by K. J. Dahlen
Black Jack was one of the people walking in the door. When he saw the two of them sitting there with a bottle of Black Velvet on the table between them, he looked concerned.
Deke got up and carried the bottle back to the bar.
A few minutes later, Reva brought out cups and carafes of coffee and Deke poured them both a cup. Black Jack joined his youngest son and grabbed a cup of coffee.
“So how was your first night with the grandson?” Raine asked.
“Your mother is going to love that little shit.” Jack chuckled. “He’s a great kid. Cricket did an awesome job.”
“She’s going to miss him.” Raine nodded.
“He’s going to miss her too,” Jack added. “He’s quite the kid. Although, he’s never been to school he already knows his numbers and letters. And he’s just beginning to read as well.”
Raine grinned. “Not bad for someone who never finished school herself.”
Jack and Deke took notice. “What do you mean?”
Raine shrugged. “She told me last night that she was fifteen when Cordy took her from Maine and she never got the chance to finish school.”
“I’ll speak to her,” Deke commented.
The bedroom door opened and Cricket walked into the main room. Just as she did, Gambler and Dusty came in the front door.
Dusty saw her and called out her name. Running to her, he jumped into her arms and hugged her.
She laughed out loud and whirled him around for a moment, then set him down on his feet.
He ran back over to Gambler and sat down beside him smiling brightly. “Did you see the tigers?” he asked. “There are three and they are awesome. Reva says they all have secret names and they are protectors.”
Gambler nodded. “I saw them when I was here before. But yeah, they are cool. We will have to ask her about them on our next visit.”
Cricket made her way over to the table when Raine motioned for her to join him. Sitting down beside him, she looked at Gambler. “I have some papers for you. It’s Dusty’s birth certificate and such.”
Gambler nodded. “You said something last night about him having a birthday next week?”
“Yup, he’ll be seven next week.” Cricket grinned.
“And I always get a birthday wish,” Dusty announced.
Gambler glanced over at Cricket and saw a twinkle in her eye, then he looked at his son. “And what kind of birthday wish do you have this year?”
“We have a birthday tradition,” Cricket told them. “We start the day with blueberry pancakes and strawberry milk, then we go for a walk to the park with a wishing well. We make a wish and throw in a coin, then we go to a zoo and see the animals. After that, we get a hot dog with chili and cheese for our supper and after supper, we take a blanket outside and watch the stars come up. Each year, we try and find a new constellation.”
Gambler smiled. “And which formations have you found so far?”
“We’ve found the Milky Way, the Big Dipper, Orion’s Belt and Leo,” Dusty answered. “Everywhere we’ve gone, the sky is just a little bit different.”
“Maybe your dad will show you the stars this year,” Cricket suggested.
“Maybe this year, we can find Aquarius,” Dusty stated. “Or maybe Capricorn.”
“We’ll have to see if we can find something,” Gambler told him. “Or maybe you could show me what you’ve already found.”
“I could do that.” Dusty grinned.
“It might be time to make some new traditions. Traditions with your new family.” Cricket nodded toward Gambler and Black Jack.
Dusty’s eyes looked worried for a moment then he nodded. “It won’t be the same ever again, will it?” he asked quietly.
Cricket leaned forward. “Sweet boy, it can only get better, you’ll see.”
Dusty got up and rushed over to her. Throwing his arms around her, he whispered, “I’m going to miss you Cricket!”
She closed her eyes. “And I you, sweet boy. Just remember that I love you muchly and that will never change.”
Dusty smiled. “I love you too…muchly.” He turned and reached out his hand to his grandfather. “I’m ready to go to Maine now.”
Black Jack got to his feet and took Dusty’s hand. “Then let’s go to Maine and start a new adventure.”
Gambler got to his feet and stared at Cricket for a moment. “He’s a great kid, thank you for taking care of him.”
Cricket swiped away a tear. “He’s very easy to love.”
Gambler nodded, “But even as young as he is, he has his own demons, doesn’t he? I heard him call out for you last night.”
Cricket smiled sadly and laid her hand on his face. “You have a hard journey ahead of you. You will have to show him unconditional love in order to conquer his fears. You must replace his bad memories with good ones. He wants to know love so bad, that is his greatest wish and something he wishes for every year at the wishing well. Help him grow into the man I know he can become.”
Gambler smiled and nodded. “I will and thank you.” Then he turned and waked out the door.
Cricket sat back down and looked at Raine. She smiled sadly. “I’m gonna miss the hell out of that boy.”
