Maybe a better man would have let Maynard sign the papers and be on his way, but Maynard had threatened his own children. Gunner had the guys hold Maynard so he could talk with him first.
“I want to make sure that you understand what’s going to happen. You’ve signed everything. Now, you’re going to leave and never try to contact the kids or Rachel again. I don’t care if you are down to your last penny and you think maybe the kids will help you. Don’t come near them. I’m giving you a gift,” Gunner said.
“A gift, like money,” Maynard blubbered.
“No, like a gift that I’m letting you live. A man who threatens his son that if the son says something, the man will kill his own daughter and wife deserves to die. You’re getting to live. That’s your gift,” Gunner said, following his words with some satisfying hits to Maynard’s face and belly. He wished he could have hit him a little more, but Maynard collapsed to the floor, crying and begging for them to stop.
“I don’t care if anyone else wants to get some hits in. When you’re done, I want him taken to the bus stop in Dodge City. Buy him a ticket to the farthest stop on the line,” Gunner opened his wallet and handed Finn eight hundreds.
“Whatever’s left after you buy the ticket, he can have but I want you to watch him get on the bus and watch it pull out of the terminal, got it?” Gunner asked.
“We’ll take care of it,” Finn and Ben answered in unison.
That twin thing was freaky sometimes.
“Then I’m heading home to the woman I plan on asking to marry me and be my Old Lady tomorrow,” Gunner said, heading out of the gym.
One door closed and another was opening for them. Marcus and Chelle would be his to raise with Rachel. He walked toward the house. The gym was only about a seven-minute walk across the compound. He’d use the time to think about how he wanted to propose tomorrow.
He stared at the dark sky with the stars glittering. He had everything he ever wanted. His step was a little lighter as he walked toward home. His home with Rachel, Marcus, and Chelle. Now that they would be a family, maybe the kids needed one or two animals to celebrate.
Chapter Twenty
Rachel sighed as she straightened the table one more time.
“It’s perfect,” Gunner said.
“Yeah, Mama, I luvs it,” Chelle said, grinning, showing off that adorable gap in her teeth.
The kids had been ecstatic when she said Gunner would be staying over. This morning, they’d all been up early. Rachel had drunk an extra cup of coffee because she and Gunner had celebrated last night with a little shower sex. Gunner had said hopefully the water would muffle any noises.
“Mama, it’s ten minutes until we open. We need to talk to you,” Marcus said.
His voice sounded so serious. She thought both kids were happy about Gunner but maybe she’d missed it.
“Okay, what about?” Rachel asked, not sure she wanted to hear the answer.
Gunner handed his phone to Marcus. Marcus fiddled with the phone until music started. It was catchy but she didn’t recognize it.
Gunner got down on one knee. “Rachel, you are the missing piece that I hadn’t known I needed. When you came to Bluff Creek, I realized with you, I was whole. And with you came these two amazing kids. I can’t think of any better way of celebrating Valentine’s Day than by asking you two questions. First, as soon as your divorce is final, will you marry me and let me adopt the kids because you bring the sunshine and smiles into my life?” Gunner said.
Rachel nodded as tears filled her eyes. “Yes,” she said.
At her words, clapping and whistling surrounded them. Her Bluff Creek family filed in from upstairs, the office, and the kitchen. She couldn’t believe she’d missed them.
Gunner stood up, taking her hand and accepting something from War.
“Well, besides marrying me, I need to know you’ll be my Old Lady and ride with me until I can’t ride anymore. Will you?” Gunner asked.
“Yes, I want to be with you forever,” she said softly.
Feeling the light weight of the leather settle over her gave her that final piece of home.
“Now I can’t not have my kids be a part of the MC. Are you both ready to be a part of Bluff Creek?” Gunner asked.
At their nods, he helped them on with their cuts like she’d seen all the MC kids wear.
“Now that I’ve got my family, let’s open Broken Hearts Brewing and help others find the love I have. The shop is already a success because I found you, my sunshine and my beloved,” Gunner said, leaning down to kiss her, tugging the kids close to them for hugs.
