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

you've done is storm your way into my life, making me eat, wanting me to socialize, giving me money, and letting my son ride a motorcycle."

"Do you want him to learn?"

"I..." Her jaw hung open, and she snapped her teeth together.

She wanted her sons to have the best life and try new things, explore the world, and meet great people who will support and care about them as much as her.

Zach and Kenny, unfortunately, grew up without a dad. She'd done the best she could, but she'd be the first to admit there were things she couldn't do.

Trip entered her vision. She swiped her cheek. Embarrassed to have a meltdown in front of him, she inhaled a shuddering breath, trying to stop the tears.

Even her emotions were fighting her. She turned her back, not wanting Kenny to see her. The constant whine of the dirt bike let her know Zach was still enjoying himself and riding in the field.

Trip dipped his knees, lowering his face into her view. "Why are you crying?"

Mustering what little strength she had, she said, "Thank you for teaching my son to ride, and thank you for inviting us. But I think it's time for us to go home. I'm exhausted and—"

"Then, let's go sit down. You can have a beer and not think for a while." He put two fingers in his mouth and whistled loudly, gaining Zach's attention.

Zach rode over to them and stopped the motorcycle in front of his mom. "Yeah?"

"Park it." Trip pointed over to the crowd. "Then, go tell Sam you're done. Afterward, get your brother and grab something to eat."

"Sure." Zach looked back and forth between Trip and Bonnie, frowning and obviously concerned that something was going on. "Mom?"

"He's right. You need to eat, and the boy who owns the motorcycle was nice to let you ride, so make sure you tell him thank you." When Zach hesitated, she said, "Go on."

Trip put his hand on her lower back and urged her toward the front of the clubhouse. Too tired to put up much of a fight, she walked beside him.

As they grew closer to the others, a biker approached them.

Tall and lean, the biker held out his hand. "Speeder."

"Bonnie." She shook his hand.

"Welcome to Avery Falls." Speeder held up a bottle. "There's beer and pop in the coolers and food on the table."

"I've had a plate but thank you." Her cheeks strained under the pressure of smiling, acting like everything was normal.

This was the man she'd seen run across the field. She'd never seen an adult run faster than a slow jog or loop from one spot to the other, but a biker in jeans and boots breaking out in a full-strength sprint had her looking ahead of him to see if there was an emergency or fire.

"What brings you to Avery Falls?" Speeder tipped back the bottle as Trip walked away from her.

Avoiding such questions was the reason why she hadn't wanted to come to the get-together. People were naturally curious and wouldn't be satisfied until they knew the whole story. Thankfully, it was like Grandpa Gene was supporting her from the grave because she had a simple answer.

"My grandfather lived here. When he died, I inherited his house." She swallowed hard, feeling more comfortable when Trip was beside her. "With the economy the way it is, I lost my job and decided to move here with my two sons and get out of the rat race."

Half-truths were better than the sad reality and sounded more believable until the newness of her arrival wore off, and the locals found someone else to question.

"I've heard the strain of the economy has hurt many in the bigger cities. Luckily, Avery Falls has prospered because of all the out-of-area people fleeing to seek peace and recreate in the Bitterroot Mountains. Nothing like spending a few days on the mountain enjoying a new activity to let them catch a breather before they go back to real life." Speeder took another drink of beer.

She looked for Trip and found him walking toward her, holding two bottles.

"What kind of work did you do back in...where did you say you're from?" asked Speeder.

"Um, Boise." She scratched her arm, uncomfortable with the direction of the questions. "I worked in a bike shop that sold and repaired all kinds of two and four-wheeled transportation."

"No shit?" Speeder stood straighter. "Avery Falls has a bike rental business over by the boat slip on the river. You should check in with Rat—"

"Rat's not managing The Shack anymore." Trip handed Bonnie an opened beer. "Johnny's keeping it open while Rat is handling the licensing department this week. Everyone is swarming the office wanting a fishing license to take care of the spring opener."

"Well, there you go." Speeder grinned. "Go see Johnny about keeping The Shack open when he's not there."

Her thoughts whirled. Shack? Bikes? Rat? Johnny?

She had no idea who the men were that Speeder mentioned, but she latched on to a possible job opportunity. Reliable income coming in was something she desperately needed to give her boys everything they deserved. The money she'd received from Avery Falls Motorcycle Club would only last so long before it ran out. She needed to find a way to support her family.

"I'll definitely go in and talk with Johnny. Thank you," she said.

Kenny, followed by Zach and the girl that'd friended them, approached her, putting an end to the conversation between adults. She quickly got caught up with her kids, asking if they could come to town tomorrow and hang out with Trina—who happened to be Speeder's daughter.

As she listened to everyone talking, planning, and getting along, she found herself distracted by Trip. He stood off to the side, talking on a cell phone, staring straight at her.

Her day had started out rough and only got worse at the get-together. But the hope of good things to come put her in a better mood.

Her boys found someone to pal around with. Zach learned how