Page 58

One month later

“Are you sure she’s ready?” Max asked into his cell phone.

“Yes,” said Savannah. “She’ll be completely surprised, but I’ve made sure she’s ready.”

“Okay. I’ll be there in two minutes.”

“Can’t wait.”

Max tucked his phone away and started the motorcycle. He’d only talked to Noelle a few times since Adam had been killed. He’d seen her during her debriefing and then met her for a cup of coffee at the same coffee shop where he’d unknowingly purchased her latte the first day he interviewed her.

I know there is something between us.

That spark. That absolute awareness in my gut.

He suspected she felt it too. But she’d been through hell, and so he’d given her space.

Max had returned to Sacramento the day after they had coffee, and since then they had exchanged a few emails and texts. She’d sounded better as the weeks went by and that horrible day when Adam died melted further into the distance.

So Max contacted Savannah, who’d been staying in Bend with Noelle as she physically healed from her gunshot wound. It hadn’t taken long for Savannah to return to her sassy self. And she was fully on board with his surprise for Noelle.

He turned onto Noelle’s street, came to a stop at the curb, and swung off the motorcycle. He removed his helmet and balanced it on a mirror. The February day was clear and cold. A perfect day for a ride as long as he bundled up.

“Max! What are you doing here?” Noelle stood in her doorway, and he spotted Savannah at her side with a huge grin. She gave Noelle a little shove in her back and said something, earning an over-the-shoulder scowl from Noelle.

“I promised you a ride.” Max watched her walk toward him, a smile widening across her face, and a goofy happiness spread through him.

I missed her.

He had it bad. He’d been attracted to her from day one, and he’d had to squash it the entire time he worked on her murdered husband’s case. But now that was over.

“When did you get to town?” Noelle asked as she reached him. She wore jeans the color of her eyes and a white sweater, her blonde hair pulled back in a high ponytail.

She looked perfect.

“I got in this morning.”

“You should have let me know you were coming. Are you here for long?”

“I haven’t decided.” He had decided, but he wasn’t ready to share that with her yet.

“That’s a nonanswer.” She scanned the motorcycle. “Looks like you have a good day for a ride.”

“You’re coming with me.”

She laughed and took a step back. “Sorry, I don’t have anything to wear.”

“I came prepared.” He opened the top box and pulled out a helmet.

“See how this fits,” he said as he handed it to her.

Then he opened a pannier. “I borrowed my sister’s riding gear.

I told you before that I thought it’d fit you.

” He pulled out a black-and-gray jacket and pants.

“I’ve got her boots too, but I’ll warn you she’s got giant feet. ”

Noelle looked at the helmet in her hands, bewilderment in her eyes. “You’re joking.”

“I never joke when it comes to motorcycles. Please come with me. I promise you’re going to love it.”

“ Just do it, Noelle! ” hollered Savannah from the front door.

Noelle eyed him as if she still didn’t believe he was serious.

“Okay,” she finally said. “Give me the boots.”

Noelle felt as if she were dressed for battle.

The gear was heavy, made of Gore-Tex and some other engineered fabrics along with armor at her elbows, shoulders, knees, hips, and back.

The boots were a little too roomy in the feet but buckled snugly around her ankles and calves.

She awkwardly shoved the helmet on her head.

“How’s that feel?” asked Max.

“Like a helmet.”

“Anything poking you?” He wiggled it. “Doesn’t feel loose.”

“I think it’s okay.” She fumbled with the strap under her chin. “I can’t see how to buckle this.”

“I got it.”

He focused on the strap, and she studied his face, which was so close to hers.

Damn, he’s attractive.

She’d been pleased every time she heard from him after he left but had to play it cool. He lived in another state. She wasn’t interested in a long-distance romance, but now, with him right in front of her, she was having second thoughts.

He wouldn’t be here if he didn’t feel the same way.

But neither of them said it out loud.

