After getting home from Vilas, life started to get to a sort of normalcy.

Like Bear has promised, divorce papers had been waiting. They were signed and processed. It was all too surreal that I was no longer tied to my dirtbag of an ex. I finally got a new license, bank account, credit cards. It was crazy to think how much of my life had been tied to Jasper. Divorces were messy, even when one of the parties was unable to protest from behind the metal bars of a prison cell.

The apartment was being sublet. I sold everything that I could as far as furniture and belongings that reminded me of my former life and the rest was donated to charity. I truly was getting a fresh start in life and I could not have been happier.

Sitting in the kitchen a few weeks later, watching Bear cook bacon with his apron on, I read a headline that made my stomach flip and my heart race: Local Lawyer Found Guilty of Double Homicide. I feverishly read the article that told about the tragic, brutal murders of two men a few years prior. The men were assumed to be affiliated with illegal activity that had put one of Jasper’s clients away. I was shocked that the forensic evidence was what put him away.

I read a sentence out loud, “The overwhelming amount of concrete evidence was the undoing of the defense in this case. Finger prints, hair samples and matching shoe prints are just the tip of the iceberg of what the prosecutors nailed Keen with.”

I waited for Bear to react, say something, turn around, anything – even a freaking grunt would have sufficed – but he just kept humming away, frying a few eggs in a pan.

“I can’t believe that is all worked out like this.” I mumbled to myself.

Bear put a full plate of bacon down in front of me, smiling. “I told you that we would take care of him. Now eat your breakfast.”

With a kiss on my forehead, Bear took his seat across from me.

I folded up the paper, and started to cut up my fried eggs. We sat in silence, eating our delicious breakfast, for a few minutes.

Bear’s phone vibrated across the wood table. He took the call quickly.

“Yeah?” he answered. “Justus, I have been waiting for this call. I’ll be at the shop soon.”

After hanging up, Bear turned to me. “How about we finally take your bike out for a spin?”

I bounced a little in my seat. “Ahhhh! I would love too! I miss riding a lot.”

Bear shoved away from the table. “I’m going to get dressed. I have to do a quick tune up on my buddy’s bike and then the three of us will go for a ride this afternoon. How does that sound?”

I hopped up, kissing Bear on the cheek as I struggled to wrap my arms around his wide frame. “Fucking amazing!”

I drove Bear’s truck to Wheeler’s overly excited to finally be able to ride my motorcycle again.

Right as I pulled into the lot, Bear walked over and opened the drive’s door for me.

“Hey, darlin’.” He grabbed my hand and walked me over to a who looked to be in his early thirties with tons of tattoos and a kind smile.

“Justus, this is the girl I was telling you about, Scarlett.”

Justus shook my hand, saying, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Scarlett. I have heard many good things about you.” He turned to a young woman that was standing a little behind him. “This is Elsa, my wife.” She was stunning with gorgeous curves and beautiful blond hair.

She waved hello to me as we were introduced.

“Y’all ready to hit the open road?” Bear asked.

I squeezed his hand a little. “I am so excited.” My Royal Enfield Thunderbird was waiting for me just a few paces away.

Bear started to walk over to my bike, about to get on. I grabbed his hand. “Can’t you take your own?”

His eyes got a little wide. “Ugh, I guess.” He held my helmet out for me, digging the keys out of his pocket. “It’s not often that our old ladies drive their own bikes, sweetheart. I’m sorry for assuming.”

I took a deep breath. “I just want to drive her. I know that you getting on the back is not going to happen.” I laughed a little thinking of how goofy Bear’s giant ass would look on the back of my bike behind little ol’ me.

He scooped me up in his arms, kissing me quickly. “I am going to get so much shit for this but fuck it. I’ll ride bitch only this once.”

Bear set me down on the front seat of my bike, climbing on behind me.

“I think you got that a little wrong there, Bear.” I heard Jaxon call from inside one of the garage bays.

“Shut your pie hole, dickwad. At least I have an old lady that can drive a bike.” Bear’s words made my lips erupt into a smile.

“Bear, I fucking love you!” I turned and yelled as he put his helmet on.

He wrapped his arms around my small waist before kissing the back of my neck. “If this isn’t love, I don’t know what is.”