Page 25 of Moving to Love
“It looks like we’re ready. Do you need anything before the bikers start rolling in?”
She pointed at the drink tent. “I thought I would go and get a bottle of water. Do you want one?”
He smiled. “Yeah, I’ll come with you.”
They walked around the parking lot and spoke with everyone working in each area. His brothers were standing around in the parking areas waiting for the bikers to roll in. Jeremiah’s parents were talking to the guys in the drink tent. When they got to the clothing tent, LuAnn was there shooting daggers at them. Jeremiah didn’t pay her any attention. Joci was wary and watched LuAnn to make sure a knife didn’t find its way to her back.
Jeremiah’s sisters-in-law were working the clothing tent with LuAnn and Angel from Rolling Thunder. LuAnn made some comment that was off-color and louder than necessary, and Angie and Erin—Jeremiah’s sisters-in-law—looked at Joci, rolled their eyes, then winked at her. So they were aware of LuAnn’s interest in Jeremiah as well.
Photographers were also getting set up. Jeremiah had hired a local studio, which in turn had to hire freelancers due to the size and nature of the job. The bikes and bikers would be spread out most of the day, so that they would need photographers everywhere.
“Joci, is that you?”
Joci looked over and saw Molly Bates, an independent photographer she had met at a seminar.
“Molly! Yes. It’s great to see you here. Let me introduce you to Jeremiah Sheppard. Jeremiah, this is Molly Bates, a friend I met a couple of years ago at a seminar for us ‘artsy types,’” Joci said with air quotes.
Molly smiled and shook hands with Jeremiah.
“I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time.”
“Good to hear. This is my pet project each year. Thank you for taking part.”
“You’re welcome. Joci, we should catch up. I have a couple of ideas I’m working on that you would be perfect for. How about lunch next week?”
“Sounds great. Email me a couple of days that work for you, and we can plan on it. See you around today.”
They waved goodbye and continued making the rounds. Gunnar was working with the other Sheppards in the parking lot. As Joci and Dog approached him, he smiled and met them halfway.
“I’m so damned excited for today. Mom, you’re going to love this ride.”
“I’m looking forward to it. Thanks again for introducing me to it.”
“Sooo, what did you guys do last night?”
Joci’s face turned bright red. Jeremiah snickered just as JT and Ryder came walking over. “We went back to my house and talked.”
Gunnar looked over at the twins, and they all chuckled.
“‘Talked?’” JT questioned with air quotes.
“Never mind, guys. If you don’t have enough to do, I can find some things for you.”
The boys all turned to go back to work, laughing at Jeremiah and Joci. She covered her face with her hands, but Jeremiah quickly pulled them away and kissed her forehead. “Hey. They’re young men; they know what we were doing last night. For the record, I would love to shout it from the roof. Maybe I’ll go do that right now.”
Joci’s eyes grew huge, and she opened her mouth to tell him he had better not, but the first bikes had started rolling in.
Jeremiah slapped her ass. “Come on, babe; we have bikers to take care of.” He grinned as he grabbed her hand and pulled her over to the sign-up tent.
For the next two and a half hours, a steady stream of bikers and passengers rolled in and signed up.
People came in groups and by themselves, hoping to meet up with friends. The weather was great, and by the looks of it, they were in for a record turnout. There were people of all shapes and sizes who rode motorcycles. You could see a thousand Harley shirts and not see the same one twice. Some people wore leather vests with patches and pins signifying their affiliation with a HOG Chapter, club, or group of some sort. There were tall people, short people, heavy people, skinny people, doctors, lawyers, clerical workers, mill workers, presidents of companies, and their employees, but they all had this ride in common.
Over the years, since Joci had learned to ride, she had participated in many such events. First, she felt good about supporting a cause. Second, she just loved to people-watch. The variations of people and their bikes were like no other. Third, she loved walking up and down the rows of bikes to look at all the different makes, models, colors, customizations, and doodads. Everyone had his or her little decorations or thingamajigs on the bikes based on taste and probably budget. It was nice seeing all of this, and yet, despite their differences, they were all together here at this special event. You could see people you hadn’t seen in years. And she always met new people, too.
* * *
Jeremiah enjoyed working with Joci. He was proud of her, and he was so happy she was sharing this with him. He had been a nervous wreck yesterday, not knowing how it would work out with her, but he knew he had to take a stand and let her know he wanted to be with her. He wasn’t going to take no for an answer any longer.
