B.J. Daniels - Outlaw's Honor

She smiled, lighting up the darkened saloon. “Wherever the road takes me.”

“I’m envious.” He could see it surprised her.

“But you have everything here.”

Darby had to chuckle at that, remembering what Billie Dee had told him was wrong with him. “Not everything.”

Mariah’s eyes narrowed. “You really think you could get on a bike and just go and leave all of this behind?”

“Some days I definitely do. But then I remind myself that most places are pretty much the same. I don’t think what I’m looking for is over that next hill.”

She cocked her head, studying him. “What is it you’re looking for?”

He shook his head and glanced away. “That’s just it, I don’t know. Excitement. Adventure. A challenge. Hitting the road like that sounds almost...”

“Romantic?” She scoffed. “It’s not.”

“What are you looking for?”

Mariah frowned. “I’m not. I’m just...going.”

They drank in companionable silence for a while. It was a quiet dark night outside the saloon. Even the earlier traffic on the road had stopped. Darby felt as if they were the only two people left on Earth.

He kept thinking about what it would be like to get on that motorcycle parked outside and just go. “Is there any place you haven’t been?”

“A few.” She shrugged as he refilled her glass and his own. She stared at the wine for a long moment and then, lifting the glass carefully, took a sip.

“You’re right though,” she said quietly. “Most every place is like another.” When she raised her gaze, he saw sadness there.

“Earlier did you say you were a Romani?” he said, changing the subject. He hadn’t wanted to make her sad. He loved her smile too much.

She nodded. “My grandmother was Romani and determined to keep the culture and traditions of her people. She came to this country as a young girl in the 1930s, hoping to find a better life.” Mariah met his gaze. “She thought it was just a matter of luck. Unfortunately, she also believed there was a curse on our family.”

“Even if you wear the evil eye necklace?” he asked, half joking.

Mariah smiled. “You don’t believe in curses?”

“No, but lately...” He shook his head, sorry he’d brought it up as she finished her wine and slid off the barstool. He thought she might bring up the bracelet.

“I should get going. What do I owe you for the drinks?” She looked at him in a way that made his heart beat faster.

“It’s on the house.”

“Sleep well, then.”

Her words brought a chill of both excitement and anxiety. Was she trying to warn him that tonight would be the night? “You too.”

She started out but stopped in the kitchen doorway to turn as a vehicle roared past. Darby looked up from behind the bar to find Mariah silhouetted against the kitchen light. He stared at her profile with both shock and admiration.

The image of the Roma Queen on the bracelet. Mariah looked exactly like her before she stepped outside into the darkness.

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