Banger's Ride: Insurgents Motorcycle Club (Insurgents MC Romance Book 5) (32 page)

B
elle smiled when
she saw Banger and Ethan holding their baseball mitts, walking down the sidewalk toward the house. As promised, Banger had come over and taken Ethan to the nearby park to practice throwing and catching the baseball in preparation for summer Little League. Heat radiated through her chest, and she found herself humming one of the catchy jingles she’d heard numerous times on television.

For the previous two weeks, she’d felt more at peace than she had in years. Emily and Belle talked a long time the day after Emily came home drunk, and continued the discussion in their therapy session. Emily seemed better since she’d found a part-time job at the hair salon. Earning some money on her own seemed to boost her self-confidence, and she’d started hanging around a better caliber of people. Taking the therapist’s advice, Belle fought the school to place her daughter in advanced classes, even though her grades weren’t that good. The harder classes seemed to have helped because Emily was enjoying school more, and she’d even been talking about applying for colleges. Belle kept her fingers crossed every time her daughter walked out the door.

Ethan had invited a few friends over for video games and pizza, and two of them waited anxiously for him in his room. Belle wanted to make Banger a good meal, to show he was such a wonderful addition to her life. She loved him madly, and she longed to hear him tell her he loved her. She was pretty sure he did from the way he looked at her, made love to her, and cemented himself in her and her kids’ lives.

Belle pulled out the pork loin from the oven just as Banger and Ethan came through the back door. “Fuck, something smells awesome,” Banger said as he entered the kitchen. She saw his eyes sparkle, lips curving up into a smile, and she couldn’t help but smile back.

“I thought you said we were having pizza.” Ethan hung his head down.

“You and your friends are. I made this for me and Banger. Luke and Peter are in your room, and Blake’s mom called to tell me they’re on their way.”

“Thanks, Mom.” Ethan dashed out of the room, his loud footsteps on the stairs making Banger and Belle laugh.

“So, what are you making for us?” Banger asked as he leaned over and smelled the roasted pork.

“We’re having pork loin, scalloped potatoes, asparagus with cherry tomatoes, biscuits, and a roasted pear salad with goat cheese and walnuts. I know you loved it when I made it at the diner.”

He drew her into his arms and whispered in her ear, “You like spoiling me, don’t you?”

She laughed softly. “I wanted to make you a nice dinner to show you how much I appreciate everything you’re doing for us. You’ve been wonderful with Ethan. You can’t imagine what that means to him… and to me.”

Banger kissed her. “I love spending time with you and your family. You’re a part of my life.”

“Am I?”

“You know you are, woman. Fuck, I spend more time here than I do at my own house, and the guys are wondering why in the hell I don’t go to the parties more often.”

“Because of me?”

He pressed his lips together, nodding. “I’m crazy about you, Belle, and I think you are ‘bout me.”

She circled her arms around his neck, pulling his face close to hers until his warm breath fanned over her cheeks. “I’m
fucking
crazy about you.” She ran her finger across his lips and he caught it, sucking it hungrily into his mouth. A small, breathless whisper escaped from her. His thumb caressed her cheek, then his mouth covered hers; she drew his tongue into it as their breaths intertwined.

Pulling away, he said softly against her cheek, “I love you, babe.”

Warmth radiated throughout her body, and she hugged him close to her. “I love you too.” They kissed passionately, her hands rubbing his back, his cupping her ass cheeks. “I’ve been waiting my whole life for you,” she murmured against his lips.

“For the past six years, I’ve been half a person, and now I’m whole.” They kissed again, only pulling apart when Ethan shouted at the top of the stairs that they wanted their pizza ordered. They laughed, and Belle plugged in the pizza parlor’s phone number while Banger grabbed a beer out of the refrigerator.

After dinner, they sat together on the couch, watching a zombie movie. Belle was still buzzing from Banger’s declaration of love, and she thought spending a chunk of her paycheck on the dinner she’d prepared had been worth it. Her phone rang, and she turned down the television. It was Holly.

