Page 9 of Riding Home

“Kathy,” she said, extending a hand.

“Aurora,” I replied.

She eyed me.“So, you’re the one everyone’s talking about.”

“Everyone?”

She smirked.“Small towns.Word gets around when Frog brings someone home.”

“Oh, we’re not—it’s not like that,” I stammered.

She grinned.“Well, if you break my baby brother’s heart, I’ll break your face.Got it?”

I blinked, then noticed the mischief in her eyes.“Got it.”

She laughed.“Relax, I’m just messing with you.Mostly.”

“Right,” I said, attempting a smile.

“You don’t look like you run with bikers,” she remarked.

Brushing off my jeans, I said, “I’m only dressed like this for my parents’ dinner.Usually, I’m all decked out in leather.”

She didn’t seem convinced.“So, the stuffy old bat across the street is your mom?Can’t believe we’re having dinner over there.”

“My mom’s not that bad,” I defended.

Kathy shrugged.“Your ma said our Clark wasn’t good enough for her daughter.”

My eyes widened.“When?”

“Weeks ago.My ma wanted to fix you two up,” she said.“But your ma said you had a boyfriend.”

I bit my lip.“Well, I guess my mom was wrong.”

“Yeah, she was.”Kathy’s gaze softened.“It’s cute he has you calling him Clark.He must be in love.”

I smiled nervously.

“Frog!”Kathy called.“Your woman’s here.”

Clark looked up, smiling.“Aurora!Didn’t expect to see you.”

“I needed to talk to you about tonight,” I said.

He jogged over.

Kathy interjected, “I need to talk to you too, Clark.Since you’re staying at the Jenkins’, the kids are staying over.”

“You’re not taking them home?”Clark asked.

“I’m having company later,” she said.

“Oh, I’m not staying at my mom’s tonight,” I said.

Clark added, “Yeah, we’re staying in town.”

I gave him a look.

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