“It’s time,” Deke called out softly.
Cricket nodded and got to her feet. Her year of punishment was about to begin.
This story will continue in:
LIES AND LIARS
The Sin’s Bastards MC will come up against a man no one wants to face…Bane Jessin. He is ruthless and a cold blooded killer. Somehow, it is Cricket that holds the key to saving them all. Can she deliver what this killer searches for? Or will the blood of others stain her hands…again?
HAVE YOU READ THE BESTSELLING SERIES THAT STARTED IT ALL?
BOOK ONE
SATAN’S SPAWN MC SERIES
Spawn and Spitfire
When Cassie comes to Troy, New York, looking for her best friend Peaches, she meets Deke Tory, and her world is never going to be the same. He is formidable, magnetic and not like anyone, she ever met. Deke is President of the Satan’s Spawn MC and while he lives by a certain set of rules, Cassie grew up differently. She grew up on the streets from the age of ten and the only rule there…was the rule of survival.
Deke finds himself drawn to the spitfire girl who appeared out of nowhere. Can he break down the walls she has built up to protect herself? When Cassie and Peaches are reunited, their past comes back to haunt them. Someone from their past wants them dead to hide a terrible secret. Can Deke protect her, can he even hold on to her?
They have to find a way to survive and Cassie has to find a way to keep a promise she made to Peaches when they were ten. She has to find Peaches’ family and reunite them. Will they both survive long enough or will their past swallow them and keep its secret for a little while longer?
BOOK TWO
SATAN’S SPAWN MC SERIES
Revenge And Retribution
Just when Cassie thinks her past is over…someone comes looking for her. Someone she and everyone else thought was dead a long time ago. She has a man in her life and her dreams are coming true, so when Robbie comes after her she has more to lose than she ever had before. Except this time—she isn’t alone. She has friends and family to help her fight against the darkness that threatens her.
Then she discovers yet another surprise—she has a sister…
BOOK THREE
SATAN’S SPAWN MC SERIES
Babies & Bastards
Just as Cassie’s whole world is coming together—it’s ripped apart when Deke’s dad, Sam stops the wedding. When Deke won’t allow Sam close to her, he has her kidnapped. When Sam finds out who she really is, he asks about Flynn’s older brother. No one realized he even existed and they scramble to find him before he comes after Cassie. Rumor is Donavan will kill the person who snitched on his brother and got him killed.
When the police come around asking more questions…Cassie reveals another dirty little secret. Lance’s partner i
sn’t who he seems and he takes her back to Boston at gunpoint. Sam follows and rescues Cassie from certain death. He promises Deke he’ll bring her back to Troy—to him. Can Sam keep his vow?
K.J. Dahlen
I live in a small town (population495) in Wisconsin. From my deck, I can see the Mississippi River on one side and the bluffs, where eagles live and nest on the other side. I live with my husband Dave and dog Buddy. My two children are grown and I have two grandchildren. I love to watch people and that has helped me with my writing. I often use people I watch as characters in my books and I always try to give my characters some of my own values and habits.
I love to create characters and put them in a troubling situation then sit back and let them do all the work. My characters surprise even me at times. At some point in the book, they take on a life of their own and the twists and turns they create becomes the story. Of all the stories, I could write I found I like mystery/thrillers the best. I like to keep my readers guessing until the very end of the book.
MY PREVIOUS BOOKS ARE:
SATAN’S SPAWNMC SERIES:
Spawn &Spitfire, Revenge And Retribution, Babies And Bastards.
The SIN’S BASTARDS SERIES: Silk & Bones, Karma’s Bitch, No Regrets, Hell’s Fury.
Bones, The Darkness Within, Meghan’s Legacy, Shadow Chaser, Witness, Secrets and Lies, Legacy of Murder, The Unknown Son, The Prophet, No One to Hear You Scream, Bradbury Inn, Murderous Intent, Wrong Number, Fall from Grace, The House on Berkley Street, Cards Of Sin, Blood Memories, From Beyond Death and Words To Die For.
My next books coming out are:
In The SIN’S BASTARDS SERIES; LIES AND LIARS, STONE COLD
Phoenix Rising, A Murder in her Past, Words To Die For and From Beyond Death.
AUTHOR INFORMATION
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://smarturl.it/KJDahlen
I am on Facebook and twitter as kjdahlen
My blog is on Facebook at K.J.’s blog
My publishers are:
www.roguephoenixpress.com
www.indigoseapress.com
