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Victor took a hard curve. Tabitha leaned in.
Tabitha let go.
Hobbs told himself more than once that he should let Hannah go to Triple M Classics herself to talk with Delaney and pick out the self-defense items. But then, Hannah didn’t have her own car and the shop was on his way to work.
Also, there was that sneaky thing about maybe Tabitha being there. Typically she covered the shop floor on weekday mornings unless she had classes, and classes were over until spring semester. Odds were good she’d be there. Why Hobbs wanted to see her was another question altogether. More than once he’d put to bed the notion of pursuing anything serious. Tabitha deserved way more than Hobbs had to give. A woman like her deserved someone like Thaddeus—or, at least, a version of Thaddeus that wasn’t a stuck-up ass. Someone successful, emotionally available and the monogamous type.
So why was he going to the shop to see her?
As Hobbs pulled up to Triple M, he saw that Tabitha’s old Chevy was indeed parked in the lot. Right next to it was a Harley Fat Boy. A woman shaped a lot like Tabitha was climbing off the back. She wore jeans, cute little boots with a heel and a motorcycle jacket. That couldn’t be Tabitha, though. Tabitha didn’t ride. And when she did, she’d promised to ride with him.
As soon as the woman pulled off her helmet and shook out her hair, Hobbs’s stomach sank. The beast who’d been driving the bike swung one long leg over and hoofed the pavement. Then he pulled off his helmet and Hobbs’s breath froze.
What the hell was Victor doing here?
“What the hell is he doing here?” Victor’s gaze was trained on Hobbs’s truck as it pulled swiftly into a parking spot. “He doesn’t ride.” Victor turned to Tabitha, eyed her up and down. “You his girl? I kinda got a vibe, last time I was here.”
“Um.” Tabitha watched Hobbs exit the truck, slam the door and rush in their direction. They’d just finished their ride and Tabitha had been basking in the afterglow. The sight of Hobbs rushing toward them made her feel like a kid caught in the cookie jar. “Not exactly.”
Victor grunted. “That sounds about right for Chris.”
“What’s going on?” Hobbs was speaking before he even reached them. “Did I miss a call or text that you were coming back out here?”
“I didn’t bother.” Victor stared down at Hobbs, whom he towered over. “I just decided to come out. Slow your roll, bro.”
Hobbs’s gaze kept going between Victor and Tabitha, and sometimes to the Harley Fat Boy. “But why are you here? I haven’t heard from you in days.”
“I don’t mess around with my phone when I’m on the road.” Victor settled his helmet on the Fat Boy seat and stretched his arms over his head. “I decided I needed to spend Christmas out here, with Hannah.”
Hobbs’s eyes narrowed. “And that’s all? You drove all the way out here, and left Mom back home alone, just because you decided to spend Christmas with Hannah?”
“All right, look.” Victor lowered his tone. “I lost sight of the scumbag. Three days went by where his car was gone from in front of his apartment building and not at his work, either. I decided I better get out here, just in case he makes good on his word and he’s hunting Hannah down. It’s not like it’d be hard. I’m sure Hannah mentioned you to him in the past. All he’d have to do is look you up. I just never really thought the bastard would do it.”
Hobbs took a while to process this, indicated by his sudden quiet and the expressions that kept crossing his face. Tabitha felt silly, at this point, standing here in silence. Still, she didn’t go inside. “Do you really think he came out here?” Hobbs finally said.
Victor shrugged. “I don’t know. But if he did, I’m going to be here to stop him. And even if he’s not here, just up and left or went and died in a ditch somewhere, no skin off my nose to be with my sister at Christmas. Work is slow this time of year, anyway.”
“You could’ve told me.” Hobbs’s jaw clenched. “You should’ve told me. Especially if you expect to stay at my place.”
“Settle down, Chris. I didn’t want to panic anyone. I’ve texted Hannah every day and I know she’s fine. And I have my own place to stay, so don’t worry yourself.”
“I see.” Hobbs went quiet again. He looked out at the gray sky, a blank canvas of clouds that promised snow in the near future. “So what’s this, then?” He waved his hand at Tabitha.
“Hello to you, too,” Tabitha said. Up until now she hadn’t been annoyed that Hobbs hadn’t even greeted her. He’d been surprised and scared, and rightfully so. But now he was just mad. A new look on him, for sure, and kind of interesting to watch.
“I popped in the shop to get another pair of those motorcycle gloves I bought last time. In brown. They’re great gloves.” Victor nodded at Tabitha. “Miss Tabitha here was working on a list. I saw something I could help her with. She just had her first ride.” Victor held up his hand in a high five. “What’d you think, Tabitha?”
Tabitha had to work hard not to look in Hobbs’s direction as she slapped Victor’s palm with her own. “It was amazing,” she admitted. “Thank you.”
Victor smiled. “The pleasure was all mine. And now I’m going to go check in,” he said. “I’m beat and need a nap. I’ll be sure to text you later so you, me and Hannah can talk.”
“Where are you staying?” Hobbs’s voice was hard as concrete. “At the Dogwood Inn?”
“I was going to, but then I found this cabin for rent. It’s more private. Out in the woods. Which is just my style. I called up and was lucky enough to snag a cancellation that happened this morning. Apparently she books up really fast at Christmas because there’s this whole big party for her dog rescue or something like that. Party’s this weekend. Christmas Eve.”
“Oh, wow,” Tabitha cut in. “That must be Sunny’s place. She rescued my service dog.”
“Good deal,” Victor said, and gave Tabitha another high five.
