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Huffing out a sigh, she said, “Yes, I smell gasoline.”
Scooter set the can down by the front of the boathouse and when they arrived at his motorcycle he gave it a thorough examination, making sure no one had tinkered with it in their absence. Once satisfied, he climbed on and gave it a good wrench backward to release the stand. After locking the stand in place, he stomped on the kick-starter. While the engine sputtered to life, he held out an arm. “Climb on.”
Cautious of the muffler, she climbed on. He waited until she had her skirt situated, had set her feet upon his and had placed her arms around his waist before he shifted into gear. Her hold tightened and every place where her body touched his awakened a renewed awareness within him.
So focused on ignoring what was happening inside him, Scooter almost missed the image of a man flashing before the beam of the single headlight on the cycle. He braked and brought the motorcycle to a stop near the edge of the road. Recognizing Bronco, Scooter thanked the stars above that his luck had finally kicked in.
Cutting the engine so they wouldn’t have to shout, he said, “Where’re you headed?”
Bronco glanced at Josie before he said, “Just making a round.”
“Ty talk to you?” Scooter asked.
Bronco’s nod was slight, and meant only for him to see. An impossibility. Josie had eyes like an eagle.
“Head down to the last boathouse,” Scooter said. “I’ll be back there in a few minutes.”
With a nod, and a final glance at Josie, Bronco started down the road at a faster pace.
Scooter leaned the bike slightly to the left. “Hold your leg out of the way while I kick the starter,” he told Josie.
She did as he said, and then wrapped her arms around his waist again as they started up the road. The fact she hadn’t commented on what he’d told Bronco weighed heavily on his mind. She couldn’t be trusted to stay at the resort. Not left alone, anyway. Roger’s men were out searching the grounds, so leaving her with one of them would be impossible. He didn’t trust her sisters much more than he trusted her. If she told them what had just happened, they’d all be out looking for the culprits.
Just then Scooter recognized Tuck Andrews stepping out of the row of pine trees. Tuck was another one of Roger’s men. Scooter swerved the bike to the side of the road. This time he didn’t bother shutting off the engine. “Meet us at the last boathouse,” he said. “Bronco’s there.”
* * *
Josie bit back the grin tugging on her lips. Scooter had changed his mind. He’d been going to deliver her to the resort and then go back to tell her father’s men about the incident, but now, as he turned the motorcycle completely around, she realized he was taking her with him. By not saying a word, she’d gotten what she wanted.
Although she wasn’t exactly sure what that was—what she wanted. Other than to know who was behind such dastardly deeds. Someone playing practical, albeit dangerous, pranks made more sense than what Scooter thought. No one knew her from her trips to Duluth. She’d been careful. Extremely careful.
She momentarily lost her train of thought when Scooter leaned as the bike followed a curve in the road. Holding on to his waist, she leaned with him. This was by far the most fun part of riding. Swerving with the bike reminded her of dancing. The steady whine of the engine could very well be music and the road a dance floor.
Just like the first, this ride ended too soon. And it was just as well. She had to keep her wits about her, and that couldn’t happen while she was musing over how wonderful it was riding on Scooter’s cycle. Josie shook her head, trying to shake loose the thoughts that did no good. All of them included Scooter, and how he’d kissed her. Twice. She truly hadn’t expected that second kiss. Perhaps that was part of what made it so thrilling.
“What happened here?”
Bronco’s voice was like a plunge into cold water. She even shivered, and then realized Scooter had already turned off his motorcycle and was waiting for her to climb off. She did so rather hastily, and was thankful when he grabbed her arm to steady her. She had to get her thoughts in order. There were far more important things to worry about than kissing Scooter. Bronco was sure to tell her father what had happened, and that could ultimately lead to him discovering her Tuesday trips to Duluth. That would put a stop to her future, too. The one she’d covertly planned.
When Scooter let go of her arm, he answered Bronco. “Someone locked Josie and me in the boathouse while we were putting away the boat.”
“Why do I smell gasoline?” Bronco asked.
With the bike on its stand again, Scooter climbed off and took her arm as they walked down the grassy slope. “Someone splashed it against the outside of the boathouse,” Scooter said. “I kicked open the double doors and they ran off before they could strike a match.”
