Stud woke first the next morning and watched Eva sleep for a few minutes. She was on her side, one hand curled under the cheap motel pillow and the other palm up in front of her body. She was peaceful, breathing deep and even. Stud felt a satisfaction he hadn’t felt in a long time. A contentment that life was good and would only get better. The feeling became bittersweet, as today he was taking her back to her family. He knew she should be happy getting back to them, getting back to work, getting back to her life, but there was a sadness in her as well. He hoped she wouldn’t regret the time they’d spent together. Last night they’d made love as many times as he had condoms, three total. She never refused when he reached for her, and every time was beautiful. Even if it was the only night he ever had with her, he would remember and cherish every moment. These last few days had meant so much to him, and the precious gift she gave him he would treasure for a lifetime.

He checked out and took them both to a greasy spoon diner for breakfast before getting on the road. Stud put on his best face, smiling and teasing Eva, trying his best to act as if it were business as usual, but inside he was breaking. He watched as she turned her phone back on as they were mounting up to make the long ride to Wilmington. It dinged with several missed texts. One was from Connor sending her the address of the RV and her tiny house. The worksite was downtown and had no place to park those two vehicles. The other was from Psalm asking if she had more stuff to sell. All of the lounge pants had sold at the festival and most of the lap quilts. People were asking for more and some wanted to commission bigger quilts. Stud smiled and hugged her as she bounced around showing her excitement.

“Knew it would happen, Cactus,” Stud said as he messed with the bike. He was genuinely happy for her. “Just remember the little folks when you become famous.” He stood back and bowed with a flourish, presenting the extra cushion he installed on the bike for her to sit. He laughed and winced, rubbing his shoulder when she punched him. She scowled at his play but did thank him for his thoughtfulness.

Stud made sure they took a few breaks as they rode, partially to give her a break and partially to draw out the time. It’s not like I’ll never see her again, he reasoned with himself. She had to come back to Bryson City and get the rest of her stuff. She still had the sewing machine and a few clothes left in his room. Besides, she wanted to be at the wedding. She had to finish the wedding dress for Kat. Stud had heard all about how Molly had wanted a bunch of sparkle, sequins, beads and stuff, but Kat managed to calm her down and got the dress that was more to her taste. Kat had seemed to be pleased with the results. Maybe custom dresses could be another item in Psalm’s shop.

Stud kept giving himself silent pep talk after silent pep talk, the constant voice in his head ranging from it will be okay, I’ll see her again, this is not the end to I can’t lose this, it will never be the same! A chorus of what-ifs spun around and around in his mind. What if she never comes back? What if she does and things are different? What if she finds someone else at her next site? What if? What if? Every hour or so, he thought about turning the bike around and heading back to Bryson City. Taking her to his home and making love to her until she agreed to stay with him or was too damn tired to argue.

His biggest fear and worst thought came to him as they passed a sign that said Wilmington City Limits. What if I never feel this way again?

Stud could tell something was wrong as he drove slowly up the street where the GPS was leading them. The living vehicles were parked in an empty store lot near the site, but not at it. He could see flashing police lights, fire trucks, and firemen in hard hats teeming over the area. The waning sun made the whole scene surreal. A sour, burnt charcoal smell filled the air, pungent and raw. Fire, obviously. A big one. He felt Eva’s hands claw at his waist where she was hanging on and heard her in the helmet radio gasp out, “What the fuck?”

Stud coasted the bike as close to the scene as he could and put a leg down to steady it. Eva leapt off and was ready to rush into the chaos. Stud grabbed her hand and kept her back. She swung at him and tried to pull away, but Stud ignored her and held on as his brain processed what he was seeing. Connor was in a tremendous fight with his father; both men were yelling and gesturing wildly. This was not the easy-going diplomatic man who had worked side by side with Eva. This was a man who was on the absolute edge.

“Connor! Holy shit, Connor!” Stud heard Eva shout as she scrabbled her fingers on the helmet strap. He didn’t say a word when she dropped the expensive piece of equipment to the ground and ran toward her brother. She hadn’t seen yet what he had.

Conner stopping yelling at his dad when he heard Eva cry out. Instead of being happy to see her, he jammed both hands through his thick hair to the back of his head and turned as if unable to face her. Stud pulled off his own helmet and let it drop next to Eva’s. He stared and his mouth got hard at the sight just beyond Connor’s still form. He rushed to catch up. This was not good. Not in any sense of the word.

Stud saw the moment when Eva recognized the blackened, wet pile of smoldering wood sitting not too far in front of her. She stopped just short of Connor and her da, arms at her side, standing as still as marble as she finally saw the heap that was once her tiny house. Her truck hadn’t been spared either. It was nothing more than burnt rubble as well.

