Page 5 of A Merry Misfit Christmas

“I can stop by and pick them up once a week until the Christmas party, and then I’ll come one more time on Christmas Eve in case anyone donates late.”

“Fine by me. I’ll fill in the club during church.”

Did bikers go to church?

“It’s not the type of church you’re thinkin’,” he laughs, accurately reading my expression.

Yeah, probably not.

“I’ll leave the wish list and flyer with you. It has my number since I’m the contact person for the event. If you have any questions or need anything, let me know. I’ll try to help. Cheryl has been a bit overwhelmed with the amount of need this year. I want to take some of the pressure off her.”

“Understandable.”

“I appreciate the Shifted Misfits helping our community. It’s a good look for the club, too.”

He frowns. “That’s not a motivation for us.”

Oops. “I don’t mean to offend you, but bikers don’t always have the best reputation.”

A snort follows my words. “A fact we’re trying to change.”

“This will help.”

He agrees as I stand.

“Thanks for hearing me out. I’ll see you in a week.”

Spike rises to his feet, unfolding his long legs until he’s towering over me. “Nice to meet you, Callie. Next time you see Cheryl, tell her I said hello.” He reaches out and shakes my hand in a strong grip, but it’s not painful.

“I will,” I promise, releasing his hand and leaving the kitchen, passing through the entryway and heading outdoors.

The sun is shining as I exit, almost blinding as it bounces off the piles of plowed snow. I toss my purse into the passenger seat after I open the driver’s side door and sit down. Hope blossoms in my chest as I think about the smiles on the kids’ faces onChristmas Eve. All the hard work will be worth it. For the first time in years, I look forward to the holidays, happy I won’t spend them alone in misery.

The local food pantry in Yukon Bluff is only a fifteen-minute drive from the Shifted Misfits clubhouse. I take a quick detour and head home to change out of my sweater and pull on a bright red one before heading back out into the chilly day. It’s growing colder by the minute, and I shiver as I stop at a traffic light.

Turning up the heat, I stare out my rearview mirror. A black SUV is behind me. The windows are tinted so dark I can’t see who’s behind the wheel. Odd. I didn’t think people usually tinted front windows. Isn’t that illegal?

I step on the gas as the light turns green and pull to a stop in front of the food pantry. I’m parked before I notice the black SUV across the street. I can hear the engine idling.

That’s all it takes for my past to surface. I tremble as I decide to stay in the car, waiting to see if the SUV will leave. It doesn’t. After ten minutes, I open the car door and decide to head inside the food pantry. If they don’t leave, I’ll call the cops.

I have a restraining order. My ex isn’t allowed to have any contact with me or approach me for any reason. He’s not supposed to know where I am. I moved to Yukon Bluff to get away from him and start over. It’s a small town where I can hide.

Shit. I hope I’m wrong.

The SUV finally pulls away from the curb and drives off as I let out a sigh of relief.

I’m probably overthinking this.

I click the fob on my car, lock it, and enter the food pantry, dismissing the SUV from my mind.

Chapter Three

Kodiak

Ismell her. My Callie.

Her scent is all over the fucking parking lot and clubhouse. It tickles my nose as it’s carried on the crisp wind. When I walk inside, the scent grows stronger, pulling on my body as my hands clench. I follow the trail as it leads into the kitchen,entangling with Spike’s earthy, ashen smell. Dragon. Male. Withmyfemale.

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