Ride With Me

CHAPTER 5

I had barely slept every since Charlotte’s visit. Her words kept replaying in my head and every time I closed my eyes I saw that smug smile she wore when she’d mentioned lawyers.

She had always smiled like that when she knew something I didn’t.

Growing up it usually meant she’d already convinced our parents that whatever had happened was something my fault.

This felt exactly the same. Only now it wasn’t about a broken vase or a failed school project.

It was about Lawson Customs. It was about Uncle Will and I refused to lose either of them.

The alarm sounded just after six and I dragged myself out of bed before heading into the shower. By the time I brushed my teeth and pulled on another pair of well worn jeans and a faded band t-shirt I’d almost convinced myself Charlotte had been bluffing. Almost.

I unlocked the workshop and opened the roller door.

Morning sunlight poured across the ground floor and for a few precious minutes everything felt normal again.

I made coffee in the tiny office while I sorted through the day’s bookings and tried not to look at the lawyer’s letter still sitting on the desk.

Eventually I picked it up. It had been sitting there since Charlotte was here almost a week ago.

There was no point pretending it didn’t exist.

So I locked the workshop for an hour, climbed into my truck and drove across town to the address printed at the bottom of the letter.

The law office couldn’t have looked more different from Lawson Customs.

Everything was polished and everything matched. The reception area smelled faintly of fresh flowers instead of engine oil.

I suddenly felt very aware of the grease stain on my jeans but the receptionist smiled warmly.

“You must be Paige Lawson.” She said.

“I am.” I said.

“Ms. Hart will see you now.” She said.

She led me down a quiet hallway before opening a large office.

A woman in her late thirties stood as I entered. She had dark brown hair pulled into a neat bun, glasses rested on her nose and a firm but reassuring smile.

“You must be Paige. Olivia Hart.” She said as I took her hand.

“It’s nice to finally meet you.” I said.

“Please, have a seat.” She said.

I settled into the chair opposite her desk while she opened a thick folder.

“I’ve reviewed everything your uncle left behind.” She said and my stomach tightened.

“And?” I asked as Olivia smiled.

“And I think you can finally breathe.” She said.

“That’s not what I expected you to say.” I frowned and she slid several documents across the desk.

“William Lawson was incredibly thorough. He updated his will several times over the years. He also documented exactly why he wanted Lawson Customs left to you.” She explained as I looked up.

“He wrote that?” I asked.

“He wrote a lot. He included photos of the property over the years, records showing you worked in the workshop from childhood, written statements from neighbors confirming you helped him run the business and financial records showing your involvement long before his passing.” She explained as I was staring at her.

“I didn’t know he’d done all that.” I said.

“He clearly anticipated this challenge.” She said and my chest tightened.

“He knew my parents would contest it.” I said looming down at the paperwork again. Even after his death, Uncle Will was still protecting me and Olivia folded her hands on the desk.

“I believe he suspected they might. Your father’s solicitor has lodged an application questioning the distribution of the estate.” She said.

“So Charlotte wasn’t bluffing.” I said.

“No.” She said.

“But…” I said as my shoulders sagged but Olivia smiled again.

“I don’t believe they’ll succeed.” She said.

“What?” I asked confused.

“The paperwork is exceptionally strong. Your uncle was of sound mind and he followed every legal requirement and he clearly explained his wishes. He documented his reasoning and in my professional opinion, this is one of the strongest wills I’ve seen.” She explained.

The knot that had been sitting in my stomach since I saw Charlotte finally began to loosen.

“So…” I said.

“So I wouldn’t lose sleep over it.” She said and I laughed quietly.

“I already have.” I said.

“Then I’d suggest getting some tonight.” She said.

For the first time since Charlotte had walked into my workshop I felt something close to relief. So Olivia gathered the paperwork back together.

“I’ll handle all communication from this point forward. You don’t need to speak with your father’s lawyers unless I advise you to. Focus on running your business.” She said.

“I can do that.” I said.

“I thought you might.” She said.

She stood and walked me to the door.

“Your uncle believed in you.” She said and I smiled.

“He was one of the few who did.” I said and she gently shook her head.

“I have a feeling he won’t be the last.” She said.

By the time I stepped outside the weight pressing on my shoulders didn’t feel quite as heavy.

The drive back to Lawson Customs felt shorter than the drive there.

For the first time in days, I caught myself humming along with the radio. Charlotte had wanted me worried but instead she’d accidentally reminded me how much Uncle Will had believed in me.

That thought alone made me smile as I turned into the workshop driveway.

Then I saw six familiar faces outside the garage.

The Iron Vipers had returned.

I parked my truck and climbed out just as Hunter spotted me.

“There she is.” Hunter called out with a grin and the rest of the club turned toward me while I unlocked the workshop.

“You boys are early.” I said.

“We’ve been impatient all morning.” Hunter admitted.

I couldn’t help smiling as I rolled the first motorcycle out into the sunlight.

“Go on. It’s all yours.” I said.

Hunter climbed onto the bike and started the engine. The familiar rumbled filled the yard but this time it was smooth and even. He eased out the clutch, rode slowly around the block and returned less than two minutes later wearing an expression somewhere between disbelief and excitement.

“I swear it never rode this well when it was brand new.” Hunter said.

The other members laughed before wheeling their own motorcycles forward.

One after another they took them for short rides and every one of them came back smiling.

Derek climbed off his bike and shook his head.

“I honestly thought you were full of yourself the other day.” Derek said.

“And now?” I asked.

“Now I’m wondering what kind of witchcraft you used.” He said.

“It’s called doing the job properly.” I said.

The club chuckled while I handed over a folder containing the service reports.

“I replaced everything that needed replacing, adjusted what could be saved and made notes for anything you’ll eventually need to keep an eye on.” I explained.

Jace quietly looked through the paperwork before pulling an envelope from his jacket and he placed it on the workbench.

“The final payment.” He said and I opened it and immediately frowned.

“There is too much here.” I said.

“It covers the work.” He said.

“It covers a lot more than work. You’ve overpaid me.” I said as I counted it again before looking back at him.

“You earned it.” He shrugged.

I pulled several notes from the envelope and held them out.

“I’m giving this back.” I said but he made no move to take them.

“No.” He said.

“I’m serious.” I said.

“So am I.” He said and I sighed.

“I don’t take charity.” I said and his expression remained calm.

“It isn’t charity. It’s appreciation.” He said.

For a long moment neither of us moved and finally I stopped the money back into the envelope, although I wasn’t entirely happy about it.

“Would you be interested in maintaining every motorcycle the Iron Vipers own?” Jace asked after walking me for another second.

I was shocked by the offer because I remember when I went to the clubhouse. There were a hell of a lot more than six bikes.