“Am I bothering you?” her friend asked.

“No, I’m just watching a low-budget zombie movie with Banger.” She mouthed, “It’s Holly,” in response to his quizzical face.

“I won’t keep you. We need a girls’ day out with plenty of shopping and good booze. You’ve been working too hard and worrying too much, and I’ve just been bored out of my fucking mind. Darren works so many hours, and I’m alone a lot of the time. I want to have some fun. I also haven’t shopped for a long time.”

“Sounds like something we could do some time.”

“Some time, my ass. When’s your next day off?”

“Tuesday, but I’m doing something with Banger.”

“Okay, then after that.”

“Thursday.”

“Thursday it is, then. We’ll touch base before then. I thought we’d go to Aspen to look around and have lunch.”

“Aspen? I can’t afford
anything
there. It’d be too depressing.”

“What about Silverplume?”

“It’s so cute and quaint there, and there are a ton of affordable shops and antique stores. Sounds fun.”

“I’ll pick you up at eleven o’clock so we can do some shopping before lunch.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it. Great idea.”

“I’ll let you go. Bye.”

Belle hung up, saying, “Holly’s concocted a girls’ day out. It should be a good time.”

“When you going?”

“Next Thursday.” She turned up the volume and settled back in Banger’s arms.

Emily came home from her job at The Last Tangle Hair Salon. “Anything to eat?” she asked, standing by the entrance to the living room.

“Yes. I made a pork loin, and there are potatoes and asparagus in the fridge. I also bought cold cuts, if you want to make a sandwich. How was work?”

“Good. I’m so tired. I’m gonna eat something then crash.” She shuffled to the kitchen.

Belle turned to Banger. “Am I going to see you before we go out on Tuesday?”

“Wish we could, but I got some club business I need to take care of that’s gonna take me outta town tomorrow and Monday. I’ll call you.”

“Is it going to be dangerous?” She scanned his face.

He smiled and kissed her forehead. “Don’t be fretting ‘bout this the whole time I’m gone. I’ll be fine.”

She nestled back against him, but worry settled inside her. She knew she wouldn’t feel at ease until he was back in Pinewood and in her arms.

*     *     *

Belle had been
anticipating the arrival of Tuesday for the past two days, and it had finally come. Dressed in jeans and a turquoise t-shirt, she waited on the front porch, listening for Banger’s Harley. From a distance, the bike’s roar rolled over the breeze, and she smiled when he came into view a few seconds later. Her step was light as she ran down the sidewalk to greet him, and they kissed passionately. She hadn’t seen him for the previous two days, and she’d missed him so much. Even though he’d called each day, it wasn’t the same as being with him.

“I missed you, babe,” he said.

“Me too.” She buried her head in his chest. Then he helped her on his Harley, and they took off.

They wound around parsley-green mountain hills then dipped into valleys where colorful wildflowers sprung up from the lush grass. As the bike sped along the mountain roads, the spring winds caressed their faces and ruffled their hair. Slender ribbons of light came down from the sky, and Belle tilted her head back, loving the warmth on her face. She didn’t have a clue where he was taking her, but it didn’t matter; the only thing that was important was that he’d come home safely.

They crossed over the peak of a mountain, and a small town lay below. Its inhabitants, cars, streets, and stores looked like miniatures that grew larger the closer they came. Banger drove down what Belle presumed was the business district, where the storefronts were made of brick and had an Old West feel to them. He pulled the Harley into a parking place, and the two of them headed into a rustic-looking café. Belle had to wait several seconds for her eyes to adjust to the dimness of the lights, then she scanned the eatery, amazed at how much it looked like a set for an old Western. Alan Jackson’s soulful voice singing “Remember When” flowed through the speakers as they sat down at a small table.

