Page 73 of Savior
“See you then.” She abruptly hangs up.
I suddenly have an overwhelming desire to run to Dean.
Slipping on my leather jacket, I walk over and grab the half open roll-up garage door to lock up the shop for the night, when Vanna bursts through the steel door.
“I’m really glad you’re still here.” she says, shutting the door and leaning her back against it. “I need to talk to you.”
Immediately I’m on high alert, looking her over, assessing her from head to toe. Physically, she appears to be fine.
“You never come to my shop.” Not since Serene was destroyed last fall. I attributed her avoidance to guilt over what happened, thanks to Jack. Though I’ve never blamed her, not even for a moment. “Was gonna head straight home. What couldn’t wait?”
She chews the inside of her mouth, pursing her lips as she stares back at me, but then her eyes shift to something behind me. Her brows lift as her eyes widen. “Oh my gosh… Is that… Serene?” she asks in astonishment.
“Been hoping so.” I sigh, watching Vanna push herself from the door and walk towards the motorcycle in the middle of my shop. She slides her purse off her arm and drops it on my work bench as she passes.
“Oh wow, she’s beautiful, Dean! I can’t believe this is the same motorcycle that was…” her words drift off, and she scrunches her eyes shut, as if she’s mentally reprimanding herself.
“Technically, it isn’t... Most of that bike is in a bunch of boxes in the garage next door. I repaired what I could.”
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.” She peers up at me. “I’m going with pregnancy brain. I’ve read about that. Apparently, forgetfulness is another side effect of being knocked-up.”
“I kinda like you knocked-up.”
She playfully rolls her eyes then looks back at the bike. “How long has she been ready? She looks stunning, Dean.” Vanna says, gazing over the sexy Harley under my shop lights once again.
“Weeks... But, is she Serene?” I glance back at Vanna in time to catch her smiling at me. “What?”
“I’ve got something she might like to have back.” Vanna says, turning to reach into her purse and dig around. She produces a small metal object I recognize immediately, and my heart does a little skip. “I found it outside in your lot… after it happened… I had it repaired for you. I wanted to surprise you with it, when you had Serene ready. I’ve been carrying it around for months. I didn’t know what it was at first. Viking told me it’s a protection charm, for bikers. That they have to be gifted to you.”
“Her Gremlin Bell. I thought it was lost for good.”
She hands the small bell back to me, and a feeling like a missing piece of the puzzle was just returned to me, takes hold. Grabbing a pair of plyers from my work bench, I attach the bell to the bottom of her frame and step back again to stand beside Vanna.
“Had I known you were having cold feet about this moment for weeks, I’d have given it back to you sooner. Who originally gifted it to you?”
“Erik.”
“Who’s Erik?”
“My Uncle. Sorry.” It didn’t occur to me until now, whenever I’ve spoken to her about him, I’ve only referred to him as my Uncle. Never his actual name.
“Do you feel like she’s Serene now?”
“I don’t think I’ll know until I start her. Maybe not until I ride her.”
Vanna leans into my side. “Then go take her for a ride. She’s been waiting for you, too.”
“Do you think she’s back?”
“She looks like Serene, with a badass makeover. Her spirit still feels like it’s in this bike, because you put it there. When I look at this beautiful motorcycle, I see Serene.” Vanna says, rubbing my back softly. “What do you see? That’s what counts.”
“A badass bike. But that doesn’t make her Serene.”
“You have to believe in Magic for it to work.”
“Well, I’ve only come around to that recently.” I tease her. Taking a deep breath, I let it out slowly before I look back at her. Not that I’m stalling. Well, maybe just a little. I am genuinely curious. “What was it you couldn’t wait to talk about? I was about to head home.”
“Oh, right… I met a woman at the grocery store. She snuck her number into my bag days ago, and wanted me to call her. We’ve been so preoccupied with everything going on,” Vanna says, her hand skimming lightly over her lower stomach. “I only remembered to call her back this afternoon. She wants to meet up with me. For a reading, I think. She can’t come to the Ametrine Cauldron.”
