Awakenings - SF1 by Susan X Meagher

But I've never known anyone who has done it," Jamie enthused.
    "Well, now you do," Ryan said, sounding pleased. "And don't think I won't try to wheedle money out of you too," she added as she pinched Jamie's cheek.
    "No problem. I would be honored to support you," Jamie quickly responded
    "Don't make it easy on her, honey," Babs replied. "She can already sweet talk the silk off the corn. Make her work for it."
    As Babs wandered away, Jamie continued her inquiry. "How many times have you done the ride, Ryan?"
     
    "Every year," she replied with a note of pride in her voice. "This will be my 6th."
     
    "I really admire your dedication," Jamie marveled. "It must be quite an ordeal."
    "It's not too bad if you stay in training throughout the year. I just do the same amount of riding all year, so it doesn't seem like that big a deal. There is one day of the ride that is a real bear though. It's an inland day, so there isn't much of a breeze, and it's mostly uphill all day. That's the time you just wish you could get in the sag van and ride the whole way."
    "Sag van?"
    "Yeah, the ride is fully supported. There are vans to help you if you can't make a hill. Some people use the vans to get up the worst of the hills. And of course, some get injured and have no choice," she replied.
    "I would love to come and watch you all take off this year," Jamie stated, surprising herself at her forwardness.
    "You could get a really good view, if you rode instead of watched," she teased.
    "I could never do anything like that," Jamie complained. "I am way too much of a wimp."
    "That's what most people think. But it's not a race, it's a ride. The point is to challenge yourself. People with AIDS are challenged every day just to survive. This is a really great way of showing your support," Ryan explained.
    "You know, I don't know anyone who has had AIDS," Jamie said as she wracked her brain.
    "You're lucky," Ryan said as a flash of pain clouded her face, "You're really lucky."
     
    At 8:30 sharp Ryan stood and stretched and gracefully slid her jacket back on. She held a smooth hand out to Jamie and said, "I can't be late for work, so I've got to run."
    They rode the short distance in silence which was fine with Jamie since she needed all of her concentration to focus on the sensations of the ride. She had to admit that she enjoyed the experience even more on the return trip, now that she felt more comfortable being with Ryan. God, she is so easy to talk to, she thought. It feels like we've known each other forever.
    As the bike pulled up in front of her house, Jamie struggled to get off with a little assist from her new friend. The engine was still running as Ryan retrieved Jamie's helmet and secured it. "I had a nice time, Jamie, thanks for going with me."
    "I really enjoyed it, Ryan. Thanks for being such a good tour guide and for giving me my maiden motorcycle ride," she added with a grin.
    Ryan reached out and gave her shoulder a little squeeze. "Always happy to initiate a new convert," she grinned with that devastatingly sexy smile. "See you tomorrow," she called out as she roared away.
    Jamie was so occupied in watching her ride away that she did not see Jack glaring at her from the front door.
     
    As Jamie made her way to the door, she noted with alarm that Jack's Accord was still parked in the driveway. Oh, oh, this is probably not good. She hit the first step of the wraparound porch as the front door opened.
    "Hi," Jack said quietly with an unreadable expression on his face.
    "Hi, yourself," Jamie replied as casually as possible. She made sure that she was smiling and did her best to adopt a neutral expression. "This is a nice surprise," she said, as she stood on her tiptoes to wrap her arms around his neck and give him a kiss. She noted with alarm that he did not respond to the kiss and in fact seemed to move back away from her touch. She stepped back slightly and placed her hands upon his broad chest as she looked up into his eyes with