Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 105398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 527(@200wpm)___ 422(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 527(@200wpm)___ 422(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
“Phoebe Elise Mackenzie. She was seven pounds twelve ounces.” Sam said proudly.
Looking down at Phoebe, I couldn’t help but long for my own baby in my arms. This would do for now though.
Chapter 17
Why do people say, "Grow some balls"? Balls are weak and sensitive. If you wanna be tough, grow a vagina. Those things can take a pounding.
-Betty White
Ember
“Thank you, thank you.” Cheyenne chanted over and over.
“Take a chill pill already. Go do your last clinical. It’ll all be okay. We’ll call you if we need anything. Now go.”
We’d all banded together this last two weeks, and today was Cheyenne’s last ever clinical. She’d passed her nursing boards with excellence, and I was dropping her off at the hospital now so she could finish her last clinical so she’d graduate on time.
Blaine had baby Phoebe. Gabe had Cora, and I had the twins. I was going to make a grocery run if Cheyenne would get the fuck out of my car.
“Love you, Em.” She said before making her way into the hospital.
Pulling out, I merged with traffic, and saw a motorcycle pull out behind me. The motorcycle caught my eye because it was so mean looking it had these crazy wheels on it that looked like they’d cut someone in half if they got too close. A shiver went through me, but I pushed it down and concentrated on driving.
Pulling into the Sam’s parking lot, I parked next to a buggie return, and got both babies seated in the buggy. This was going to be my last shopping experience before the baby came, so I was ready to do some serious overhauling. Coupons didn’t work at Sam’s, but their prices were so good that I didn’t need the coupons to feel that I got a good deal.
I passed two cars before the motorcycle registered. It was following behind me, and at first, I didn’t pay it any mind. That is until it stopped in front of me at an angle, cutting off my advancement. The same bike pulled out behind me at the hospital.
The man was older. He had a long beard that had six rubber bands holding it in place at a point. His hair was long and slicked back tied in a leather thong at the base of his neck.
He was wearing a black leather vest with the word Bold in thick white letters above his heart. There wasn’t a shirt on underneath the vest, so you could see a lot of dark tanned skin. He was actually quite attractive, especially someone older like he was.
Pru and Piper startled at the sudden sound of a motorcycle, but quickly got over it since they were so used to being around them. Pulling them both out of their seats, I hugged them close to my chest and regarded the man.
“Can I help you?” I asked with as much authority as I could muster, given the situation.
“Those are my grandbabies. I just wanted to get a good look at them.” The man growled.
I backed up until my back hit the car behind me. From what I was told, this man wasn’t a good man. He’d been a horrible father to Sam his entire life, and here I was with his grandkids and no way to protect them.
“I don’t know if you are who you say you are. I also have no right to let you see them. If you’re interested in having a relationship with them, you need to go through Sam.” I said with a quivery voice.
He smiled a tight smile, and then started his bike back up. “I know, darlin’, I just wanted to get a message to him. He’ll know what it is; you don’t have to tell it to him or anything. You can tell him I’m going to be calling in my marker soon, though.”
Then he was gone the same way as he came.
My arms were trembling, and I could barely move. I turned around abruptly, leaving the buggy where it was, and hoofed it back to the car as fast as I could. I left them both in the front seat, and locked the doors before I called Sam and Gabe.
Deciding the landline at Free was the best option; I dialed the number and waited. It rang twice before Sam answered.
“Free.”
“Sam. I, um, well; I think I just met your dad.”
Silence greeted me at the end of the line.
“Where are you?” He rumbled.
“Sam’s parking lot. I’m in my car with the doors locked. Do you want me to drive home?” I asked.
“No, stay where you are. I’ll come on my bike and escort you home.” He said and then hung up.
It wasn’t ten minutes later when Sam’s bike pulled up behind me. I’d already strapped the girl’s in, and waited to see if he wanted to talk. He didn’t. He let me know this by gesturing with his hand in a shooing motion.
The trip back to Free was uneventful. No strange motorcycles. No traffic. I didn’t even catch a light. I pulled into Free, and drove around to the back to park, since I noticed the girls were asleep, and it was time for their nap anyway.
Sam got one girl, and I got the other so we could put them to bed. He gave both a kiss before shutting their door, and grabbing my hand to drag me back outside.
“How do you know it was my dad?” He asked finally.
“He said he was here to see his granddaughters. Said he wanted to give you a message, but wouldn’t tell me what it was. Also said he’d be calling in his marker soon.”
His face got stony and cold, but once he registered how uncomfortable I was, he cursed and grabbed me into a tight hug.
“I don’t like that he was able to find me so easily. I owe him one, and he wants me to know he hasn’t forgotten.”
“Okay. Well, if you don’t mind. Could you go get Gabe for me? I need him. Like now.” I said just before my water gushed down my legs full force, drenching my legs and Sam’s in the same instant.