up. Her circumstances were different this time around.
She couldn't fault them for being afraid. If she gave herself two minutes to think about what she was doing, she'd scare herself to death.
Never in a million years had she imagined herself living in Avery Falls in a rundown old house, uprooting the boys from everything they knew.
She stepped back inside and looked at the meager belongings they'd brought with them.
In such a hurry to leave, she'd packed what would fit in the car, and everything they owned went in the yard and sold for cheap in a two-day yard sale. What hadn't sold, she let a neighbor man haul away in his truck for fifty dollars.
The desperate move to Avery Falls put her straight into mother mode. She'd told the kids to grab everything they wanted to take with them. Knowing she had to take care of them, she threw toothbrushes, thermometer, Tylenol, birth certificates, medical records, and anything she thought they'd need to take care of themselves in a box until they got back on their feet.
Then, she'd grabbed as many of her clothes that would fit into a suitcase, along with every picture she'd ever taken of her sons. With a promise to replace items too big to bring with them, they'd set out for a new adventure.
In the small living room, the belongings looked like an odd assortment of items they were donating to charity.
Feeding off her fears, the boys left behind bikes, PlayStation, balls, bats, and every toy known to young males worldwide.
They'd given up so much.
She closed her burning eyes. Their situation was temporary. She would survive. Her boys would thrive.
"Mom!"
Her body jolted. She opened her eyes at the urgency in Kenny's voice and hurried to the door.
"What's wrong?" She searched the front yard as she navigated the rickety steps off the porch and found a biker standing by her sons.
Her racing heart never slowed as she recognized Trip.
Kenny hitched his thumb. "He wants to talk to you."
Now that she gained possession of the house, she believed the only time she had a chance at seeing him again was when she went to the grocery store or gas station. A chance encounter when the stars aligned.
She had to keep reminding herself that he was a biker. Someone, who along with his club, put a member in her house and tried to pretend he had no idea what place she was talking about when she arrived in town.
Her stomach fluttered. She was six thousand dollars richer because of him. He had tried to make his mistakes or blatant dishonesty right.
And at the moment, the money he gave her was an unexpected gift. Another piece of insurance that would keep her boys from experiencing any more hardships.
"Kenny, his name is Mr...." She blinked, realizing she hadn't heard his last name.
"Just Trip." Trip strode toward her. "Do you have a second or two?"
She nodded, stepping back to the house and opening the screen door. "We can talk in here."
There was no reason to involve her sons. From here on out, she wanted to give them as much of a stress-free life as she could.
It was vital for her to show them life was manageable, and they had to roll with the changes.
Someday, she hoped they'd survive the bumps that threatened to knock them on their ass.
For her, she probably had permanent bruises on her backside from how many times she'd had to pick herself up off the floor. If she could protect them from any more loss, she would.
"Sorry, I don't have anywhere for you to sit." She stopped in the middle of the living room. "What did you need to see me about?"
She hoped he wasn't going to ask her for the money back.
He looked at the small collection of boxes and scattered belongings. "This weekend kicks off the weekly Avery Falls barbecue. It's just for the locals and a way for everyone to stay informed on what goes on in town." He raised his dark honey gaze to her. "Summers are hectic with the influx of tourists that invade the town. Getting together with the locals lets the MC stay on top of any complaints, and we can figure out any improvements that need to be done."
"MC?" she said.
"Motorcycle Club."
"Oh." She had no idea how the bikers ran Avery Falls.
The few people she'd met growing up while visiting Grandpa Gene, mostly older people, stayed to themselves and only offered a short conversation when in town. She had