“I read that online.”

“Well, the Whiskeys are like family to me, and I’d like to introduce you to them, and to my buddy Jed, and the rest of my friends, if that’s okay with you. Jed and I used to be roommates, and I’m going to be the best man in his wedding over the holidays.”

“Sure,” she said, though the idea made her even more nervous. “I’d like to meet your friends.”

“Great. Since the Whiskeys are hosting, and Biggs Whiskey is the president of the Dark Knights, there will be a lot of bikers there. Do you know who the Dark Knights are?”

“I’m sure everyone in Peaceful Harbor knows about them. They do a lot for the community. But even if I hadn’t heard of them, they made a lasting impression at the auction.”

“I forgot about that,” he said. “I was going to warn you that some of them look intimidating, but they’re good guys.”

“Are the two guys who nearly got in a fight over the redhead at the auction going to be there? They scared me.” The redhead hadn’t been on the manifest when she’d taken the stage and gone up for auction, and the calmer of the two men, who were both well over six feet tall, had bid tens of thousands of dollars on her. The rougher-looking guy with the thick beard and tattoos covering every inch of his skin had reminded Roni of a rabid dog ready to attack when he’d started the argument. Though the bidder had appeared calmer, she had no doubt he’d have done anything to win that redhead.

Quincy touched her shoulder and said, “They’ll be there, but you don’t have to worry about a fight breaking out. That was an isolated incident between Bullet Whiskey, the angrier of the two guys, with the thick beard, and Jace Stone, one of the owners of Silver-Stone Cycles. Bullet thought Jace wanted to just mess around with his younger sister, Dixie, the redhead.”

“She looked like she could handle herself, and I don’t think any guy would bid that much money if he wasn’t serious about a woman.”

“I know, but Bullet’s protective of the people he loves. We all are. But they’re friends again, and Jace and Dixie got married over the summer.”

“Really? That was fast.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I think when it’s right, you know it from day one.” He gave her shoulder a squeeze and they headed for Whiskey Bro’s.

Chapter Four

THE PARKING LOT of Whiskey Bro’s was packed with motorcycles, trucks, and other vehicles. It was no wonder Roni had been uncomfortable when she’d gone to the auction. Even with the bright banner announcing the scavenger hunt hanging across the front of the old wooden building, it still looked as rough as many of the bikers it catered to. Crowds of people ranging from young families and professionals to tough-looking bikers wearing leather jackets with Dark Knights patches milled around tables set up on the grass. Quincy parked around the side of the building and helped Roni out of the truck.