HIS HEART,HIS RIDE

CHAPTER 6:THE BOY WHO HATED QUESTIONS

Bella arrived at Black's Garage at nine o'clock on Sunday morning, carrying her camera bag and notebook.

She had spent the previous evening planning photographs for the summer racing festival, but one thing still bothered her. Ryder Black had casually informed her that she would be discussing the promotional shoot with his girlfriend, Sophie.

Working with Ryder was already exhausting. Adding a girlfriend to the situation sounded like a punishment she hadn't earned.

Ryder stood beside his black motorcycle when she entered, scrolling through his phone. He glanced at her watch.

You're late.

Bella checked the time. "It's nine o'clock."

"Exactly."

Do you ever wake up and decide not to annoy people?

"Not yet. I'll let you know when I do."

She rolled her eyes. "Where's Sophie?"

Good morning to you too, camera girl.

"I asked a question."

"And I heard it."

Bella stared at him. "You know what? Forget it."

"Excellent. We're making progress already."

He led her into the small office at the back of the garage. A computer sat on the desk beside a pile of papers, while photographs of motorcycles covered the walls.

Ryder pulled out a chair and sat down. Bella remained standing.

Are you planning to work on your feet? he asked.

"I haven't decided."

"Take your time. We have the whole morning."

She sat, determined not to let him ruin her mood before the day had properly started.

Ryder turned the computer toward her. A draft poster for the summer racing festival appeared on the screen.

"They want promotional photographs of the riders, some action shots, and pictures of the garage," he explained. "You'll also need individual portraits of the main racers."

Bella studied the design. "The poster is too crowded. You can barely see the riders."

That's what I said.

She looked at him suspiciously. "You actually agree with me?"

"Don't sound so shocked. I have excellent taste."

"In motorcycles, perhaps. Your personality is still under review."

Ryder laughed and leaned back.

Bella opened her notebook and showed him her ideas. She suggested taking portraits beside the riders' motorcycles and capturing them before races, when they were preparing their equipment. She also wanted photographs of the crowd and the mechanics working behind the scenes.

For once, Ryder listened without interrupting.

When she finished, he examined her notes.

"These could work," he admitted.

Bella raised her eyebrows. "Was that a compliment?"

"No. I was informing you that your ideas weren't completely terrible."

"Your kindness is overwhelming."

"Careful. Keep talking like that and I might start charging you for my time."

They spent the next twenty minutes discussing the schedule. Bella discovered that Ryder knew the racing business extremely well. He understood which riders preferred privacy, when the track would be busiest, and which parts of the festival would make the best photographs.

It was irritating how competent he could be when he stopped talking long enough to demonstrate it.

When they finished, Ryder led her outside to meet Mason, who was checking the tires on his motorcycle.

"Look who's back," Mason announced. "I thought Ryder had finally scared you away."

"He's trying," Bella replied.

"She's too stubborn to leave," Ryder said.

Bella turned toward him. "You invited me here."

And yet you still complain.

Mason laughed. "You two should charge people for entertainment."

"We're not a team," Bella and Ryder said simultaneously.

They looked at each other.

Mason laughed even harder.

Before Bella could make another comment, a silver car pulled into the parking area. A young woman stepped out carrying a coffee and walked toward them.

Ryder glanced at her.

"You're late, Sophie."

"Good morning to you too," she replied, handing him the coffee. "I brought you something, but I can take it back."

He accepted it immediately.

Bella watched their exchange, trying not to look interested.

Sophie turned toward her with a friendly smile. "You must be Bella. Daniel told me about your photographs."

"Yes. Nice to meet you."

"You too. I'm helping organize the festival's promotional campaign. We need to discuss the schedule for the photo shoot tomorrow."

Bella hesitated. "I thought you and Ryder were supposed to be in some of the pictures together."

Sophie blinked, then laughed.

"Together? Oh, no. Ryder and I aren't dating. We've known each other for years, but he's not my type."

Bella felt heat creep into her cheeks.

Ryder slowly turned his head toward her.

"Interesting," he said. "I don't remember telling you Sophie was my girlfriend."

Bella shot him a warning look. "You don't have to. People can make assumptions."

"Apparently."

"Don't start."

"I'm not doing anything."

His grin suggested otherwise.

Sophie looked between them, clearly enjoying herself. "Anyway, Bella, could you meet me at the festival office tomorrow afternoon? We can go through the promotional requirements."

"Of course."

"Perfect. I'll send you the details."

