Viper's Run(39)

Winter tried to keep her lips from smiling at Shade’s frown. “Does Lily want to go?”

“Actually she wants to go to Arizona.” Shade’s frown changed to a smile.

“To see the Grand Canyon?” Winter asked thinking that was a strange choice for a spring break vacation.

“I asked the same thing,” Beth laughed.

“What did she say?”

“She said Arizona has cowboys. Seems she has this thing for cowboys, has the impression they are all macho, protective, and are gentlemen. She thinks they are sexy.” The women laughed good-naturedly at the young girl’s fantasy.

Shade’s smile had disappeared.

“Doesn’t Arizona have tornados?” Winter asked casually.

Beth’s laughter stopped. “Really?”

Shade and all the men nodded.

“Spring break is right in the middle of tornado season,” Winter confirmed.

“I’ll have to tell them. Maybe a cruise would be better.”

Shade didn’t seem any happier.

“Perhaps you might convince them to stay a few days in Lexington. Spring meet will be on at Keeneland, then you could bring Lily back with you and we could have your bachelorette party on that Friday.”

Beth considered it for several minutes. “I think that’s a great idea. Thanks Winter.”

Winter smiled at Beth, ignoring the narrowed stare of Shade. The arm around her shoulders moved to cup her neck, his thumb sliding against her sensitive flesh. She looked at Viper to see him smiling in appreciation at her maneuvering.

“I’m looking forward to the bachelorette party. Evie talked to Mick, he said to let him know the date and we could have the bar for the night. It’s going to be nice just us, no men,” Jewell said.

“Well, us and a few of my other friends,” Beth clarified hesitantly.

“Like who?” Evie said suspiciously sitting down at the table with her food.

“Crazy Bitch, Sex Piston, Killyama…”

Evie raised her hand “You have got to be shitting me. Tell me you’re not seriously considering inviting them to your party.”

“I have to invite them. It will hurt their feelings if I don’t.”

“Those bitches don’t have any feelings. Not normal ones anyway,” Shade butted into the conversation.

Beth sent Shade a reproachful look.

“There is a problem with them coming,” Evie reminded Beth. All eyes turned to Bliss who was unashamedly listening from the kitchen counter.

Beth shook her head. “No, that is all forgotten. They will be cool, they promised.”

Everyone looked at her doubtfully.

Winter remembered the fight at the Pink Slipper and how the biker bitches wanted Bliss badly. She doubted those feelings had disappeared. Especially the crazy one, she didn’t seem like she would forget a thing.

“May I make a suggestion? Suppose we have the party at eight until two. Tell your biker friends it starts at eleven. If Bliss wouldn’t mind she could leave a few minutes earlier than when they would arrive.”

Bliss smiled in relief. “That works for me.”

Beth not so much. Winter loved Beth; she was a truly kind person who didn’t want to intentionally hurt anyone. Winter swallowed a lump in her throat when she saw Razer’s gaze fixed on Beth. It was obvious he loved her; he knew she wasn’t happy with the solution but didn’t have another solution.

“Okay, if that makes everyone more comfortable,” Beth conceded. The whole room nodded their heads.





Chapter 11



Winter borrowed Evie’s car to drive herself to the doctor on Monday. Satisfied with her progress, he agreed to sign her work release. Winter wanted to celebrate, but she was by herself, all the members were hard at work at the factory. A big order was due to go out on Thursday and many had to work overtime. She frowned, realizing suddenly that her world had narrowed down to The Last Riders. She had never had an overabundance of friends, but there were a few she could have called at a moment’s notice for lunch.

Winter decided to go to the diner for lunch by herself. The diner wasn’t very busy with only a few customers occupying the tables. Pastor Dean was sitting at one by himself.

“Mind if I join you?” Winter asked

He rose and pulled out a chair at the table. “Not at all.”

Pastor Dean sat back down as the waitress came to take her order. Winter appreciated his gentlemanly manners. He was an extremely good-looking man, who was also an excellent Pastor. Winter had sought his guidance several times after her mother’s death.

“You seem to be recovering well.”

“Other than the cane and that I move slow as a turtle, I am,” Winter agreed happily.