by K. J. Dahlen
By the time they reached the clubhouse, they were all laughing and giggling. The tension from earlier was gone completely and the women were fast becoming good friends. When they got back, the dooryard was filled with bikes.
Melora recognized Sam’s bike as well as Mountain’s and his brothers.
When everyone went inside, the men were laughing and having a good time. Little Sam, Jemmia and Jesse Jr. were over in a fenced off area playing with Alaina, Benny and Jack. When the women arrived, the whole extended family was together again. Cassie, Peaches and Reva joined their men and Sam pulled Melora down on his lap and Mountain did the same to Izzy.
~* * * *~
Quinn just rolled her eyes at all the coupling and sat by herself next to Mountain’s brother, Chance. She picked up the nearest beer bottle and took a sip. Wrinkling her nose at the warm brew, she set the bottle back on the table.
Chance snorted then picked up the bottle and drained it. Then he reached for two cold beers from the cooler on the floor beside him and after taking of the cap, he handed her the cold brew. “Try this one. At least it’s cold.”
Quinn took a sip and nodded. “Better.”
~* * * *~
Sam wrapped his arm around Melora’s big belly and smoothed his hands down along her front. He could feel the baby moving. “So what have you girls been doing today?”
Cassie glanced over at him and grinned. “We’ve been baby shopping. Your son now has clothes, a crib and everything he’ll ever need.”
“Is that right?” Sam stiffened as he glanced at Melora. His tone sounded grim. “I thought that would be something you and I would do together.”
“Sam, I’m sorry,” Melora said softly. “I didn’t know you were interested in that sort of thing.”
He shrugged. “I’ve never done it before and I thought it would’ve been nice to pick out the furniture together.”
“Well, he’s all set up now,” Cassie stated. “He’s gonna be the best dressed baby in Troy.”
Sam’s hand stilled on her belly, he then began rubbing her baby bump again. The baby began kicking. After one rather vicious kick, Melora gasped and tried to move away.
Sam wouldn’t let her go. “What’s the matter?” he frowned.
“I don’t think the baby likes the fact that you’re mad,” she whispered back.
Sam stilled his hand. “He can sense that?”
Melora nodded and placed her hand on her belly. ‘Yeah, I think he can.”
Sam stared at her stomach for a moment then began gently caressing it again. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to take it out on you or the baby.” He sighed. “I told you before I wanted to be involved with this baby and I feel like you’re not letting that happen.”
“I’m sorry but I didn’t know the girls were going to do this today,” Melora defended.
“Do you still want me to go to your doctor appointment with you tomorrow?” he asked.
“Yeah, I do. The doctor wants to do another sonogram to check how well he’s growing.”
Sam grinned. “I think he’s growing just fine.”
Melora chuckled. “Well, his momma is getting bigger, that’s for sure.”
Sam’s eyes darkened as he whispered, “His momma looks just fine. And she feels even better.”
Melora smiled and as she looked away, she caught a puzzling look from Quinn. Sam’s daughter had a look of longing on her face but as soon as she saw Melora watching her, she hid her feelings. Melora thought back to their conversation in the store and she knew what Quinn wanted. She wanted her dad to accept her. Accept her and maybe even love her. Maybe someone should clue Sam in.
She turned to her uncles. “So how is the new shop coming? Are you guys ready to start building your little hot rods yet?” She stifled her laugh at the almost silent growls from the bikers sitting around the table. She glanced innocently over at her uncle Chance and found him staring back at her.
“As a matter of fact we are.” Her uncle Bowie replied. “Talon found us a good place and we’ve just been renovating the place next door into apartments for us to live in. We’ll open for business next week. We also have part of the shop to show off our work. We brought a couple of our older cars with us when we moved.” He glanced over at Mountain. “We even brought your dad’s first car along.”
Mountain sat up straight and stared at his brother. “You brought my Deuce along?”
Bowie grinned. “Why do you think we wouldn’t let you look in the trucks? We wanted it to be a surprise.”
“Damn,” Mountain sat back and hugged Izzy even closer. “I can’t wait to get that baby running in top form again.”
“Yeah,” Chance agreed. “It might need a little work. It’s been sitting there collecting dust for the last twenty seven years.” He looked over at Melora. “Your dad built that thing before he went in the service, then after he got out, he did his biker thing. Our dad wouldn’t let us touch Talon’s baby though. He said one day, he’d be back and he’d finish it.” He shook his head. “I just wish Dad would have lived to see it.”
Mountain sobered for a moment then told everyone, “The sign came today. We can hang it tomorrow.”
“What sign?” Izzy asked.
“Well, when my brothers showed up out of the blue like they did and they wanted to go into business with me and the boys, Iceman told me I’d have to get a sign for the shop. He told me where to go and I ordered a huge sign for the front.” Mountain paused then said with his hands spread wide, “It says ‘Morgan Brothers Custom Hot Rods’ on the top and then underneath it reads ‘Associated with the Sin’s Bastards Custom Bikes.’ ”
This announcement got everyone’s attention and the next few minutes they all toasted the new business.