Ordering a beer and a glass of white wine, they clinked their glasses together, their eyes locked on one another’s. Banger held Belle’s hand and kissed her, the depth of his emotion shimmering on his face when he moved away. They sat silently, listening to the song, holding hands, and staring into each other’s eyes. When the waitress brought their food, Belle sighed, sorry to break the quiet connection they were sharing.

After lunch, they walked up and down Main Street, which consisted of two blocks on either side of the road. They climbed back on the Harley, and Banger asked, “You ever been to Arrowhead Canyon?” Belle shook her head. “That’s where we’re going. I know you’ll like it.” He turned his head and they shared a kiss before he revved the engine and they were off.

Arrowhead Canyon took her breath away. Crystal-clear water from Red Fern Peak’s watershed had shaped the natural box canyon, the steep walls enclosing it. Towering pillars of granite flanked the canyon, a cascading waterfall cutting through them—a wall of blue satin threaded in silver. Dismounting, they stood in the canyon, and Belle leaned back as she looked up at the massive stone columns, a pinkish tint to them in the afternoon sun. The cliffs and waterfall surrounded the couple, and the gushing water danced in a twirling downward ballet. Pine trees loomed above the granite pillars while a few sprung out from the rock formations. The tumbling water crashed around them, a light, cool mist dampening them, several miniature rainbows shimmering among it.

Banger pulled her to an area that had some smooth rocks to sit on. “You like it?”

“I love it. It’s so serene here, and gorgeous. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.”

“I’m glad you like it.” He squeezed her hand and looked deeply into her eyes. “I never expected to give my heart to any other woman. You’ve captured my heart and driven away the loneliness by filling the void that has been in my life since Grace died.” He kissed her then gently wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “Babe, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You’re the only woman for me, and I’d be mighty pleased and honored if you’d agree to spend your life with me.”

Belle stared at him, her pulse racing, heart fluttering. “What are you asking me?”

“I’m asking you to be my old lady and to marry me.” He reached inside his cut and took out a small box. Opening it, he took the ring out. It was a simple white-gold band with a three-carat black, pear-shaped diamond. Around the stone, round diamonds sparkled, catching the light from the sunbeams.

Belle’s hand trembled, and her insides exploded.
He’s asking me to
marry
him! I can’t believe it.

He placed the ring on her finger then cupped her face. “Life’s a long, winding road, and I want you by my side. You’ve brought me back to life, babe, and I want you to ride with me all the way to the end.”

Belle looked into his clear, blue eyes, brimming with tenderness and love for her, and her heart lurched. She loved this biker, totally and completely. She bobbed her head up and down, the lump in her throat making it difficult for her to speak. Tears trickled down her face as she threw herself at him, hugging him and peppering his face with kisses.

“So, it’s a yes?” he joked.

She laughed. “Yes. I’d be honored to be your wife. I love you so much, and I need and want you in my life. I want to share my life and my children’s lives with you. But are you sure you want an old lady who has a troubled teen, a pre-teen, and a murder charge hanging over her head?”

Banger’s eyes twinkled. “Is that all you got for me, woman? Fuck, that’s nothing.”

They held each other, listening to their hearts beating in tandem with the waterfall as it rushed over the rocks.

Later that evening, Banger took Emily, Ethan, and Belle to Big Rocky’s Restaurant for steak and barbecue. When they were all seated, Belle looked at her kids, inhaled deeply, and said, “Banger has asked me to marry him, and I’ve accepted.”

“Yes!” Ethan said, which made her insides sing, and brought a chuckle from Banger.

Emily smiled. “I’m happy for you, Mom. I’m cool with it.” She scrunched her face and looked at Banger. “But there’s no way I’m calling you Dad.”

“I don’t give a damn what you call me, as long as it’s respectful. The nasty shit you wanna say, keep it to yourself, or say it behind my back.” He curled his lip, but from the tinge of amusement lacing his eyes, Belle knew he was teasing Emily.

Emily looked surprised at first, then a wide grin crossed her face. “That’s fair,” she said.