Chapter 7
Before Claire could climb back onto the bike, a low, deep rumble echoed up the winding pass, vibrating through the solid rock beneath her boots. She froze, her hand tightening around the stone in her pocket. Headlights cut sharply through the gathering dusk around the lower bend, casting long, dancing beams across the rock face. A moment later, a massive, matte-black cruiser rolled onto the plateau, cutting its engine with a quiet purr.
It was June. He pulled his bike to a stop ten feet away, kicked down the heavy kickstand, and swung his muscular leg over the saddle with practiced ease. He lifted his helmet off, shaking out his bald head and running a thick, tattooed hand over his beard. He didn't look surprised to see Claire stranded at the overlook; rather, he wore the calm, predictable expression of someone who knew the rhythms of the road inside and out.
“Smart place to stop,” June called out, his deep voice carrying easily across the gravel. He walked toward the edge of the overlook, resting his heavy forearms on the stone barrier as he stared out at the sprawling, darkening valley below. “The wind picks up right at this notch just before sundown. Makes the steering twitch if you don't keep both hands locked down.”
Claire stepped away from her motorcycle, keeping a guarded but welcoming distance. “You’re moving faster than I expected for a heavily loaded machine,” she noted, stepping up to the stone barrier a few paces away from him.
June glanced sideways at her, a faint, weary smile touching the corners of his mouth. “When you’ve ridden these passes as many times as I have, you learn to read the wind before it hits you. Besides, I noticed your rear shock was sagging a fraction lower than it should when you pulled out of the station. Wanted to make sure you didn’t bottom out on the cattle guards a mile up.”
Claire felt a hot flush of embarrassment mix with genuine gratitude. “You’ve been checking on us the whole way up, haven’t you?”
“Just keeping an eye on the road,” June corrected mildly, turning his gaze back to the magnificent horizon where the last sliver of sun was slipping below the jagged peaks. “Out here, you either look out for each other, or you end up becoming another bleached skull on the shoulder. Not much middle ground left.”
May you like
Lily stirred behind them, letting out a soft yawn and shifting her weight on the motorcycle seat. She blinked her sleepy eyes open, peering through the dim light until she spotted the tall, tattooed figure standing by the cliff edge. Without any hesitation, she slid off the footpegs and trotted across the gravel toward him, her pink sneakers crunching loudly in the quiet night air.
“Mr. Bear,” Lily announced cheerfully, clutching her green river stone tightly in her fist. “We made it up the big hill.”
