“Be there intwenty.”
I ended the call and sank down on the bed next to Scarlett. “I know I’m still a stranger and I promise I’m not going to force myself into your life after this. Just let me get ya out ofhere.”
She put her head on my shoulder and I instinctively wrapped my arm around her, tucking her small frame into myside.
“Why are you single?” she asked, nuzzling up into the crook of myshoulder.
“I’m married to my club. I never thought it would be fair to a woman to make her fight for my attention when my first priority was always to my brethren.” It was the first time I had admitted that to anyone. It was the most honest answer I could have ever given. Other than Ryder, I had been the youngest Unacceptable to ever be patched as a president. That was something I never tooklightly.
“That just means you haven’t found the right old lady yet. The right woman will stand by you and your club equally, love you for the man and the cut, one and thesame.”
Her words shot through me, piercing right into my core. In that instant, I felt my heart start to beat for the firsttime.
She shifted to look up at me. “Why are you smiling?” sheasked.
I hadn’t even realized I was. “I was thinking about a husband and wife that have a love like the one you justdescribed.”
“I would really like to meetthem.”
I kissed her forehead, hiding the fact that it broke me to say the next sentence out loud. “She’s a widownow.”
“I’m so sorry. That’s awful.” I could hear how sincere her statement was. It wasn’t the usual knee-jerk apology that normally comes because people don’t know what else tosay.
“I amtoo.”
“You were close to them, weren’tyou?”
“He was my brother, and she will forever be like a sister tome.”
The sound of Jaxon clearing his throat to announce his arrival saved me from having to continue one of the hardest conversations I’d everhad.
“Your chariot has arrived, miss.” While bowing, Jaxon held out a plastic bag full of clothes for Scarlett totake.
“Why thank you, kind sir. I cannot wait to wear something that doesn’t tie in the back and expose my ass if I’m not careful.” Scarlett faked a curtsy before ducking into the bathroom to getdressed.
I patted Jaxon on the shoulder. “Thanks.”
“No worries. I’m glad she’s doin’ better. The truck is in a spot right out front. You won’t be able to missit.”
We tradedkeys.
“See you in church tonight,” I said as I hugged my second incommand.
“I’ll let the guys know. It will be good to get back into the swing of things. I think we all needit.”
I nodded in agreement. “Any word from the otherpresidents?”
“They’re all at Wheeler’s plus a few more. Maccon and Reese were the last to show up a few hoursago.”
“What’s Wheeler’s?” Scarlett asked as she emerged from thebathroom.
I turned to her, putting my arm around her tiny shoulders to start to walk her out. “It’s the name of our autoshop.”
“Oh, I’ve seen that place a few times when I’ve come over on this side oftown.”
“Well, I’ll be takin’ you over that way when you’re feelin’ up to ridin’ again. Your bike is ready togo.”
The excitement that emanated from her was palpable. “Really? I can’t believe it. She’sfine?”
