Page 67 of Desperate Justice

Damn, she was good at this.

Was there anything she didn’t excel at?

When she finished and pulled away from the cones, a cheer went up from the crowd. His worries about someone targeting her abated as he headed over. The judges announced the score.

Almost perfect tens.

“Looks like you’re the winner,” he told her, feeling oddly proud of her skillset.

Allison pulled off her helmet and finger combed her hair.

“Winning isn’t as important as doing it right. I know that sounds hokey, but it’s what I believe. I like seeing others compete as well because this kind of competition means safer biking.”

“What’s your secret?” he asked.

“You ride on the rear brake for control—” she displayed it by touching the brake with her foot “—and throttle at the same time. That’s my trick.”

“Nice.” Rafe felt like a kid shown a new toy. “What about your line of sight?”

“Look at the horizon and don’t look at the cones or you’ll lose perspective and possibly balance.”

He’d done a few slow cone drills with motorcycle cops before. Their skills were at par with Allison’s, but she didn’t ride for a living like they did. “Steering?”

“Counter steering.” She demonstrated. “Push right, go right.”

He nodded. “I’ve done the same, but as a drill to be a safer rider, not to compete.”

“When you’re going that slow, it’s a good way to control the bike. I like the slow cone competition because it makes me more aware of hazards I could encounter. Like a dog rushing out in front of me, or a child.”

“Or a car that decides to wander into your lane.”

He wasn’t surprised when the judges announced Allison had won. Everyone gathered around her, asking questions, congratulating her as she returned from the podium where the judges had given her a blue ribbon. Rafe gave her space, wanting her to enjoy the spotlight and the attention.

He felt tremendously proud of her accomplishment.

When the crowd thinned, Diana rushed up to her and threw her arms around Allison. “My big sister, the winner. Always.”

He wondered at the slight bitterness in Diana’s voice.

Allison touched the blue ribbon pinned to her denim jacket. “We should go celebrate.”

Diana shook her head. “Ally, I’m a little tired. I’m going back to the cabin to take a nap.”

Tired? Or bored? Rafe assessed her sister, who was looking a little pale. Wedding jitters?

Or jitters about what he had proposed to Diana?

“You sure you’re okay? I thought we could eat dinner at that steak place on the river,” Allison asked.

“I’m fine.” Diana swatted the air. “I need AC and a good movie. All this fresh air is annoying.”

Allison laughed. “Right. You would say that in the middle of all this lovely scenery.”

‘Don’t worry about me, Ally. I need some alone time, ’kay?” She gave her a sly glance. “In fact, if you want to spend the night elsewhere, feel free. I could use a night alone.”

She sputtered. “I have no intentions...”

“You should have intentions.” Diana grinned at her and winked at Rafe. “Go for it, Ally. I’ll be fine.”