She stomps off after clocking out, leaving me alone with Juan. I look at him and with tears in my eyes say, “I don’t understand how people can treat each other badly based on the color of their skin, especially in this day and age. You, Maria, and Olive have been such a godsend and a blessing in my life that I consider you family.”
“You’re family to us as well, Mandie. You and those adorable babies of yours. Sadly, I don’t think it’ll ever change, but what makes it bearable most days is the fact that the majority of the people we come in contact with are not like Shona. And truthfully, the fact of the matter is, that’s what most are taught growing up. It doesn’t make it right but some day, hopefully in my lifetime, it’ll change.”
“I hope so, Juan. Okay, I better get to work, or you won’t have a restaurant to run because folks will leave,” I state. He laughs at me and pulls me in for a quick hug.
“You just keep being you, Mandie. I know you got a rough deal growing up, but what we, Maria and I, have seen since you came here is a woman determined to forge her own way. Just remember, it’s okay to accept a helping hand every now and again. Now scoot.”
I nod and pull away to head out to the dining area. Time to get to work.
I quickly get the other two tables squared away while I wait for the Black Tuxedos to show up, since they made a reservation. When my heart rate accelerates, I know that he’s here. Matt. The man who fuels all my late-night fantasies. Considering how nasty Alistair was to me, I’m surprised that I have any feelings for a man. After he beat me half to death then left, it took me a few weeks to recover and by the time I did, I was down to my last few dollars. I still remember walking into The Steakhouse, Aria in tow because I didn’t have a babysitter at the time only to come face-to-face with Juan.
“You need something, little one?” the gruff-voiced man asked me.
“I need a job, sir. I’m hard working and dependable, but I need to work so I can feed my daughter,” I replied.
He gave me an appraising look and I found myself standing as tall as possible. Granted, at five-feet-three-inches, that wasn’t very impressive, but I needed to work. I gave Aria the last of the oatmeal this morning and drank water to stave off my own hunger pains. I was able to get a bag of nonperishables from the food pantry, but that won’t last long, and I needed to eat to make sure that my baby was healthy. “When can you start?” he questioned.
“As soon as you need me. I have to find a babysitter, but that shouldn’t be a problem.” I could always check with my old Sunday school teacher to see if she would help me, at least until I found someone else.
“My daughter can watch her for you. Ollie!” he shouted. I watched as a teenager, who is shorter than me, came out to stand next to her father.
“Si, Papa,” she said.
“I am hiring her,” he stated, pointing at me. “You will watch her little one, si?”
She looked at me and then Aria before she broke out into a smile. “I’d love to. Where do I watch her? Here? Your house?”
“My house would probably be better at some point, since it has all of her things.”
“Okay, I’ll need your address then. Oh, and maybe y’alls names?”
I giggled because she was almost bouncing on her feet with excitement. “I’m Mandie, Mandie Matchum, and this little cutie is Aria. Aria, can you say hello to Miss Ollie?”
“Hi, Owwee,” Aria lisped out.
“Oh my God, she’s adorable. Come here, sweet girl,” Ollie said. I handed over my daughter who was reaching out for her new babysitter. With my arms now free, I reached into my purse for the pad and paper I always carried.
“Um, I don’t have a spare key right now, but I’ll get another one made just for you if that’s okay. Is it a problem if you watched her at your house until I got one and could show you around my house?” I questioned. I mean, I had a good feeling about her, but I don’t know her yet and definitely needed to be protective as far as letting just anyone into my home.
“That’s fine. I know when the restaurant closes, and I also know that my papa won’t keep his waitstaff here late. That’s what the night crew is for, right, Papa?” she inquired.
He chuckled at his daughter before nodding. “Mandie, follow me so I can get paperwork on you and get you started.”
I’m brought out of my memories when I hear, “Hey, Mandie!” Turning, I see Reese’s wife, Corrie, walking over toward me.
“Hey, Corrie. How are y’all tonight?” I ask as I motion for them to follow me. I don’t miss the fact that Matt watching me, or how that makes me feel inside. It still blows my mind a little that I sense whenever he’s near; we’ve spoken in the past, of course, but we’ve never had what I would consider an in-depth conversation or anything. Even the night he gave me a ride home when my car broke down, we kept it somewhat superficial.
There’s something about him and I wish life were different for me so I could pursue him. But no man wants to take on a woman with two kids, so I push that fantasy deep into the recesses of my mind.
“We’re good. Ready for some of the best steak Texas has to offer,” she replies as they start sitting down.
“Do y’all know what you’d like to drink? I can go grab those for y’all while you check out the specials,” I state, pulling out my pad and pen. I know there are waitresses who memorize everything, and I do that as well, but having it written down helps keep me organized. I go around the table and take down their drink orders then leave to get them prepared. “I’ll be back in a few. If you have any questions about the specials, let me know when I return.”
As I hurry back to the drink station, I can feel Matt’s eyes burning a hole in my back and wonder if maybe, possibly, he’s feeling the same attraction as I am.
Once I return with their drinks, I again go around the table, answering questions about the specials and taking their dinner orders. On my way to the kitchen to turn them in, I stop by my other two tables and get requests for drink refills from one couple and for the check at the second table.
