against the damp nape of her neck. “Annie, I couldn’t get back on that bike today if you paid me. Honestly, I just can’t understand why I’m having so much more trouble thananybody else on this trip—even Randy is doing better than I am.” She shook her head and sighed disheartenedly at her admission of failure.
    Annie lifted her brows sheepishly and shrugged. “Well, kid, to be honest, you shouldn’t feel
that
distressed about it, really. Sag’s not quite the group of beginners I told you it was.”
    Silky cocked a quizzical brow. “Not quite? How ‘not quite,’ Annie?”
    The redhead made an uncomfortable grimace, avoiding Silky’s narrowed eyes by scouting the higher branches of a pine tree. “Uh … well, pretty darned ‘not quite.’ ”
    When Annie’s gaze fluttered down for an appraising look, Silky glared at her. “I hope you’re not going to tell me anything I’ll be forced to break your freckled neck for!”
    Annie held up a halting hand, waving it in the negative. “Don’t overexert yourself on my account. The ugly truth is that everybody in Sag—but you, that is—belongs to our bikers’ club.”
    “I knew that.”
    “Yes—well, what you may not know is that we’re all pretty salty bikers, if I do say so myself—even Randy. Or should I say
especially
Randy. Kids! They’re all muscle. No fat. No sense. They never quit.” She tried for lightness with a chuckle.
    Jaws locked in irritation, Silky urged stonily, “Go on.”
    “Well—uh.” Annie’s smile waned and shetugged at her ear as she went on, “Actually, Silk, this isn’t really the sort of trip beginning bikers usually take. Even though I didn’t know everyone in the group, I did know they’re all seasoned bikers who decided to ride Sag to get a little more sightseeing in. Even so, our pace has been pretty darn brisk for most beginners.”
    Silky’s stare was sharp and unswerving, like the steadily held blade of a knife. “Pretty
damn
brisk, you mean! Why didn’t you tell me this before!”
    Picking a piece of pine needle from Silky’s robe, Annie ignored her friend’s anger, answering in a motherly tone, “You know, kiddo, when you get tired, you get a little cranky. I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that.” She patted Silky’s shoulder in an impudent attempt at camaraderie. “Just look at it this way. You ought to feel pretty good about keeping up as well as you have. You’re a real trooper!”
    “Well, if I’m a trooper, then you’ll have to admit that Rex is absolutely fantastic. He’s keeping up, and he just joined the club for this trip.”
    Annie let out a cracking laugh. “Oh, he’s fantastic all right, if
he’s
any judge. Besides, I hear skirt chasers have to keep in pretty good shape.”
    Silky groaned, throwing up her hands in total frustration. “Annie, you know I love you like a sister, but sometimes you can be a royal pain in the neck!”
    “You have a much higher opinion of her than I do, Sil,” Rex broke in, a definite sarcastic edge to his voice.
    Both women turned to see him walking toward them. When he got near enough, he reached out and lightly traced Silky’s nose with a finger. “Trouble in paradise?”
    Annie purred near his right elbow, “Well now, if that wasn’t straight from the horse’s mouth.” The corners of her lips lifted maliciously. “For once, Rex, you’re the
front
end!”
    Hastily, Silky moved between them, taking each by an arm. “Look you two, do you mind if we call this one a draw? I’m awfully tired.”
    Annie took pity. “You let go so that I can get the circulation back in the old fingers, and it’s a deal.”
    Silky dropped her hands as Annie continued, “Now, back to your dragging little tail. If you’re too pooped to go, then don’t. No problem.”
    “What’s this?” Rex asked. “You’re not feeling well?” He held her shoulders, his eyes narrowing with concern. She smiled at his interest, noticing how attractive