I had heard a little about her past and how hard her life had been. It was good to see she wasn’t afraid to relax and enjoy herself when she could, and that she didn’t turn into a bitter woman. When I heard about her family kicking her out and what her ex did, I wanted to storm over there and sort them out, but Sticks wouldn’t hear of it. She said to let Max sort it out herself. Getting involved wouldn’t help Max come to terms with it, and she was right. Max did need to work through it, and if she needed a hand when she was ready, a whole slew of members would have her back. That also included members who were cops, and a judge, all legal. We have a lot of family.
We came to one of my favorite parts of the trip: lots of winding roads. The scenery on the left side was picturesque, though there was a long, dangerous drop. If you mess it up, which so far none of us have, it was well worth the trip to view it. We were on our way up a small mountainside, and on the other side was just as beautiful a view. You can see birds in the sky, at the same level as you, rather than looking up, you look out to see them enjoying the thermal currents. Looking down, you can see the river as it snakes its way through the land below. Small billowy clouds drifted aimlessly across the sky. This was tranquil scenery; no matter how stressed you were, one look here and your stress melts away.
“Beautiful,” Max said through our intercom.
“That it is, I would love a house up here and capture that view. I don’t think I will ever tire of it,” I replied reverently.
We reached the top and parked at the lookout, giving us a small break before our descent.
This was a great spot, plenty of parking, because tourist buses stop there, and there was a small tower that gave us a three-sixty panoramic view. It was breathtaking. Max took some photos on her phone, smiling all the time.
“Tank, can you stand with me, and we take a picture here, with that view behind us?” Max asked shyly. It would be our first photo taken together. I couldn’t think of a better place to have a first with her. There aren’t many firsts left in my life to give her, and I would be happy to provide her with everything I have.
“Let me take it for you,” Sticks chirped, taking Max’s phone from her hand. I wrapped my arms around her waist and kissed her cheek as Sticks took the photo.
“That was cute, Tank. Want another?” Sticks took a few more pictures at different locations, each with a view behind us.
“Here.” Sticks gave Max her phone back and winked at me as she returned to be with Prez.
“Look at this one.” Max offered me her phone. Instead of taking it from her, I covered my hand over hers and brought her to stand beside me, together looking at her phone, as she flipped through the pictures that Sticks took.
“That one would be nice printed, will send it to my laptop and print it off, when we return.” It was a good picture, both of us smiling, which was a rare sight on me.
What could I say?
No?
Not likely.
She glowed about her as she spoke about the photo, and I cannot burst her bubble by saying no to her printing any of those pictures.
“Time,” Prez called, and we headed back to our bikes. This was always a stopping point on the ladies’ ride day.
The ride down the mountain was as good, if not better, than going up, because we had more views that would take your breath away. Mother Nature put this here for us to enjoy. I would hate for anything to happen to it. There had been threats that a mining company would buy the mountains, suggesting there was tremendous wealth below the surface, but the community won out. The mining company lost the fight to buy it; now it was designated a national treasure, with rare native fauna and flora found nowhere else but on the mountain.
You could see our lunch destination for a very long time as we rode down the hillside, getting closer after each bend in the road.
“That’s our stop?” Max asked when there was a break in the songs, which I had toned down a bit, then the heavy rock, the peaceful place called for quiet music, still rock, just tamer.
“Yep, lunch, about an hour,” I responded. The place we will stop at looks run-down on the outside, but it has the best burgers around and is clean inside.
Maxine POV
The change of music was nice; it fit perfectly with what I was seeing as we rode down the side of the mountain. How big does a hill have to be to be called a mountain? I thought I would have to look at one up, never really thought about it till now. This was a pretty area, and I loved all the cornering we had to do to snake back down it.
True to his word, we arrived in an hour, and my stomach was ready for the burgers that Tank mentioned.
The place looked like it had never seen a lick of paint since it was built. Some parked their bikes and headed in; others fueled up.
“Go order us some food, I want two beef burgers with the lot.” Tank tapped my thigh as he spoke.
The moment you enter the cafe, the smell hits you; my mouth watered the moment I entered.
“Welcome, can I help you?” A charming elderly lady asked.
“Yes, please, I would like two beef burgers with the lot, a large chips, and a chicken sandwich. Two white coffees, no sugar, and a bottle of water.” I handed her my card, paid, and then looked around for a seat inside the cafe, unsure how we would all fit in this small area.
“The guys usually sit outside. We have an area with tables and chairs, around a campfire, although that’s not lit this time of year. Your food won’t be long; we had advanced notice that you would be here for lunch.” She pointed in the direction she thought I wanted to be and moved to the next customer.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.