Page 6 of High Velocity

Charli nodded.“I learned about it when I turned eighteen.An executor had been in charge, paying property taxes.Dad had a bank account in my name I gained access to as well.With working, savings, and that account growing, I’ve got a healthy amount there when I need it.”

“And do you need it?I don’t recall the property having a house.You better not tell me you’re living in a damn vehicle.”

“As a matter of fact...”Charli laughed.“Easy, Harv,” she said, calming him when he gave her a stern look.“There’s already water and electricity.I moved an RV in there two days ago.It’s plenty for now until I decide otherwise.”

“How’d you manage to sweep back into the area without anybody hearing a peep about it?Ain’t no secrets around here.”

“Is that a fact?Well, guess I’m stealthy like that.”Charli winked, causing Harvey to howl with laughter.

“Guess it won’t be long before that changes.You been by to see Owen and the family?”

Charli briefly hung her head before meeting his gaze.“I haven’t.Didn’t think I could just waltz right up to the compound and say, hey, remember me?”

“You sure as hell could.They’d accept you no matter how many years went by.Them Ferris boys sure were fit to be tied when you got taken back north without so much as a howdy do and never a word since.”

Feelings of both warmth and sadness swirled inside her at the mention of the Ferris boys.Bradley.Roark.She’d kept tabs on them at times through social media.Mostly, it’d been limited to posts about the racetrack that Bradley had been operating for a while.Charli hadn’t garnered much personal information about either over the years, making her wonder if they had families of their own now.

Something twisted in her gut at that thought, and she chastised herself, saying she had no claim on them.On Roark, specifically, because he’s the one who’d occupied most of her thoughts.

“Owen tried to make them see it wasn’t your choice,” Harvey continued.“And, well, with as much time that passed, they figured you had your life sorted and that was that.”

Charli huffed.“As if.Does anybody every really have their life sorted?”

“Sure.Me.Been living and loving nearly every day for as long as I can remember.Thought it might come to an end after what happened to Liam, but he wouldn’t have wanted that.I miss him every damn day, but life goes on, right?So, I had racing, had the Club friends, along with working and running my shop.I got two mechanics now that pretty much take care of it all.I just sign the checks.”

“Which makes me wonder where they’re at.Isn’t it early to close shop?”

“Oh, we always close early on Wednesdays.Midweek racing at the track during the summer.Bradley started that a while back.Gives the local kiddos something to keep them outta trouble.”

Charli smiled at the man.“Did you ever have a love interest, Harv?Anyone special in your life?Children?”

He got a wistful look in his eyes as he stared off into space for a moment.Then he shook his head and grinned.“I had love once.Cherished memories that’ll always be with me.No children, and that’s okay.Got plenty others I’m a father figure to, and that keeps me content.”

Charli only nodded, knowing there were no other questions to pepper him with.

“So, you got a place to stay, you got money when you need it, and you’re looking to make a stake here for your future.That about right?”

“It is.”

“And why my shop?Seems like you could do anything you want.”

“It’s what I want.I’m in no hurry to run you off, but I want to continue this legacy.I want to belong to a place that holds special meaning to me, a place I shared with people I loved.My dad.And still love—you, the Club.I love the garage, love being a mechanic.Some may think it’s not traditional for a woman, but I’m not looking for anyone’s approval but my own.Well, and yours.I’d never want to tarnish your reputation.”

“Darlin’, that thought never crossed my mind.Doesn’t matter I haven’t seen you in twenty years, I know you’re a good person.In your core, where it matters, you’re a Campbell.Hearty.Trustworthy.”

Too choked up to say a word, Charli just stared at Harvey, willing her eyes to remain dry.

“How ‘bout you come back tomorrow, prepared to work.I’ll introduce you to the guys, Stew and Tonto.Until then, I’m buying you dinner at The Grill, and I’ll catch you up on what’s been happening around here.”

“Sounds like a date.”Charli smiled.

“Hot damn, first one in too long.”Harvey winked.He then stood and offered Charli his hand.When she stood, he gave her hand a squeeze before releasing it.“Let me go wash up, then I’ll lock up and we’ll be on our way.”

“Sounds good.I’ll be right here.”

Harvey nodded and walked through the shop door, heading for the back office Charli knew was there.She walked around the reception area, looking at the photos she hadn’t seen in two decades.She smiled at one of her dad and Harvey with their arms slung around each other, celebrating their first win at the track.She’d only been four at the time, living with her mom up north.Moving on, she saw many familiar ones of racers, including Bradley and others with either their cars or motorcycles.Other images showed the Club members with their bikes.She grinned at one with Owen and his wife, Glenda, sitting astride a matte black monster.It’d been their wedding day, she remembered being told.Harvey had fixed up Owen’s bike after a crash.Never deterred him from getting right back on the beast and riding it as often as the weather allowed.Which was fairly often.

Charli then came upon newer photos.Different men.She studied the faces of one in particular, their expressions and their eyes.Ferris eyes.Owen, Roark, and Bradley together with motorcycles in the background.Owen, now with frosty hair and beard.More wrinkles around his eyes and mouth.Broad smile just the same as ever.Bradley now looking so much like his father had those twenty years ago with auburn mixed into his dark blond hair and smooth face.He’d become a handsome man.