I continue taking care of my large party, even as the other two tables finally clear out, are cleaned and then reset. I notice that no one has been put in my section and after refilling the drinks for my bikers, I head off to search for Juan. “Juan? I know we’re busy, do you want to put someone in my section? They’re just about done with their meal and while I know they’ll have dessert based on past history with them, I can handle it.”
“You had a rough night last night, Mandie, with those huge parties who ran you ragged. I think you deserve an easy night and knowing Reese and his crew, you’ll more than make up for it on your tips.” I nod because they always take care of me. Hell, I’ve seen Reese go up to the bar and tip the bartender directly for the mixed drinks that Corrie prefers.
“Thanks, Juan. Just remember, the offer is open.”
“I think we’re good until they leave, honey girl.” My face warms at his endearment; he and his wife, Maria, are always doing that to me and it makes me remember my mom. She died when I was barely a teenager and I went into the foster care system. I was fortunate, however, because I got a phenomenal woman for a foster mother in Mama T.
I nod and head back over to the table and grin when I see the women with their heads together, perusing the dessert menu. “I kind of figured y’all would want dessert,” I say as heads pop up to look at me. “Anything in particular tonight?”
“We want it all,” Nick’s wife, Shayla, murmurs, glancing back down at the glossy dessert menu.
Glancing around the table, I mentally recall the past orders they’ve had. With the actual size of the desserts, they could probably get away ordering one of each and there would be plenty for everyone to share. “How about if I bring y’all one of each except the Death by Chocolate; I’ll bring two of them, along with extra plates and clean forks. That way, you can share.”
“One of those chocolate things is mine, do you hear me?” Corrie retorts, looking around the table. “The last tim
e, I barely got a bite. Maybe we should get three of the Death by Chocolate.”
“Mandie, make it three of the chocolate things so my woman gets her fix, and one of each of the others, plus a carafe of coffee,” Reese states.
I start to turn away when Corrie asks, “When will you be done with college? Are you going to try and find a bookkeeping position or something?”
“I’d like to, yes,” I reply.
“I may have a proposition for you if you have a few minutes to talk?” she questions.
“Sure, let me put in the dessert order and I’ll come right back. Does anyone need anything else to drink besides coffee?” Everyone shakes their head, so I nod and head to the kitchen to put in their order once I’ve keyed it into their master bill.
“Juan, can someone bring it out when it’s ready? They’ll need extra plates and forks,” I query. “Corrie asked about my plans once I graduate and said she has a proposition to run by me.”
“I’ll take care of it for you personally,” he states, giving me a wink.
I carry back a carafe of coffee, along with creamer. Thankfully, when we set the tables, we put out coffee cups and the sweeteners are in a small tin pail on the table itself. Once I have everyone’s coffee poured, I stand there and wait. I can feel Matt’s eyes on me, assessing every move, but I don’t dare glance in his direction. I feel very vulnerable right now and as broken as I am, I can’t let him know I’m interested.
“Okay, so here’s the thing. We have a CPA for the tax bullshit, but I can’t keep up with the paperwork that he needs for the sanctuary. Is that something you could do? You’d be responsible for issuing invoices, paying vendors for supplies, that kind of thing. Plus, making sure that everything is current so when the CPA goes in to pull his reports, he can do it quickly.”
“Yes, I can.” This would be a major blessing for me. It would be a steadier income than I get at the restaurant, for the most part. Actually, my paychecks vary slightly as I have the same schedule each week. The only thing that really fluctuates are the tips, which I use for groceries. But you don’t have to worry about that for a little while, my conscience supplies.
“Sweet! Okay, can you give me your number? What I’m looking for can be done remotely for the most part; you’d just have to come by the sanctuary to pick up the invoices that need to be paid. In fact, we can set up an office at your house and maybe one of the prospects can bring the mail over daily. You can print out the checks and get them ready to send out as needed and he can bring them to me to sign and drop off at the post office. It’s a win-win! You’ll be able to be home with your babies,” she enthusiastically states.
I feel like I must have died and gone to Heaven right now as I scribble down my phone number just as Juan arrives with a tray heaping with desserts, plates and extra silverware. I quickly gather the empty plates so he has room, then place each dessert in the middle of the table except one, which I set right in front of Corrie. Her giggle makes me laugh and soon, the whole room is ringing with our laughter. Even Matt, who is usually so quiet, is laughing.
Don’t think about how handsome he looks when he smiles, I chant to myself.
At long last, they’ve finished their meal and the table has been cleared by the busboy by the time I return with the check and several to-go boxes for the leftover desserts. Matt hands me his card and indicates it’s for the whole bill so I nod then go to take care of it so they can all get on with their night. I bring over the receipt for him to sign, along with a pen that I know he won’t steal seeing as it has a bright pink pompom on the top. “Thanks for coming in tonight, y’all. I hope you enjoyed your meals. Corrie, I’m off tomorrow if you want to call me.”
“I’ll do that, but I won’t call early. Hopefully your munchkins will allow you to sleep in a little bit,” she says.
