The Biker's Fate Chapter 234

Maisie

"I'm sorry?" Alison, my best friend and business partner, snapped over the speaker. "She just left you there?"

"Um, yes," I said, and guided my car onto the freeway. Alison had called just as I hit I-5 and was now on hands-free.

"Who does that?" she continued. "It's woman code, bitch. Never leave your sister behind."

"I know! And I gave her a thirty-percent tip!"

"Did you annihilate her and then tell her you were never coming back?"

"No," I admitted. "I was so in shock I lost my words for a period of time."

"Your British politeness was a hindrance wasn't it?"

I smiled. "You may have a point."

"Why didn't you call me?"

"Because it would have taken you an hour just to get over the bridge. I figured Triple A would be faster and in the end, the nice but scruffy man who helped me was even faster."

"Mmmm, scruffy good or scruffy bad?"

I thought about that question for a second. Mr. Hatch had long, dark hair, pulled back into a partial ponytail, which was sexy as heck, and his beard was full and slightly peppered with grey, but not out of control. He obviously manscaped, which a woman like me appreciated. "Scruffy good." I nodded. "Definitely good."

Ali giggled. "Only you would meet some hot guy after blowing a fuse."

"No doubt." I smiled. "How's Poppy?"

Ali was watching my twelve-year-old daughter while I took some time for me.

"She's good."

"Hi Mummy," she called in the background.

"Hi Poppet." I smiled. God, I loved that girl. "I should be there in about twenty minutes."

"Okay, we'll see you then," Ali said.

Ali hung up and I continued down the freeway. My thoughts turned to Mr. Hatch, then almost as quickly to my very dead husband, Niall. It had been nine years, but I was still quite miffed with him for leaving me. We'd been in the States for about five years when he got cancer and beat it into remission twice.

Unfortunately, third time was the charm in the form of a nail in his literal coffin, and he was gone. We thought we had more time. We didn't. If Ali and her cop husband, Ryan, hadn't been there, not only would I have crumbled, the business Niall and I had built together would have as well. Much to my family's disappointment, I had no intention of going back to England and had sent my brother home alone despite his pleas for me to join him. Even my sister Kenna, whom I was closest to, couldn't convince me to go back. I'd needed the distance.

I could only thank God that Poppy was too young to remember, because truly, I think it would have broken her. It took me a good two years and two visits a week to a therapist to get to the point where I could get out of bed in the morning on my own. Currently, I was down to one visit a month for "maintenance."

I was now somewhat in control of my insanity and no one could be happier than me. Or maybe Poppy. Or Ali. I sighed. Now I was even rambling in my head. Maybe I wasn't in control after all.

I pulled up to Ali's home and climbed out of the car, rushing up to the front door and letting myself in. "Mummy's home," I called.

Their golden doodle, Curly, barked as he ran to greet me.

"Hello, gorgeous," I crooned, stroking his head as I headed further into the house.

"Kitchen," Ali returned.

I headed through the large great room and into the newly renovated kitchen, where my daughter wrapped her arms around my waist and squeezed. "Can I stay a little longer, Mum? Please?"

"Sure, darling. Fifteen minutes, okay?"

She let out a little girl squeal and went to find Ali's daughter, her best friend, Grace. Ryan and Ali also had a fourteen-year-old son, Merrick, who was probably lying in wait to torture his sister. I hugged Ali briefly, then pried off my heels and sat at her island.

"You hungry?" she asked, pulling open the fridge and grabbing me a bottled water.

"No, I have Chinese waiting in the car. Have you eaten?"

"No. Kids did, but I'll wait for Ryan. I did feed Poppy, hope that's okay."

"You can feed my kid anytime," I said with a chuckle. "She likes your food better than mine anyway… although, tonight it's takeout. More for me."

She grinned. "Did you snap a photo of the hottie mechanic?"

I shook my head. "I probably should have, eh? God, lovey, the more I think about him…" I sighed. "He was edible. Rollo from Vikings edible."

Ali joined me at the island. "So… not your type."

"How do you figure?"

"Bad boy, sexy, edible."

"You may have a point." I sighed. "It doesn't matter. I'll never see him again. I've had my great love, so he'd only be a dalliance anyway."

"Which you would never do. You're a one-man woman… and only do long-term."

I'd met Niall in kindergarten, and it was love at first sight. He'd moved from Scotland into my neighborhood and, when we were old enough to walk alone, he started walking with me to and from school. We'd been inseparable ever since. I'd been so blessed to have a best friend who protected me with all of his being and loved me just as much. He was my first, my last, and everything in between.

"You're probably right." I smiled and slid off the stool. "I should get the Poppet home. The bathtub is calling my name." I stepped to the mouth of the hallway and called, "Poppy, love, we're going."

"Are you still good if I come in late tomorrow?" Ali asked. "Ryan's taking me to a few doctor appointments I've been putting off."

"Of course," I said. "Anytime, you know that. I still have the gremlins this weekend, right?"

"Yes." Ali grinned. "Ryan and I need some sexy sexual time."

I giggled. "I think that's a bit too much information, darling."

"In our business?" she scoffed. "There's no such thing."

"You might be right."

"Are you sure you're okay with staying here?" Ali asked. "The kids can come to you."

"No, it's fine. I love your home."

"I know, but I want you to be comfortable."

I smiled. "It'll be less upheaval for your kids and Poppy loves staying over, so it's perfect. As long as I have internet and can get some work done, I don't mind where I am."

"This is one of the many reasons I love you," Ali said, and hugged me again.

"Ready!" Poppy announced, Gracie on her heels. Grace looked so much like Ali it was like they were cloned. They had the same long, dark hair and tall, lanky build. Her big blue eyes were the only difference. Ali's were more of a periwinkle, whereas Grace's were darker.

"Thanks, love," I said, and Poppy and I headed home.

I left Poppy to watch a movie while I soaked in my tub, then after our bedtime ritual of reading a chapter from a favorite book (her choice tonight), I fell asleep dreaming of the scruffy Mr. Hatch.