Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
“Mr. Hamilton wants to buy a bike now.”
“That doesn’t surprise me.”
“Are you ever going to take me on a ride?” she asked.
“As soon as we get clearance from the doctor. I don’t want your brain vibrated until we’re sure you’re okay. How did it go using the computer today?”
“I have a headache,” Ivy confessed and felt one of his hands stroke up her back to massage her neck gently.
“Your muscles are as rigid as a board. Dinner and a hot bath for you before bed,” he announced.
“Sounds heavenly, Daddy.”
CHAPTER
TWENTY
By the end of the week, the excitement of being back at work had evaporated. Mr. Harris wasn’t there to give her more work and correct all her efforts, but he also wasn’t there to do his own work. Another bank manager had come to help, but there was definitely a learning curve to understanding everything that needed to be done and what the previous bank president had completed.
Friday afternoon, a large rumble drew Ivy from her office. It sounded a few blocks away—even through the thick walls of the bank. The throb of the thunderous motors grew as something approached. Virginia joined her at the large plate-glass windows as others craned their necks to see.
“I have a guess,” Virginia whispered.
“Surely not.”
“Want to bet? Go get your purse,” the loyal employee encouraged.
“That doesn’t set an outstanding example for everyone else working until closing,” Ivy stated with a shake of her head. “If it’s them, they’ll wait for me to finish.”
“I’m sure they will.” Virginia hurried away to start a fire under the employees. They had one more reason to get out of there efficiently on a Friday.
When the bikes came into view, Ivy stepped outside to watch them. She grinned at the tough-looking motorcycle club. Ivy definitely wouldn’t recommend tangling with them—the Shadowridge Guardians lurked on the edges of societal rules. She knew, however, that they’d do anything to help her and others who needed them. Plus, knowing they all had teddy bears in their saddlebags lessened their rough appearances.
She waved as they drove into the parking lot. Faust, Rock, Storm, Doc, Bear, Talon, Silver, and Gabriel led the group with others she didn’t know as well, following. Steele and Storm rounded out the group. The men backed into parking spaces toward the back of the parking lot so they didn’t interfere with the bank patrons. Ivy skipped across the pavement to greet them.
“Hi! Wow! You guys are impressive together,” she complimented them.
“That’s exactly the impression we want to give the world.” Talon’s usual sarcasm made her smile.
“Hey, Little girl. You ready to go for a ride?” Steele strolled forward.
Ivy looked around, embarrassed to see if any bank patrons overheard his words. She should have known Steele would have already made sure everything was safe.
“I need to stay. It will be about thirty minutes. Is that okay?”
“Of course it is. We’ll hang in the parking lot and make friends,” Storm replied.
“Try to smile every once in a while, will you? Don’t scare everyone,” she suggested.
“We’ll be on our best behavior,” Rock assured her.
Ivy looked at him, assessing whether she could trust the elder biker and decided quickly that he was sincere. Besides, he was Remi’s dad, and she liked Remi a lot. Shaking her head, she walked forward to Steele and rose on her toes to wrap her arms around his neck.
“I won’t be long,” she assured before planting a quick kiss on his lips.
“A promise and a tease of a kiss. I guess you are feeling better.” Steele looked over her head at Doc and gave him a thumbs up.
“Daddy!” she hissed. Everyone didn’t need to know that Doc had given her a checkup last night.
“It’s okay, sweetheart. They’re all tickled you’re feeling better. Go finish your day and then we’ll go celebrate,” Steele suggested.
“I’ll be fast.”
Dropping one last kiss on his lips, Ivy turned and walked as quickly as she could on her pumps. She wondered if being in a relationship with Steele would keep her from advancing at the bank. With a shrug of her shoulders, Ivy dismissed that idea. What was more important? Treasuring the special connection she had with the man who saved her and captured her heart or letting others decide how she lived her life? Ivy would choose Steele every day.
For once, closing the bank for the day was hassle-free. All the tellers balanced their drawers quickly and headed out with big smiles. Virginia helped Ivy finalize the rest of the accounts, and they were ready to leave in no time. Ivy looked at the woman who had become a good friend. When higher positions opened, Virginia would be the first candidate that would come to her mind.
“Come on, boss. They’re waiting for you.”
“It’s best not to keep them standing around,” Ivy agreed, grabbing her purse from her desk.