Freedom's Treasure (5 page)

A few minutes later Hunter tamped the guilt back. She hadn’t asked, had she? And no one liked unsolicited advice, particularly women, he’d discovered. He’d wait and when she came to him with questions, as he was sure someone who wanted to write mysteries would, he’d answer them and offer to put her in a different cabin.

With that decided he kept thinking about his new renter in different ways, and positions. With a muffled curse he remembered the cold shower and wondered what her impressions of him had been and how he could fix them before they were cemented. It was going to be a long night.

Hunter’s hands flew over the griddle as he flipped pancakes, stirred scrambled eggs and tried to drink a cup of coffee at the same time.
He kept half an ear on the conversations swirling around while orders were thrust upon him at an amazing speed. He knew there was a reason he’d gotten out of the restaurant world and every year this event reminded him.

He kept a watchful eye on the clouds and hoped the rain would hold off for 2 more hours. He knew it wouldn’t matter, the show must go on, and what better time to bless motorcycle riders than on a day like this? It would take more than a little water to slow the denizens of his hometown.

The main street had been closed down and large tents erected against the elements. Several hundred motorcycles were parked in front of a stage Hunter had helped build and set up for this year. Large speakers on either side of the stage blared out The Doors, Jefferson Airplane and other classic rock.

“Hunt, you about got that stack ready to go out? There are some hungry people out there,” Junie Jameson, the pastor’s wife and head of the Blessing of the Bikes committee, cut through the line forming in front of the food tent.

“It’s coming right now,” Hunter pointed his spatula at several large platters weighted down with large flapjacks. “You can take those for right now and when you come back I’ll be ready with more.”

“You’re such a good boy,” Junie Jameson cooed and patted his cheek, “and so handsome on top of it. Your momma must be so proud. When are you going to settle down and give her some grandbabies?”

“Miss Junie, I really don’t think today is the day to plan a wedding, do you?” he bussed her cheek and pushed a heavy platter into her hands. “Besides, you’re already married.”

“Oh, you!” he heard her giggle as she made her way to the serving table, spinning away from grabbing hands as she went.

Hunter grinned and kept moving. Standing over a hot griddle while cold humidity plastered his clothes to his skin was not how he had planned to spend his Saturday but he was a fan of making the best of everything.

Stan, the short order cook from the diner, had caught Hunter on his cell near 5 a.m. this morning and claimed illness. Hunter had a feeling it was the brown bottle flu considering Stan had been slurring but he took it in stride. As soon as he could Hunter had put the boys from the high school football team to work erecting tents and assisting with the final touches on the stage while he had started mixing batter and cracking eggs.

Fortunately it had gone off without a hitch though Hunter was on his third, or maybe fourth, wind. He scanned the crowd when he could and kept an eye out for Anna.

He had been busy the past couple of days and, regardless of intent, had not made it out to see how she was settling in. He heard talk about her, of course. She’d made quite a splash in town wielding a credit card and questions about local sites and lore. Hunter had expected no less from a former reporter.

He’d thought about her over the past couple of days. How could he not? An attractive, apparently single, woman had just moved to town. Hunter could almost hear the single men in the right age range chanting
Fresh Meat
. He knew Colby from the hardware store had taken a shot and been gently rebuffed. And Colby wouldn’t be the only one, Hunter knew. There would be others out there who’d launch an attempt.

He had a plan in mind for when he next saw her which, hopefully, would be today. Elisa mentioned she had reminded Anna of the day’s events so he had faith.

It was black leather and beards as far as the eye could see. Where there wasn’t leather Anna saw camouflage. Idly she wondered how long it would be before she bought a cute top or pair of shorts in the greens, tans and browns so popular here.

At the stage p
sychedelic rock pumped out of speakers taller than she was and Anna saw several people dancing. Well, jerking spasmodically anyway. A lone microphone stood sentry, waiting for the Blessing to begin.

Children of all ages ran freely through the crowd, some with balloons, others with their faces painted. The scent of popcorn, elephant ears and bacon tickled her nostrils and her stomach gave a happy growl.

Several long tents were set up with tables underneath and nearly every seat was taken. She had no idea if this was a larger or smaller turnout than normal but the place was packed.

Anna waved to the few people she recognized and decided to make her way to the serving tables. Her stomach was making a constant racket now and if the music hadn’t been so loud she might have been embarrassed. Not a breakfast eater normally, she realized she was absolutely famished for a meal she didn’t have to cook herself.

Anna caught sight of Elisa at the same moment Elisa saw her. She was in a chair at the end of the table the griddle was on and she appeared to be directing the action.

Anna nearly swallowed her tongue before she laughed. The friendly little woman was in full on biker gear with a leather vest and pants. The look was topped off by a gray rooster comb of hair that waved around the top of her head as she directed the human traffic around her. It wobbled precariously when she gestured with both hands for Anna to come visit.

“Welcome to the Blessing of the Bikes, Anna! I’m so glad you came,” Elisa greeted her with a warm smile. She patted the empty chair next to her. “Have a seat, dear, and tell me how you like the cabin now that you’ve been there a few days. Are you settling in?”

“I am and I love it! It’s so quiet there. I’m glad you suggested it.”

“Something closer to town might have been more convenient but there’s something to be said for ambiance. Hunter said you’re writing a book?” Elisa snagged a young boy, maybe five years old, who ran too fast in front of her. “Slow it down, Ben, you’ll fall and skin your knee again.”

“Yes, Miss Elisa,” and he was off and running again.

“That’s my plan. I’m in the research stage at the moment,” Anna’s eyes darted through the crowd. “I can’t believe how many people are here! And you! You look great! Do you ride?”