Melora watched everyone’s faces and knew this was as good as life could be at the moment. Then she changed her mind. Life could be better if only Sam could admit how he feels, not only to her but to his daughter as well.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Over the next two months, life settled down into a routine. Izzy and Mountain were now an item and Quinn was getting closer to Chance, much to Sam’s displeasure. Not that he said anything but he watched them like hawks.
The Morgan brothers shop was up and running and the boys were busy. Mountain had told Deke and the boys there was room enough for both shops and he was right. Hot rods and bikes were gaining popularity and orders from all over the state were coming in.
Quinn had made her peace with Deke but hadn’t yet with Sam and that had him on edge. He still had no clue what to do about her.
Quinn found a job at Redemption House working with the kids there. She was a teacher by trade and hadn’t found a job in the school system yet, so she worked at the House. Everyone there had come to love the days when Quinn was there. Her easygoing manner was good for the kids. Their lives were disrupted enough and Quinn brought some structure back for them.
Melora and Sam were on their way to another doctor appointment. At eight months along, her belly was huge and she was more than ready to deliver the baby. She’d griped to Sam about how she hated the fact that she waddled instead of walked and her belly definitely lead the way everywhere she went.
“So how did you sleep last night?” Sam asked as he drove downtown.
“I didn’t,” Melora grumbled. “Your son couldn’t get comfortable and that means his momma couldn’t either.”
Sam chuckled under his breath. “I still think you’re beautiful, Silk/”
Melora snapped her head around and glared at him. “I could almost hate you right now, do you know that?”
Sam raised an eyebrow. “What did I do?”
She groaned. “My whole body hurts so bad and I could really use one of your massages and I can’t get one.”
“All you have to do is ask you know.” He grinned at her. “I would be more than happy to get you back in my bed.”
Melora stared out the window for a moment then she turned to stare at him. “I guess I’m
going to have to ask.”
“Ask what?” Sam frowned.
“Do you have any feelings for me at all Sam?”
Sam’s frown deepened and after a moment, he pulled the truck over and parked it. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
Melora shrugged. “Just what I asked. Do you have any feelings for me at all? Not as the mother of your baby but me, as a woman?”
“I heard the question. I just don’t know why you’re asking it. Of course, I have feelings for you. I’m still here aren’t I?”
Melora shook her head. “Yeah, you’re still here but what does that mean?”
Sam glared at her. “It means that for the first time in my life, I’m staying right where I am. I’m going to watch this kid be born and I’m going to watch him grow up. I wish you and the baby were living with me, so I could be part of his life on a daily basis and I’m not giving up on that but lord, you are a stubborn woman. I’m letting it go for now but someday, you’ll be with me. Both of you will.”
~* * * *~
Melora swallowed hard and turned to stare out the window. This wasn’t what she wanted to hear. He only cared about her because she was carrying his baby. She wanted to know how he felt about her. “So you care about your baby.”
Sam reached out and cupped her chin. Pulling her head back to him he said, “ Dammit, I love you woman, both of you. I fell so hard for you…a woman half my age, the first night you came to my bed. I couldn’t believe you would waste your time with an old man like me but I was taking whatever you wanted to give me. After that first time, you belonged to me and I will never let you go.”
“You love me?” Melora whispered. That was the only part she really heard.
“Of course, I do.” Sam glared at her. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”
“Oh, Sam!” she cried out as she tried to throw herself at him. Her belly got in the way and the kiss she hoped to plant on his lips fell short. Instead, she kissed his arm.
Sam reached out and hauled her into his arms. His mouth crashed down on hers and his tongue invaded her mouth. When he finally let her go he asked, “What did I do to deserve that?”
“You told me you loved me,” she whispered with tears in her eyes. “I’ve been waiting for a long time to hear those words.”
Sam groaned. “All this time I thought you knew. I’ve lusted after a lot of women in my life but none of them have ever held me the way you do. My feelings for you are so much more than I ever felt before.” He paused then added, “I thought I found love once before with Junie but even that isn’t a patch on what I feel for you.”
“A woman likes to hear the words, you stupid man.” She slapped his chest. “I knew you wanted the baby but I never knew you wanted me. I knew we were combatable in bed but you never said how you felt about me.”
“You never said it either,” Sam reminded her.
She lifted her hands to cup his face. “I love you, Bones. I didn’t know it when I first came to your bed but I think if I didn’t have strong feelings for you, I never would have given myself to you.”
“So, you weren’t looking for a father figure in your life?” he had to ask as his face showed how troubled he felt over the possibility.
Melora shook her head. “I told you already, I never thought of you as a father. I may never have known him at that time of my life but as I said before, you can’t miss what you never had. I’ve always wanted you as a man and I still do.”
“Then marry me and give my son my name.” Sam rested his hand on her belly. The baby chose that moment to kick and they both felt it. “See?” He grinned. “He agrees too. He wants his daddy’s name.”
Melora laughed and moved back in her seat. “I’m not sure we can get married before he’s born but we can try.” She patted his leg. “But first, we have to get to this doctor’s appointment.”
