A moment later, Clint returned, Colleen, who looked like a slightly older version of Jordon, right behind him.She certainly didn’t look old enough to have a daughter Jordon’s age, much less four kids.Spider reached for his crutches to stand so he could shake her hand, but she put her hands on her hips just like Jordon had earlier.
“Don’t you worry about getting up.I can talk to you just fine where you are.I hear you’re wanting to spend some time with our girl?”she said.There was a sparkle in her eye that gave Spider the idea that she thought it was about time Jordon found someone or something to light a fire under her ass.He wanted to be that man.
“I am.I’m hoping you won’t mind but I’d like to take her off your hands for a few days.I’d like to take her home to meet my family for the weekend.”He turned to Jordon.“Want to come meet my family?”
She nodded enthusiastically but didn’t say anything.
“How fast can you pack a bag?”
“Give me five minutes.”She moved around her parents and headed inside.
“Make sure you have a charger for your phone!”Colleen called after her.After the sound of her feet hurrying up the stairs inside faded, Jordon’s mother pinned him with a look that he recognized.He knew from Jordon’s similar look that it meant she was serious about whatever she was about to say.“I expect you to respect my daughter.She’s the only one I got, and I don’t want to have to show you how we managed through his rodeo years and the recovery after his accident.”
Spider frowned, not sure what she meant.
“She’s got a Winchester 30-06 next to the door.More years than not she’s bagged an elk.And a few of those she’s gotten a deer too.Yeah, we live on a ranch and we’ve got beef, but the more of those we can sell, the better off we are,” Clint said with a wink in her direction.
“Ah.Gotcha.”Spider turned back to Jordon’s mother.“I have nothing but the utmost respect for your daughter.I want her to meet my family because I’m hoping they might eventually be her family too.I know this isn’t the best time to get into a relationship, but we don’t always get to choose when the right one falls in our laps, do we?My brothers and I have nothing but respect for women, at least until one proves that they’re not worthy of that respect.”
“And how would one do that?”Colleen asked.
“By betraying us.We value family and loyalty, even if that family isn’t the one you’re born into.Betraying either their man or the club will get them run off.But if they’ve got any kind of trouble?We’ll have their back.If she decides she wants to go to school, we’ll make sure she can.I don’t care what she wants to do with her life.I’ll support her.If it’s have a dozen kids and raise chickens and pigs, I’ll build the pens and coops, and what I can’t manage, my brothers will help with.If she wants to go to school and become a vet or a doctor, an attorney or an astronaut I’ll be right behind her, encouraging her every step of the way, as will the rest of the family.And when it comes time for her to walk across that stage?We will all be there screaming and cheering for her the loudest.”
“I’ve heard about how clubs like yours treat women,” she said.
“I already covered that, sweetheart.I’m confident she’s in good hands.”Clint wrapped an arm around her shoulders.She turned and looked up at him, the love and respect they had clear in the way they looked at each other.Spider hoped that in twenty or thirty years, he and Jordon looked at each other just the same.Or maybe with just a little more heat in that look.
After a moment, Colleen nodded and turned back to Spider.
“I’m glad to see you again ...Spider, right?”
“Yes, ma’am.Would you feel better about the trip if she had her Jeep with her?”he asked her mother.
Colleen exhaled heavily and her shoulders drooped.“Actually, yes, I would.I like knowing that if things aren’t what she’s expecting or something just feels off, then she can leave whenever he likes, at least this first time.After that she will know someone other than you.She’ll know what to expect.”Colleen waved one hand, then turned to go in the house.“I’ll go tell her she’s not limited to one bag.But are you going with her?Do you want her to meet you at your place?”She hesitated at the door before going inside.
Spider shook his head, then turned to Dax.“Can you hang around here until I check with her, then go back to the house and gather a few things for me before you head back to Craven’s Creek?”
“Sure.I didn’t know we were going back this weekend, though.I’m not sure they’re expecting us.”
Spider tilted his head.“Is there some reason we shouldn’t go?”
“Nope.Give me a list and I’ll do whatever you want.You know that.”Dax tilted his head toward the truck.“I’m gonna go call Fletch and let him know the plans.He may need to call a couple of people to set up meetings if we’re going home for the weekend.I want to give him as much heads up as I can.”Dax waited for Spider’s nod before he headed back for the truck, taking the time to close the gate on his way out.
“He always jump to do whatever you ask?”Clint asked, his gaze still on Dax as he propped his ass against the side of the truck and dialed his phone.
“Pretty much.He’s a prospect.He does anything any patched member asks, hoping to earn his vote when it’s time to vote to patch him in.Same for the old ladies, though he’s trying to earn their man’s vote for treating their women right.”
“How long does that go on?”
Spider shrugged.“Usually a year or so.We’re due to vote on Dax, maybe another, I’m not sure.I don’t keep track of all that.That’s part of Snoopy’s job as secretary.”
Clint nodded.Spider wondered if he had more questions, but Jordon came out of the house, a duffle over one shoulder and a set of keys in her hand.She looked at him and grinned.
“I hear I’m driving?”she said when she reached his side.
“Yep.Your mom thought it would be a good idea of you had your own wheels so if you weren’t comfortable, you could leave without having to depend on anyone else.”
“I’m sure things will be fine, but thank you for the thought.”She leaned down and kissed his cheek.“Are you riding with me or with Dax?”
