He’s wearing superhero pajamas, and I’m just in my sweatpants when I take his hand and walk him down the hall, both of us barefoot.
When we come into the great room, I immediately smell breakfast cooking in the kitchen and hear laughter and chatter.
He and I peer at each other. “I think they’re up, buddy.”
When I push through the kitchen’s swinging door, Angel, Shannon, Crystal, Mary, and Sara are all busy making huge portions of food. Scrambled eggs, platters of French toast, and bacon and sausage. Some of the younger ol’ ladies are busy getting stacks of plates and silverware.
My mother turns from a cupboard and spots the two of us.
She comes over, gives me a kiss, and squats to Tucker’s level.
“Good morning, Tucker. Are you hungry?”
He nods.
“How would you like a donut while we wait for everyone to wake up?”
“Yes, please,” he whispers.
She grabs a powdered-sugar donut out of a box and hands it to him.
I squeeze his hand. “What do you say, Tucker?”
He looks up at me, then at my mother. “Thank you.”
She grins and tousles his hair. “You’re welcome. How about you come with me? Some of the other kids are at the table coloring.” She gives me a wink and takes his hand. “I’ve got him.”
“You sure?” I ask.
“Yep. Go get some coffee. Breakfast will be ready soon.”
I hear her asking him if he wants some juice as I make my way to the bar. Most of the guys are there. Taking a stool next to Billy and Green, I motion over the prospect.
He hustles over with a mug and fills it with black steaming coffee.
Green quirks a brow. “You’re up early.”
“Three in a bed is a little crowded.
He grins. “Tell that to Cajun.”
“Tucker was awake and staring at me when I cracked an eye open.”
“My kids do that to me all the time,” Green says. “It freaks me out.”
I turn to Billy. “Any word from last night?”
“Nah. They’re still at the motel.”
“We can’t stay on lockdown forever,” I mutter.
“I get it, but Cole’s taking the threat they made to take one of our ol’ ladies very seriously.”
“You think these two are going to call for reinforcements?”
“I doubt it,” Green says, sipping his coffee. “They’re a major club. They don’t roll out every time some brother’s piece of ass runs off. They got bigger fish to fry.”
“Yeah, but they’re nomads. That’s what worries me,” I say. “Nobody in their club knows what the fuck they’re up to.”
