Calamity Jayne And The Trouble With Tandems Part 48

"Thank G.o.d, you're all right!"

"If anything had happened to you, Kay-Kay-"

"I know! I know! Me, too!"

They embraced, exchanging a long, pa.s.sionate kiss that so wasn't "G" rated. It took throat clearing from Agent Marshall to get the two to come up for air. Even then, they held onto each other like they were fused together.

"Oh, G.o.d, Jax. I feel so betrayed," Keelie said. "I found out Vinny sent that rat for publicity reasons. Lang locked me in a loo to win a wager. Tiara faked her kidnapping to steal the limelight. And my own mother is all about the money. Oh, Jax, I don't know who to trust anymore."

Jax blinked his eyes several times, looking like he was watching the last minutes of a movie play out and trying desperately to catch up.

"Oh, Keelie. I'm so sorry," he said.

Keelie shook her head. "You have nothing to apologize for, Jax. Nothing at all."

I saw the muscle in his jaw do a popping number. Frowning, he pulled away from Keelie.

"I have my own confession to make, Kay-Kay," he said.

I stared. You have got to be kidding.

"Jax?" Keelie said. "What is it?"

He ran a hand through his hair.

"After you received the rat and all those things started happening, I started to worry. Really worry about you. I know, I know. We'd broken up, and I really didn't have the right to even worry, but I did. And the more things happened, the more I became afraid for you. For your safety."

Keelie took a step back and crossed her arms.

"And?"

"And I looked for a way to get you to withdraw from the ride," he said.

"And?" I blurted, and Jax gave me a WTH look.

"And I spiked your water bottle with laxative," he said. "I figured if anything would get you to quit, that would be it."

"You? You spiked my drink! You!"

He nodded. "I'm sorry for what you went through, but I'm not sorry I did it. I wanted you safe, Keelie. I love you," He stopped. Blinked. Shook his head. "I love you," he said again, as if it had just dawned on him.

I watched this scene play out-watched Keelie's mouth fly open. Saw her take a step back.

And, I prayed.

I prayed she'd figure it out. Figure out that, of all the people who betrayed her, Jax Whitver was the only person whose sole motive had been to protect her.

And he'd done it out of love.

Okay, so maybe at the time he hadn't realized it was love. Men can be a bit dense at times.

What mattered to Jax Whitver was Keelie. Her welfare. Her safety.

I only hoped she got it.

Keelie searched Jax's face, her gaze intense. Tick, tick, tick. Seconds ticked off.

"Idiot," Keelie said.

I let my breath out.

Thank the cosmos.

She got it. She totally got it.

Fade to black.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR.

It was somehow fitting and proper that this Trekkie's coverage of the breaking news surrounding Tiara Fordham's kidnapping by a caricaturist masquerading as a Klingon happened in the future birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk of the U.S.S. Enterprise.

The even bigger headlines on the blogosphere, however, appeared to be the news that Jax Whitver and Keelie Keller were back together. This time, to stay, according to a confidential source.

It was late-close to eleven-and my mom and I sat in lawn chairs in front of the RV, occasionally swatting at a brave mosquito that now and then ventured into the area protected by a bug zapper and repellent candles.

"Well, I guess this is it," I said. "The end of the line. Van Vleet is out, so my TribRide is finito."

Considering my antipathy towards the ride, and given I was still nursing the remnants of a hemorrhoid, you would think I would be jumping for joy that my TribRide experience was at an end.

All the planets had lined up in my favor.

Stan Rodgers was over the moon with my gripping account of an out-of-this-world obsession gone way off course. He'd particularly enjoyed the detailed description of the catch-me-if-you-can Klingon foot chase and its harrowing climax at the naked slide.

So, why wasn't I content to pop open a brewsky, stretch out, and enjoy the last day of the ride from the comfort of a hammock?

Because unfinished business topped hemorrhoidal concerns. Because quitting trumped Miller Time.

"I'm surprised. I thought you would be thrilled to have the ride over," my mom said.

"So did I."

"So, what is it?"

"It's me. You know. That whole 'quitter' thing."

My mom sighed. "You never did outgrow that."

And likely never would.

"So, don't quit," my mother said. "You're this close to finis.h.i.+ng. You should go for it."

I sat up in my chair.

"I should? But how? I've lost my tandem partner."

"I might know of someone who can help out."

I frowned. "Taylor? We've kind of been getting along better lately. I don't want to rock the boat." Or bike.

"I wasn't thinking about Taylor. Or Frankie. Or Dixie."

Thank the interplanetary G.o.ds.

"Then, who?"

"Me, that's who."

"You? You want to ride tandem with me?"

"If you'll have me. It's been a while since I've ridden a tandem, but I used to do quite a bit of it. I even rode some pretty long charity bike rides on a tandem when I was younger."

I stared at her. Who was this woman I called mother?

"Why didn't you say anything?"

She shrugged. "It wasn't relevant then."

"And you'll ride with me?"

"Taylor has already agreed to drive the RV tomorrow."

"What about...you know. Bike shorts?" I asked.

"Keelie has connections. She's dropping off everything I need."

Wow. Just wow. I took a long swig of my beer.

"Keelie a.s.sured me it was no trouble since she had to order some for her mother, anyway."

I spewed beer all over.

"Her mother? Why would her mother need bicycle attire?"

"Because she's riding the rest of the ride with Keelie."

I almost fell out of my chair.

"How did that happen?"

My mother sipped her tea.

"I happened to mention to Keelie and her mother that I planned to finish the ride with you. And Keelie somehow got the idea that this might be the perfect time for her and Candice to work on their issues. How did she put it? Oh yes. 'You want a relations.h.i.+p with your daughter, here's your chance to prove it.'"

I stared at my mom.

"Why you little Denebian devil you! You set Jessica up! You knew if you told Keelie you were finis.h.i.+ng the race, she would take the bait and run with it."

"I don't have the faintest idea what you're talking about, Tressa."

Right.

And James T. Kirk wasn't a player.

For the first time since I'd embarked on this ride, I experienced the exhilaration of the wind in my face. (Okay, so I also experienced the occasional bug in my mouth, but let's not spoil the moment.) At last, I had the helm. I'd received a promotion. No longer a lowly stroker, I was now Captain of Team Trekkie-and I had the gold tee with the Starfleet emblem (and yes, the bug guts on my teeth) to prove it.

My T-s.h.i.+rt, compliments of Keelie, proclaimed, "I don't believe in the no-win scenario."

My mother's Spock-blue s.h.i.+rt boasted a hand with a finger pointing. It read, "I'm with illogical."

That morning, my mother had surprised me with the s.h.i.+rt and the news that I would be taking the helm. A bit apprehensive at first, I soon had control of the vessel. I figured if James Kirk could figure out how to beat the Kobayas.h.i.+ Maru, then I could best a beast of a bike.

We wouldn't set any speed records, but I figure slow and steady wins the race.

Beside us, looking slightly less competent-and confident-Keelie and her mother pedaled.

"Where's your cameramen?" I asked Keelie.

"I gave them a day off. This is strictly mother-daughter time."

I nodded.

"What about your bodyguard?" I said, looking around for Manny.

"He's around."

I raised an eyebrow. Fascinating.

"How's Tiara?" I asked.