He crossed the street and rode around the chain strung across the entrance, blocking off the RV park until six o'clock in the morning. Hank stood from the sitting log by the lit campfire, holding the cash pouch in his hand. Without getting off the motorcycle, Trip rolled by him and snagged the package.
"Thanks, brother." He held up his hand as he one-handedly throttled the Harley, heading toward the exit.
He slipped the pouch into the inside pocket of his vest and then rode around the closed gate. Guests were free to leave the property on foot or off-road vehicles if they chose, but the tight curfew cut down on people going where they shouldn't be in the dark. There were too many trails and dangerous roads woven through the mountain ranges, and the last thing the club wanted to do was go out on a search and rescue looking for someone without the brains to survive in the wilderness.
Not to mention, visitors thought the bears, moose, and wolves were...cute.
He rode east, stopping at the store. Going inside, he took J.J.'s kiss as she greeted him.
"I've missed you." She wound her arms around his neck. "Are you going to be at the clubhouse tonight?"
As she talked, she pressed her firm breasts against the front of his leather vest. "I plan on going home and catching up on my sleep."
"But, I want to see you."
"Get in line."
She pouted. "You're in a mood."
"Not enough hours in the day." He slipped out of her arms. "Bag?"
She grabbed the pouch off the top of the register, and her gaze softened. "Go home, Trip. Get some rest. I'll see you next time."
"Plan to." He swung through the door and stepped outside.
J.J. was a good woman. He'd spent time with her, seeking relief. Neither one of them had any desire for anything more.
Taking the bags off him, he transferred everything to the duffle on the back of his Harley and took off to make the round to check the doors at the school, post office, and public restrooms. He ended the night at the diner, where Steven walked out the back door and tossed him the money pouch.
"Thanks." He fisted the cash.
Steven pulled the apron over his head and tossed it over his shoulder. "Need dinner?"
"I'm good." He looked around the area. "Things are picking up early this season."
"I've seen a few faces I haven't seen before." Steven's brows lowered. "Are you meeting with Prez tonight?"
"Wasn't planning on it." All he had to do was drop off the cash with Keegan. "Problem?"
Steven walked closer. "There's a woman with two kids inside. She's asking a lot of questions."
"What about?"
"The house Prez put Ruger in before he goes full-time into the community."
"The one on the knoll?" He took his hands off the handlebar. "No one knows about that place."
"She does." Steven looked behind him at the building before facing Trip again. "About ten minutes into eating, she gave Elena an address and asked if she knew how to get there. She had trouble getting Google to work on her cell phone."
There wasn't much use for the internet here. Everything went through the cell towers, and even they weren't reliable. That's not to say he was clueless about Google maps, but so far, the closest they'd come to Avery Falls was Federal, over Moon Pass, about thirty-six miles away on a dirt road.
"Remind the waitresses they're not to share any information beyond the areas where tourists can go," he said.
Steven continued to gaze at him. Trip leaned back, sensing something else going on.
"You don't think she'll give up?" he asked.
"A woman alone with two kids asking about a house that no one should know about..." Steven shook his head. "She's staying in the RV park, in the rental trailer. The car she drove was stuffed to the roof with household belongings. I'm surprised the kids could fit in the car."
"Where's she from?"
"IA"
Recognizing the Idaho designator for Ada County, he said, "Boise?"
"Yeah."
Trip turned his head and spit on the ground. "I'll phone Prez when I get back to the clubhouse and let him know."
"Better yet, go talk to her."
"The less she knows, the sooner she'll give up, hit the road, and move on."
"I don't think she's going anywhere until she finds the house." Steven stepped away. "Check her out yourself."
His MC brother motioned him inside. Lugging the duffle off his bike, he walked into the back of the diner.
He shoved the bag at Steven. "Put it in the office until I'm done."
"She's sitting in the booth by the front door with the kids. Two boys."
Striding into the diner, he caught Elena's gaze and lifted his chin. The waitress hurried to him.
"Hey, Trip. Do you want your regular?" Elana smiled up into his face.
"Not tonight." He gazed to the front booth, expecting to find a middle-aged woman. The woman with two kids couldn't be a day over thirty. His gaze dropped to the bare crossed legs and the slip-on sneaker dangling from her toes as she swung her foot back and forth. Maybe she was the kids' older sister.
"Do me a favor and bring me a coffee." He strode across the small diner and slid into the booth behind the woman and her family.
He looked out the window, seeing Keenan and Hank ride by. They were part of the crew going into the cave tonight. Tomorrow night would be his turn to work, and he needed to get more sleep before then.
"Here you go." Elena placed the coffee in front of him. "Two spoons full of sugar like you drink it."
"Thanks." He brought the mug to his lips, barely letting the steaming hot liquid touch his tongue before he got a taste.
Elena stepped away from him and directed her attention to the woman and kids in the next booth. "Is there anything else I can get you three?"
He straightened his
