if I hadn t been speeding

Was he really that bad? After all the marriage word didn’t frighten him. What if he was the last man who would ever propose to me? What if there weren’t any men left who didn’t have wandering eyes?

I’d met every single guy in the Ozarks. Most had issues like too many ex-wives, or no ambition other than becoming the next Elvis, and failing at that, becoming the next Dog the bounty hunter.

James’ handsome face smiled at me from my longing imagination.

I had not yet actually resigned from my teaching position at Branson Elementary. I could always turn around and—what?

What was I thinking! Why settle for a man I couldn’t trust? I accelerated slightly again.

Arguing with myself, I didn’t notice the rider on the motorcycle in front of me until I tried to pull around him. He made a motion with his hand, indicating I should drop back.

My first thought was, who is he to tell me how to drive? Then I saw the black and white patrol car ahead of him and realized I was speeding.

That’s when the rider flashed a dazzling megawatt grin at me, a glimpse of something delightful.

I slowed my car and pulled back into the lane behind him, noticing his broad shoulders, before he disappeared over the next hill.

What a nice gesture. He had probably spared me a huge traffic fine.

My thoughts drifted back to James. He’s probably seeking solace with Miss Luscious.

The gas gauge registered low, so I pulled into a station beside a restaurant built on an arch over the interstate just outside Vinita, Oklahoma. I had already started filling my car when I saw the motorcycle at the tank beside me.

The rider swung blue-denim legs off the seat with lazy grace and removed his helmet, running his hand through tousled sandy hair.

“Good thing you slowed down back there, Miss,” he said flashing that same charming grin. “That trooper would have pulled you over for sure.”

“Thanks for the warning. I didn’t realize how fast I was traveling.” I couldn’t help smiling back.

“Where you headed?” I asked him.

“Oh, just out for a ride and some fresh air. Nowhere in particular. You?”

“Tulsa.”

He merely nodded.

We topped off our tanks and headed for the stairs leading up to the restaurant.

“Seeing we’re both headed for the same place, can I buy you a coke?” the rider asked as we entered the business.

“No thanks.”

Taney Como?”

“Never.”

I’d sure like to give it a try with someone like you. I hoped my eyes didn’t betray what I was thinking.

Suddenly and boldly I asked, “How do you feel about people who can’t be loyal?”

His eyebrows went up at that.

“You’ve been in a bad relationship, huh? Going through a divorce?”

“No, but it probably would have become a divorce if I hadn’t made the break. Where trust is an issue, there’s no point in going on.”

He nodded. “Good for you. No trust, no relationship as far as I’m concerned. I had a girlfriend once, and I was true blue. We were going to get married, but she said I neglected her for my music. She was right. I’ve learned my lesson.”

A momentary flash of regret shadowed his dark eyes. Then they brightened, looking into mine.

“She and I probably wouldn’t have made it anyway. She liked caviar and the Twelve Irish Tenors theater. Unfortunately, I could only afford canned tuna and two Irish tenors.”