Now that Quinn had examined the fuel tank, he doubted that soldering it would fix the problem. He’d give it a shot after lunch, but he wasn’t confident about the outcome.

Because of that, he’d left several messages with friends he’d made in the fifteen years he’d been riding the bike. The network of Harley owners was large and dedicated to helping fellow riders. Someone was sure to have a lead on a replacement tank in this area.

He was washing up in the miniscule cabin bathroom when Kendra’s text came in with a suggested time to leave for town. He responded that he’d be ready.

I have exciting news, she texted back. And Ryker’s joining us for lunch.

Great! He’s your oldest, right?

Right. Will you please text Roxanne?

Sure.

He sent Roxanne a message advising her to give them extra time for a tour of the store before she showed up. No point in interrupting her work any longer than necessary.

Then he set down his phone and finished changing into the clothes he’d worn this morning. He wasn’t the least bit surprised Ryker was joining them for lunch. In fact, the guy was showing up later than Quinn would have expected.

Besides being the oldest, Ryker was an Air Force vet. He likely had a protective streak a mile wide when it came to his mom. Quinn was about to be scrutinized.

Fine with him. He took the matted five-by-seven and eight-by-ten prints out of his bag. He’d created small-scale originals and made prints of those instead of using his larger works. The format had been a good change of pace.

He’d wrapped each one individually and then bundled them all together into one neat package that had been easy to transport. Putting on his hat, he picked up the parcel and left the cabin. Showtime.

On the way to the house he saw Jim down by the new barn and gave him a wave. Jim waved back before disappearing through the double doors.

Quinn figured he’d made a friend, especially if Faith had mentioned anything about working on the Harley. He’d bet Jim was as fiercely proud of Faith as Quinn was of Roxanne.

A muscular black truck was parked near the house. Ryker’s, no doubt.

Quinn’s boot heels tapped against the flagstone-paved walk as he headed for the front porch. The fire pit and picnic tables were off to his left and he gave them a fond glance before climbing the steps. Wild Creek Ranch was growing on him.

Pausing at the front door, he rapped on it.

“Come on in!”

Kendra’s cheery greeting jacked up his pulse rate. She sounded excited. Happy. He opened the door, expecting Ryker to be inside with her.

But the living room was empty and she was alone when she came out of the kitchen drying her hands on a towel. Her cheeks were flushed. “I have the best news. Faith and Cody are having a baby!”

“Kendra, that’s wonderful!” He put down his parcel on the nearest surface, crossed the room and pulled her into a hug. Then he let her go just as quickly and glanced around. “Sorry. Wasn’t thinking. Where’s Ryker?”

“He walked up to Cody and Faith’s house to congratulate them in person. He should be back any minute. Let me get rid of this towel. I was starting the prep work for tonight’s party.”

He followed her into the kitchen. Any minute meant he’d better keep his hands to himself. He shoved them in his pockets. “So when’s this bundle of joy due?”

“Middle of December.” She combed her hair back with her fingers. She’d taken it out of the ponytail and had likely worked some magic with a curling iron. “There was something else I needed to tell you, but this baby news has me all flustered. I can’t remember what it was.”

“It’ll come to you.” He itched to touch her. “Your hair looks nice.”

“Thanks. I wanted to…well, it doesn’t matter. Anyway, there’ll be a little McGavin around during the holidays. That hasn’t been the case for more than twenty-five years.”

“Should be fun. You’ll be a—”

“I know. Grandma Kendra. Can you believe it?”

“No, frankly, I can’t. Nobody who looks at you will believe it, either.”

“I’m thrilled about this baby. Over the moon. But…”

“Not quite ready for the designation?”

“No! I realize grandmothers are running marathons and heading up multinational companies and sometimes are only forty-six. I’ve been telling myself that this new status doesn’t change anything. I’m the same person. On the other hand, it changes everything.”

He nodded. “I get it. I haven’t faced this yet, and I’m sure I’ll be excited when—and if—it happens. It throws you into a new role, though, one you might not have envisioned for yourself quite yet.”

“So true, and I wasn’t prepared. Which is unrealistic because my kids are older than I was when I had them, for crying out loud.”

“Mine, too, come to think of it.” That was sobering. Considering the age of his kids, he was past due to become Grandpa Quinn. He wasn’t ready, either.

“None of my girlfriends expect to be grandmothers any time soon. I’ll be the first and let me tell you, the whole concept feels just plain weird.” Then she clapped a hand over her mouth and her eyes widened.

“It’s okay.” He smiled. “I won’t tell anyone you said that.”

“Thank you. I can’t believe I did. But I do feel weird and I’ve been coming up with wild ideas, like maybe I should buy a sports car. And color my hair.”

“I can see you zipping around in a sports car.”

She laughed. “Totally impractical, not to mention expensive, so I won’t do it. But I might pay a visit to Nicole at Shear Delight and see what she—”

“Please don’t.”

She gave him a puzzled look. “You sound passionate about it.”

