Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
“Um-hmm.” I took the table from his hands and quickly unfolded the legs. “Just don’t overdo it.”
“Overdo is my middle name.”
I knew there was no point in arguing, so I simply shook my head and continued to help him with the tables. As soon as we were done, I went back out front to help MJ with the baskets. We’d just started going through them all when Smokey came over to check in with MJ. My chest tightened as I watched him walk over to her, and with love-filled eyes, he leaned down and kissed her tenderly on the temple.
He was always like that with her—soft and tender.
Nothing like James.
Or my father.
Like my husband, my father had an unruly temper. It seemed the man could find just about any excuse to get angry at my mother. He would start yelling and throwing things, and it wouldn’t be long before he was tossing her around like a rag doll.
The beatings would go on for hours, and all I could do was sit there and listen to my mother screaming and pleading with my father to stop. Eventually, his rage would fade, and the torment would finally end.
The next day, my dad would see the bruises he’d left on my mother, and he would be devastated. His fear and guilt would have him bending over backward to make it up to her. He’d buy her flowers and beg for her forgiveness. The second he saw that she was starting to give in, he’d wrap his arms around her and whisper, “I really am sorry, baby.”
“You can’t keep doing this, Rodger.”
“I know, and I’m sorry. I just get so out of my head.” He’d reach over and place his hand on her swollen cheek. “You know I love you. You know I didn’t mean it.”
“I know.”
“Please tell me you forgive me.” When she didn’t immediately answer, he’d plead, “Please, baby. I won’t do it again. I swear it.”
Mom would inhale a deep breath, then sigh, “It’s okay, honey. I know you didn’t mean it.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, Dad would pull her closer and hug her like she was the most precious thing in the world. The days that followed were always the best. Dad was a regular Prince Charming, and not just with Mom. He would dote on us both, making sure we had everything we could possibly want or need.
Sadly, it wouldn’t last long.
After a few weeks had gone by, Dad would find another reason to become upset, and the vicious cycle would start all over again. As a child, it was gut-wrenching to witness such a violent exchange between my parents. It was even more gut-wrenching when my father decided to bring me into the mix.
I’d barely reached my teens when he first slapped me.
I thought it was just a one-time thing, but it quickly grew into the kind of beatings my mother had endured for years. While I kept waiting for my mother to come to my rescue and demand that my father stop hurting me, that never happened. Instead, she found a way to make the whole thing my fault or tried to convince me that Dad didn’t mean it—that he was a good man who just couldn’t control his emotions.
Smokey, on the other hand, had no problem controlling his emotions.
In fact, he always seemed to be in absolute control, not only with the way he interacted with MJ, but in all facets of his life, including the farm. While he took care of maintaining the orchard, MJ ran the gift shop, hosted weddings, and handled all the other activities. She had her hands full, but Smokey was always there to help out when she needed it.
A soft smile crossed MJ's face as she looked up at him and said, “Hey there, handsome. We’re finally getting these baskets sorted.”
“I see that.” He ran his hand over his thick, salt-and-pepper beard as he said, “Looks like you’ve got quite a job on your hands.”
“I know.” MJ glanced over at the trailer full of baskets and groaned. “I should’ve done this and the planters last month when we weren’t so busy. Now, we have even more to do. I don’t know if we’ll have time to get it all together.”
“Sure, we will. The brothers will be here in an hour or so. They’ll help us get things ready.”
My stomach turned at the mention of Smokey’s brothers. I could still remember the first time I saw the Satan’s Fury MC insignia embroidered on the back of his leather jacket. I couldn’t believe it. Smokey was so kind and easy going, and from what I’d heard, these men were anything but kind and easy going. In fact, they were one of the most notorious MCs in the state.
They were dangerous criminals, but they were Smokey’s brothers. He considered them family. That didn’t mean I was looking forward to being around them. In all actuality, I intended to avoid them at all costs. I knew it wasn’t fair, but I had no choice. I was clearly a terrible judge of character.