Page 10 of Riding Home

Kathy took the hint.“I’ll leave you two lovebirds to chat,” she said, winking.

“Everything okay?”he asked.

“No,” I admitted.

Clark whispered, “I’ll get a room tonight, too.No one will know we aren’t together.”

I whispered back, “My mom invited my ex, Mark, to dinner.She still thinks we are meant to be, and I don’t know what you told your family.”

He leaned against the railing.“Told them I found the one.”

“You did not,” I exclaimed.

He gave a half-shrug, a playful glint in his eye, then he captured me in his arms.The biker whispered into my hair, “Quiet now.You’re going to give us away.Told them I’m thinking of popping the question.”

“Holy shit,” I stammered.

“What?You get to make your mom happy, and I can’t make mine?My ma had wanted to introduce us today.She already approves.”

I laughed softly.“This is nuts.”

He smiled.“So, what do you want to do?Fess up to your lies?”

“I have no choice but to pretend we’re together.”I sighed.“But we need to have our story straight.”

“Anything for you,” he mouthed softly, his voice doing things to me.Or maybe it was his rock-hard body pressed against mine.

I focused.“I told my mom you’re not just a biker.”

“That’s true,” he replied, not offering anything else.

This was going to be a disaster.

A shout interrupted us.“Uncle Frog, come back!”

He glanced over.“Duty calls.”

I nodded.“I should get back.Dinner’s soon.”

As I turned, he touched my arm.“Hey, don’t worry.We’ll get through it.”

I offered a small smile.“Thanks, Clark.Or should I say Frog?”

He chuckled.“Clark’s fine—for you.”

At least I had an ally.

Chapter 5

Wearing the dress Mom picked out, I helped her set the grand dining table.“It’s wonderful to use this space again,” she said, adjusting the autumn centerpiece.“Your father would have loved this.”

“He always enjoyed a full house,” I agreed.

She sighed.“I’ve been lonely since he passed.That’s why I hoped you’d marry Mark and stay close.I’d have grandchildren soon.”

“Mom, I love Nashville—the music, the energy.But Brevard will always be home.”

She hesitated.“I worry about you being so far away.Mark seemed perfect for you.”

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