She was fidgeting, shifting her weight from foot to foot. “Did you need something else?”
“Uh, yeah, Phoenix mentioned some walking trails out back and a lake. He said I could go check them out if I took someone with me. He suggested I ask you.”
I smiled. Oh, he did, did he? “No problem. How about after dinner?”
“Sounds good. See you then.”
After dinner, I showed Ember the walking trails and then accompanied her to the lake. I wouldn’t call it a lake, but it certainly wasn’t a pond either. It was big enough that you couldn’t easily swim to the other side.
Phoenix’s grandparents had a few benches placed around the lake so they could easily watch sunrises, sunsets, or just enjoy the lake with some shade in the middle of the day. I gestured to one of the benches, “Have a seat.” I wanted to laugh, but managed to hold it in. Ember sat down as far away from me as she could possibly get. “I don’t bite, sweetheart, unless you want me to.” I winked.
She rolled her eyes, but remained silent. “So, do you know what you are going to do when you leave here?”
She shrugged. “I’m not sure now. Phoenix said he wanted to get the paternity test results back before helping me make any further plans.”
“Do you think he is your father?”
“It sounds like it is possible. We kind of look alike, but I don’t know what my mother looked like, so it’s hard to say.” The sadness in her voice was almost palpable.
“Talk to Phoenix. He probably has pictures of Annabelle around somewhere. Even if he isn’t your dad, she is your mother. I’m sure he would let you see them.”
Her eyes widened and she could barely contain her excitement. “Really? I’ve never seen a picture of her. All I’ve ever known about her was her first name and that she died giving birth to me.”
I smiled, “Come on. Let’s head back and see if Phoenix is around.”
When we got back to the clubhouse, Badger told me Phoenix had gone home for the night. He rarely stayed at his house, but I guess with everything going on, he needed some time to himself. I pulled out my phone and sent him a text.
Dash: Do you have any pictures of Annabelle you could show Ember? She has never seen her and has no idea what she looks like.
Phoenix: Yeah, I have some here at the house. I’ll bring them tomorrow.
Dash: Thanks, man.
I gently steered her toward her room. “Phoenix said he will bring some pictures tomorrow.”
“That’s great! Thanks for asking him.”
As we got closer to her room, I noticed that she seemed to be walking slower and slower. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes, it’s just that Reese was in a mood when her and Carbon got back earlier and I was trying to give her some time to herself.”
“Ah, well, we can watch a movie in my room if you want.”
“That works. I get to pick the movie!”
CHAPTER 9
Ember
I woke to the sound of wood splintering and men yelling. Wait, why were men in my room and why was it so hot?
“What the fuck is going on in here?” Phoenix roared.
I pushed myself up quickly to a sitting position. It was at this moment I realized two things; one, I wasn’t in my room and two, my hand was on Dash’s bare abdomen. Oh crap, did I drool on him while I was sleeping? I started moving my hand around to feel for wetness.
Dash caught my wrist in an iron grasp, halting all movement. When he spoke, he didn’t seem rattled in the slightest, “Nothing, Prez. We came in here to watch a movie last night and I guess we fell asleep. Look at us. We’re both fully clothed with the exception of my shirt. Hell, I still have my boots on.” He pointed toward the end of the bed where anyone could plainly see that we were both still wearing our shoes.
Phoenix just glared at Dash.
