Razer shut Beth’s door before getting into the front seat; Shade closed Lily’s door, also getting in the front. The ride was quiet for a few minutes before Razer filled the taut silence with innocuous comments on the rental car. The conversation relaxed the girls, their stiffened bodies gradually sinking into the luxurious seats. The conversation gradually switched to how Lily was enjoying college. Her responses were at first stilted, but as she talked about her classes, she became more animated until they pulled up in front of Beth’s house.

Razer went to the trunk to get Lily’s overnight bag and crutches after he opened Beth’s door. Shade was waiting next to an already opened door by Lily, moving away when Beth took the crutches from Razer. She helped Lily from the car, the trio watched as the girl put the crutches under her arms, but wincing when she lifted her arms. Lily tried to laugh it off.

“I guess I am still a little stiff.”

With the crutches under her arms, she took a step forward slowly, a small whimper escaped her, yet she didn’t stop attempting another step forward. Her pain was obvious to the onlookers; they all could see she was in extreme pain.

“For Christ’s sake.” Shade finally exploded. He lifted a startled Lily into his arms without warning. The crutches fell to the ground; Lily’s body arched, trying to throw herself out of his arms.

Beth started to go to her, but Razer took her by the arm, leading her to the house.

“Wait, I can walk on the crutches.” Desperately, Lily tried to wrench out of his arms. Shade gave her a small toss into the air; automatically Lily’s arms circled his neck, holding on to him. Her breasts pressed to his chest.

“Be careful, you don’t want me to drop you.” Shade laughed, walking to the door of the house. Lily loosened her grip on his shoulders so that she could lean back without being pressed so close to his chest, instead pressing her hands there to give her more breathing room.

Beth and Razer were waiting inside. “Where do you want her?”

Beth motioned to the couch, which she had already pulled out into a bed, ready for her use. Beth didn’t want to confine Lily to the upstairs with her foot. Their parents had purchased the fold out couch for visiting members of the church.

Shade gently laid Lily on the bed, making sure she was comfortable before leaving without a word.

Speechless, Beth just stared at the closed door. “ Yes…well…thanks for picking us up.” Beth turned as the door opened again, Shade was carrying the crutches. He leaned them against the couch, close to Lily. Again, he left without a word.

Razer fought his amusement. “Shade’s not big on manners.” He tried to excuse his friend; the women just stared at him.

“Is he going to come back again?” Beth asked, staring at the door.

“No, I think that was it for now. Is there anything I can do for you before I leave?” Both women shook their heads.

“Alright then, catch you later.” Razer went to stand next to Lily, touching her banaged forehead. “Stay safe.”

“Thanks.” Lily shyly smiled at Razer. Not about to let Shade outdo him, he left without another word.

As soon as the door closed with a snap, the sister’s stared at each other both wondering why the men had been so considerate and helpful, both a contradiction to the tough biker image they projected.

Chapter 8

Dean called Beth several times throughout the week to check in on Lily, but anytime the conversation became personal, he would switch topics. Beth hung up from their latest conversation confused at his strange behavior. He had yet to become amorous towards her after months of dating; but he had definitely led her to believe that was where they were headed. Beth had thought the trip to Las Vegas would bring a new level of intimacy to their relationship. Now Dean was acting once again like her Pastor; Beth didn’t know what to make of it. Lily was going back to school tomorrow and Beth would be driving her. She had hoped that he would offer to keep her company; he had instead mentioned a scheduled meeting with a parishioner.

Early the next day the sisters left Treepoint while it was still dark; it was a three-hour drive so they decided to stop and eat lunch before driving on to Lily’s dorm. The college was bustling with students outside the large dorm. Beth walked by Lily’s side as they passed through the common room to reach the elevators; she noticed none of the other students said hi or even acknowledged Lily.

“Have you made many friends Lily?”

Lily paused in opening her door before answering truthfully as she entered her room.

“Not really, I guess I thought because it was a religious college, the other students would be serious about their courses. They think because I don’t go to their get togethers that I don’t want to be friends.”

Beth hugged her sister. Remembering how uncomfortable she had felt her freshman year.

“It’ll get easier. You will find students you will have more in common with, don’t get discouraged.”

“I won’t. It doesn’t bother me, I need to study more than I need friends to distract me.”

"I am sure your studies won’t suffer if you take time to go out for lunch or dinner. Don’t close yourself off to new acquaintances or experiences.”

Lilly grinned, “I won’t.”

Beth left her sister sitting at her small desk pulling books out of her backpack, worried about how isolated she seemed. It was late afternoon when she arrived back in Treepoint. Beth pulled into the Sheriff’s Office. He had called yesterday to ask her to stop by his office. She had told him she would stop in on her way back from dropping Lily off.

The receptionist showed her to his office immediately. Will Hunter had been sheriff for the last fourteen years and had attended her father’s church. There wasn’t much he didn’t know about the small community and what he didn’t, he made it his mission to find out. If it could adversely affect the town he protected; every measure was taken to see that the townspeople remained safe. Inside and outside the boundaries of the law; every recourse at his disposal was used with ruthless disregard. Her father and Will had a tumultuous relationship. Beth had often thought that he had only attended her father’s church to keep a cautious eye on the influential church leader.

“Hello Beth, have a seat.” He rose as she entered the room, and then resumed his as she took the chair in front of his desk.

“Lily doing well?” The sheriff picked up an ink pen lying on his desk. The pen slid back and forth between his fingers.

“Yes, still a little sore, but she is much better. Thank you for asking. You said you had some news on my car?” The pen was put back on the desk as he clasped his hands together leaning towards Beth.

“Yes, I am afraid you’re not going to like what the report confirmed. The mechanic found your brake lines had been tampered with. Someone definitely wanted to hurt, if not kill you. Everyone in town knows your constantly driving up and down those mountain roads. They are treacherous on a good day with a car in good working order, deadly with a car with no brakes.

Concerned, Beth sat forward in her chair. “You are sure Lily wasn’t the intended victim?”

The sheriff leaned back in his seat shaking his head. “No, Lily drives the car too infrequently, when someone wants someone dead they pick a plan that has the highest chance of success at the first attempt. Do you have any ideas as to who would want to hurt you? Anyone you made angry lately? Old boyfriends?”