Chapter One
1271 Words
The GPS pulled me out of my memories.
"In one mile, take Exit 290."
I blinked a few times, forcing myself back to the present.
The road stretched endlessly in front of me, the rumble of my Ducati grounding me as the cool morning air slipped through the vents of my leather jacket.
I hadn't realized how lost I'd become in my thoughts.
A green highway sign came into view.
Welcome to Washington.
I let out a slow breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.
Home.
Or at least...
The place I was born.
I hadn't been back since I was six years old.
Twenty-five years.
Twenty-five years of unanswered questions.
Twenty-five years of wondering what kind of man my father had become... and what kind of man my brother was now.
The GPS chimed again.
"Turn right off Exit 290."
I eased the bike onto the exit ramp.
River Falls was only two hours away.
With every mile, my stomach tightened a little more.
I wasn't just carrying my mother's ashes.
I was carrying her final wish.
My ass on the other hand was about to start protesting, I needed to get off my baby and stretch. It didn't take long for me to get to River Falls. It was only a little after seven pm by the time I rolled into town.
I'd already booked a room for the night. There was a small family-owned bed and breakfast on the edge of downtown that looked nice online, and after spending days on my bike, a real bed sounded like heaven.
As I cruised through town, I couldn't help but look around.
There were small businesses lining both sides of the street. A bookstore, an old-fashioned barber shop, an antique store, and a florist all sat next to each other like they'd been there forever. A little mom-and-pop diner caught my eye, the smell of burgers and fresh-cut fries drifting out every time the door opened.
Yeah...
I was definitely eating there before I left town.
The farther into town I rode, the more I realized just how well River Falls was taken care of. Flowers filled the planters along the sidewalks, the storefronts looked freshly painted, and there wasn't a piece of trash anywhere.
As I rolled down Main Street, a banner stretched across the road.
WELCOME TO THE RIVER FALLS CARNIVAL
Opening Day Tomorrow
I smiled to myself.
A few blocks later, I caught sight of a Ferris wheel rising above the rooftops. As I rode a little farther, more rides came into view, their lights already glowing against the darkend sky.
That explained why the town was still so busy for a Thursday night.
Families wandered the sidewalks carrying shopping bags, teenagers laughed as they headed home, and people lingered outside the local coffee shop, enjoying the cool evening air.
It felt...
Normal.
Peaceful.
Like the kind of town where everyone knew everyone.
I kept a steady pace through town, following the GPS toward the bed and breakfast.
I was about three blocks from the bed and breakfast when I caught the unmistakable sound of engines revving.
Even through my helmet, I could hear the music in the distance.
As I rode another block, I understood exactly where the noise was coming from.
There was a bar.
It wasn't just any bar either.
It was a huge biker bar and grill.
The parking lot was packed with motorcycles. Harleys lined nearly every parking space, with a few custom choppers mixed in. Chrome reflected the streetlights while riders stood around talking, laughing, and drinking bottles of beer. Country music spilled out every time the front door opened.
I eased off the throttle just enough to take it all in as I rode past.
The place looked busy.
Loud.
Alive.
Exactly the kind of place I'd stop if I wasn't exhausted.
As I passed, several bikers looked up. One nudged the guy standing next to him and pointed in my direction. A couple more turned their attention to my bike, their heads following me as I cruised by.
I smiled beneath my helmet.
They weren't looking at me.
They were looking at my Ducati.
She wasn't your average Ducati.
Every inch of her had been custom built, from the suspension to the exhaust. Countless hours had gone into making her exactly the way I wanted, and she was one of a kind.
Bikers appreciated good craftsmanship, no matter what badge was on the tank.
I'd definitely be stopping here.
But right now, all I wanted was a hot shower, a real bed, and something besides gas station food.
A few minutes later, I pulled into Betty and Joe's Bed and Breakfast.
The parking lot was packed.
Must be because of the carnival.
I parked my Ducati, killed the engine, and swung a leg over the seat. After pulling off my helmet, and headed inside.
The place was beautiful.
Fresh flowers sat on nearly every table, and the smell of homemade baked goods filled the air. It felt warm and inviting, like walking into someone's home instead of a business.
I made my way to the check-in desk and pressed the little silver bell.
A few seconds later, a tiny elderly woman walked out from the back. The moment she saw me, a huge smile spread across her face.
"Well, hello there! Welcome to Betty and Joe's Bed and Breakfast. Do you have a reservation, sweetheart?"
"I do. It's under Buchanan. Sutton Buchanan."
She adjusted her glasses and clicked away on the computer.
"There you are," she said with a smile.
Then her eyes narrowed.
"Hmm..."
She looked back at the screen before looking at me again.
"Give me just one second, okay?"
"No problem."
She disappeared into a small office behind the desk.
About a minute later, she hurried back out, looking a little flustered.
"I am so sorry, sweetheart. I let my husband, Joe, handle the reservations the other day, and somehow he double-booked your room."
I couldn't help but smile.
She looked genuinely upset.
"The good news," she continued, "is I do have one room left."
She leaned in a little and lowered her voice like she was sharing a secret.
"It's our honeymoon suite."
I laughed.
"That's perfectly fine. I've been on the road for a few days. At this point, any bed sounds amazing."
She laughed right along with me.
"Oh, honey, after that motorcycle ride, you'll appreciate this one."
She tapped a few more keys before reaching beneath the counter. She handed me an old-fashioned room key attached to a wooden keychain along with a small brochure.
"Just follow the rock path behind the main house. Your suite is in the old in-law cottage. We remodeled it into our honeymoon suite a few years ago."
She smiled proudly.
"You're booked through next week. It might get a little noisy with the carnival in town, but I think you'll love it here."
"I already do."
She beamed.
"Well, welcome to River Falls."
I thanked Betty before making my way outside.
The little cottage was tucked behind the main house, surrounded by flower beds and string lights. It was quiet, cozy, and exactly what I needed.
After carrying my things inside, I took a long, hot shower and changed into a pair of jeans, a black V-neck T-shirt, and my boots.
Much better.
My stomach growled.
I picked up the brochure Betty had given me and flipped it open.
Iron Horse Bar & Grill
The kitchen is open until midnight, I smiled.
Looks like I'll be seeing what that biker bar is like tonight after all…
- Writer
