Page 15 of Riding Home

Clark sat beside me, his hand enveloping mine.His touch was reassuring, and I couldn’t help thinking how perfectly everything was going.

“Did you both grow up in Brevard?”Aunt Lydia asked.

“Yes, I attended Brevard High.”

Clark added, “And I went to Rosman High.”

“Small world,” Uncle Bruce remarked.“Yet you didn’t meet until Nashville?”

“It was fate,” Clark said, giving me a look.

I felt a flutter.

Mom approached.“Aurora, how long are you staying?I thought you flew in.”

“Clark rode his Harley here, and I flew because of work,” I explained.

“Ah, that makes sense,” she nodded.“But how did he get the motorcycle here so quickly?”

“He left a day earlier,” I improvised.

“Actually,” Clark said, “Aurora will be riding back to Nashville with me.”

I glanced at him in surprise.He winked.

Mom’s eyebrows rose.“Oh?So, you’ll be staying the night here, then?Or at your parents’ house?”

Before I could answer, Clark’s sister Kathy chimed in.“He doesn’t have a room at Mom’s anymore.”

“Is that so?”Mom looked at me.“What are your plans?”

“We were thinking of getting a place in town,” I said.

“On Thanksgiving night?”Mom asked.“Do you have reservations?”

“Not yet,” I admitted.

Mom shook her head.“Brevard is fully booked during Thanksgiving.With the leaves changing and the biking trails, tourists flock here.”

“She’s right,” Mary added.

“Well, that’s a pickle,” Clark said.“I’m sure your room is big enough for both of us, Honey Bun.”

“No,” I said immediately.

Mom’s face fell.“Aurora’s right.She has a twin bed.Maybe swap with one of the guest rooms?”

“Mom, no.I don’t want to inconvenience anyone.I’d rather stay at a hotel.”

“If you have trouble, my friend Haddy manages the inn in town.I’m sure she could find space.”

“That would be wonderful,” I replied.

“I’ll call her,” Mom offered.

“You don’t need to,” I started.

“It’s my treat.”

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