Beret Bear (Rogue Bear Series 3) by Meredith Clarke, Ally Summers Page B

as long as you want. You need a break. I know you did.” She hoped he could read between the words.
    He cracked a smile. “If I didn’t know better, I would think this was like that time in high school when you tried to get me to stay in the city for the weekend so you could throw that big party.”
    Avery laughed. “I’m not throwing a party. I just know how much you need a break. Even if it is for a radiator part and dinner.”
    “I’ll stop by before I leave.” He walked to the winding staircase in the foyer and disappeared up the steps.
    Avery settled back on her chair and pulled out the wedding magazine again. “Where was I?”

3
    Gage
    I t started as a strange sputtering sound, but Gage could smell the smoke before he saw it. He slowed the bike and looked up. The green sign he had passed said the next town was five miles ahead. If he could make it there, he could take the bike to a garage and investigate the problem.
    He clutched the handles, urging it forward. He rolled into town, blowing smoke from the exhaust pipe.
    “What the hell?” he muttered.
    The bike had started jerking and seizing as he entered the city limits. Gage looked around. There wasn’t much here. He eased the bike into a gas station, glad that there was a sign painted over one of the doors that said Mechanic .
    He hopped off the side and walked the bike to the back of the store. There was a garage wide enough for two cars. He noticed a pile of tires stacked in the corner and an open toolbox.
    “Hello?” he called.
    “Hold on, hold on.” He heard a muffled voice under the car in the first bay.
    Gage waited while a man in overalls rolled out from under the car. “Can I help you?” His nametag read Glen .
    “Yeah. Do you service bikes?” He nodded toward where he had parked the black motorcycle.
    “Sometimes.” The man spit from the side of his mouth. “What’s wrong with it?”
    “It started smoking and making a put-put sound. I was wondering if I could take a look at it here.”
    The man scratched the back of his head, sending his hair straight up toward the ceiling. “I’ll look at it for you.”
    Gage shook his head. “I can do it. I don’t have tools with me. I’ll compensate you for the space and letting me use yours.”
    The man rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t rent out my equipment. If you want me to take a look at the bike, I will.”
    Gage felt the slight rumbling in his chest. His bear didn’t like to be told no. And he didn’t like being told what to do. He hadn’t had the bike long, but he already felt protective of it.
    “Well?”
    “Sure. Why the hell not?” He handed the mechanic the keys.
    “What branch of service are you in?” he asked.
    Gage squinted at the man. Glen pointed to his neck. “I see your tags there. I used to be a Navy man.
    Gage let his shoulders relax. “Army.”
    “On leave?”
    The mechanic sure was nosey. “No. I’m not. You could say I’m retired.”
    Glen seemed surprised. “You look young for retirement.”
    He didn’t like discussing his career, or why suddenly he was no longer in Special Forces. “I guess so,” he grunted. “When do you think you can have it ready?”
    “It’s going to be after lunch before I can get to it.”
    “Is there another shop in town?” he asked. He felt anxious to put more miles behind him.
    “No. This is St. Claire. We’ve got one of everything. You’ll have to drive to the next town, but it looks like you’re not going to be doing any driving.” He pointed to the puddle of oil forming by the front tire.
    “Shit.” Gage stared at the oil.
    “Go grab some lunch. There’s a place across the street. I’ll try to take a look and give you an idea of what you’re dealing with here, Army.” Glen smiled at the new nickname.
    Gage felt the irritation start to subside. He never finished breakfast and he was still hungry. Lunch wasn’t a bad idea.
    “All right. I appreciate it.”
    He walked toward the restaurant the