“I am. The silver in your hair is like…starlight.”

She blinked. “I hardly think so.”

“I doubt you’re in a position to judge, especially today, but take my word for it. Those little hints of silver in your dark hair are mesmerizing.”

The corners of her mouth turned up.

“You don’t believe me.”

“No, but I’m enjoying the heck out of the conversation.”

“Promise me you won’t color your hair.”

“I won’t make that promise, but I will promise not to be hasty about it. How’s that?”

“Better. If you get the urge to make that hair appointment, call me. I’ll stage an intervention.”

She laughed. “You’re so good for my ego.”

“Glad to hear it. You’re good for mine, too.”

“I’ve never once complimented your hair, although I think it’s very nice.”

“I don’t give a damn what you think of my hair. But I love it when you look at me the way you did this morning.”

Color bloomed on her cheeks. “I can’t imagine what you’re talking about.”

“You know very well what I’m talking about.” He lowered his voice in case Ryker suddenly walked into the house. “The heat in your eyes nearly set this kitchen on fire. If I hadn’t been worried about someone walking in on us, I would’ve done something about it.”

She sucked in a breath. “Quinn Sawyer, the things you say.”

“Still feeling grandmotherly?”

“Not even slightly, you crazy cowboy.”

“Crazy about you.”

The front door opened. “Hey, Mom, is Quinn here yet?”

“Sure am.” He gave Kendra a wink before turning and walking into the living room. “Good to see you again, Ryker.”

“Same here.” He smiled, but like his brothers, his handshake was a hair shy of being painful. “Sorry about your bike.”

Quinn wasn’t sorry. Delighted, in fact. But he played along. “Yeah, tough break. Not surprising, though. My first long ride since last fall.”

“Faith raved about that Harley. She wants one.”

Kendra came out of the kitchen. “That wouldn’t make much sense now that they’re having a baby.”

“I think she knows that,” Ryker said. “But I wouldn’t put it past her to get one eventually now that she’s had a chance to work on Quinn’s.”

“Work on it?” Her eyebrows lifted as she turned her attention to Quinn. “Didn’t Roxanne say you won’t let anyone work on it besides you?”

“Normally I don’t, but then Faith brought me her extremely neat tool box and offered to let me use anything I needed. She doesn’t usually loan out her tools, either.”

She smiled. “You found a kindred spirit.”

“Matter of fact.” He was in danger of being drawn in by the soft glow in her eyes so he looked away. “Who’s ready for a burger at the GG?”

“I’m always up for that,” Ryker said. “We taking the van?”

Kendra nodded. “Probably should since there are three of us. Quinn, did you bring your artwork?”

“Sure did.” He walked over to the side table where he’d put it down. “Right here.”

“Then let’s go,” Ryker said. “I’ll drive.”

“Thank you for the offer.” Kendra picked up her keys and a small purse dangling from a hook by the door. “But I enjoy driving that van.”

Ryker folded immediately. “Okay.”

Quinn loved it. Her boys might tower over her and outweigh her by at least a hundred pounds, but she held her own with that crew. He lost another chunk of his heart to Kendra McGavin.

When Ryker made a beeline for the driver’s door to open it for his mother, Quinn readily surrendered the privilege. Ryker also offered up the co-pilot’s seat, but Quinn let Ryker have it.

Climbing in behind Kendra’s seat, Quinn buckled up and initiated a conversation with her eldest son as she fired up the engine. “Air Force, right?”

“Yes, sir. Flew F-15s. Did you serve?”

“Army. Armored division.”

“How many years?”

“Four. Married my high school sweetheart when I was on leave and we started having kids right away, so I didn’t want to stay in.”

“Makes sense.”

“How about you?”

“Ten years.” He grimaced. “And my high school sweetheart and I broke up when I enlisted. Lucky for me, April’s taken me back.”

“And we’re all fortunate that she did,” Kendra said. “April’s a sweetie.”

“No question about it.” Ryker’s chiseled features softened. “I’m a lucky guy.”

“I don’t think I’ve met April. Is she coming to lunch?”

“Unfortunately not. She would have, but she agreed to a couple of last-minute massage appointments that wiped out her lunch break. When people are hurting, she hates to turn them away. Badger’s coming, though.”

“That’s what I forgot to tell you,” Kendra said. “He thinks your scratchboard art is really cool so he asked if he could have lunch with us today.”

“Great.” Quinn turned to Ryker. “Am I right that he’s the other half of Badger Air?”

Ryker nodded. “That’s him.”

“I definitely met him at the event in March.” He grinned. “Badger makes an impression.”

“He’s become one of the family,” Kendra said. “He’s only been around since Christmas but now I can’t imagine how we got along without him.”

“He can’t imagine how he got along without us, either.” Ryker glanced at Quinn and his blue eyes flashed a subtle warning. “He thinks my mom hung the moon.”

Quinn met his gaze. “I have it on good authority that she did.” Lunch would be interesting.