“Edward and I used to go out and about before he passed, God rest him. The summer Hunter graduated high school the three of us took a cross country ride. It was one of the best times of my life,” a sad smile lit her wrinkled face and Anna saw Elisa drift into her memories. “There’ll be others yet, I’m sure. Hunter and I take day trips. You’ll have to come with us some time.”

“I’m afraid I’ve never been on a motorcycle,” Anna wasn’t comfortable riding with someone else in a two ton vehicle much less on a motorcycle. “There weren’t many opportunities in Grand Rapids.”

“We’ll take care of that, don’t you worry,” Elisa checked her watch. “We have about half an hour before the Blessing begins. Are you hungry, dear?” without waiting for an answer Elisa continued, “Grab a plate and fill it up. Hunter made enough to feed a battalion this year.”

“Hunter’s cooking the pancakes?”

“That lazy Stanley called off. If you ask me he was out too late last night raising glasses with some of the guests from out of town. It’s quite the party atmosphere. We don’t allow drinking during today’s festivities though I’m sure a few here have flasks they’re nipping from. Speaking of which,” Elisa pulled a silver flask from her pocket and took a quick sip. She shuddered lightly and handed the flask to Anna.

“It’s whiskey, right?”

“Oh, my dear, no! Peppermint Schnapps! I like the way it tickles my tongue. Whiskey is for funerals and fighting. I’m too old to fight and I don’t see any caskets!” Elisa cackled and waved a hand. She stashed the flask back into a pocket after Anna took her shot. “Go! Eat, drink and be merry! I’ll see you later, Anna. I have to go see a preacher about a prayer.” Elisa hopped out of her chair and disappeared into the crowd.

Anna pushed back from the table with a groan that turned into a sigh. She had doused the huge pancakes with a lake of syrup
as she had since she was a child and, just like back then, she was regretting the sticky, sweet impulse.

She swung her feet up into the chair across from her and slouched down into her chair. The crowd had thinned out around the tables with more people on the impromptu dance floor. Anna savored her coffee as she watched the enthusiastic dancers. She thought about how she’d write this for the paper, then for her book, and then she stopped thinking at all.

Across the square Hunter’s eyes locked with hers. Anna’s stomach dropped, clenched. The feeling reminded her of the last time she’d stopped her car at the exact second the car next to her started moving in reverse. It thrilled and scared her. Her right foot reached for an imaginary brake.

Hunter felt time stop. His breath held and he slowly exhaled and waited for his heart to start beating again. It stuttered, or so he thought, before his pulse pounded through his veins. Oh yeah, it was definitely time to get to know his new renter, the sooner the better.

Hunter grabbed the nearest person and pushed them toward the griddle without a look. He shifted and made his way around the table, never taking his eyes off Anna.

“Hey!” Colby would have pushed back at his friend but he saw the intense look on his face. He looked to where Hunter’s gaze was locked in heat seeking missile mode and disappointment kicked in. He’d hoped to ask Anna out again but Hunter apparently was calling dibs. From the look on her face Anna didn’t mind.

If
Dreamweaver
starts playing in my head, I swear to God, I’ll take out everyone in this place and then myself,
Anna’s thought broke the spell. She stuttered a step and gave a quick prayer of thanks the song didn’t come.

She thought her mouth might be hanging open and slapped it shut. Her arms felt awkward and she wasn’t sure what to do with her hands. Before she could slide them along his chest she shoved them in her pockets.

“Hey!” Hunter shouted it above the music.

“Hey, you!” Anna shouted back.
And you call yourself a writer,
she berated herself.

Hunter bent his head toward Anna’s. “Having fun?” Had it been a silky whisper she couldn’t have felt it deeper. Her hand twitched and she started her hips moving. Better to dance than spasm, she knew.

“I am now!”

Hunter grinned, grabbed her hand and spun her into fast paced dance. Anna grinned back, accepted the challenge and matched him step for step. By the end they were breathless.

A squeal of feedback drew Anna’s attention to the stage. Rob Jameson stood alone before the microphone, his motorcycle jacket in stark contrast with the khaki pants he wore. His friar’s circle of hair lifted with the light gusts of wind and he looked worriedly to the sky.

“Ahem – uh, ladies, gentlemen? Junie, I don’t think this thing is working! What-“ Rob’s voice blared from the speakers, startling him back a step. A communal chuckle rolled through the crowd. He gave an embarrassed grin and stepped back to the microphone. “Well, okay then. Let’s get this thing started.”

“First, let’s thank the volunteers who helped put this event together for us. It takes a lot of work and they do it with a smile on their faces every year.” He waited for the applause to subside. “A special thank you to our local veterans for choosing this year’s music,” a cheer rose, “and for cooking for us,” a roar filled the air.

“Your pancakes are quite popular,” Anna whispered to Hunter as the pastor ran through some more acknowledgements.

“Wait until later. You don’t realize there’s a lead ball hanging out in your stomach yet,” Hunter grinned.

“Oh Jeez” Anna rubbed her midsection and winced. 

“And now for the reason we’ve joined together today, the Blessing. Please, bow your heads.” Rob waited for silence.

“May God in Heaven fulfill abundantly the prayers which are pronounced over you and your bikes on this occasion of the Blessing of the Bikes. May God bless your going out and coming in; May the Lord be with you at home and on the road. May He accompany you when you start on your many journeys; May He fill your lives abundantly with many blessings; May He keep all your rides safe. May His mercy, grace and love shine upon your every path. In Christ Name, Amen.” He looked up. “God bless and have fun. For those who would like a personalized blessing, I and the other volunteers will be coming through the crowd. Thank you and be safe out there!”