by Bijou Hunter
“She doesn’t shut up, does she?”
“No,” I say and wonder how this grumpy hermit will handle Poppy. I’m sure dinner tonight will be fricking fantastic. “What time do you want to come by?”
“Right now.”
“It’s three in the afternoon and no one is at the house.”
“You hiding something you don’t want me to see?” he asks, giving me a devious smile that reminds me of Christine when she thinks she’s caught us in lies.
“Do you know where the house is?”
“Sure. It’s on my pa’s old property.”
“Come around six when everyone is home.”
“Your father won’t be around, will he?”
“No,” I say and immediately decide to invite Jared. “See you then.”
After giving him a tight smile, I walk to where Justice shakes her head.
“He’s going to give the pets fleas,” she says.
“You need to watch your manners.”
“I’ll need to find them first.”
“Cute,” I say, grinning. “Once Zeb leaves, you need to call Dad and ask him to come to dinner. Mom will need backup.”
“Can I call Mom and tell her what happened?”
“No way. You’ll make her crazy before he even shows up.”
“I’ll tell her the news gently,” Justice promises.
“Shut up and call Dad.”
Justice looks over my shoulder. “He’s still here.”
“Ignore him.”
“I’m afraid to look away. What if he’s feral like those people in the Wrong Turn movies?”
“He’s our kin, dummy. If he’s got inbred blood, so do you.”
“Hmm…,” Justice says, tapping her chin. “Having an inbred-tainted bloodline might explain Poppy.”
“I’m leaving,” I say, tossing a few dollars on the counter. “I’m taking these Andes Chocolates Mints.”
“Mint is gross,” she says, taking the money. “Why are you so gross? Oh, never mind. You’re just inbred.”
“That does answer so many questions, doesn’t it?”
Justice smiles at me, but her eyes remain focused on Zeb. “Don’t go until he leaves the store.”
“Nope. I’m out of here. See you at home.”
“I hate you and all you stand for.”
“Don’t care.”
Driving away from the store, I realize an awkward evening with the family is exactly the kind of distraction I need from Donovan’s irresistible smile.
11 Snake Charmers
Donovan
Court stands on the other side of the doorway with a six pack of beer hanging from one hand and a pizza container in the other. After giving him the once over, I try to shut the door. He laughs before kicking it open.
Soon, he gets comfortable in my kitchen. Even wearing a ripped shirt and baggy jeans, he gives off a domesticated vibe. No doubt the strong floral detergent scent his clothes give off has something to do with it.
“Should you really be here?” I ask.
“I tried calling you to set up a meeting somewhere private, but you ignored me.”
“That I did.”
“Are you feeling shy about your crush on Journey?” he asks, smirking at his comment.
“No. I like my privacy. You know that better than anyone.”
“That I do.”
“Why are you here then?”
“I figured you needed someone to gossip with, and I know you don’t have any friends.”
“You figured wrong. Of course, since you came with food, I’ll be hospitable and let you stay long enough to finish the beer and pizza.”
“I figure you would.”
I turn down the TV music station playing George Jones. Kitty stands at the back door, watching Court. I know he smells the pizza and wants pepperoni. I let the dog inside the house where he circles Court a few times before joining me on the couch.
“He’s gotten big,” Court says, sitting on the couch too since I don’t have any chairs in the house.
“That’s right. You haven’t seen him in a year.”
“He never really grew into those silly fucking ears.”
“You’re lucky he’s more interested in the pepperoni than your insults or a hard nose nudge to the crotch would be in your future,” I say, giving Kitty one more slice of meat. “Now that we got the dog talk out of the way, what do you want?”
After stretching his arms along the back of the couch, Court smiles at me. “I noticed you checking out Journey at the fair, and I figured you’d make a move. Then nothing happened for a long damn time. I was just wondering what lit the fire under your ass.”
“There was all that stuff with Justice testifying against Becca. I decided to hold back and let things settle down. I was also on suspension. Now I’m back at work, making me a respectable choice for a smart chick like Journey.”
“She is smart. Tough too. I don’t know how much she wants a relationship, though.”
The entire time Court eats a slice of pizza; his gaze remains on me. I know he’s considering whether to tell me something. I don’t particularly want to know whatever he’s dying to share. I’m not in the mood for bad news about Journey.
“How’s married life treating you?” I ask, hoping to distract him.
“It’s good, man. Waking up with Justice every morning is better than anything I’ve ever known. She is always making me laugh, and she loves me like crazy. It’s the gooey girly love that should smother me but is invigorating instead.”
“Felix must be happy to live with you full time.”
“He’s doing great. His grades are better at school too. Getting to bed every night at a reasonable time and knowing he’s safe really helps him. Matilda is more confident too. She might even end up as mouthy as Justice one day.”
“I don’t know if that’s possible. I only met her once, and she barely shut up.”
“Silence feels wrong to me now.”
“No doubt.”
“Journey wants a baby,” he blurts out.
“Is that right?”