After Sophie left, Bella returned to photographing the motorcycles. She concentrated on her work, determined to forget the embarrassing misunderstanding.

Unfortunately, Ryder had other plans.

"Camera girl."

She kept her eyes on her camera. "What?"

"You can relax. Sophie isn't going to steal me from you."

Bella lowered the camera so quickly that Mason turned to see what was happening.

Who said I wanted you?

"Nobody. Your face just told an interesting story."

"My face says you should find something useful to do."

Ryder smiled. "There it is."

He walked away before she could respond.

Bella took a deep breath and continued working. She photographed the motorcycles, the mechanics, and several riders preparing for the afternoon practice. Daniel later praised her work and reminded her that the festival organizers were expecting a strong portfolio.

By noon, she had taken dozens of photographs.

As she packed her equipment, she noticed an old motorcycle beneath a dark cover at the far end of the garage. Unlike the other bikes, it looked as though it hadn't been used for years.

Curiosity got the better of her.

She approached it, studying the edge of the silver design visible beneath the cover.

"Don't touch that."

Ryder's voice made her turn.

"I wasn't touching it."

"Good. Keep it that way."

Bella frowned. "What's so special about this motorcycle?"

"Nothing you need to worry about."

"That's a strange answer."

"It's a simple answer. You're the one making it complicated."

He pulled the cover farther over the motorcycle and walked away.

Bella watched him go. His attitude irritated her, but his sudden seriousness had caught her attention. Ryder usually had a sarcastic answer for everything. This time, he seemed determined to end the conversation.

She decided not to ask again.

At least, not today.

She was collecting her notebook from a nearby workbench when she noticed a photograph lying beside a small toolbox. It showed a younger Ryder standing beside the same motorcycle, his arm around an older man.

The man looked proud, and Ryder was smiling in a way Bella had never seen before.

She picked up the photograph.

On the back, someone had written, *My boy, my champion. Keep riding, no matter what happens.*

"Put that down."

Ryder stood behind her.

Bella immediately placed it on the workbench. "I found it lying here. I wasn't snooping."

His expression had changed completely. The usual amusement had disappeared from his face.

"Stay away from my things, Bella."

She stiffened. It was the first time he had used her name without teasing her.

"I was trying to return it."

"Then next time, leave it alone."

His cold tone hurt her pride.

"You know, you could try saying thank you instead of treating everyone like they're your enemy."

Ryder picked up the photograph.

"You don't know anything about me."

"You're right. And honestly, I don't want to."

She grabbed her camera bag and headed for the exit.

"Tomorrow at two," he called after her. "Don't forget the photo shoot."

Bella turned around. "You can send someone else to remind me."

"Nobody else has the patience to deal with you."

"Likewise, Ryder."

She left before he could deliver another insult.

Back at Aunt Clara's house, Bella spent the afternoon editing her photographs. She was beginning to feel better when her phone rang.

An unfamiliar man introduced himself as Mark, one of the people helping organize the racing festival.

"Daniel gave me your number," he explained. "I wanted to ask whether you've started working with Ryder yet."

"Yes. Why?"

There was a brief silence.

"Because I think you should be careful about getting involved in his personal business."

Bella sat up straighter. "What do you mean?"

"There's something about his father's accident that people in this town don't talk about."

Her fingers tightened around the phone.

What accident?

Mark lowered his voice.

"Ryder's father never returned to racing after that night. And Ryder hasn't been the same since."

Bella remembered the old photograph and the covered motorcycle.

"What happened?"

"I can't explain everything over the phone. But if you're going to spend time around Ryder, you should ask him one question."

"Which question?"

Mark hesitated.

"Ask him why he was the last person seen with his father before the accident."

The call ended.

Bella stared at her phone, her heart beating faster.

She had come to town to escape a cheating boyfriend, not to become involved in Ryder Black's life. She barely liked the man.

But now she couldn't stop thinking about the photograph, the old motorcycle, and the pain hidden behind his arrogant smile.

The next afternoon, she arrived at the festival office determined to behave professionally.

Ryder was already waiting outside.

He glanced at her camera bag. "You're on time. I'm impressed."

Bella ignored the comment.

"Ryder, I need to ask you something."

He raised an eyebrow. "That sounds dangerous."

She held his gaze.

"Tell me about your father's accident."

His smile vanished.

For several seconds, neither of them spoke.

Then Ryder stepped closer, his voice suddenly cold.

Who told you about my father?

Bella swallowed.

And for the first time since meeting him, she saw something in Ryder's eyes that looked dangerously close to fear.