“Yeah, that’ll never happen. Aria will sleep as long as possible. Beau, on the other hand? He’s up with the roosters. At least he still naps,” I admit.
As I head back toward the area where we pull drinks and input food orders, I feel Matt behind me. Turning, I look at him and ask, “Is there something I can get you, Matt?” I know I gave him his credit card back, along with the receipt, so I can’t figure out why he would intentionally seek me out.
“This is for you, too,” he replies, holding up a bunch of folded bills.
“You already tipped me for y’alls bill, you don’t need to do this as well,” I say.
“Please, take it,” he implores. I instinctively know that he’s not the type of man who begs for anything, so I take the money and slide it into my apron pocket.
“Thank you,” I murmur. “Y’all are always so good to me.”
“You deserve every good thing, Mandie.”
“How can you say something like that? You don’t really know me, Matt,” I retort.
“I’d like to change that,” he admits.
I shake my head at his words; I must be hearing things because there’s no way on God’s green earth that a man like him would be interested in me, a woman with two kids and no family.
“Yeah there is, sweetheart,” he emphatically states.
“I said that out loud, didn’t I?” I question. I know my face is redder than old man Johnson’s barn right now. I’m an idiot, plain and simple.
His chuckle sends shivers coursing through me and I peer through my hands which cover my eyes. I see the warmth in his gaze and when he gently pulls my hands away so we’re looking at one another with no barrier, he leans in closer and says, “I want to know everything there is to know about you, Mandie Matchum.” His husky voice touches a part of my soul that I didn’t know was there. I can feel myself instinctively moving closer, seeking out the safety of his embrace.
“You do?” I whisper. He nods, never breaking our eye contact. “I don’t know what to say,” I admit. My relationship with Alistair was borne out of necessity; we both aged out of the foster care system and decided that two against the world was better than one.
“Say yes, Mandie. There’s something about you, about the connection I feel toward you that I want to explore.”
“If you’re sure, then yes. I-I will admit that I’m nervous.”
“Why? Is it because of the club?” I see his eyes darken and reach out to touch his hand.
“No! It’s because my past is ugly, and I don’t know how much I have to offer anyone, and I think you deserve nothing but the best.”
“I’m looking at her right now,” he insists, taking my hand in his. “Do you feel this?” he asks, placing my hand against his chest. I can feel his heart pounding beneath his shirt, the warmth seeping into my hand. “I’ve been drawn to you since the first time I saw you, Mandie.”
“I’ve been drawn to you too,” I confess. “I just never thought anything would come of it, given my situation.”
“Well, you thought wrong. Since tomorrow is Sunday, I want to come over and fix your deck for you.”
“I can’t let you spend money like that, Matt. You and the club already fixed my car!” Something I’m still a bit upset about because they wouldn’t accept any money toward the repairs, and I know it was significant.
“It’s not a big deal, sweetheart. I have material left over from various jobs that I’ll be using, but I want you to have something that’s safe. You and the kids deserve that much.”
“If you’re sure, then I accept,” I reply, remembering Juan’s words that it’s okay to take a helping hand every now and then.
“I’ll be there around ten in the morning if that’s okay with you. That way, you’ll have time to get up and take care of the kids.”
“Thank you, Matt. I feel like I say that continuously, but you have no idea what all of y’all have done for me and my kids since I first met you.”
He runs his finger across my cheek. Such a simple touch, yet I’m filled with want and need. “See you tomorrow,” he promises before turning and heading out of the restaurant.
4
Matt
“I’ve got you, Fergie,” Jackal yells. I can hear the sounds of gunfire all around me as I’m pulled away from where the RPG exploded. “I’ve got you.” I see him covered in blood, so much damn blood, but my head is pounding, and my skin feels like it’s on fire.
The heavy weight on top of me and the soft, insistent whines slowly bring me out of my nightmare. Raising my hand, I feel the soft fur of Champ and release the breath I was unaware I was holding. “Sorry, boy, this is my life,” I rumble out. Already, I can feel my heart rate decelerating as the last vestiges of the nightmare fade. As my breathing goes back to normal, Champ moves from being on top of me to right next to me, his tail wagging in a soft, continuous motion. “Good boy, Champ, good boy,” I praise. He nuzzles closer and I feel his tongue swipe my cheek. “Not sure that’s appropriate, but I’ll take it. C’mon, since we’re both awake, how about I take you outside?” He jumps off the bed and I swing my legs over, grimacing a bit as the scar tissue pulls. I quickly take a piss then slide a pair of my sweats on in case anyone else is roaming around in the middle of the night. No sense in scaring them shitless seeing my leg.
We quietly make our way through the clubhouse and out the back door where he immediately races off to the area I showed him when I first brought him home. As I look out over what we’ve created, I start to think about getting my own place. It’s time, especially if things with Mandie progress into something more serious. Once Champ has done his business, he leads me back inside and I start to chuckle because he sits in front of the jar that mysteriously appeared on the counter. I open the lid and pull out a treat, then give it to him. He wags his tail and starts heading back to my room while I make a stop at the bar and snag a bottle of beer.
Matt - The Black Tuxedos MC Page 4
