Deck was a smooth one though, the way he handed Poppy to me and then threaded my other arm through his. I ignored the little shiver that ran up my spine as his work roughened hand tightened over mine as he turned us back to my trailer saying, “It seems you’re not a stranger to MCs, darlin’. Why don’t we go and sit on your porch and have a cool drink while this lot finishes packing up my grandkids? And before you ask, we didn’t know about them before today, or they’d already be living with us. You can tell me how you came to be here and look after them.”
What was I to say to that? It was a perfectly reasonable request. I still shot him a narrowed look though. I wasn’t a pushover after all.
“Okay,” I agreed. Walking up my porch steps I turn and hand Poppy back to him. “Take a seat. I’ll bring her playpen out and get us drinks, then you can fill me in on what’s happening. That boy has been through too much in his young life so you’d betterbe planning on making his life easier, not harder.” I fiercely inform him.
Red’s eyes soften at my words. “I promise darlin’ we aren’t going to make his life harder. Let’s get this little girl sorted and get a cool drink and I’ll fill you in. We have no intention of pushing you out. I promise.” He says this last bit, nudging me towards my open door. Deciding I’d take him at his word I made quick work of getting Poppy’s playpen set up in the shade before going to get us some of the fresh lemonade I’d made this morning.
When we’re both sitting sipping on the cool tart liquid, watching the packing going on over the road I say, “Tell me.”
Red turns his attention to me and I can see the grief on his face and in his voice when he says, “If I’d have known about them, I’d have been here sooner. We lost his dad not long ago and my wife a few years before that.” He goes quiet before he continues and I can tell he’s sincere when he says, “Family means something to the Ivor family and it doesn’t always mean blood either. If we’d known about them, they’d have had a home with us years ago. I’ll not leave them out in the cold now that I’ve found them.”
We’re quiet as we watch a truck arrive with more brothers and they start to load up Ford and Poppy’s belongings. My heart hurts and tears prick my eyes as I watch. I’m wondering where I’m going to fit in with them now. I’ve got no familial ties to them at all. And I know all too well how quickly time passes and how they’ll grow and forget all about the old lady who used to look after them.
I’m torn from my disheartening thoughts when Red says, “You’ve got a choice, darlin’.”
I turn my attention back to him. “You can come with us. Ford was adamant you are not to be left behind.”
“That boy,” I whisper, wiping at a tear that escapes. “I hear a but in your voice, Red.”
“Deck to you, darlin’.”
I snort a soft chuckle and he gives me a smirk. Right then I see the younger, hound-dog of a man he must have been before he became a family man. He’s a good-looking man now but he must really have been something when he was younger. Over the road, his son Maestro comes out of the trailer and jumps into the back of the truck and I know exactly what he must have looked like thirty or so years ago.
“You’re right too darlin’ you do hear a but.” Deck continues, “You seem to know about MCs. Is there something we need to be worried about?”
“No,” I laugh softly, shaking my head. “You have no worries.” I go ahead and fill him in on the MC my Old Man had been part of and what had happened to them. Deck’s nodding by the time I’ve finished my story.
“I remember them now. Fucking idiots,” he huffs a breath and I have to laugh at the disgust on his face. “We’re not a onepercenter club anymore Emily. You’ll be safe with us. Poppy and Ford will be safe with us. Will you come home with me?”
We stare at each other for what seems to be a long time but I’m sure it’s only seconds. He’s sincere, I can tell. Living the life I have, you learn when someone is bullshitting you and he’s not but I still need clarification.
“And how is that going to look, Deck? This trailer isn’t much but it’s all I have. I’m putting a lot of trust in you if I move. What would I be moving to?”
“I understand darlin’ and I know we’re asking a lot of you. Do you own the trailer?”
I nod my head.
“Okay so you can rent it out right?”
Again, I nod because yes, I could. “What about the one Ford and Poppy were living in?” he wants to know.
“They own it.”
He’s nodding and I can see the wheels turning as he takes a look around the park. Yes, it’s run down but you can see those who try and those who don’t. Most people living here are good people just trying to get by, but like anywhere else you always have a few bad apples.
“Do you know who owns the park itself? And who rents their trailer and who doesn’t?”
“I do.”
“Let me think on this and have our tech guy find out some information but I think I’ve got a business idea for you. But until then, I’ve got a cottage at the back of my house. Our homes are built behind the clubhouse so you’ll be safe. It’s not a huge place but I think you’ll be comfortable and you’ll still see Poppy and Ford every day. Maestro’s Old Lady and my daughter and her family live on the property too. If you’re not happy you’ll still have your trailer.”
“But Emily,” Deck says, suddenly serious, taking hold of my hand he gently squeezes it ensuring he has my attention. “I’m a straightforward man with not a lot of time left on this earth. I’ve lived a hard life and I’ve got some regrets but I’m not going to let this be one of them. For the first time since Ruthie passed away, I find myself attracted to a woman. In a few short years I’ll be seventy years old. I'm not letting this opportunity pass me by. I’m offering you the cottage for now but darlin’ be prepared to be wooed because I want you in my house and in my bed as soon as I can persuade you of it.”
My mouth falls open and I gape at him. First of all, how the hell is this man nearly seventy, second of all what the actual hell? Talk about being straightforward. But in a way I could appreciate it because he was right; neither of us was getting any younger and I could appreciate his straightforwardness. I was sorry to hear about the passing of his wife and the way he spoke about her it was clear he’d loved her a lot. That alone shouldhave given me pause but if he came to care for me even half as much then I figured I’d be a lucky woman. Not that I’d let him know that….at least not yet.
Deck taps my chin lightly and I realise I’m still staring at him and he’s waiting for an answer.
Snapping my mouth shut I narrow my eyes at him. “Fine,” I agree, then hold up my finger as he goes to talk. “I’ll move into the cottage because I’d like to still have contact with my grandkids, and Deck, that’s what they are. They’re not my blood but I’ve been looking after Ford since he was in diapers.” His eyes soften when I tell him this. He picks up my hand, kissing the back of it.
