Clara smiled, jotting something on a clipboard.“Good choice.She’s a fighter, just needs time.”She glanced around the noisy kennels.“You two seem solid.Not like some who come in here, all talk.”
As Clara stepped away to grab paperwork, Silly leaned against the wall, watching Daisy.“This is a good thing, right?We’re not screwing Maynard up, are we?”she asked, voice barely audible.
Jock looked at her as Daisy inched closer, again sniffing Silly’s outstretched fingers.“You’re here.We’re here,” Jock said.“Taking in a dog that’s got nothing.That’s more than most would do.Maynard’s going to be fine.We will make sure of it.”
Silly’s eyes met his, and for a moment, the shelter’s noise faded.“Yeah,” she said, nodding.“We will.”She reached out again, and Daisy nosed her hand, cautious but curious.
Clara returned with a leash and forms.“She’s yours.Bring her back if it doesn’t work, but I think you’ll do fine.”She looped the slip leash over the dog’s head and handed it to Jock, her eyes kind but sharp.“Just go slow with her.She’s been through a lot.”
Jock took the leash, its light weight unfamiliar.Daisy stepped towards him, trembling but following his gentle tug.The other dogs barked, a chorus of chaos, but Daisy stayed close, her eyes flicking to Jock like she was sizing him up.Stay sharp, stay steady,he thought, looping the short mantra as they headed for the door.This was new and terrifying.All of it.Fostering, fatherhood, the whole damn thing, but they would make it work.One step at a time.
***
The IMC clubhouse wasfilled with the scents of barbecue and beer, the back patio alive with laughter under string lights.Jock stood by the grill, flipping burgers, while Silly chatted with Penny near the picnic tables.Tank lounged at Jock’s feet, while Maynard chased Daisy in lazy circles around the yard.The brothers milled around in various configurations.Twisted sat under a tree, nursing a beer, while Wildman was telling some crazy story to Ace and Wrench, who were laughing their asses off.It was a low-key Sunday cookout, the kind that felt like family, but tonight carried extra weight.
Silly caught Jock’s eye, nodding subtly.It was time.They’d kept the news close for weeks, savoring the secret, but now, with the first three months safely behind them, they were ready to share.
Jock cleared his throat, banging a spoon against his bottle.“Hey, listen up!”The chatter died down, eyes turning his way.Silly slipped beside him, her hand in his, a nervous smile playing on her lips.
“We got some news,” Jock said, his voice steady but his heart pounding.“Silly and me...We’re expanding the family.”He paused, letting it sink in, then grinned.“She’s pregnant.Due in about six months.”
The patio erupted.Penny squealed, rushing to hug Silly tight.“I knew it!Oh my god, congrats!”
“Brother, that’s huge.Little IMC prospect on the way?”Twisted clapped Jock on the back, his grin wide.“Fuckin’ yeah, man.”
Wildman whooped, raising his beer.“To the newest rider!Hope they get Silly’s looks and your bike skills.”
Ace pulled Jock into a bear hug, murmuring, “Proud of you, man.You’ll be a hell of a dad.”
Even the dogs seemed to sense the joy, bounding over with excited barks, Daisy yipping at Silly’s feet.
Silly laughed, tears in her eyes as she fielded hugs and questions.“We found out a bit ago, but wanted to wait.Everything’s good.Everything’s going really well.The baby is healthy and strong.”
Jock watched her glow, his arm around her shoulders, the weight of their future feeling real and right.No drama tonight, just love and brotherhood.As the toasts flowed and the night deepened, he whispered to her, “Best reveal ever.”She kissed him softly.“Our pack just got bigger.”
***
Jock pulled up in frontof Kent’s veterinary practice, then got out of the truck as he tucked Daisy underneath one arm.He let the other two dogs out of the truck and stepped to the side when he opened the back door into the building.“Kent?Where are you, man?”
“Here” came from one of the treatment rooms, so Jock took the two large dogs into the waiting room, put them into a down-stay along one wall, and then stepped through the swinging door that led back to the treatment rooms.
“I’ve got Daisy with me.Boys are out front.”Jock was still shouting when he pushed open the only closed door, surprised to find Kent already at the exam table.“Damn man, am I late?”
“No, just got off the phone with Wildman.He said you were headed this way.I flipped the sign to Closed because while it will turn away most clients, it wouldn’t stop you.Figured I’d get ready while I waited.”
“Huh.”He set Daisy on the table, made sure Kent had his hands on her, and stepped back.“What’s the deal with you and Wildman?”
“What deal?”Kent sounded distracted, looking into Daisy’s ears.He crooned, “Good girl.Brave girl.”
“The deal with you and Wildman.Y’all are friends, right?How’d you meet?”Jock leaned against the wall.“Y’all buds from way back or what?”
“Oh, Wild and I go way back.I tried to kill him years ago.”
Jock straightened.“Tried to kill Wildman?”
“Yeah, he disrespected my sister.Man had it coming.I just lacked an opportunity that would have guaranteed success.”He put a palm under Daisy’s belly, helping her rise to standing so he could listen to her with a stethoscope.“Not to say I didn’t try, because I did.Every time I saw him, I tried to kill the bastard.So often, in fact, that it finally turned into a joke between us.Now we’re friends.”
“But your sister?What happened there?”
