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He was looking down at his phone and almost smiling. Such a complicated man. And, yes, she was attracted to him. Who wouldn’t be? She was sure he had his pick of women. Women much more experienced and desirable than her. She didn’t stand a chance with a man like him.
Leaving the school building, she joined him. “Thanks again, Dozer.”
He stood as she approached. “Did you find what you were looking for?”
She tipped her head, considering his question. “I think I did.” She just wasn’t sure what. “How did you get the name Dozer?”
He looked out over the playground again and she wasn’t sure she’d get an answer.
“My dad died when I was twelve. I was never an easy child to raise, but I started doing stupid shit.” He looked over at her and she caught a glimpse of the mischievous boy he must have been. “My mom is a saint and she didn’t deserve all the crap I put her through. When they were working on the loop around Pikeville, you know, building a highway? Well, late one night, I snuck out of the house and took one of the bulldozers for a joy ride.”
“Oh, my gosh! You didn’t!”
“I did. Not knowing how to steer the damn thing, I ran over somebody’s backyard fence and before I could figure out how to stop it, I plowed through their above-ground pool.”
She giggled. “So we have the same first driving experience.”
His brow rose when he realized the similarity. Mister Grumpy didn’t like having that pointed out.
“I was twelve. It’s different.”
“If you say so,” she said with a teasing grin. “Then what happened. Did your mother come and ground you for the rest of the year?”
His expression turned serious. “That night changed my life. It just so happened that the fence I ran through belonged to the president of the local motorcycle club. He knew my dad and I was in school with his son. He drove the dozer back to the construction area and he made me work off the debt of rebuilding the fence and pool. My mom never knew. He kept me so busy for the next few years, I didn’t have time or the energy to act out.”
“He sounds like a wonderful man.”
“He is. I literally owe the man my life. His son, Austin, is my best friend and when his dad had a stroke a few years back, Austin was voted in as president to take over the club.”
“So you earned the name Dozer. What’s your real name?”
“Travis, but everybody calls me Dozer now. Earning a name in an MC is a rite of passage. It’s something to wear with pride just like we wear our cuts with the patches we earn.”
“Cut?” she asked.
“The leather vest I wear is called a cut,” he explained.
“I’m thinking your club is a bit more involved that just Sunday afternoon rides in good weather.”
Dozer threw back his head and laughed, and it was an incredible sight. The man was already wickedly handsome, but when he relaxed, he made her want to lean over and kiss him. Quickly she looked away so he wouldn’t see the longing on her face. “I guess I better get home. We need to be at work in thirty minutes and it takes us that long to walk.”
He shrugged and offered. “We can stop by to pick up your cousin, and I can drop you off.”
Going out of his way for her wasn’t something she expected. “Thanks. Again. I don’t know why you’re being so kind, but I do appreciate your help today. And the ride. My feet thank you too.”
“No problem. I’d rather drive you than you get behind the wheel again.”
She wanted to take offense at that remark, but he spoke the truth. She nodded instead. Back in the truck, she was quiet on the way to the house. As they pulled in the driveway, he surprised her again by asking, “Where else would you like to go? We can go again tomorrow if you’d like.”
“I’m not sure. My mom’s house and Obie’s were the two places I wanted to see. Is there anything a visitor should see or do while in Pikeville?”
He chuckled and the deep vibrato sound made her stomach flip. “Not really. If we go one town over, we can find a few things.”
She wasn’t sure if it was the sights she wanted to see or if she wanted to spend more time with him. “Then let’s do that. I’d like to see the sights while I’m here.”
“And how long will that be?”
She shrugged. “A few more weeks, maybe a month. I have the house rented until the end of May. Would you like to come in while I change for work and get Ree?”
