“Is it working?” Pippa asks. “I mean, Saint’s going to lose his mind if he sees me in this.”
With the hopeful look in Bronwyn’s eyes, pleading with me, I don’t stand a chance. And when I step back into the changing room, again taking in the full effect of the dress, the expertly applied subtle makeup, and my new hairstyle, I know Freak would be proud to show me off as his.
I give in.
“Okay.” I sigh. “Now, can we go get the cake?”
Instead of moving the car the hundred yards to the bakery, we deposit our bags from the boutique in the trunk, then, linking arms, for some reason giggling like teenagers, we stroll past the partisan shops that front this side of Main Street.
The bell tinkles as we step inside, and a wall of mouthwatering aromas greets us. Cinnamon, vanilla, and thesweetness of fruit. Bron and Pippa step forward, eagerly eyeing up the cakes and other delicacies lined up in the glass display cabinet. Moving up to the counter, I wait until the woman whom I’d originally placed my order with notices I’m there.
“Oh my God!” Her hand covers her mouth when she recognises me. “It’s you!” She rounds the counter and, to my surprise, envelops me in a hug. There’s a catch in her voice as she rasps out, “I’m so glad to see you. I was so worried. The way they manhandled you into the car, I thought they were going to kill you.”
“You called the cops.” Pippa’s stepped up alongside me. “Lady, if you hadn’t done that, Trixie wouldn’t be standing here now.”
It honestly hadn’t occurred to me how much my rescue had been down to this concerned citizen who’d reported it. To be fair, I hadn’t been aware of the background to my rescue, or if I’d been told, hadn’t taken it all in. I’d been too relieved that Freak had found me alive to worry too much about the details, and of course, in too much pain. But now I recall my rescue had indeed started with the call that she’d made, and which Pippa or Genie had heard over the police radios.
“Did the police find you?”
“Uh-huh,” I respond, not wanting to explain what really happened. And while I appreciate her concern and am immensely grateful for her part in my rescue, I’m worried about something else. “Did you still make the cake I ordered?”
The woman’s face is unreadable for a moment, making my spirits fall.I’d planned this so carefully for Ace. Am I going to fail at the final hurdle?“To be honest, I didn’t know whether you’d be coming back for it.” Then her face brightens. “But you made your request, and I honoured it. I thought if you weren’t able to collect, I was going to donate it.”
Thank fuck.But part of me wonders what the local food bank would have made of a laptop-shaped cake.
“Just give me a second. I’ll go box it up.” She disappears for a moment, emerging only a minute or so later. She’s left the box open. The three of us gush over it. She’s outdone herself. The laptop is sitting on a block of cake decorated to resemble a desk. Each key on the keyboard is delicately iced, and there’s a scrawl of numbers and letters etched onto the screen. She shifts awkwardly. “Um, you didn’t get back to me with the wording you wanted, so I googled.” She laughs nervously. “I have no idea what this means, but I thought it looked right.”
So do I. It looks perfect. I take out my purse and pay her, adding on an amount to cover the pastries Bron and Pippa have had their eye on, and at the last moment, can’t resist pointing out one for myself.
With promises not to be strangers, we leave the bakery with our last mission accomplished.
“Now, can we get to the club?” I ask, nervously noticing how time has run away from us.
Pippa grins. “After we’ve been back to yours and changed.”
The End
Wantto find out more about what happens to Toni in Nebraska? Look out forProperty of Howler Kings of Anarchy MC Nebraskaby Ciara St James due to be released on 19, October 2026.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
FREAK
Grinning, as I end the call with Trixie after assuring her she’s got the time to go along with Pippa’s plans, I wonder how she’s getting on and whether she’s having fun. I hope Pippa’s been able to railroad her into spending my money. I’m sure Trix probably put up an argument, but knowing Saint’s old lady, I suspect Pippa has won. After all she’s been through, she deserves everything I can give her, and today’s visit to the spa with Pippa and Bronwyn is just the start.
She entered my life like a whirlwind, turning it around. Apart from her act of bravery in saving Ace’s life, she’s created a real home for Ace for the first time in his life, entering our little family as though she was always meant to be there. And lately, even recovering from her injuries, she’s put energy into making sure my son gets the best birthday ever. She’s making the day special for Ace, and in return, I’m making it something to remember for her.
I received Pippa’s text a few minutes ago, and am now hurrying Ace out through the door of the burger joint – hischoice for his birthday lunch. I want to make sure we all arrive at the clubhouse at the same time.
Ace took to driving well, just as he does anything, so while I’m a bag of nerves, I’m allowing him to drive back to the clubhouse. He takes it slow, checks his mirrors, has gotten the hang of using the indicators well, and while I’m poised to pull on the wheel if need be, he gets us there without incident.
Dum/Dee’s on gate duty, and he waves us inside.
“Let’s wait for Trixie to get here, okay?” I tell him as he puts the car in park.
“I can’t wait to see what she looks like. How the hell did Pippa get her to agree to go on a fucking spa day?”
“Pippa’s a force of nature, son.” I respond, and because I’m a responsible parent, I add, “Mind your language.”
