Page 43 of Weatherman

“It’s a club when you have membership requirements. Church is supposed to have wide-open doors to anyone and no judgments, right?” He placed Pearl back in the stroller, and my girl squalled in protest. “We need to get going, Mom. I told Dodge I’d watch his booth while he grabs some food.”

Natalie pursed her lips. “Orneriness. Pure orneriness.”

He turned away and didn’t look at me again. I had the sense that I’d done something wrong.

But I couldn’t think about that now, as the heat rolling off Robert was enough to broil a steak.

As fast as he’d turned it on, it was off again, and he was back to sweet Pastor Bobby. “Food sounds like a good idea. Shall we head over to the barbecue tent?”

CHAPTER 20

The end-of-the-day ridewas a big deal and marked the end of the festival. The crowd watched as the entirety of the Dragon Runners MC, in full costume, mounted their bikes for a final Tail run. Brick was in the lead as a big red devil with Betsey behind him as an angel in white. The other bikers were similarly outfitted. Mute was menacing in all black like a paladin knight. Normally, Katrina would be on the back with him, but she was at home with their first child and the newborn. Stud and Eva were both dressed as Viking warriors. Molly and Cutter were Mario and Princess Peach. Taz and Tambre did a Western theme, and it was easy to see Tambre’s heritage. She looked like a Native American queen. Dodge wore coveralls splattered with paint, and Fauna was in a chef’s uniform. I wasn’t sure if those were actual costumes or work clothes they simply had on hand. Table came, but he had his three children with him, so he couldn’t ride. Lori was at home.

The bikes lined up in front of the crowd of people to massive applause. Brick and Betsey nodded in acknowledgment. Bike revs and roars increased the volume of the crowd, and Pearl’s eyes widened at the sounds. She didn’t cry, though, just had a curious and fascinated expression on her tiny face.

“I don’t know why they have to show off like this. All this noise and swagger. It’s a little much, wouldn’t you say?”

I smiled at Robert’s words, but I didn’t think the run was over the top or bad. I didn’t see bragging or boasting or gaudiness. I saw a united front of people joined together as one. It made me a little envious.

I glanced around, wondering if Kimmie was here or still behind the porta-johns. I hoped she’d simply left and gone home.

Brick made his bike roar a few times to work up the crowd before taking off. The club circled the campground before starting the Tail run. I noticed Weatherman at the back, by himself still, with no costume. Several women waved and gestured to him, volunteering to ride with him. His helmet shield was up, and even though his face was kinda squished, he smiled as he turned them down. He pulled up to his mom and Emma, who now stood behind the wheelchair, and dismounted, then lifted his mother’s hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles.

Mother and son. I had no words to describe the emotion that flooded my heart at the sight. I was sure if Natalie had the strength to ride, she’d be on the back of that bike, and no one would question it. There was no way, though. Not in her frail condition.

He got back on his motorcycle to rejoin the group of riders. I fully expected Weatherman to pick up some random woman to fill the space behind him, but his next move shocked the hell out of me.

Donna stood by herself on the periphery of the campground. Alone. Outsider. Leftover. Weatherman stopped his bike next to her and tapped the seat behind him. Donna placed a hand over her mouth before nodding and taking the helmet he handed her. She strapped it on and mounted the bike, settling herself easily.Two revs later, Weatherman took off, following the group of bikers already well down the twisting road.

He took Donna. He took the outcast woman on the Tail ride to include her in the group. I didn’t get the impression that it was an attempt for some action later. It seemed more like what a little brother would do for his big sister.

“No judgment.”He’d said those words to Robert during our run-in earlier. The condemning tone in the pastor’s voice when he’d talked about Kimmie was far different from the actions of Weatherman. True, seeing Kimmie on her knees was an appalling sight and not one I’d expected here, but Robert showed disgust instead of wondering why she needed money so badly to give out blow jobs behind a row of smelly porta-johns. I guessed he would view Donna the same way. Her and anyone else who lived a life like hers.

After the bikes took off for the Tail run, people started making their way to cars and trucks. It was a bit of a relief that my date was over and I could go home to relax. Pearl was snoozing hard when I loaded her into the car. Robert stood behind me as I buckled her in and tucked her pink blanket around her. The night sky wasn’t completely dark, but I was ready to find my home and my bed. I once again wondered where Kimmie was.

Robert tried to fold and load the stroller, but the mechanism was too much for him to figure out. I raised the lock to collapse the yellow contraption in a few seconds, and he graciously lifted it into the trunk.

“Thank you,” I murmured awkwardly. How did I end this? Tell him thanks for a wonderful time? Shake his hand? Get in my car and wave goodbye?

He decided for me as he stepped in close. I had less than one second of warning before he placed his mouth on mine.Soft, closed lips. Full press. It was sweet and innocent, but as surprising as it was unexpected.

I jumped a little at the contact. He misinterpreted the reaction as something else as he pulled back a little. His hand came up to stroke my hair in a familiar way as he smiled down at me. “I had a great time today. I hope to see you again soon. Maybe you could come to my church service tomorrow morning?”

My brain short-circuited. “I don’t know. Um… what time?”

“Starts at eleven. We have a nursery for the little ones, but so far, there aren’t many of them. Pearl would have a person all to herself.”

“I’ve never really been to church before.”

“No problem. I’ll meet you at ten forty-five out front and get you seated. Wear a nice dress or nice pants, and I’ll take you out to lunch afterward. Okay?”

Does this mean I have a second date with Robert? What am I getting myself into? And what about Bryce?The voice in my head decided to stay quiet when I really needed some answers.

Sunday was one of two days off I had during the workweek, and my normal mode was house cleaning and a trip to the laundromat near the train museum. I supposed I could delay those joyous tasks for a few hours. “I guess I can be there.”

His smile deepened with pleasure. “Wonderful. I look forward to it.” He leaned in and kissed me a second time, this one a little longer, and he fitted his lips more against mine. Still sweet and caring. Not like the one I shared with Weatherman where it seemed like he wanted to take me into himself.

Was it wrong of me to feel guilty about it? I needed to escape.

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