Ride to Redemption (17 page)

“When
“the family” found out you were relocated to Tennessee, I took a job in
Chattanooga to find a way to meet up with you” Candi said smugly. “Oh, don’t
look so surprised or hurt, D. You developed a pattern, an almost daily routine.
That’s a no-no in witness protection, D. I bet you failed to read the
Government Issued handbook on that. Once, we (the family) managed to get that
down, the rest was not so hard to figure out. All I had to do was wait until I
could almost run over you in the Starbucks parking lot. I just knew, you being
a southern gentleman and all, would react favorably to a pretty woman in tears.
I’m not proud of it now, but I was doing what I needed to do.”

Shaking
my head in utter disbelief, I replied rather dumbfounded. “I could only imagine
you winning an Oscar for your first performance. You sure as Hell managed to
snowball me. It’s amazing, what well placed tears and a receptive vagina can do
to a guy’s heart, that’s hurting, huh? Damn Candice, by the looks of things,
money will turn anyone into a whore. Excuse me, prostitute.”

“Stop
it, D. I’m trying to set the record straight, right here, right now. Yes, you
called it. I’m by your definition, a prostitute. But one that’s trying to make
amends to you.”

“What
about Marcy, is she the real deal or is she just another player on your
payroll?”

“She’s
real. Her working in Cookeville was just an amazing coincidence. We went to
high school together. Small world, huh, D? The family posted a 10
million-dollar reward for the return of the ledgers. That’s why I cooked this
whole thing up. I have never, ever done anything like this before. Family wouldn’t
let me, but I wanted to try, just this once. You were considered safe. So much
so, that after constantly begging and pleading, the family allowed me to
investigate you on my own. I just knew we had much in common, you and me,
starting with our failed relationships, and our genuine love for the outdoors.
You have to admit we have hit it off quite well, haven’t we? We have had fun,
too. Right? We’ve met ZZ Top and Willie. We’ve made love on just about
everything that moves. We’ve talked, we’ve laughed, we’ve snuggled, we’ve
kissed and we’ve held each other every single night since we’ve been together.
Oh, and just so you know, I had no idea mom was sending Gio to watch me watching
you. I was just as surprised as you were when he rode up to Sweet Fanny’s that
day. I almost wet my pants when he took off his helmet. I mean, come on, they
send my cousin all the way from Milan, Italy to chaperone me. And to top it
off, you even managed to befriend him to the point that he totally trusts you.
That, in itself, was an awesome feat. You are a good person, D, a little
oversexed maybe, or maybe you’re just starved for affection; possibly even some
combination of both. Maybe even you’re too good for your own good.”

Candi
continued to plead her case to me, as strange as that now seems, “I just knew
something was going on by the second package drop, but I didn’t know what. And
no, I have yet to tell anyone, anything. Then when the diamonds spilled out at
Bella’s, I had to find out for myself what angle you were working and why. Now
I know and it just proves my point. You are twisted, you are flawed, you are
special.”

Chapter
26

W
ith
the anger that had flushed over me, slowly subsiding, I began, “So where do we
go from here, Candice? Here’s my phone,” I bellowed, thrusting it into her
hands. “Are you going to call your family and tell them you’ve found the
ledgers and collect the reward? Are they going to come in guns blazing to
rescue you and try to take me out while recovering the last of the diamonds?
Use it, call them, and let’s see what you’re made of. What, no guts, no glory,”
I scolded, trying to elicit some kind of heartfelt response.

“I
haven’t got that far, D,” whimpered Candi tearfully. “What you’ve done may be
wrong, but it feels so right. I mean you’ve taken the whole world on your
shoulders trying to fix a gross injustice. I like that. No, I love that! I want
to continue to be a part of it, I mean, if you’ll let me. I want to finally do
something worthwhile with my life, too, something that makes a profound difference.
What you’re doing makes an awesome difference, Jon David, with a capital D.”

Suddenly,
not knowing where this high stakes reality show was heading, I continued, “I
don’t need the ledgers anymore, Candice. Your family is welcome to them. But if
they do come from you, sure you will get the reward, but then I'll be hung out
to dry. Word would get back to Standford in a heartbeat that I had the ledgers
and he’ll assume, I had the diamonds, too. I wouldn’t want you around me if
that happens. I couldn’t protect you and neither could your family, no matter
how powerful they are.”

“My
family can handle, Standford. They can make his life a living hell if they want
to. He wouldn’t dare harm me.”

“Speaking
of family, I forgot to tell you, Cousin Gio and hot to trot Mile left Jackson
Hole today to meet up with us, somewhere north of here. You okay with that?”

“Personally,
I have no problem with it, as long as this conversation stays between us, for
now.”

“
Does he know the quest you’re on?”

