The Biker Needs A Nanny (Thirteen Bikers for Christmas)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Grace—

Everyone turns to look at me. My heart is beating a mile a minute. I move to the front and peer out the window.

There stands Lucky with about four of his brothers, including his president. Holy crap. What are they doing? Why did he come after me? I don’t dare to hope.

“You want off the bus, lady?”

I nod.

The driver opens the door with a pneumatic whoosh. I step off and move around the front.

Lucky meets me halfway, and I drop my duffel bag.

“You told me you want a home and a family, but you’re afraid to stay in one place too long. I know it’s been the fear of your ex that’s kept you moving. You don’t have to run away, Grace. Eric’s not gonna ever bother you again. We took care of it. I wanted to tell you that last night, but you were asleep when I got home.”

“I caused you so much trouble. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. You convinced me love was real and possible again.” He digs in his pocket and pulls something out. “We can get you something else if you want, but for right now…” He drops to a knee, and my hands press to my cheeks.

Oh my God, is he proposing?

“I love you, Grace. And I don’t want to live another day without you. You brought happiness back into my home, and you brought light back into my life. I think we can be happy together. I know I’ll try my damnedest to give you the life you want. Marry me, Grace?”

He pops open a box and inside is my grandmother’s ring.

My mouth drops open. “Is that…?”

He nods.

I feel lightheaded, but not because of the beating, because he’s kneeling there, offering me the world, offering me everything I’ve ever wanted. My eyes fill, and I blink the tears away, but they spill down my cheeks. “Lucky, I’m not who you thought. I lied to you. About everything.”

“Don’t think he cares, lady,” one of his brothers says.

“The man sold his shovelhead for you, girl,” Case tells me with a lift of his brow. “That means a helluva lot.”

I frown at Lucky. “You sold your bike?”

“Yeah.”

“To get the ring.” I deflate, sad that he gave his bike up. “You love that bike. It’s special to you.”

“I found something I love more, Grace. You. I wanted to get your grandmother’s ring back for you. I’d planned to give it to you Christmas morning.”

“Oh, Lucky. I can’t believe you would do that for me.”

“Believe it. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you. I love you, woman.”

I start bawling like a baby.

“I don’t want you to leave. You have to stop running, Grace.”

“I don’t want to put you and the girls in danger. I couldn’t bear it if something happened to any of you because of me.”

“That asshole will never bother you again, sweetheart.”

“You can’t know that.” I shake my head.

“Yeah, I can. I’ll explain it all later.”

“What he’s tellin’ you is true, darlin’,” Case says softly.

Another motorcycle roars up.

Brick jumps off his bike and takes in the scene. “What are you waiting for, Grace? You still makin’ up your mind? You know what he told me last night when we were hunting down that son-of-a-bitch? He said being with you feels like getting a new motorcycle. Like that feeling you get when you get up in the morning the day after you bought it, and you see it sitting out there in the driveway.”

“He called me a new motorcycle?”

“He called you a soft tail Dyna Glide, woman. Now that’s fucking love.”

Lucky shakes his head. “Thanks for your help, Brick. I think I got it from here.”

“Yup.” Brick backs up a step. “Take it away, bro.”

Lucky nods to the ring he’s holding out. “You’re better than a soft tail Dyna Glide, Grace. You’re better than any bike they build. So, how ‘bout it? You gonna give me an answer, or leave me hangin’ here down on one knee?”

“Yes! Yes. I’ll marry you.” I hold out my hand, and Lucky slips my grandmother’s wedding ring on my finger. Then he stands and swoops me up in his arms and spins me around until I feel dizzy. Dizzy with happiness. Dizzy with love.

Shouts and applause come from inside the bus, and I turn to see the passengers all cheering.

Case whistles at his men. “Move the bikes out of his path. Let him get back on the road, boys.”

The bus driver honks as he pulls out, waving out the window.

I cup Lucky’s face. “You’re sure about this?”

“As sure as I’ve ever been. Let’s go home. The girls are going to be ecstatic. And we’ve got a tree that needs one more ornament on it.”

“One more?”

“I got one with your name on it. You’re part of us now.” He hefts me up, and I wrap my legs around him.

“I like the sound of that,” I whisper.

“You ready to go home, Grace?”

“Home. That sounds even better.”

“Good, because you’ve become its heart.”

He puts me on the back of his bike, and I hang on tight. Then, surrounded by his brothers, my man takes me home. As we fly down the highway, I’m reminded of a story I once read as a child when King Arthur came with all his men to bring Lady Guinevere to his castle to marry her. Now, that’s love.

I press my cheek to my man’s back and smile. He came for me. My man. My love.