Chapter One-Hundred and Sixty-Seven
Amelia squealed in joy when she heard John's Harley down the street from her school, making some of the older girls give her funny looks.
"What are you so happy for?" Hanna asked, crossing her arms as she looked at the second grader.
"John's coming!" She grinned, waving as the army-green motorcycle rolled up with the Pit Bull in the side car and John in his leathers and black helmet on the bike. "John!" She jumped toward him as he pulled his helmet off and placed it between his legs on the seat. "You came to get me!"
He chuckled, picking her up and setting her on the gas tank as he pulled her pink leather jacket from one of the saddle bags and helped her put it on. "I'll always come for you, Squirt." He pulled her hair back, putting it in a ponytail before he clipped her helmet under her chin. He caught the jealous looks of the older girls as they waited for their parents to come get them, looking up at them with a smirk. "I would give you little shits a ride, but I don't take kindly to jealous little girls." He pulled his helmet on, buckling it under his jaw before he cranked the bike and twisted the throttle.
Amelia felt John's knees squeeze her legs as he turned toward home, bracing her hands against the cool metal of the gas tank as he leaned with the bike. "Woo hoo!" She cheered, as he picked up speed just to give her a little thrill.
John chuckled, taking her hand in his and guiding it to the throttle. "I'm tired, how about you drive for a sec." He had to shout through the helmet, but he got the words across to her. "Ah!" He screamed in shock as she revved it too hard, making the bike lurch. "Hold on." He placed his hand over top of hers, showing her how to twist the throttle to go the right speed.
She giggled, looking up at John as he helped her drive. "I can't see your face!"
He smiled, flipping his visor up so that only his eyes were visible. "Where are we going, Princess?" He smirked, remembering that she'd been asking to go to the toy store for a few days. "Are we gonna go find some dolls?"
She nodded, squealing in joy as he turned toward the Toys R Us a few miles to the east. "YAY!"
John picked up a huge foam sword as he waited for Amelia to find the perfect toy, chuckling as Chance looked at him with disgust as he poked her ribs with it. "Smart ass." He mumbled, looking up as a bunch of kids looked at Chance with longing looks. "You can pet her. She's just hanging out at the moment."
The kids cheered, rushing over to Chance to love her. "What's her name?" One asked, looking up at John as Chance licked her face and gave a big Put Bull smile.
"Chance. But she thinks her name's Queen." He smirked as Chance's tail whapped on the floor, checking on Amelia as she looked at the toy's down the aisle.
The kids laughed as Chance rolled over for her belly rubs, her leg going nuts as they found her spot. "Crazy leg!" A little boy shouted, patting her belly.
"You're a real ham, you know that?" John shook his head at his dog, poking her nose as she let her tongue hang out of her mouth. "I've never seen a dog like you." He knelt down, letting Chance lick his face. "Moron."
Amelia rushed up to John, holding out the little toy she'd picked out. "I want this one!"
He grinned, giving Chance the whistle command for heel and handing Amelia a ten-dollar-bill to pay for the toy. "Alright, I'm gonna grab a cup of coffee at Micky D's and we'll head home."