“I
doubt it. Mom gave him just enough information on you, to be informed. If Gio
had known about the ledgers he would have pressed you for answers, a long time
ago.”

“Candi,
cousin or not, I could see him in a heartbeat, betraying you and turning me in,
along with the ledgers for the 10 million dollar reward. Couldn’t you?”

“We
have much to think on and talk about, D,” offered Candi, after a long mindful
pause, while reaching up to kiss me on the cheek. “Right now, I’ll tell you
anything, just ask. I’m not perfect. I’ve made lots of mistakes. Starting
today, I’m trying to fix as many as possible, beginning with you.”

Chapter
27

W
hile
I waited for Candi to dress, I called Gio and left a message. “Meet us in Lake
Louise, Alberta, Canada at the Fairmont Hotel in three days. Reservations will
be in your name. That is, as long as you’re still paying,” I conveyed,
realizing with a laugh that the $600 per night room rate might make him think
twice.

Candi
and I both ordered the Eggs Benedict with the hollandaise on the side and two
bowls of fresh fruit. Sipping black tea, I could only imagine where our fragile
relationship goes from here. Could I still trust her after all these
revelations? Is she telling me the whole truth, or not? Ten million dollars is
a great inducement to carry on a lie and do it magnificently.

“Where
do we ride to today, D? I’m thankful, that after you heard me out, you haven’t
kicked me off the bike and onto the curb.”

“I
got it, baby.” Not knowing if I did or not. ”We’re going to Kalispell. It’s a
small town, known as the gateway to Glacier National Park. I’ve got to pick up
our clean clothes and mail the last of the packages from there. Then it’s off
to ride ‘
the going to the sun road
’ and Canada. I hope the weather holds
for us. The last time I went through there on the bike in August, it was
snowing and cold. Thankfully, it didn’t last long and the snow wasn’t sticking
to the roads. Otherwise we would have been screwed.”

“Screwed
with a capitol S,” Candi interjected, blowing me a kiss with her hand, just as
our breakfast arrived.

Packed
up and on the road by 10 a.m., we made Kalispell by noon. Locating the FedEx
location was relatively easy, as it was just off Hwy. 2. Two boxes were waiting
on me. I cheerfully signed for them, knowing I was nearing the end of my quest.
What a strange thought, but I just love FedEx.

I
had this wild hair to send the ones going International from Canada, but
realized they would have to clear Customs twice. Then I thought, I would carry
them with me across the border and mail them from Calgary. That didn’t work
either when I remembered my last trip through this one particular border
crossing where the Canadians dang near strip-searched me, while making me
unpack all my bags.

“Here’s
to the last of our packages,” I announced, handing Candi the boxes. “I forgot I
had doubled up and shipped the last two boxes here. It’s the same routine,
baby, just a different city and now, lots more packages. Dump all of them in
the duffle bag while I swap out our clothes. I’ve sent us some additional cold
weather gear, which I hope and pray we won’t need. But it’s Glacier National
Park and Canada is on the horizon, so all bets are off.”

Putting
our dirty clothes in one of the boxes, I remembered at the last second what the
other box was for, my Glock. Going into Canada with a pistol is an absolute
disaster. Of course if you’d like to see Canada from inside of a jail cell, go
ahead. I grabbed it from the rear truck and unloaded it before I went back in
to the FedEx office to ship it priority overnight to Gunny’s, my neighborhood
gunsmith, who is expecting it.

“D,
we could run away forever and live like kings with what I hold in my hands.
Just think, baby, there’s over $400 million in this bag just for the taking? Oh
well, it’s just wishful thinking.”

Whimsical
thoughts, I could sense, Candi lingered, both long and hard on. It made perfect
sense to me, too. But what do I know? Stupid, is now becoming my middle name.

Damn
you woo-hoo, damn you.

“We’ll
be fine, Candi, I promise. What scares me more than anything is what if I
screwed up and picked some of the wrong people? I spent months going through
all the financials trying to make sure everyone who needed a package, got one.
But, I’m not perfect.”

“You
did your best, D. For that I am sure. I couldn’t have done it, if that makes
you feel any better. I would have just sent something to everyone, or me being
me, before I met you, to no one more than likely.”

Chapter
28

D
riving
through a town of just 20,000, it’s hard to find out of the way mailboxes. But,
over the course of an hour, Candi and I did manage to get the last of the
packages mailed as inconspicuously as possible.

“I’m
ready for a drink, baby. Let’s find a restaurant or bar on the way to the park
and hang out for a while. I’m still shaking and my stomach is tied in knots,
knowing that this chapter in my book of redemption is now closed.”

“It
will be fine, D. I’ve got your back,” cooed Candi, squeezing me tightly from
behind.

