“I’m not sure it works that way, son,” Maggie snickers, pointing at me. “Our Jeanie’s a nursery school teacher; just saying.”
Coal’s horrified gaze meets mine for a minute before his eyes close, and he swears. “We’re so fucked.”
But he’s laughing when he says it, so I don’t take it to heart. I’m sure he’ll come around.
Maybe.
We’ll have to see who the other brothers end up with.
Whowee, I for see some exciting times ahead.
CHAPTER 11
BOLT
Jeanie has been my old lady for a few weeks now, and my surprise for her is finally ready. And it is fucking amazing, even if I say so myself.
Ever since I overheard her saying she’d love to go on a sleigh ride but that we don’t have enough snow in the UK, I’ve been working on her surprise for her. Well, not just me; I’ve had the whole MC working on it. It hasn’t been easy keeping it a secret.
Thank fuck she is a fantastic old lady, and as soon as I mentionedclub business,she nodded in understanding, kissed me and told me she’d see me later.
It has taken us a week of long nights, cursing, bleeding fingers and brotherly bonding, but her sleigh is finally done. Admittedly, it isn’t a regular sleigh. We don’t have snow, so we’ve had to improvise. We’ve built a regular sleigh big enough to fit four people and then instead of runners we’d added wheels much like you’d find on a mini. The sleigh sits a little higher than most because of this, and instead of being drawn by horses, it will be drawn by two of the brothers’ sleds. We’d had to weld a crossbar that would fit across both sleds, ensuring they’d be able to pull it together.
Not that we’ll be going far, just down the road past our mobile homes towards Coal’s house, where we’ll turn around. We spray-painted it cherry red, and Sterling drew the club logo onto the side. The seat and back had cushions covered in a Christmas theme. All I have left to do is buy blankets to throw over us because I’m not sure how cold it will be. And I pray that it doesn’t rain.
Mum, Thea, and Opal get in on the action too and decorate the path with lights and blow-up signs showing the way to the North Pole.
I plan to take her for her ride Christmas Day once the sun goes down as she is busy tonight. It is Christmas Eve, and she is helping the Crow MC with their annual meet Father Christmas, movie, and snack that they put on for the village.
I offered to help, and I know that Coal and Thea, who are taking Shea and Opal, have been pulled in to help too.
“Ready to take it for a test drive?” Nickel asks, rubbing his hands together. If I didn’t know better, I’d say my usually stoic and quiet brother is excited.
“Sure.” I grin at him. Looking over at Brass and Iron, I ask, “Do you two want to do the towing? We can take turns as we’re using the spare sleds for this so ours don’t take a beating.”
“Fuck yeah,” Brass says gleefully, hurrying towards the bikes with Iron following, shaking his head with amusement at his enthusiasm.
Rolling their sleds into place, they attach them to the crossbar while Nickel and I get in the sleigh and wait for the two of them to pull away. “Not too fast, guys. I don’t want to fuck it up until I’ve had Jeanie take a ride in it.”
Iron gives me a thumbs-up, and the two of them pull away together. There’s a small jolt as we are pulled forward, but otherwise it’s pretty smooth.
“What do you think?” I ask Nickel.
“You did good, little brother. It needs bells, though.”
“It does,” I agree. “Not sure where I’ll get one at this late date, though.”
“I’ve got you covered,” he assures me, nodding towards the floor and the box I missed when I got in, thinking it was parts from thebuild. Reaching down, I pick up the box and open the flap. Inside are two strands of brand-new shiny bells.
My heart swells at my brother’s thoughtfulness. Nickel has always been the quiet one, more of a loner than the rest of us. The fact that he took the time to do this for me makes my throat tighten with emotion. I lift my head and meet his steady, assessing gaze. “Thank you, Nickel,” I say, my voice thick with heartfelt emotion.
“You’re welcome, Bolt. She’s good for you; I’m seeing the brother I’ve missed for years. You’re going to be an amazing dad.”
“Fuck,” I mutter, wiping at my eyes. “That means a lot coming from you. Thanks for not giving up on me.”
“Never.” He taps my leg affectionately. “Now, how about we stop these two and put the bells on for the return trip,” he suggests as Iron and Brass slow their sleds to make the turn.
“Stop the ride; I want to get off,” Nickel shouts to them. Both Iron and Brass’s shoulders shake with laughter at his words. I’m not sure that Nickel meant to be funny, but when the realisation of what he said hits him, he laughs along with us. We’re all still chuckling as we get out of the sleigh.
