“Didn’t mean to make it weird. We can move to pleasant dinner conversation if you’d like.” It’s the best I can come upwith. I don’t go on dinner dates. Of course, this isn’t a date. Or is it?
She laughs. “Yeah, let’s do that.”
Sadly, our conversation while we eat focuses on everything going on with the club. Bankz is home. Our lawyer is trying to keep him out of jail. The cops didn’t want to listen until Nick sent Ciara the security footage from the Roadhouse. Bankz didn’t start the fight as several people claimed. He was defending his customers and server. Harley’s been spotted twice. At least Nick and his brother think it’s her. We talked about Skylar and her mother. Nope. This definitely isn’t a date. You don’t talk club business on a date.
I decide to switch things up. “When would you like to go to town?”
“Oh.” Nina leans back in her chair. “We should do that. I’d like an idea of what I’m walking into. Lauren’s planned a little party at Angie’s on my birthday.”
“Really?” No one’s mentioned it. I’ll make sure they have protection.
“When would you be able to go? The club keeps you busy.”
That’s an understatement. This club is my life. Protecting the people who’ve become my family is all I know. I only go to town when it’s club business. My nights are at the Den, keeping everything under control.
“How about Tuesday, the town's slow day?” I suggest.
Her forehead wrinkles. “There’s a town slow day?|
I lay my fork on the empty plate. “Yeah. Thursday through Saturday are the busiest days. Two-thirds of the people here shop on those days. At night, the party crowd comes. Sundays, most of the stores are closed, and half the town goes to one of the churches. Mondays are senior citizen day and for appointments. Tuesdays are kinda quiet, less people, less traffic.”
She laughs. “Willow Creek has a traffic problem? Wow. Things really changed while I was gone. And senior citizen day?” She grins and lifts an eyebrow. She wants to laugh again so badly.
“Yeah. The elderly shop and make appointments on Monday, so they miss all the town madness at the end of the week. And traffic isn’t usually a problem, but more than half of these folks can’t drive. I don’t know how they got a license to begin with.”
That did it. She bursts out laughing and covers her mouth with her hand. Never in my life would I believe a laugh could pull at your heart. I was wrong. A genuine laugh from her, one where her eyes sparkle, and her face lights up, just grabbed my heart with both hands. The feeling is so foreign, I rub my fingertips over my chest above my heart. It’s wrong to want her. I’m too old for her. She deserves someone her own age. It might be too late for that, though.
“Okay, Darin.” She composes herself for a moment and lightly laughs again. “We’ll go to town on slow day.”
Her smile is wide, and her eyes still sparkle. Yeah, it’s too late. I just don’t know what I’m going to do about it.
Chapter 20
Nina
Slowdays are freaking awesome. I really thought Darin was insane. Seeing is believing, though. Tuesdays may be the only day I try to go to town. Since I know slow day is a real thing, I can’t tease him about it anymore. And oh, have I teased him about it relentlessly since our surprise dinner date. Well, I’m calling it a date whether he does or not. Sadly, all we did that night was eat dinner.
When we have an angel in our care, I have a responsibility to her. The McLeod’s mission to save as many battered women as possible through Ariel’s Angels is my mission too. Those angels’ care and safety will always come before what I want. I made that vow to Mack and Nanny when they offered me the position as The Haven House Mother. Since I was an angel myself, I know exactly how those women feel.
I have hope for our latest angel. Skylar is a different person with her mother here. She’s no longer on suicide watch. Lauren and Nanny are at The Haven House today. We don’t leave angels alone while they’re with us. Mack will talk next steps with the ladies tomorrow.
I was really nervous about coming to town. So far, no one has recognized me. If they have, they didn’t say anything. We got to town around eleven. Darin had duties and club business at the Den this morning. I don’t know why they call it club business. They should just be honest with us and say it’s something they don’t want us ladies to know about.
It’s almost noon. I pull Darin into another clothing store. We’ve visited a couple already. I found two sweaters I liked at the last one. The scarf and gloves in the front window of this one caught my eye.
The table is just inside the doorway. I pick up a dark purple scarf and hold it up to my face. “Oh, it’s so soft.” The matching gloves and knit hat need to go home with me as well. I turn to Darin. “What do you think?”
“The black would look good on you, too.” One side of his mouth lifts.
Oh yes. I’m definitely getting a black set. I search the table until I have the full set in black as well. It’s not like the sales lady is going to help me. She stays behind the counter, watching the big, bad biker standing just inside the door. This shop must be owned by someone who doesn’t like the Viking Warriors. Note to self. Ask before going into a shop. I forgot how judgmental the people here can be. I’ll just pay for these and go.
On the way to the register, the jeans display catches my eye. I have jeans, just not a lot. I had to leave most of my stuff behind when I left Los Angeles. Andrew and the Viking Warriors chapter in California packed up my apartment. He sent a few boxes of my stuff with their helicopter pilot. The rest I donated to the club to use or pass on to someone in need.
I lay the scarf sets on the counter. “I’ll take these, but I’d love to try on a pair of jeans before I check out.”
“Okay.” The sales lady looks to be in her mid-forties. Old enough to know who I am. She looks familiar, but I can’t place her. “I’ll unlock the door for you.”
Wow. I didn’t realize Willow Creek had to lock their dressing room doors. Oh well. I quickly find a dark blue pair of boot cut jeans in my size and follow her. She’s waiting for me, holding the door open.
