Page 5 of High Velocity

“I’m actually hoping for that.”

He cocked a brow.“Is that so?Well, tell this ol’ man what’s on your mind.Come, have a seat.Want some coffee?”He waved to the leather couch taking up a good portion of one wall in the reception area.

Charli took a moment to look around, noticing changes while also seeing what had always been familiar.An anchor to a past she dearly missed.She was surprised to see the place empty of others at only 4:00 PM.

“Coffee?”Harvey prompted again.

“No thanks, I have some.”She held up a large tumbler that held her own iced concoction of the addictive dark elixir of life.

Harvey nodded as they settled into the cushions.“Pretty impressive artwork ya got there.”He eyed the visible tattoos on her arm and leg.

“Yeah, I’m an addict.”

Harvey laughed.“So, little miss, you back to stay?”

“I am.That is, if I can talk you into a sweet deal?”

He grinned.“Ah, and what might that be?I’m a little old to be romanced, but I never say never.”

Charli laughed.Truly laughed for the first time in months.“God, I’ve missed you.”She spared a glance around the space again.“Missed here.”

Harvey’s hand landed on hers, and she stared down at it.Perpetually calloused and stained fingers from years of turning wrenches and handling dirty, greasy parts.Large.Protective.Comforting.She turned her hand over and linked their fingers before meeting his gaze.

“I want to buy your shop.”

His bushy brow lifted while a half grin curled the corner of his mouth.“And what makes you think I’m selling?”

“Because I’ve got an offer you can’t refuse.”She returned his grin with a big one of her own.“Doesn’t have to be right away, but I’m interested, Harv.I’d like to come work for you, see how you run your shop, work with your mechanics, and learn who your customers are.”

“That what you been doing all these years you been away?Turning wrenches for someone?”

She nodded.“Guess it took twenty years to figure out where I belonged and what I wanted to do with my life.”

“I could’ve told you where you belonged all along, but I guess someone else had a say in that.”His words weren’t cruel, just a fact.The sadness on his face showed that.

It was no surprise to Charli that there was no love lost between this community and her mom.She and her dad had met when young, fell hard and fast, and tried to make it work even though they came from different walks of life.Not to mention different ends of the state.Liam couldn’t convince her to remain in the south, so he stretched his bond with the Club, going north with Mom for a period.But time and again, Hunt called him back.The Sons of Sin called him back.

And Charli had been in the middle of it all, wanting a life with both parents but settling with split time.Hadn’t been her choice, but a child only had so much say when it’d been her mom’s decision, and her dad went along with it, hoping to make it easier on all involved.News flash—it hadn’t been easy at all.

It hadn’t been easy dealing with the loss of her father or the loss of her extended family and friends with the Club.It hadn’t been easy being apart and losing contact.Because when the dust settled and her mom took her away, Charli hadn’t stepped foot back in Hunt.

Until now.

Regret was a heavy weight she desperately wanted to shed.

“How is Sherri?”Harv asked.

“Gone.Six months now.”She felt his fingers tighten instantly.“Brain cancer.Gone within four months of being diagnosed.The only blessing was she hadn’t suffered long.”Charli’s voice hitched with those last few words, and Harvey drew her to him for another hug.

“Oh, Charli, darlin’, I am so damn sorry.”

She remained quiet, soaking up his comfort.It’d been too long since she’d had any.

Harvey pulled back and held her gaze.“You got a place to stay?”

“I do.I don’t know who all knew this, but Dad had property by the twin lakes between Eden Road and the 1500.Even Mom was surprised.”

“I knew.Wasn’t sure what he ever planned on doing with it.Guess now I know.”