Page 25 of Malice

“There you are,” Lurch said, stepping around the corner of the horse barn and catching sight of him.

“Here I am,” Malice replied, stacking his tools together then going to untie the mare before leading her back into her stall. “I’m just finishing this up. What can I do for you?”

“Nothing actually. I’m here to cut you loose for the day.”

Malice didn’t say anything, but looked at his supervisor with one lifted brow and wondered what was up.

“We’ve got things handled around here and I know you talked Bonnie into not going to work today. Go do something with her. Take your bike out, enjoy the day. We haven’t been able to get a club ride in for a while, but I’ll talk to Tuck, and we’ll get something planned soon. In the meantime, though, take advantage of your good fortune and get out of here.” He waved a hand, as if shooing Malice away as he turned and left.

Malice didn’t wait for his president to have second thoughts, but did make sure the mare had grain and water, then put away his grooming tools, then went to see if he could find Bonnie.

The idea of taking her out on his bike sounded great, but was she up for it?

Malice found Bonnie in his cabin, her hair pulled up, a bandana wrapped around it as she cleaned the front room of his cabin, like really deep cleaned. He’d known it needed to be done, but had planned to tackle one room each evening until he’d gotten the place clean. He’d just had other things come up that had been more important. Like her.

“You don’t need to clean this place. It’s my place, I’ll get it clean,” he said after standing in the doorway and watching her for several seconds.

Bonnie jumped, then turned to look at him as she pulled an earbud from one ear.

“You startled me.”

“Sorry, I didn’t realize you hadn’t heard me come in. But you don’t have to clean this place. I’ll get to it, I just haven’t had time.”

“I don’t mind. I needed something to do.” She glanced around then frowned. “What are you doing back so soon. It’s not lunch time yet.”

“Lurch cut me loose for the day. I came to see if you want to go for a ride.”

“A ride?” She frowned. “Where would we go?”

“That’s not the point. It’s the wind in your face and the road in front of you.”

“I take it you’re not talking about the truck?” She still looked confused.

“No, I was thinking more about my bike. Have you ever ridden a motorcycle?”

Surprise lit her face. He was getting to know her expressions and loved this one.

“You have a motorcycle? And you want to take me for a ride?” There was no hiding the excitement in her voice.

“I’d like to, if you’re game.” Malice fought back the urge to grin.

“I’m game.” She looked down at her tank top and shorts. “But I think I need to change. What should I wear?”

“Shorts will work, but it’s still cool out so jeans would be better. Boots with a heel if you have them, and a jacket. Leather is better than denim, but either will work. Also you need to either let your hair down or pull it back low on your neck up like that will hurt under the helmet. I’ll go borrow one from one of the old ladies while you change, then I’ll come back and get you okay?”

She nodded, excitement plain on her face.

Malice left, heading for the main barn, wondering why her excitement made him feel so good, then decided maybe he didn’t want to look too closely at it.

20

Itwasn’twhatshe’dplanned when Bonnie had called that morning and spoken with her boss, taking the day off, but now that she was on the back of Corey’s motorcycle, speeding down the highway with the wind rushing past she wasn’t sure she’d ever felt more alive.

At first the unfamiliar movement and what seemed like breakneck speed had her terrified. She’d held on to Corey with everything she had. But that hadn’t lasted long. Not that she was about to give up the excuse to wrap her arms around him.

No, he felt too good for her to stop that.

They had been on the road a while before she thought to wonder where they were going again. He’d said it was just a ride, but surely, he had a destination. It couldn’t be anywhere in Gillette though, because when they’d reached the highway, he’d turned away from town instead of toward it.

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