“What? Why?” Eva was stuttering, her face white as a sheet. Stud came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She melted into him like she couldn’t hold herself up any longer. Connor took notice of Stud’s position and frowned even more, if that was even possible.

“Is everyone okay?” she asked in a small, quavering voice.

Fergus harrumphed. “Yes. Yes, everyone is fine. They’re all at the job site working.” He turned to Eva and pointed a finger at her. “That’s where you should be, ya cailín leisciúil!”

Stud felt Eva freeze at the harsh tone. He held on and waited, counting down in his head. Three—two—one—

But it wasn’t Eva who exploded, it was Connor.

“Cailín leisciúil? Are you fucking mad! You call your only daughter lazy and good for nothing? Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, you’re a piece of work, Da!”

He pointed at the still smoking hot mess that was once Eva’s home.

“This is your fault, ya damn Irish bastard! You have not the least respect for any of us! You know she doesn’t allow smoking in her house. I told you twice not to smoke those damn cigars of yours in there. I had to put one out that you left sitting on the table a few nights ago. On the fucking table!”

Fergus turned red in the face. “My cigars didn’t start this! That table had the wrong kind of finish! Whole house was badly made. Bad wiring. I’m surprised it didn’t go up in flames long ago.”

Connor was not done. His voice got louder and louder. “You’ve screwed up orders again, got the wrong dates for delivery, over booked the whole operation until we’re spread so thin, we’ll be lucky to finish this one anywhere near on time! Now you’re making excuses, blaming everyone else for your mistakes. You’ve treated us like fucking slaves for years, and I’ve put up with it for the sake of my brothers and sister, but this is the absolute last straw! I. Am. Done!”

Stud felt Eva jerk in his arms at her brother’s declaration.

Fergus went off. “What do you mean, ‘done’?’ You can’t just be ‘done’!’ This is a family business! Your brothers need you!”

“I can’t do this anymore!” Connor ranted on. It seemed cathartic, like a boil that just got lanced and all the poisons were draining out. “I’ve been covering your ass for years. I stuck around because of family. You certainly didn’t worry about your sons or your daughter. Not with me taking care of things. We roam like Irish gypsies, and I’m sick of it. I’m almost thirty-five. Too old to be living in an RV with five other men, brothers or not. I want a real home and to find a wife and kids of my own. I’ve given all I can give. It’s time for them to grow up and go their own way. It’s past time for me to go.”

He turned to Eva. “I’m so, so sorry, a stóirín. This was not supposed to happen, and I tried. The Lord above knows I tried. I’ll take care of the insurance. We have everything covered. You’ll need to stay in the RV for a wee bit. Best I can do for now.”

“No,” Eva stated, her voice low and devoid of emotion. “I love you, mo run.”

“No?” Fergus blustered, but no one paid attention to the old man.

“Please get me out of here, Stud,” she whispered.

Stud looked up at Connor and lifted an eyebrow. Their eyes met, man to man. Words weren’t necessary. Connor’s mouth relaxed, and he gave one short nod. “Good. Take care of her.”

Stud led Eva back to the bike. She didn’t resist as he strapped on her helmet, and then she mounted up behind him. Her grip was looser, but she still managed to hold on. Stud drove the short distance to the town of Leland. It was dark as he pulled into a Holiday Inn Express. She was quiet the entire trip, and this had Stud very worried. He’d seen Eva happy and laughing, mad as hell, working hard and cussing, arguing with anyone and everyone, always standing up strong, more ready for a fight than anyone else he knew. This Eva was like a gutted shell. This wasn’t his Eva at all.

He checked them into a room. Eva went in and sat on the bed, staring and still processing. Her eyes were glazed and dilated, and her hands were shaking. She’s in shock, Stud thought, remembering the state he was in when his world shattered and he’d been in pieces. He imagined it was the same for her and his heart bled a little, knowing what she was going through.

“Come on, baby. Let’s get you warmed up in the shower.” He pulled at her icy hands and she stood up to follow him into the bathroom. He turned on the water, making it as hot as he thought she could stand. He stripped them both quickly and got her under the spray, letting the water soak through her hair and run down her back. She shivered once, and he enfolded her again in his arms, pressing her breasts against his chest and wrapping her tight.

“You’re safe, baby. I got you,” he murmured, his lips to her wet head.

It was then that she broke. She cried out, her scream echoing in the tiled chamber. She clawed at him, fighting and gouging her fingers into his arms, chest, back, anywhere she could reach. She punched and hammered at him, twisting to get away, then clutched him close. Stud held on while she fought her way through. This took a long time, as she was a strong woman, physically and mentally. Stud knew he would be sporting a lot of bruises come morning, and he was glad she didn’t have long fingernails, as he would have been bloody too.

