Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 142728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
“Sounds about right. Plus, we all know Grinder thinks highly of her.”
“Yeah.” I jerk my thumb over my shoulder toward Grinder’s now vacant chair. “He’s been lecturing me on how he’ll break my bones if I break Emily’s heart.”
I was trying to make Rock laugh, but more grief seems to weigh him down.
“It’s all good, Prez. We worked it out,” I assure him.
“All right.” He pauses. “If you do need something—anything. You can always call me.”
“I know.”
We both stand and push in our chairs. He comes closer and rests his hand on my shoulder, steering me toward the door. “Are you sticking around?”
“Not today. I have a lot of work to do.”
“Inventory?”
“Yup. Willow’s helping, so it should go quick.”
“No…other plans?” He snaps his mouth shut and nods. “That’s good. If you run into any issues, reach out to Z.”
“I have. He stopped by and helped me with a few things not that long ago.”
“Good.”
Outside the war room, Hope’s waiting for Rock in her usual spot on the corner couch. Grace is on the floor at her mom’s feet, busy playing with some sort of board with little animals attached by Velcro. By her big grin and happy squeals, ripping the toys off the board is the best part of the game.
“Where’s your partner in crime, Gracie?” I ask.
She whips her head around and grins up at me. Then her eyes land on Rock and she forgets all about me.
“Daddy!” She lifts her arms in the air and Rock bends over to grab her.
“Uncle Wrath was telling her how tasty the deer are.” Hope flicks the tiny stuffed deer on Grace’s toy board and rolls her eyes.
Rock chuckles.
Hope stands and leans up to kiss Rock. She fusses with the bow in Grace’s little red-gold ringlets before settling her inquisitive eyes on me.
“How are you, Dex?”
“Not too bad.” I nod at Grace. “She’s getting bigger every time I see her.”
She shines a soft smile on her daughter and husband. “Don’t I know it.”
“Gracie! Come on!” a little boy’s voice shouts.
The three of us turn to see Z’s son peeking around the end of the hallway, frantically waving his hand.
“Pancakes!” he yells.
Grace squirms and wiggles until Rock sets her down.
“Easy,” Hope warns.
Even in his excitement, Chance is gentle with Grace. He takes her hand and hurries her down the hallway toward the kitchen. We follow them part of the way. Rock watches them like a hawk until he spots Lilly waiting for them outside of the dining room.
“It’s good they all have each other to play with,” I say to Hope.
“It is,” she agrees. “Although, Ravage keeps insisting Chance needs another little boy to play with so he doesn’t turn out too girly.” She rolls her eyes.
“I’ve been trying to talk Juliet into bringing Atlas up here so he can hang out with the kids.”
“Oh?” She lifts her eyebrows. “That would be nice. Why do I sense an issue?”
“Vapor’s fine with it.” I shrug. “The club concerns her, though.”
“She’s a young mom. I’m sure she’s cautious. Does she have any other mom friends?”
“I honestly don’t know.”
“Maybe Heidi and I could meet her somewhere away from the club?” she suggests. “Then the little guys could hang out, but it won’t feel too club-related?”
There’s that tightening in my throat again. It’s a sweet offer. Fuck knows Hope has enough to keep her busy without acting as our Lost Kings MC outreach counselor. And this isn’t even about trying to bring Vapor into the club so he’ll patch-in. It’s about bringing family into the fold.
“Thanks, Hope. I’ll keep that in mind.”
One of the dining room doors slams open. “Daddy!” Grace shrieks.
The swinging door is on its way back when Z slams his palm against it, stopping it from hitting Grace on the nose.
Rock slaps my shoulder. “You need anything—time off or whatever, reach out to me.”
I thought we already covered that, Prez?
“I’m good,” I assure him.
It’s not until I’m back on the road heading to work that the reason why Rock kept asking me how I was doing worms its way into my brain. And why parts of our conversation felt so stilted. His hesitation.
This is the first year since Debbie died that I haven’t gone on my solo road trip. Usually my grief and guilt overwhelm me until I have no choice but to escape to the peace of the open road. I was planning this year’s trip the day I ran into Emily in the cemetery.
Then I somehow just forgot all about it? How?
No, I didn’t forget. The urge to run seemed to disappear.
Because I’ve been focused on getting to know Emily better.
And I don’t know how to feel about that.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Emily
After Dex leaves, I pick up my phone and call Serena.
“Ah, I was wondering if I’d hear from you this morning,” she answers. “I thought you might call as soon as Dex left for church.”