I shake my head and smile. My best friend is going to be a mom! It’s bittersweet. I wish I could have that, but I know that it isn’t in the cards for me. I’ve battled with not being able to have a baby for a long time, but I think I’m okay with it now. Now I can just spoil everyone else’s little ones and love them then send them home.
“Come here often?” Cass asks from beside me. I didn’t see him walk up.
“Every now and then,” I say, smiling.
He leans in and kisses me softly on my lips, his thumb on my chin. I take a deep breath when he pulls away and I smile up at him.
“I would’ve gone and grabbed the box and dessert for you, baby. You didn’t have to go get it.”
“I know, but you were busy and I wasn’t going to interrupt you. Besides, it wasn’t that serious and one of your prospects packed it in for me. When did they come around?”
“Aaron’s been hanging around for a couple weeks, so last week we went ahead and made him a prospect. He’s the young guy. So far, he’s doing pretty good. And Lenny’s been around the club for a few years and just now decided that he’s ready to be a part of it. That’s the older man with the long beard.”
“I like him. He’s the one who carried the box for me.”
“They’re both good men. Good people.”
“Well, I’m glad. Are their ol’ ladies coming out?”
“Usually I’d say no, but it’s Christmas. Family time. So, yeah. Aaron’s girlfriend will be here later and Lenny’s wife is sitting a few tables behind us.”
The sound of a child laughing draws both of our attention and I spot a curly red-headed little girl running around. She’s the spitting image of Digger, freckles and all. He’s walking behind her, wearing his cut-off and a purple Hounds beanie, with his wife standing a few feet behind him. She’s always been shy and weary of the club, but she’s been coming around over the last year or so. Before that, they said she wouldn’t show up to club functions and didn’t want him to have anything to do with the club.
I’m glad she’s seen how things are around here. It isn’t anything like what I’d always heard, that’s for sure. Now, the Highway Sinners’ club house was way more risqué than theHounds, and I could understand wanting him to keep his distance from a club likethat. But this one, this one is family.
“Hi,” I wave at the little girl. She can’t be any older than three.
“Hello,” she smiles at me and then takes off running to her daddy.
“Hey guys. Lilly, this is my wife Lindsay and our daughter, Nova.”
“Hi, nice to meet you,” I say, waving awkwardly.
“You, too,” she smiles. Her long, wavy, strawberry blond hair contrasts perfectly against her light, porcelain skin, making her hazel eyes pop. She’s got a full face of make-up on, but it’s done tastefully. She’s beautiful and I’m honestly a little surprised that Digger’s wife is so pretty.
“Hey, Lindsay. I’m glad you made it,” Cass smiles at her.
“Me too. I brought a green bean casserole. Digger said that no one was bringing one.”
“Nope. No one else brought one. You can put it on the table over there with the rest of the food for tonight.”
She nods and smiles, heading to the table with her casserole dish. Cass kisses my forehead before walking away. I know he’s going to mingle with everyone else. People are beginning to show up every few minutes. It’s five o’clock, and the party starts in an hour, so all of the Hounds and their families and close friends of the club will all be here to celebrate Christmas together.
The bar is full aside from two empty seats in the very far corner. Mindy and I are sitting together at a table between the food and gifts when Carrie and Lucy walk in. That means Leo and Shorty are here, finally. I wave at them when they look around the room and they both smile, walking in our direction.
“Hey, ladies!” I cheer, standing up to hug them both.
“Hello, lovelies,” Lucy says.
“Hey, sunshine,” Carrie smiles.
“It’s good to see you both,” Mindy says.
“I’ve got to grab a beer before I sit down. Want anything?” Carrie asks.
“I’m good,” Mindy holds up her glass of wine.
“I’ll take a double Crown Apple and Sprite, please. Tell Linc to put it on Cass’s tab.”
