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Instead, a nurse shooed me out of the room. Even my most furious frown didn’t intimidate her enough to let me stay.

Out in the hallway, I texted Zodiac to let him know I wouldn’t be in town for a few days. My president didn’t waste time pushing for me to put the club first. He’d already dealt with Exile running off to Little Memphis to play house with Lula Reed.

“I’ll have Ojai bring your dog to my place,” Zodiac texted. “You’re welcome.”

As I stuffed my phone back into my pocket, the elevator doors opened, and the Chester family spilled out. Spotting me, Boone said something to his parents. Nova smiled at me, a friendly face in a sea of curious strangers.

“You’re the boyfriend,” Blackjack said and thrust his hand at me. “I’m the father.”

Boone made quick introductions before we fell silent. When I yawned, Yarrow mimicked my gesture.

“Goldie will be in surgery soon,” Boone explained. “Once she’s awake and discharged, we’ll take her to the Sorority House.”

“I’ll get a hotel room.”

“Or you could stay at the Sorority House,” Boone suggested. “There’ll be space.”

“We’ll see.”

“Are you shy?” Yarrow asked and frowned at me. “Is that your problem?”

“I don’t have a problem.”

Yarrow narrowed her blue eyes and muttered, “You’re afraid of the foxes.”

“York doesn’t like loud noises,” Nova said helpfully. “He’s also tired since he drove from Baton Rouge.”

Yarrow stopped shooting daggers at me and nodded. “You saved Goldie.”

“She saved herself. I just helped.”

“No, you’re a hero,” Yarrow said and walked toward me. “I won’t hug you since you seem angry, but I’m fond of you now.”

I studied the woman, searching for similarities to Goldie. Yarrow was built lanky, seeming almost harmless. Her blue eyes were tired, and her brown hair needed a good brushing. On the surface, Goldie looked more like Blackjack, but she definitely inherited her mom’s scowls.

“What should I do until she’s done with surgery?” I asked Boone when Blackjack eyeballed me.

“Why not go to our house?” Nova suggested. “You could get a nap and eat. Once Goldie’s set up at the Sorority House, you can visit her.”

“That’s smart,” Yarrow said and smiled at Nova. “My son married a smart woman.”

As the women grinned at each other, I sensed Boone and Blackjack were interested in hitting me up for details.

I decided to bail before the men cornered me. “I’ll be at Exile’s place. Keep me informed about Goldie’s situation,” I said and walked past them. Pausing, I looked back at Nova. “Tell Goldie where I went. Assuming she asks.”

Nova offered me a soft smile. Her big blue eyes were so expressive. I thought about how well Goldie hid her emotions. As much as I liked Nova, I was glad I hadn’t fallen for a woman who wore her feelings on her sleeve.

The morning weather nipped at my skin, and my fatigue worsened. I was yawning by the time I arrived at the gated Sleepy Eye Community. The cold had me ready to crash for a few hours.

Exile was waiting on the porch of Lula Reed’s swanky house. His nieces, five-year-old Skylar and four-year-old Lyric, were with him. The sassy blonde girls ran to the curb, where I lingered.

“You’re a hero,” Lyric announced as I climbed off. “A superhero.”

“What did you do?” Skylar asked.

“Nothing much.”

“Then, how come you’re a hero?”