Sam reached forward and turned the key. When he parked in front of the doctor’s office he turned to her. “We will get married before this baby is born.”
“We’ll see. A wedding is a lot of work and it can’t be thrown together in less than a month. It might be better to wait until the baby is born, so we can enjoy it.”
“Nope, ain’t gonna happen,” Sam insisted. “I want my ring on your finger, you with me and the baby needs a name.”
Melora didn’t say anything. When they were in the doctor’s office waiting for their turn she turned to Sam. “I think you need to talk to Quinn.”
Sam frowned. “What for?”
“She’s your daughter.”
“So? What’s that got to do with anything?”
“Do you care for her at all?” Melora asked.
Sam nodded. “Of course, I do. She’s my kid.”
“I think you need to tell her that.”
“Why?”
“Because she needs to hear the words too, you dumb man.” She rolled her eyes. “All her life, she’s been watching you watching her from a distance. She knows her mother cared for you all her life but she doesn’t know how you feel about her and she needs to know you love her. That you want her around.” Melora hesitated then said, “I know how she feels. I didn’t know my own father until he came looking for me. He let me know he wanted to find me and that meant the world to me. I think she needs to know that you want her.”
“Is that why she fought being here? Because she didn’t know?” Sam looked troubled.
“I think so. She just needs to know she matters to someone.”
Sam sat there thinking for a long time. Before he could say anything, a nurse called Melora back to the exam rooms. He followed and when they were sitting there he asked, “Is that why she watches me when she thinks I’m not looking?”
Melora nodded. “I think she wants to know she belongs here.”
The doctor came in and then he was doing the sonogram. When the baby could be seen on the monitor, Dr. Peters studied his size a moment. “I think this little guy is ready to be born,” he finally said.
“But he isn’t due for another month!” Melora exclaimed.
“I know that and you know that but he doesn’t realize that.” Dr. Peters chuckled. “Don’t worry this sometimes happens. He’s a pretty good size and if you carry him full term, I’ll be surprised.”
Melora gave Sam a worried look then she looked back at the doctor. “Will he be okay, even if he does come early?”
“I think so. His heartbeat looks good and he doesn’t seem to be in distress.” Dr. Peters took some pictures and then sat back. “I think we should go with weekly visits until he’s born. I just want to keep an eye on him.”
Melora nodded as Sam helped her sit up. “As long as he’s ok.”
“I’m sure he’ll be just fine,” the doctor assured her. “The main thing here is not to worry. Worry just adds stress and that’s the last thing we want right now. The baby will know where it’s time to be born.”
“Ok, I guess I’ll have to trust you in that regard.” She nodded.
“Don’t worry. Your son is doing very well.” Dr. Peters told them as he made his way to the door.
After he left, Melora looked over at Sam.
He seemed distracted by the picture of his son.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
Sam nodded as he studied the photo. When he looked up, he smiled. “He’s almost here. I can’t wait to finally meet this little one.” Tucking the picture in his shirt pocket, he took her by the elbow. “Come on, I have something to get for his momma.”
“Oh, what would that be, a wheelbarrow to haul him around with?” she joked.
“No I need to put a ring on your finger, Silky Girl. We also need to make another appointment for the blood test we need to get married as soon as we can.”
“Yeah, maybe we should wait on getting married.”
“No we won’t.” Sam shook his head. “I want the baby to have my name before he’s born, not after.”
“We’ll see,” she said as they made their way
to his truck.
The first place they stopped was a jewelry store. When Sam opened the door, Melora dragged her feet going inside. She wasn’t sure she wanted this right now. She rubbed her belly as Sam began looking at wedding bands. She gazed around but nothing he was looking at caught her eye.
She began wandering around to the next counter then something did catch her eye. It was a ring made of gold with a blue stone. The blue gem matched her birthstone and she fell in love with the ring. She glanced up and found Sam watching her with narrowed eyes.
He stepped over and saw the ring she’d been looking at. It was a smaller stone and the antique look of the band told everyone it wasn’t a wedding band. “Is that the one you want?” he asked quietly.
Melora nodded.
“Are you sure? It’s not the traditional wedding ring. It isn’t a diamond.”
“No but it’s a beautiful ring.” She shrugged. “There isn’t anything traditional about me anyway. I’ve never been one for diamonds anyway. I think they’re too cold. This ring doesn’t look cold.”
He shook his head as he chuckled. “Ok, if that’s the one you want, then that’s the one you’ll get.” Calling over the salesperson, he pointed out the ring.
When she tried it on the fit was perfect. So, they didn’t even need it to be resized. It was meant to be, Melora decided. Still, she wasn’t so sure about the whole wedding idea.
While Sam settled the bill, Melora looked around and found a band she liked for him. She would have to come back for it but she knew he would love it. She would surprise him when they did get married.
~* * * *~
Back at the clubhouse, it was Quinn who noticed the ring first. “Whoa!” she called out as Melora and Sam entered the building. She came over to Melora and held up her hand. “Does this mean what I think it does?”
