Maggie's Turn by Deanna Lynn Sletten Read Free Book Online

she could. She became the nurturer, the good daughter, the good sister, the good student, and eventually, the good wife and mother. And she'd been doing it ever since.
    When she married Andrew, he appreciated her easy going nature and willingness to please him. But now she felt, no, she knew, he took advantage of it. And that was as much her fault as his.
     
    ***
     
    After a restless night, Maggie awoke early and was dressed and down on the sidewalk in front of the hotel just as Wild Bill pulled up on his bike. Bill took off his helmet, which was black just like his bike, and whistled at the sight of Maggie.
    "Why, Calamity Jane, don't you look a sight in all that leather?" he exclaimed, making Maggie actually blush. She had purchased the entire outfit the day before in one of the many leather shops along the street. Maggie had on black leather chaps over a pair of Levi's jeans, a fitted leather jacket that zipped in front, and a pair of low-heeled boots. It had cost her a small fortune, but she had so much fun buying the clothes, it was worth the money. Never in her life had she thought she'd own riding leathers.
    "You don't look too bad yourself, Wild Bill," Maggie told him. He was also dressed in black leather, but his was soft and worn from use. A red bandanna was tied over his long hair, like a pirate, to keep his hair out of his eyes and under his helmet. He looked dangerous and sexy, the kind of man one wouldn't guess was a history teacher from Salt Lake City. His Harley-Davidson was a looker, too. All metallic black and silver, everything gleaming to perfection. The handlebars were long, and the leather seat was raised in back with a medium length sissy bar attached. Black leather saddlebags hung on each side near the back, decorated with silver tabs and black fringe.
    "This is for you, m'lady," Bill said, as he reached behind him and took an extra helmet off the sissy bar. Maggie accepted the helmet and slipped it on her head—a perfect fit. After storing her camera in one of the saddlebags, she slid behind Bill on the raised seat, slipped her arms around his waist—the only place to hang on—and off they went.
    The morning air was cool, as Bill had predicted. They sped along Highway 385 toward Keystone. Maggie was happy she had the leathers on. They kept her warm as the bike maneuvered the curvy mountain road. She viewed the scenery through the helmet's tinted visor as if for the first time. She and her family had visited Mount Rushmore before, but a ride through the mountains in a minivan didn't compare to this. The open air, the smell of pine trees, and the feel of the bike between her legs were exhilarating. She almost laughed out loud at that last thought. But it was all true. Hugging her arms around a man she barely knew, feeling her chest pressed against his back as they sailed along an asphalt river made her feel alive again. Womanly, even in all this leather. She felt refreshed and revived for the first time in years. The excitement of a new adventure and the allure of spending time with a man who really wanted to spend time with her were invigorating. Maggie absorbed every moment, hoping to retain this feeling long after the ride was over.
    As they continued on, Maggie tried to imagine Andrew maneuvering this bike as she held on behind him. She couldn't. Andrew had lost all sense of adventure years ago.
    She and Bill made the ascent on the curvy road to Rushmore, passing under the arched wooden bridge that Maggie remembered from long ago. As they turned this way and that, she caught a glimpse of Washington's stone profile to the right above them. She tapped Bill's shoulder, gesturing for him to pull over. He did, and she took several pictures of the president's profile and of the surrounding trees and valley below. Maggie was as excited as a child at Christmas, and Bill laughed at her obvious happiness.
    From there, they hopped on the bike and continued on, finally reaching their destination. They