Just
the thought of something or someone preventing me from mailing the last of the
packages had made me want to throw up. Two hundred plus people will also have
something to start over again. Hope is a scary attribute when you lose it. I
can only pray these gifts restore to these fortunate few, both their faith and
their life altering hope.

After
riding for 30 minutes, we made our way to the edge of the Park, where I
remembered my last drunk through here at the Chalet Inn and Tap Room.

Best
if you are going to drink too much, you have a place to sleep it off
afterwards, I rationalized, without sharing that first with Candi.

“Come
on, baby,” I said to Candi, as I helped her off the bike. Taking her hand in
mine, with our day bag slung over my shoulder, I offered, “You can sip wine
while I chug a few beers to celebrate our latest and greatest accomplishment.
It’s already been a long day and I am mentally exhausted,” I continued, kissing
her deftly on the cheek.

Stopping
by the front desk on the way to the taproom, I reserved us a room, much to my
cohort’s approval, just in case. Especially, since I felt an overpowering
hangover coming on.

“Barkeep,”
I said to the young man behind the long wooden, emblem, encrusted bar, “a
bottle of Pinot Noir and two, Canadian Molson’s, please sir.” Numerous flat
screens hung from the ceilings, showing ESPN, while the solid pine walls held
the history of Glacier National Park in pictures over the past 75 years.
Finding a four top, solid wood table in the back corner, I pulled my chair up
next to Candi's. “All I want to do right now is drink and drink and drink. Then
I want to make mad passionate love to you. I don’t want to think, I don’t want
to reflect, I don’t want to know what’s on tomorrow’s horizon. Can we do that,
baby?” I asked, while looking longingly into her eyes, gently caressing her
soft, delicate hands.

“Yes,
baby, we can do that,” whispered Candi, as she nestled her left hand on the
inside of my thigh. Taking my left hand, which was, up until now, holding hers,
she relocated it under the table, to replicate mine. “You’re welcome to play,
too, if you want,” as a devilish smile spread across her beautiful red and
luscious lips.

“I
want, baby. I want.” My cinched jeans rose to meet the occasion as our drinks
arrived. With two ice cold Molson’s down and one glass of wine consumed, I
could feel the heat and moistness escaping from both our jeans. “If we keep
this up, baby, we may never make it to the room,” I confessed, suddenly sensing
that all the bar patrons had transfixed their gaze on us.

Looking
around the bar, Candi realized, as I had, all the eyes of the men were
lustfully, looking upon her. Feeling totally uncomfortable, Candi abruptly
asked, “Can we get out of here now?”

I
nodded affirmatively, while standing up, Candi smirked, “You could hang your
helmet on that, big boy,” as she subtlety pointed to the tent, protruding from
my jeans.

Embarrassed,
I picked up the daypack and carried it in front of me to hide my rather
precarious predicament. “Ask the barkeep to put this tab on our room, and don’t
forget to grab your wine and two more Molson’s please, while I go check us in.”

Just
as I retrieved the room key from the front desk, Candi appeared with her wine,
two Molson’s and a frosty can of whipping cream.

Looking
at my puzzled expression, Candi bubbled, “What? ... I’m having dessert first.”

“A
woman after my own heart. I’m for all for that,” I said, realizing this could
be slippery, sticky and fun.

I
had no more than closed the door to our room, when Candi demanded I take off my
jeans. Following her orders to the tee, she led me to the bed, while pushing me
backwards and onto the plush, down filled comforter.

Looking
around the room, while in a state of semi nakedness, the first thing I noticed
was the rather bare décor. And no air conditioning!
What’s up with that
,
I thought, just as Candi jumped on the bed and me?

“Watch
this, baby,” Candi exclaimed, consumed with the whipping cream, which she
proceeded to spew all over the most erect part of me. “Yum,” mouthed Candi, as
she enveloped me. “You taste wonderful. Your saltiness, mixing with the
sweetness is making me so hot.”

Licking,
kissing, rubbing and rolling her tongue all over me was a sight worth watching
twice. More whipped cream, lick off and repeat, continued until she was
satisfied she had my utmost attention. Stripping off her top and bra, Candi
orally took control of the situation, while the remnants of the whipped cream
on me transferred to her, looking like flakes of snow, scattered across her
chest.

Time
after time, Candi would bring me to the point of no return and stop, clamping
her fingers around me to cut off the blood flow, stopping me from a much-needed
release.

“Do
you like this, baby?” the woman that all married men dream of asked me. A woman
whose willingness to please, along with her expertise in oral stimulation is joyfully
out of this world.

Filling
her mouth with whipped cream, Candi brought me once again to the precipice, but
this time she continued, taking me literally over the edge. Moving up my body
with the whipped cream in her hand, she used her fingers to gently open my
mouth, whereby she filled my mouth and hers once again with a blast from the
can. Kissing me deeply, our tongues locked in playful exchange; the whipped
cream, mixed with saliva, drizzled from our lips and ran down our chins.

