Chapter 15: The New Road**
Two months later, the spring thaw had begun to melt the high mountain snowpack, sending sparkling, clear streams tumbling down into the green valleys.
Outside Clara’s diner, the sign had been repaired, the neon beer sign glowing brightly in the crisp evening air. Parked in front was Jax’s restored motorcycle, but it looked different now. Bolted securely to the right side of the frame was a handcrafted, steel-reinforced sidecar, painted a deep, lustrous forest green.
Jax stood by the bike, adjusting the leather straps on a small pair of protective riding goggles. He was wearing a plain denim jacket now, the old gang patches stripped away and burned in the cabin fire.
Toby came running out of the diner, carrying a paper bag packed with Clara’s homemade ham sandwiches and two bottles of root beer. He was grinning ear to ear, his new leather riding jacket identical to Jax’s, minus the scars.
"You ready, partner?" Jax asked, holding out his hand.
Toby grabbed it firmly, his small grip strong and confident. "Where are we going?"
May you like
Jax lifted his son into the sidecar, making sure the heavy safety harness clicked firmly into place. He looked out toward the open blacktop winding toward the distant, sunlit horizon—a road no longer haunted by debt or running from regret, but leading toward a home they were building together.
"Anywhere we want, kid," Jax said, kicking the engine to life. The Harley roared with a deep, steady heartbeat. "Anywhere at all."
