Free South of Heaven by Ali Spooner Page B

Dad.” She chuckled.
    “Do you want to change into a pair of jeans before we go?” Lindsey asked.
    “That’s probably a good idea.” Kendra began walking up the street to the house.

    †

    “I’ll get the bike ready and wait for you out front,” Lindsey said, heading off toward the garage.
    Kendra began to enter the house and Kevin held the door for her. “After you, ma’am.”
    With a smirk on her face, Kendra replied, “Thanks, Dad. What are you going to do while we’re away?”
    “I’m going to take a nap.” He grinned. “When y’all get back, I’m thinking we’ll make this a beer and pizza night.”
    “It has been awhile since we’ve done that,” Kendra said as she started for the stairs. “Enjoy your nap and I’ll order the pizza when we get back.”
    “Have a good ride and be careful,” he cautioned.
    “Will do. See you soon, Dad.”
    Kendra watched her dad walk down the hall to his room, and then took the steps two at a time. She slipped into a worn pair of jeans and a light T-shirt before sliding her feet into her favorite boots. Her dad and Lindsey were right. The crew of workers making the install would do much better without her constantly looking over their shoulders. Getting her out of the way was probably the best thing they could hope for, so she might as well relax and enjoy the afternoon with Lindsey.
    She picked up a pair of sunglasses on her way out the front door and smiled when she found Lindsey waiting for her.
    “All set?” Lindsey asked, holding her hand out to Kendra to help her mount the bike.
    “Yeah, thanks. So where do you want to ride?”
    “Why don’t we head west on 98. I’ve only been to the edge of town that way.”
    “Sounds like a plan.” Kendra fastened the chinstrap of the helmet Lindsey handed her.
    “Hold on tight.” The motor roared to life and Lindsey eased the bike down the drive.
    Kendra looked up to see her dad looking out the window, and thought she saw his smile growing as he watched them.
    Kendra’s hands rested on Lindsey’s hips as the bike started down the drive. Kendra’s smile grew as her hands circled Lindsey’s waist while the bike raced down the street. Her body, sliding on the smooth leather seat, had her snuggled into Lindsey’s back. It was a comfortable position. She was afraid to wiggle around on the back of the bike while it was moving, so she relaxed into Lindsey’s body and enjoyed the ride.

    †

    The reflection of the sun glimmered across the water’s surface as they rode parallel to the Gulf. It had blossomed into a beautiful day, and the bike cut through a cool, coastal breeze as they crossed into Alabama, and chased the sun as they rode west.
    Traffic had come to a halt at one of the many drawbridges along the route, while the bridge rose to allow a ship to pass through on its way to the Gulf. Lindsey killed the motor and relaxed into the seat. She could feel the warmth of Kendra’s body pressed into her back and her skin buzzed with excitement.
    Her eyes scanned the water, watching the brown pelicans as they bobbed in the water, their eyes following the movement of the ship. Seagulls trailed the boat, their cries filling the air as they begged for handouts from the crew. She watched as the flock hovered over a pair of deckhands who were tossing scraps from their lunches to the diving birds. Angry cries echoed as the birds competed for the meager scraps of food.
    Lindsey caught Kendra’s eyes as she too watched the birds. “Isn’t it odd? They will fight each other over scraps of food when all they have to do is to fly over the Gulf to hunt for all the fish they can stuff into their bellies?”
    “They’ve been spoiled by human food for far too long,” Kendra, commented. “Amazing what antics they will pull off for Fritos.”
    “I don’t know, offer me a Twinkie and see what I’ll do.” Lindsey smirked.
    “I’ll have to stock up on Twinkies then.”
    Lindsey watched the heat rise to Kendra’s