“Awesome,
baby,” was all I could muster in between breaths, as I kissed and licked the
cream away.

Rolling
her onto her back, I peeled the skinny jeans from her legs, leaving her satin
thong intact. Taking my turn with the whipped cream, I applied a dollop to her
protruding mound, whereby I began to lick it off her masterpiece, each time my
lips passed across it.

Teasing
Candi, as she had teased me, I nibbled along the outer edges of her thong,
never venturing into her depths or touching her sweet spot. Each time Candi’s hands
moved to pull her thong aside, I playfully brushed them away.

“Tease
me, will you? This is payback 101.”

“Do
you want to see stars?” I asked, as her legs wriggled and thrashed on the top
of the bed, while her fingers grasped the down comforter.

“Now,
baby! Now! Please now! I can’t take it anymore,” pleaded Candi, as my hands
whisked away her thong, exposing her beautiful crevasse, drenched in the
glistening, nectar of our own making.

Pulling
her BOA from my bag, I turned it on high. My instincts then took over.

“Yes,
baby! Baby, don’t stop! Yes! Yes! Yes!” Candi was screaming repeatedly, while
the bed tossed forward and backward against the wall as if we were experiencing
an 8.0 earthquake.

Pushing
me away away, as her sensitivity increased and her glow began to fade, Candi
murmured, “Thank you, thank you, thank you. Oh my, D. I can’t move.”

“You’re
welcome, baby. Truly you are welcome. Any time you want dessert, I’m in.
Especially if you show up with a can of whipping cream in hand!”

Pulling
back the lightweight, flannel sheets, we snuggled in the bed and finished our
beer and wine while watching a movie of her choice on the Hallmark Channel.
Spooning with her, my right hand resting on her tatas, we fell asleep and slept
through the night.
 
Eventually, the
sound of my phone’s alarm announced it was once again 5 a.m.

* * *

“We
missed dinner, baby,” Candi announced sleepily. “I’m hungry.”

“Of
course you are. Dining room opens at six. We have just enough time to have
dessert again if you want, but I’m afraid the whipped cream may be warm.”

“I
like warm! Spray it on me, lick it off and repeat.”

After
a spontaneous 15-minute romp in the sack and a quick shower, I threw her a new
set of silk thermals to wear.

“Put
these on, pumpkin. The elevation at Logan Pass is over 6500 feet. It will be
cold when we cross over the mountain this morning.”

Making
our way downstairs, I asked Candi to get a table and order our breakfast while
I repacked the bike. “Just surprise me. By now you know what I like,” I said,
sporting an impish grin.

A
fresh spinach and Swiss cheese omelet with a side of crisp bacon, black and
green tea and toasted English muffins greeted me on my return. “Good choice,
Candi. Thank you.”

“D,
I’ve been thinking about last night while you were outside. I’ve never wanted
anyone as much as I wanted you while we were in the bar. You make me feel so
alive, so desirable, so wanted. I hope I never do anything to you that would
change that.”

“I
hope you don’t,” I responded, thinking,
If only I could honestly believe
that. At this moment, I couldn't. Getting laid continually would have to do.
PUTZ!

We
were checked out and on the road by 7 a.m. My hope was to find lots of wildlife
for Candi to see on this crisp, sun-drenched early morning ride.

“Let
me know if you start to get cold. I’ve got Polar fleece you can put on under
your leathers. The temperature changes quickly as we wind through the canyons
and across the mountains.”

Making
our way into the park, we noticed lots of tourists lined up for an excursion at
the welcome center.

“Look
at the cool red buses, D!” exclaimed Candi. “They look like they’re out of a
’30s gangster movie.”

“They
are, baby. They’re called Jammers. They were built in the 1930s. Good call on
that one, especially about the gangster movies and all. They’re used to tour
people through Glacier who choose not to drive. Sometimes the roads are
tricky.”

I
muttered, “I hope today is not going to be one of
those
days.” Which
reminded me…

Pulling
up a weather forecast, before we got out of cell range was the last thing I
wanted to do since we were driving this road, one way or the other. But, I had
precious cargo on board and it’s best to be prepared.

“Candi,
according to Weather Underground, the weather today is projected to be 59
degrees and sunny, with lows in the 30s. My guess is when we cross the pass it
will be in the 40s. I’m giving you a heads up. Wouldn’t want your ta-tas to
freeze.”

“Me
either, D. If they did, what would you hold onto at night?”

“Good
point. … Let’s make sure we protect them. Here, darlin’,” I countered, while
reaching in to the right side bag. “Put this Polar fleece jacket on and trade
gloves with me. You can’t enjoy the scenery if you’re freezing to death. And
you sure can’t take decent pictures with your teeth chattering.”