Chapter 16
Keeton
I think I hit a nerve with Lainie. One I don’t plan on hitting again. The thing is, how am I going to make sure she’s gotten enough to eat without her throwing her hands in the air and walking out, forever? This is an area I’m not familiar with; normally I don’t give two shits if I piss off a woman, let alone worry about whether she’s getting the nutrients she needs, but that’s not the case here. What I do know is her fucking ex really did a number on her. The fact that I’m sure the asshole has been keeping tabs on her for years is a good indicator that the guy has control issues. I knew just from the few sentences out of the asshole’s mouth yesterday that he was jealous. But, just what will he do with that jealousy? I need to know more about him. I don’t want to ask her about him tonight, on our first official date. That’ll ruin it for her and I won’t have that.
I’m in Flagstaff today to meet with my attorney and friend, Mitch McCallister. He and I’ve ridden together for years, having met at a custom bike show. He asked me here to talk about a commission. He wants a bike dedicated to the McCallister clan including their tartan and clan emblem. I’ve got some ideas rolling around in my head, but he promised me I could borrow some book about his family for research. I love this part of creating––delving into the history of something or in the case of the skeleton bike (Lainie was right about that), I learned all about the bones and muscles of a large cat. Hopefully I can pick the book up today so my trip isn’t a waste of time.
After a brief meeting with Mitch, I walk out with a huge leather tomb that looks ancient, dedicated to the McCallister family history, half of which I can’t read because it’s in a Celtic language or Gaelic or something like that. Luckily, somewhere along the line, someone started translating it. So far, it looks sort of fascinating. There are drawings of battles, houses and land, and lots of stories about the family. It’s cool as hell.
Next, I head to a funky little bike shop that customizes helmets. I’m going to buy one for my girl. Can’t have her on the back of my bike without a helmet––and not just any old helmet. I know exactly what I want. I saw it there a couple months ago. It’s pink but not bubblegum pink. It’s sort of like a gradient of pink to gray and black. The style of the helmet looks like a vintage half-helmet but this one has a sun shield that comes down to protect her entire face. On the back is a hand-painted rose. I’d love to have them add Lainie’s name to the back, but I’ll wait on that. I don’t want to freak her out.
While I’m there, I pick her up some pink leather gloves and I contemplate a sweet leather jacket for her. I don’t know her size and I learned a long time ago, not to buy women clothes in the wrong size. If it’s too big, they assume I think they’re fat and if it’s too small,theythink they’re fat. It’s a lose-lose situation. I’ll just bring Lainie down here to pick something out next week. Maybe she’d enjoy getting away for an afternoon.
By the time I roll into the parking lot it’s after three. Grabbing the bouquet of pink roses I picked up for Lainie, I jog into the shop. At first, I’m not sure what to think of the scene through the window into the showroom. Turning, I see Eric stride up to me. “They’ve been in there almost an hour just gabbing. Like women do.”
I turn watch them for a second. “Like you know anything about women.” I scoff.
“Well, when there’s a baby in the room, I know to get the hell out,” he chuckles.
I laugh and watch the three women. I see Debbie first. She’s cooing at the baby. I can’t hear her, but she’s making goo goo ga ga lips at Maddy. Next to her is Lainie. She’s holding the baby, smiling and laughing as she snuggles with our beautiful new addition. Seeing her like that, with a child, stops my breath.
“She’s a natural, huh man?” Eric nudges my arm. “You two would make some cute little rug rats.”
I turn and stare at my baby brother.
“You know, if you were thinking along those lines.”
I am thinking along those lines. Now that I’ve seen her holding my niece, it’s going to beallI think about.
Lainie’s laughing as she holds Madalyn. Debbie is talking to her animatedly. And Molly? She’s got a smile on her face too, but I know that look. She’s a million miles away. “How’s Molly?” I ask Eric. The two of them are close––in age and in life.
“She’s puttin’ on a brave face, man. If it weren’t for Maddy, I’d be concerned about what she’d do.”
My head jerks back to my brother. “You serious?”
“Well, wouldn’t you be tempted if you lost the love of your life?”
I look at Lainie again. She’s got Madalyn snuggled up to her chest and neck. Her eyes are closed. I can tell she’s sniffing that kid. Babies do smell pretty damn good, most of the time. She smiles at my sister and hands Maddy back. Debbie spots me first, then Molly, then Lainie. All three women are smiling our way.
“Now that there is a group of fine-lookin’ women.” I didn’t hear him come up but that comment is coming from Billy.
“They sure are, Billy Bob Thornton.” Not his name but that’s what we call him because he hates it.
“I’d take any of them fine pieces of…”
I growl loudly enough for him to hear. “Calm down, Keet. I was going to say fine pieces of lovely lady-ness.”
Eric cracks up while punching Billy in the arm. Hard. “That’s not a word, you dumb-ass.”
Ignoring the morons, I walk into the showroom. “Hey, Keeton, honey.” Deb walks up, wraps her arms around my neck and kisses my cheek. It’s a guise because she whispers in my ear, “I love her. She’s perfect.”
I nod and smile at Lainie and Molly. Patting Deb’s back, I walk over to my sister, taking hold of Madalyn. Kissing Molly’s cheek I do the same to Maddy lingering a little longer on her chubby cheek. I do what Lainie just did and sniff her sweet skin and hair.
“She smells good, doesn’t she?” Lainie says as she places her hand on the top of Maddy’s head. “There’s nothing like a baby to put things into perspective, huh?”
“Damn straight.” I look into Lainie’s eyes, “I can see clear as day when I’ve got Maddy in my arms.”
“So, Keeton, Lainie tells me she’s filling in for me.”