She’d needed the weeks to absorb what had happened to her family, in both the past and the present. Before the FBI had blindsided her with that interview, she’d believed she’d moved past the questions about Derrick’s murder. Now she knew that hadn’t been true. She’d simply buried them.

The truth about that day had been tough to accept. But once she did, she’d finally felt like the door had closed on that chapter in her life. The rest of her family was working on closing the door too, putting Adam in their past.

Only Noelle—and Alice—knew that she’d hit Derrick with the elephant.

She looked at Max’s brown eyes as he focused on fastening her clasp.

Maybe I’ll tell him one day.

Max finished her chin strap and showed her how to raise and lower the visor. Then he handed her a pair of gloves, put on his own helmet, and got on the bike. He released the kickstand and looked at her. “Let’s go.”

She found a foot peg for her left foot and awkwardly heaved herself up, grabbing at his shoulder as she maneuvered her leg between him and the top box.

“Ready?” he asked.

“Where do I hang on?” She didn’t know where to put her hands. It didn’t feel right to wrap her arms around him.

“You can hang on to me, or there’re handles at the sides of your seat.”

She fumbled with the thick gloves to find the handles. Gripping them felt almost as if she were sitting on her hands.

This doesn’t feel secure at all.

She tentatively put her arms around him.

She couldn’t reach all the way around him, but she could sort of grip his jacket at his sides.

It still didn’t feel secure, and she didn’t think it would take much to make her topple off.

At least the top box was at her back to keep her from going over the rear of the bike.

“Ready now?”

“I guess we’ll find out.”

The bike started up with a loud rumble, and she tightened her grip. He smoothly pulled away from the curb, and they were moving.

I didn’t ask where we’re going.

She had no means of talking to him. She knew some helmets had microphones and speakers, but apparently theirs did not. She sat in silence and concentrated on not falling off.

Twenty minutes later she was in love.

Not with Max but with the ride. He’d described it as flying at ground level, and she completely agreed.

She’d relaxed her death grip and sat back a bit, enjoying the scenery and giving her brain a break.

No thoughts about work or Lucia or Adam.

It was the lightest and most serene she’d felt in a month.

Max had quickly taken them out of town, giving stunning views of the snow-covered Cascade mountains and green forests.

The roads were dry and clear, and he stuck to quiet two-lane country highways with little traffic. After about an hour, he pulled off at a scenic overlook and cut the engine. She didn’t move.

“Can you get off?” he asked.

“I think so.” It was awkward in her heavy gear, but she managed.

He got off and removed his helmet, so she did the same.

“That was amazing,” she told him. “I was smiling the entire time. I don’t think I’ve felt that happy in a long while.”

Max’s smile was warm, and his eyes were pleased. “That’s exactly what I wanted you to experience.” He opened the top box and handed her a water. “There’s a bench over there. Need to sit down?”

“It feels good to stand for the moment.” She followed him to the fence at the edge of the overlook and they both leaned against it, enjoying the sight of the mountains. “Now will you tell me how long you’re in town? I could tell you knew when I asked you earlier.”

“I did,” he admitted. “I was hesitant to tell you.”

“It’s going to be that short of a visit?” she joked as her heart sank a little because they wouldn’t have much time. She was absolutely certain that this was a relationship she wanted to explore.

“A long visit, actually,” he said, turning to face her. He had a few silver hairs at his temples and in his short beard that she found charming.

I find a lot charming about him.

He was a good man. She knew it in her heart.

“How long?”

“Permanently.”

She stared at him, searching his eyes. “Are you joking?”

“Nope. I spoke with the Bend satellite office. They wanted to add another agent. And that agent is me.” He paused. “What do you think of that?”

He looks nervous about my answer.

“I think that’s fantastic.” More happiness bubbled up inside her. “Between the ride and that news, this has been the best day in a long time.”

His face lit up. “There will be more rides.”

“Promise?” She knew he meant more than just rides.

“Absolutely.”

I can’t wait.