She finally tired out and settled, crying hard. Stud had never seen this side of her either, and her tears tore at him worse than her hands had. He kissed her temple, murmuring more comforting words, stroking her naked back. He moved down to kiss her ear, tracing the rim with his tongue, feeling her shudder at the contact. Her breathing deepened, and she pressed against him, clinging. He kissed down her neck and shoulder, biting lightly, listening to the soft moan that came from her throat. He tilted his head and held one breast up, teasing her nipple into a tight bud before sucking it deep in his mouth. She gasped and arched her back, offering him better access. He took it, rolling the other in his fingers, switching back and forth between them. He played with her breasts until she was writhing with need. His dick hardened, rising up between her legs, but he ignored it as best he could. This was for her. He got to his knees and pulled one of her thighs over his shoulders, spreading her open to his mouth. He licked at her clit, sucking it gently. She moaned again and pressed into him, asking for more. He gave it. He slid a finger inside her wet opening, hooking it against the secret spot only he knew about in her body. Her muscles clenched at his stroking digit and his dick went rock-hard, feeling her channel grip him. She cried out and came, her juices flowing from her to mingle with the shower stream. Stud licked her sensitive bud of flesh a few more times, then stood, fisting his own cock, and finished himself off against her stomach. The water was starting to grow cold. He washed them off quickly and got them out of the shower, dried off, and into the bed. Clothes could wait.

Stud lay on his back, Eva curled into his side with his arm around her. He stroked her drying hair that was starting to curl and kissed her forehead. Touching her had become such a habit he didn’t think about it anymore. A few sounds filtered into the room, other people moving around, a TV turning on, and cars going by. Still, Stud continued to stroke and hold Eva. She was now relaxing and starting to drift off.

“Stay with me,” he asked, his voice soft but strong and sure. “Come back to Bryson City and stay with me. I have a condo. Plenty of room for you and your sewing machine. Your lounge pants and other stuff are selling like hot cakes, and I’ll help you get the insurance sorted and deal with the legal stuff if they won’t pay out. Until that happens, you don’t have to make any other decisions right now other than this one.”

She shifted, wide awake now. “Fuck my life!” she declared, erupting from the bed. Stud was not expecting it and froze at the sight and feel of her naked body suddenly straddling his. She put her hands on his shoulders as if to hold him down and stared into his eyes.

“I’m over this bullshit. The whole ride to get here, I was hoping for a sign. I wanted to quit the crew and come back with you to Bryson City. I guess I got my sign. A fucking huge one that just had to include a fuckin’ bonfire so everyone could see it! I love all my brothers, but Connor is right. The time is way past for us to make our own ways. I can’t say what I feel about Da just yet. I’m mad as hell at him, but I know he is who he is and he’s not gonna change. Maybe someday I’ll get over my house, but right now, I don’t want to see or talk to him.”

She sat back a bit, her naked core settling on his quickly hardening dick. “Damn! I just wish my Jimmy Choos had survived. I’m gonna miss those shoes!”

Stud could have rejoiced. This was the Eva he knew and loved.

“Are we starting something serious between us? Dare I even ask if this is the R-word you don’t like and run from anytime you can? Because right now, I’m not up to dealing with half-ass crap. So you be real sure that’s what you want.” Her green eyes snapped fire.

Stud’s smile became huge. “Yes, I promise you this is serious, Eva,” he answered, placing his hands on her hips. “I want you to be in my life and in my bed.”

“I will not share,” she stated emphatically. “If I move in, it’s exclusive. I won’t be a scheduled night. No biker bunny Bambis or Nikkis or anyone else. Can you promise me that?”

“Guess threesomes are out,” Stud muttered.

“Asshole!” Eva growled, and moved to dismount.

Stud laughed out loud, arched his torso, and flipped her to her back, pushing her legs apart and pressing his throbbing cock between them.

“I’m teasing you, baby. I promise no one else will ever take your place. This is real. This is solid.” Stud didn’t hesitate.

Eva rolled her hips against his hardness. “Does that make me your old lady?” she asked. “If I have to wear a property patch, that’s fine, but I really want to get my own bike. Riding bitch gets old quick.”

Stud gave her his half smile as he slid inside her. She took a quick breath at his surprise entry. “Yeah, Cactus, I’ll put my patch on you and get you a bike too. You’ll need to get on the pill, ASAP. We’ve been taking a few chances. Not that I’d mind a rug rat or two, but let’s get a few years under our belts first.”