Chapter 28

The entire town of Misty Bottoms turned out for Wylder Rides’ grand opening. Sawyer Liddell, the sole reporter for the local paper, snapped photos and interviewed townspeople and visitors alike. The Bottoms Daily would have a record sellout tomorrow.

Sawyer, who’d made his way to the Wylders for a quick interview, said, “One more question.”

A group had gathered to listen to the three as they chatted with the reporter.

One of the girls in the crowd shouted, “Who are you dating?”

“Yeah,” another called out. “Tell us about your love lives. Inquiring minds want to know.”

“Not what I planned to ask,” Sawyer said, “but apparently we have a lot of single females in Misty Bottoms who’d like to know the answer to that question. Must be hard fitting that in around your work.”

Gaven shook his head. “The day I’m too busy for a love life is the day I’m too busy!” He grinned at the group and threw an arm around Brant. “This guy, though? He’s off the market, ladies.”

“I am,” Brant said, “and I couldn’t be happier. That makes it your turn, Tuck.”

Tucker shook his head. “I’m happy for you, Bro, but it’s not for me. I’m a lone wolf, and I like it that way.”

“Uh-oh. Them’s fightin’ words, big brother. You just tossed a challenge in fate’s face.” Gaven pointed a finger at him. “She’s out there now, rubbing her hands in glee, determined to prove you wrong.” Turning back to the crowd, he said, “She’s coming for him, isn’t she?”

The women hooted and gave him the thumbs-up.

“Get real, Gav. You make your own fate,” Tucker argued.

“We’ll see, won’t we?” Gaven grinned. “You’ve got the house, Tuck. Now all you need is a bride to carry over the threshold.”

Sawyer laughed. “Thanks, guys.”

“Be sure you include that part about Tuck in your article,” Gaven prodded.

“You’re so juvenile,” Tucker said.

Molly smiled, then wandered through the crowd.

Frank was there, holding court, showing everyone around and pointing out the “new-fangled technology” the “boys” had added.

“You’d think he still owned the place,” Lettie said.

“He’ll always be welcome here,” Molly said.

“We’ll see. He’s liable to wear out that welcome mat soon enough,” Lettie predicted.

“I don’t think so.” She wrapped an arm around the older woman’s waist, and together they strolled through the crowd. Tansy’s beautiful cake, a replica of the shop, complete with the Mobil sign, the old-fashioned gas pumps, and Lug Nut, had been gushed over and was now being enjoyed by the townspeople.

Cricket and Jenni Beth had stuck with vintage for the decorations and used old oil and gas cans for vases. And the coup de grâce? A few of the Wylder Rides’ celebrity clients had driven into town with motorcycles and cars the brothers had restored for them. They parked them around the lot, along with Lem Gilmore’s partially restored El Camino and the as-yet-to-be-started barn-find Corvette.

Moonshine and Mint Julep, Darlene’s dogs, wore black-and-white sweaters and looked like walking checkered flags. Dee-Ann and Kitty wandered around with huge smiles on their faces and refilled platters of sandwiches and appetizers from the diner.

Lainey, looking healthy and happy, had come with Jax and her parents. Penny barely needed her cane, and Neal never left her side. Molly spotted her mother and father, who’d started dating again, sitting on a bench outside the bay area.

Even Annabelle and Willow had come. Jeremy seemed to be having a tough time keeping his eyes off Annabelle’s niece.

But the true stars of the day were the Wylder brothers themselves. An aura of sexy competence mixed with a take-charge attitude surrounded them. They were so much alike, yet little differences marked each as his own man.

Gaven was a flirt through and through. Molly felt sorry for the woman who fell for that one. He wore a cloak of carelessness, yet Molly knew how hard he worked and how deeply he cared for his family. She also knew he had magic hands when it came to cars. He wore his sun-streaked hair a tad longer than Brant’s, and even though today was a big deal, he’d shown up in worn jeans, a Wylder Rides T-shirt, and black Converse sneakers. He played the bad-boy card to the hilt.

Tucker, the oldest, was an ex-Marine, and that about said it all. His dark hair wasn’t quite as high and tight as in the photos she’d seen of him when he’d been active, but it was a whole lot shorter than his brothers’. Unlike the others, he had his mother’s brown eyes. The smartly creased khakis and black polo shirt showcased a hard body.

And then there was Brant. So responsible and steady, he’d put his heart and soul into making today happen. He took care of what was his, regardless of the cost. There was a toughness about him, but Molly had seen his vulnerable side, too, and knew it ran every bit as deep.

He looked so good today in his Sunday jeans and a long-sleeved white shirt. The cuffs were rolled up and showed a smattering of dark hair. She loved his hands and his strong arms. She loved even more that they’d hold her every night for the rest of her life as she fell asleep.

Feeling his gaze, Molly looked up into two pairs of green eyes.

With Jax riding his hip, Brant put an arm around Molly and drew her close.

Bachelors, babies, and forever love. Life didn’t get any better.