Where Do We Go From Here?
Tiffany
Dina offered to invest in a bakery in Charlotte for me. The retail space beside her office was previously a café and has the display cases and kitchen I need. With my savings and the money I have left from Matt’s insurance, I could start the business without Dina’s capital. She has a lot of contacts and event opportunities to keep me steady until I build up my own clientele. This opportunity would bring me to Charlotte permanently.
I am scared to leave Susan, Elodie, and Josie. Life here, while it has improved, it’s not the comfortable pace I had in Charlotte.
Am I ready to take this step? Neither of us have said the words “I love you,” but I feel it in my soul that he loves me as much as I do him. Having my own business is going to tie me down to Charlotte permanently, even if things don’t work with him.
When I glance around my condo’s living room, Matt’s picture on my mantle catches my eye. I pick it up and hold it in my hand, seeing the sparkle in his eye that is clearly evident, the life he lived staring back at me.
Brave, he took chances. He died doing what he wanted to do, living his life to the fullest. Those blue eyes staring at me through the picture give me all the reassurance I need.
“Dina, call the realtor. I’m in. I don’t need your investment, though. I want and need to do this on my own as much as possible.”
After that simple call, life becomes a whirlwind for me.
Harrison and I decide I should move into his apartment until we can find a place to live together that we both like. I gave Susan my notice and worked for a month, helping her train someone new. While getting all of that squared away, I applied and received my business license, acquired my storefront, and began my advertising. Within two months, I was in my own shop, living in Charlotte, and settling down, my belongings in storage since Harrison and I haven’t found the right place yet.
This weekend, the Lawsons and their motorcycle club are coming up, and we are all going out to ride somewhere on the North Carolina and Tennessee border. Dina’s nanny is following in the car with baby Lauren so Dina and Ryder can make the ride, yet not be away from her long.
***
Harrison
Tiffany and I have ridden to a lot of places together, but I have yet to take her on the tail. This is a ride of a lifetime.
My parents are meeting us there with all the Hellions. The prospects must complete the Dragon’s Tail ride as their last rite of passage to become a fully patched member. I did it when I was nineteen before joining the Marines. When I got so wild, it was the MC who sat me down with my dad and got me on the right path.
Dina’s dad was a founding member of the club, and Ryder was patched in not long after they were married. We patched Brayden at his two year clean and sober mark. Jake isn’t patched, though, with his active duty stints with the Reserves, it just isn’t his time. The club is based on the coast, and he doesn’t go back with us often. He rides with us, and everyone considers him family, but he just doesn’t wear the rockers.
Haywood’s Hellions are a great group of guys, a real brotherhood. Some of the affiliate clubs will be around for the ride, too. With all of our family and friends with us on this scenic ride, I’m going to put it all out there.
The saddlebags are attached and packed, and I have adjusted the sissy bar to make sure Tiffany is comfortable and secure on this ride.
Ryder and Dina, Brayden and Maggie, Jake and Kenna, and Tiffany and I ride easily to the meeting point in Deal’s Gap.
Having Tiffany on the back of my bike again is soothing. As much as possible, I keep my left hand on her thigh while she has her hands wrapped around my waist. She’s not clutching me like she’s scared, only holding me close. I love this woman with all that’s in me.
My parents are waiting out front for us when we arrive. Knowing I’m ready, I start looking for a location to pull Tiffany aside. The mountain scenery around us, the quiet of a small town, and the family with us create the perfect moment.
I go to the saddlebags and put the small velvet box in my pocket. Then I find Tiffany off to the side, looking over at a mountain. I come up behind her and wrap my arms around her waist.
“You okay? You’re not too sore, are you? The ride’s in an hour.”
“I’m perfect. I’m just watching the hummingbird over there.” She points in the direction of a hummingbird flying over a patch of flowers.
“You seem lost in thought, babe.”
“Not really lost in thought. The hummingbird just brought some tranquility over me all of a sudden. It’s like everything is exactly how it’s supposed to be. I can’t explain it, Harry. I saw the bird, and all feels right in my life.”
Turning her to face me, I drop to one knee in front of her. The gravel under my bum knee doesn’t feel good, but the nervous energy jumpstarts my adrenaline, quickly dissolving thoughts of my knee.
“Tiffany, you are what’s right in my life. I love you. I want forever with you. Will you marry me?” I ask, slowly opening the box to show her the full carat, emerald cut, diamond solitaire.
Tears immediately form in her eyes. They trickle down her face as she nods.
I hate to see her cry, but I know these are happy tears. We have been through hell and back, but she has taught me what love is.
With shaking hands, I put the ring on her finger then stand and wrap my arms around her, kissing her.
She breaks off our kiss. “I love you, too.” She then kisses me again.
After sharing our news with everyone, I climb on my bike, my fiancée now behind me. We make the eleven mile ride with ease, keeping a slow pace so no one lays their bikes down in the three hundred eighteen curves found throughout the tail of the dragon.
As you lean left, roll right, and have your old lady holding on tight, there’s not a better feeling in the world. With the mountain air, the rumble of Harleys around me, and a true peace and tranquility in my soul, all is as it should be.