Page 29 of Two Weddings and a Shoot Out

Hopecarriedanotherloadof shirts down from upstairs at the diner. They’d sold so many this afternoon that they needed to put more out. She was helping here for another fifteen minutes, then she was heading over to the park.

The craft items, including the motorcycle quilt and motorcycle wall hanging one of the other women had done, had created so much interest this afternoon that they’d switched to a live auction for them. The live auction was going to be right before the pickleball tournament started.

She hadn’t got a chance to chat with Maureen when she and Compass returned, but she knew a satisfied couple when she saw them.

Locks said he would stop by after the last rider for the Poker Run made it back. They’d ridden in the Poker Run in the earliest group of riders so Locks could man the last stop at the park.

Hope had loved riding with Locks, but she had to admit her thighs and pussy were tender from their time last night and thenriding on the bike. Although the Poker Run was fun, she was looking forward to a long, leisurely ride with Locks when it was just the two of them, but she also couldn’t wait for Benji to get to ride on Locks’ bike with him too. Locks had mentioned that when they got back.

Hope was enjoying the day but wanted to check in where Benji was at. She didn’t know why she was worried. Benji was safe with all the Bluff Creek families, but for some reason, she was on edge.

She finished putting the T-shirts on their size shelves and then walked over to Regina.

“Have you seen the kids lately?” she asked.

Regina grinned. “Feeling a little nervous, wondering where they’re at?” she chided.

“Yes, it’s been an adjustment not having him with me all the time he’s not in school,” Hope replied.

“I just saw Faith and the kids heading to Bluff Creek Ink. Roam, Rascal, and Sprite have temporary tattoos for the kids along with ice cream bars.”

Hope nodded and stuck her tongue out at Regina, who was shaking her head at Hope.

“Go find Locks over in the park. We’re caught up here, and maybe you’ll get a chance to sit down and talk to the man for a little bit.”

Hope thought about it. “I’ll bring one more load down and put them out, and then I will. I also want to check out the quilt. Locks told me he wants me to decorate for us, and I’m thinking that quilt might be perfect for our bed.”

Regina chuckled. “Then pull out your money because I’ve heard so many people saying that they’re bidding on it. Meg convinced her to open a waiting list for those who are interested in one after the auction is over. It currently takes her about eightto ten weeks to complete. I’m guessing she could have work for at least the next two years.”

Hope ran back up and brought down another load, quickly putting it on the shelves. She waved goodbye to Regina and headed out of the diner, walking toward the park. The sidewalks were packed, and the street parking spaces were filled with motorcycles and some cars.

She could smell the delicious food from the diner and other food stands and trucks from the park as she walked down the street. There were so many faces she didn’t recognize that when one looked familiar, she paused, causing the people behind her to knock into her.

She glanced down and then behind, apologizing to the family. By the time she looked over to where the man had caught her eye, he was gone. She decided maybe she’d been mistaken. Everyone had people who resembled them. Maybe she’d mention her concern to Locks because thinking about who she thought she’d seen made her a tad nauseous.

Her son’s best friend, Roland, was someone she wouldn’t want around Bluff Creek. He’d done all the illegal stuff her son was involved in, but Roland was also cruel and abusive. His girlfriend had ended up in the hospital a couple times with injuries consistent with abuse.

There would be no reason for Roland to be in Bluff Creek. She’d probably imagined it. Meg was by the quilt shop and had a load of stuff, it looked like. Hope crossed the street between the traffic and grabbed one of the boxes.

“Where is this going?” she asked.

“The park. We’ll hang them up on the stage for the auction. How was your morning?” Meg asked as they walked across the street to the park.

“Busy but good,” Hope said, seeing Locks helping near the stage. He looked up as she approached, and the smile on his facedid her heart good. He wasn’t hiding how he felt, and it was a refreshing change. He’d said he would, but the proof here at the park let her relax.

He took the box from her hands and lifted it onto the table, then took Meg’s and did the same. Once he was done, he turned to her and pulled her close.

“This is me letting everyone know you’re mine,” he whispered against her lips before capturing her mouth. At the first contact of his lips, the park and the people disappeared. It was just her and Locks savoring each other. His hand slid to the small of her back, tugging her flush against him.

Holy hotness, the man could kiss. Her nipples hardened, and for a second, she wondered if there was somewhere to get this man alone.

“Mimi, why is Locks eating your face?”

Benji’s voice asking that was like a splash of cold water. Friggin’ hell. How could she have not talked with Benji about Locks and her? She was a horrible grandmother and pseudo mom.

“Benji, I was kissing your Mimi. I’d planned to have a man-to-man talk with you before, but I saw how beautiful Mimi was and had to kiss her,” Locks said.

Hope appreciated that Locks had bent down to be at Benji’s level since Locks was so tall.

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