Shiloh showed at the top of the stairs a few moments later.
She was in a pair of extremely short pajama shorts, and an old SWAT t-shirt of mine.
My blood heated at the sight of her. She was even more beautiful now than she was when I met her all those years ago.
“Kayla went to go visit Dougie.” She said.
My eyes watched the play of emotions that came and went on my wife’s face. “When?”
I knew she’d go. I just hadn’t expected her to do it on her graduation night.
“She left about five minutes ago.” Shiloh explained.
Sighing, I stood up, grabbed the t-shirt that was laying on the back of the recliner, and tugged it on over my head. Walking up the stairs, I gave Shiloh a peck on the lips and a smack on the ass as I passed, and walked through the back door and out into the night.
It wasn’t until I was passing the damn thing that I realized that Kayla and Kayla’s car were still in the driveway.
She was sitting in the driver’s seat with her head resting on the steering wheel. Her hair was still curly from her graduation ceremony, covering her face from my view.
I stopped next to the door, opened it, and crouched down. “What’s wrong, pretty girl?”
Kayla’s eyes met mine, and I realized she was crying.
I knew why, too. It didn’t take a genius. Today was a big day for her. It was life changing. And life changing events make you realize what you do and don’t have any longer.
“I miss my dad.” She sniffled.
Knowing what she needed, I stood and offered my hand.
“You want to go visit him?” I asked, looking into her watery eyes.
She nodded, handed me her keys, which I pocketed, and followed me to the bike.
An hour later, I heard Kayla’s hesitant voice in my ear. “Not that I don’t love riding with you, but we’re not going the right way. The cemetery’s that way.” She said, pointing in the opposite direction.
Before I answered, I pulled over, wanting to explain a little better without the distraction of road noise before we continued.
I didn’t turn around though. Instead, I stared out at the sun setting low in the sky. The pink, orange, and bluish hues of the sky making the perfect backdrop for what I had in mind.
“I don’t think of your dad being buried in that cemetery. That’s not really where he’s at. Sure, that’s where his remains are, but I feel him the most when I’m out riding. Remembering the laughter in his voice when he told a stupid joke. Remembering how much he loved you, and bragged about you when you were a little girl. The way he protected us during our missions. The way he treated his mother like a queen.”
“That why you don’t visit the grave anymore, J?” Kayla whispered, leaning her head against my back.
“I visit. I just don’t want anybody watching when I water my beard, so I go alone.” I teased.
Kayla snorted. “Show me more of my dad.”
So I did, telling old goofy stories of him through the headset built in to the helmet.
We drove until I could feel Kayla’s head leaning so heavily against my back that I knew she’d be asleep soon if I didn’t take her home.
I hadn’t intended to drive so long, but it was nice to show Kayla how I remembered her dad. Commemorated his existence.
I pulled the old Harley into the driveway and got Kayla settled into her room before I ran a check over the house. I locked the doors, checked the windows, fed the dog, and checked on the kids, before heading in to my own room and stripping my clothes off.
I eased down in the bed as carefully as possible, but as always, I woke her when I looped my arms around her.
“What time is it?” She asked as I pulled her warm body closer into my arms.
“Little after three.” I murmured, running my face along her naked, exposed neck.
“What took so long?” She asked.
“I was showing Shiloh how I visited Dougie.” I rasped, snuggling even closer into her soft pliant body.
“As long as you didn’t show her how fast you normally visit him, we’re good.” She snorted softly.
“I’d never do that with Kayla. Only with you, baby.”
“Yeah, I’m sure Dougie wouldn’t like you showing her how to ride it like you stole it.” She laughed quietly.
The woman always knew the right thing to say. I’d be lost without her.
“No, he definitely would not.” He said, closing his eyes and drifting off, knowing he’d wake in the morning to another beautiful day with his little slice of heaven.
My Texas Tornado.
The End
Author’s Note
I’d just like to say thank you for reading James’ book, and most likely, the entire Freebird series. Although it is the last in the series, it certainly won’t be the last that you see of the Free family. They all have a special place in my heart, and they’ll play a large role in quite a few stories to come. Plus, Blaine and Elliott will get their time in their very own novella, too!
There will be a spin off series with Sebastian and the Heroes of the Dixie Wardens MC coming soon. I wanted everyone to get to know Sebastian and Silas a little better, and you’ll get that with the first book in that series, Lights to My Siren.
Luke and Downy along with the other members of the Kilgore SWAT will also have their time in the spot light, soon!
Once again, I want to thank you for reading my series, and I would LOVE it if you left a review on Goodreads, Amazon, or B&N.
Please feel free to tell me what bothered the crap out of you. I love good reviews, too! Good or bad, I want to hear about it!
My readers kick ass! Thank you for taking time out or your life to spend it with me and the Free family!
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty One
Chapter Twenty Two
Chapter Twenty Three
Chapter Twenty Four
Chapter Twenty Five
Chapter Twenty Six
Chapter Twenty Seven
Epilogue
Author’s Note
Texas Tornado Page 32
