Free Lone Rider (Motorcycle Club Romance) by Kelly Lawson Page B

answer.
     
    “That would be great. Is there a garage somewhere? My motorcycle is making a weird sound.”
     
    “Look out the window.”
     
    Tom turned and chuckled at the sight of the garage opposite him. He wasn’t sure how he hadn’t noticed it while driving in last night. He had been meaning to get his motorcycle checked out when he had gotten to Mississippi, but had forgotten.
     
    “Can I have a cold coke before I go back out into this hell?” Tom turned away from the window and back to Caroline, having the pleasure of watching her throw her head back and laugh before grabbing him an ice cold can from the fridge with a wink.
     
    “You’ll grow used to the weather, don’t fret it.”
     
    “I’m only here for the weekend and then I’m going somewhere where it’s snowing.” Tom rolled the can across his forehead and breathed a sigh of relief as the coolness slightly lowered his body temperature.
     
    “Of course, well come by tomorrow morning and I shall show you the way to the festival.” Caroline wiped down the bar in front of him and headed out the back. Tom frowned at the back of her head. She seemed distant today, but he shouldn’t worry about that, since he was only here for two days. But why did he feel like there was reason for him to stay in this town longer than one weekend?
     
    ****
     
    Tom leaned against the counter in the garage a few hours later, as a mechanic gave his motorcycle a few tests. It didn’t appear to be good, since the man kept humming and shaking his head at it. Eventually, after what seemed like forever, he stood up, mopped his brow with a dirty cloth and shook his head at Tom.
     
    “I’m sorry, son. It seems like it’s going to be here for at least four days.”
     
    “What’s wrong with it?”
     
    “A part in your engine has died. It would have been a simple quick change job if it wasn’t custom built. I’ll have to order the part in, and that’ll take at least three days. It’s not safe to use until then.”
     
    “How much is it going to cost me?”
     
    “Fifty and a beer.”
     
    “Fifty? That’s it? I had this serviced in Vegas and they charged me near three hundred for it.”
     
    “Big city grabbers, you see. Is that everything?”
     
    “Yes, thank you very much.” Tom nodded his head at the man before exiting the garage and heading back into the bar, sighing.
     
    “Not good news, ey?” Caroline finished pulling a pint and placed them all on a tray before lifting it above her head. Tom’s eyes were immediately drawn to the strip of pale flesh that had been revealed when she lifted her arms up.
     
    “Uh, no. It’s going to be in there for at least four days.” Tom shrugged and pushed a coaster around the bar with another deep sigh.
     
    “What’s troubling you, Tom?” Caroline asked once she’d returned with the now empty tray.
     
    “This was supposed to be some big adventure, trying to find something new and exciting, something that made me feel...fulfilled.”
     
    “So you’ve had a few mishaps along the way, shit happens.”
     
    “My bike was working fine until Mississippi and then it decided to break down in a practically deserted town. Good for me.” Tom leaned his head on the bar and tried not to move when he felt Caroline’s soft touch on his shoulder. He felt a warm sensation flood through his body and smiled into the counter.
     
    “At least your bike decided to crap out this weekend. There is something to do here, at least.”
     
    “That is a good thing. I think I’m going to head back and take a shower before lying in bed for the rest of the day. I feel like I’m going to need my energy tomorrow.”
     
    “Have you eaten today?”
     
    “Not since this morning. I’ll get something when I get back.” Tom waved away her concern and stood up.
     
    “No, sit down. You’ve probably burned the calories from that meal. I’ll give you something to eat, I make everything myself.”
     
    Tom couldn’t deny