The Switch by Debra Kayn (desktop ebook reader TXT) 📗

then rushed forward, slamming to a stop before touching him. "Trip?"

He looked at her. She clutched her hands together, only accenting her breasts more. He dragged his gaze up to her face without replying.

She hugged herself, noticing him checking her out. "Thank you."

He had no plans of her staying. In fact, he'd be doing whatever he could to discourage her from making Avery Falls her home. He only needed time to make sure he contained the problem and kept it within the mountains.

Dipping his chin, he left her standing outside the rented RV. He got on his motorcycle and headed back to the clubhouse to meet with Prez.

Whether he wanted to or not, Bonnie had become his problem.

Chapter Four

The boys ran out the front door, letting the screen door slam behind them. Bonnie dropped the box to the floor and stuck her head outside. Prepared to yell at them for escaping the work, she smiled as they grabbed another pile of clothes out of the trunk of the car.

Guilt filled her, and she sighed loudly. Through everything they'd gone through, her sons were troopers.

The minimal fight against moving here was more a show of fear of the unknown than an unwillingness to listen to her.

They'd already gone through more than most kids, not knowing their father and being raised by a single mother. She'd always kept any money problems away from them because she could unload her troubles onto her mom, who'd bolstered her through the hardships.

Once she lost her mom, she realized how much of the grieving process she'd hid from them. The stress had taken a toll on her.

But they were old enough to know what losing a job meant to the family. In the past, if she lost or changed jobs, she already had a new one lined up. Her circumstances were different this time around.

She couldn't fault them for being afraid. If she gave herself two minutes to think about what she was doing, she'd scare herself to death.

Never in a million years had she imagined herself living in Avery Falls in a rundown old house, uprooting the boys from everything they knew.

She stepped back inside and looked at the meager belongings they'd brought with them.

In such a hurry to leave, she'd packed what would fit in the car, and everything they owned went in the yard and sold for cheap in a two-day yard sale. What hadn't sold, she let a neighbor man haul away in his truck for fifty dollars.

The desperate move to Avery Falls put her straight into mother mode. She'd told the kids to grab everything they wanted to take with them. Knowing she had to take care of them, she threw toothbrushes, thermometer, Tylenol, birth certificates, medical records, and anything she thought they'd need to take care of themselves in a box until they got back on their feet.

Then, she'd grabbed as many of her clothes that would fit into a suitcase, along with every picture she'd ever taken of her sons. With a promise to replace items too big to bring with them, they'd set out for a new adventure.

In the small living room, the belongings looked like an odd assortment of items they were donating to charity.

Feeding off her fears, the boys left behind bikes, PlayStation, balls, bats, and every toy known to young males worldwide.

They'd given up so much.

She closed her burning eyes. Their situation was temporary. She would survive. Her boys would thrive.

"Mom!"

Her body jolted. She opened her eyes at the urgency in Kenny's voice and hurried to the door.

"What's wrong?" She searched the front yard as she navigated the rickety steps off the porch and found a biker standing by her sons.

Her racing heart never slowed as she recognized Trip.

Kenny hitched his thumb. "He wants to talk to you."

Now that she gained possession of the house, she believed the only time she had a chance at seeing him again was when she went to the grocery store or gas station. A chance encounter when the stars aligned.

She had to keep reminding herself that he was a biker. Someone, who along with his club, put a member in her house and tried to pretend he had no idea what place she was talking about when she arrived in town.

Her stomach fluttered. She was six thousand dollars richer because of him. He had tried to make his mistakes or blatant dishonesty right.

And at the moment, the money he gave her was an unexpected gift. Another piece of insurance that would keep her boys from experiencing any more hardships.

"Kenny, his name is Mr...." She blinked, realizing she hadn't heard his last name.

"Just Trip." Trip strode toward her. "Do you have a second or two?"

She nodded, stepping back to the house and opening the screen door. "We can talk in here."

There was no reason to involve her sons. From here on out, she wanted to give them as much of a stress-free life as she could.

It was vital for her to show them life was manageable, and they had to roll with the changes.

Someday, she hoped they'd survive the bumps that threatened to knock them on their ass.

For her, she probably had permanent bruises on her backside from how many times she'd had to pick herself up off the floor. If she could protect them from any more loss, she would.

"Sorry, I don't have anywhere for you to sit." She stopped in the middle of the living room. "What did you need to see me about?"

She hoped he wasn't going to ask her for the money back.

He looked at the small collection of boxes and scattered belongings. "This weekend kicks off the weekly Avery Falls barbecue. It's just for the locals and a way for everyone to stay informed on what goes on in town." He raised his dark honey gaze to her. "Summers are hectic with the influx of tourists that invade the town. Getting together with the locals lets the MC stay on top of any