Page 113 of Rio's Release

Rio follows me into the room.

“What’s this?” I ask.

“Just something I picked up for you.”

I open the lid and see a pair of riding boots. “Oh, Rio.”

“Figured you needed some.”

“I love them. Thank you.” I turn and hug him, tilting my face up for his kiss.

He smacks my ass. “Hurry up. I’m gonna wait by the bike.”

I hurriedly dress, then check my hair and touch up my makeup in the bathroom. I peek into Bella’s room. She’s sound asleep with Esmerelda tight in her arms. I smile and hurry out to meet Rio.

He holds a helmet out to me. “Also got you this.”

“My very own?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He helps me buckle it on, then swings a leg over his seat, lifting the big bike off its kickstand. He pats the seat behind him. “Climb on, pretty girl.”

I throw a leg over, snuggle against his back, and find the foot pegs with my pretty new boots.

Rio pats my thigh. “You ready?”

“So ready.” I rest my chin on his shoulder and hang on tight.

Rio takes us down the hill and for a long ride, and the wind in my face is exhilarating. I love every minute of it. Being tight against my man’s back and letting him take us roaring down the road is pure joy.

We pass rows and rows of pecans, and he slows as he approaches a driveway. The arched sign above reads,Sanchez Family Pecans, and I immediately know where we are and assume he’s stopping to say hello.

Coming up the long drive, I see twinkling lights hanging from some of the trees.

I tap Rio’s shoulder, and he turns his head. “Rio, I think they’re having a party. Maybe we shouldn’t stop.”

“It’ll be fine.” He slows the bike to a stop, and, glancing around, I see more motorcycles in the distance, and people milling around, drinks in their hands.

We climb from the bike, and I take off my helmet. It’s then I realize I know these people. The Saint’s Outlaws are here. Dolly is here. Aunt Fannie is here, My old co-workers from the jewelry store are here. Mrs. Tinsley is even here, and I frown. What in the world? And then I spot Jenny and Bella. “What is going on?”

“Surprise, baby,” Rio says. “This party is for us.”

“How did Jenny and Bella get here?”

“That’s why I took such a long ride. Gave ‘em time to get here.”

“This party is for us? Why?”

“Come on. You’ll find out.” He takes my hand and leads me to where the crowd stands. Music is playing, and the place is decorated like a dream with twinkling lights and flowers.

Everyone circles around us, and suddenly Rio drops to a knee before me.

My hands fly to my cheeks. “Oh my God.”

The look on his face is one I’ve never seen before. He actually looks nervous— something he never seems to be.

“Shelby, since the moment I saw you, standing in line at Blitzy’s, our lives have been intertwined. I think I’ve been yours from that moment. I think my heart knew it before I did, and even when I told you to go on and live your life, that you were too young to waste it waiting for me, deep inside, I didn’t mean a word of it. Life gave us a second chance, and I’ll be forever grateful you gave me another shot, gave us another shot.

“During the lowest point of my life, you were there for me. When I saw you again, I realized I’d never meet another person I could foresee taking this ride called life with. No one else will ever hold my heart the way you do.

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