“Yeah. She’s more interested in having a kid than a man. I wasn’t sure if I should tell you. I do hate to gossip, but I figured you’d want to know the score with Journey. I know I would if it was me.”
“She wants a kid. So what? She’s at the age where most chicks are thinking things like that.”
“I wanted you to know she might be looking at you as a sperm donor.”
“Having a kid with someone like Journey would be a step up from anything I planned for myself.”
“Glad you’re cool with it. If you weren’t and blew off Journey, Justice would be pissed.”
“Scary,” I say, grinning as I gulp down a beer.
“Justice is no pushover. She’ll get really quiet and then really loud. She withholds sex and then gets flirty. I swear she’s impossible to defend against.”
“You guys thinking of having a kid?”
“I figured she’d want to, but Justice isn’t ready. She wants to wait a few years.”
“Makes sense. You guys just got married, moved into the house, and have two kids already. Why rush it?”
“I thought it made sense to have a kid before Felix became a teenager. Justice wants me to herself, but I also think she’s afraid of pushing a kid out of her lady bits. Whenever I mention having a baby, she crosses her legs and looks pained.”
Laughing at his expression, I say, “Well, she’s the one who’d do all the hard work, so good for her on being honest.”
“Lying is not Justice’s strong suit.”
“It’s not Journey’s either.”
“Has she tried lying to you a lot?”
“Yeah, but she’s testing me. Everything’s a challenge when it comes to Journey. That’s fine since I’d be hopelessly unprepared for a clingy woman. If Journey chased me, I’d likely change my name and move to another town.”
“Two commitment hating people in a relationship o
ught to be fun to watch.”
“Glad to entertain.”
Court wipes his mouth on his shirt and then frowns at the spot. I grin at his expression.
“Worried your woman will give you a lecture about using a napkin?”
“This is Justice we’re talking about. She uses my shirt as a napkin all of the time especially after quickie sex when she’s at work.”
“I didn’t need that level of details.”
“Don’t be a prude.”
“I don’t mind the fucking image when it comes to Justice, but thinking of you naked makes me nauseous. If that makes me a prude, so be it.”
“Look, man, I know you have your own crap to deal with like work and chasing a woman who isn’t looking to be caught. That’s gonna take up a lot of your day and all, but I need to ask a favor.”
“Of course, you do. Why else bring the beer except to liquor me up so I’ll say yes?”
Court gives me a sly grin. “Yeah, I figured it’d help.”
“What’s the deal? Another snitch you need me to hunt down?”
“No. I got a message from a guy I was friendly with in prison. He was in a hardcore group of fuckers from Charleston and wanted out. I suggested he give Tumbling Rock a try. He’s a big guy. Tough and loyal. Seemed like a good match.”
“Now he’s getting out, and you’re rethinking your offer.”
“Not so much the offer, but I don’t know if I want him coming to the house and being around my kids.”
“What was he in for?”
“He beat the shit out of three guys who messed with his high school girlfriend. They weren’t together anymore, but he still defended her. Sounds heartwarming except he fucked those guys up pretty seriously. Was doing a ten-year stint.”
“You said he’s loyal, but he’s ditching his old crew.”
“Emmett said they went from respectable pimping and drugs into neo-Nazi crap. He wasn’t looking to be in the Klan. I don’t think that’s such a bad reason to ditch a crew. You know we could use fresh blood in Rawkfist. I can imagine him fitting in around here, and the local girls would love him. He’s got a dirty mouth, and that ought to play well. He also likes to hit people and could give us needed muscle. The problem is Emmett might go around hitting people we don’t want hit. I also don’t know if I want him spouting off around Justice and the kids.”
“I think Justice can handle it. I overheard some of the things she whispered to you at the fair.”
Court smiles embarrassed at his foul mouth wife’s suggestions. “Okay, she’d be fine, but I haven’t seen the guy in a few years, and I don’t want to invite him to the house. I figured maybe you’d meet him with me somewhere a bit off the grid. I don’t want anyone gossiping before I’m sure he’s a good fit.”
“No problem. I’m all for you finding more backup in the club. One day, all those old guys will keel over, and you’ll be alone.”
“That might happen no matter what I do.”
“Speaking of old guys, why don’t you bring Jared along with you?”
“He doesn’t think right about stuff since his girls moved back to Tumbling Rock. He’ll see Emmett and wonder if the guy is appropriate to live around his daughters. I don’t care if he’s a pig. I only want to know if Emmett is controllable. I’m not inviting a threat into town.”
“What if you tell him no?”
“I don’t know. He only sent an email saying he was getting out and thought he’d check out Tumbling Rock. I sense for now he isn’t sure of anything. He just doesn’t want to return to Charleston.”
Court in a leadership role feels odd to me. For a long time, he’s been the quiet outsider or the good guy who does bad things. While I get how he wants to save his motorcycle club, Court needs more than one guy to make a crew.
“I’ll help you but don’t share that info with Justice.”
“I can’t lie to her.”
We share a laugh, knowing he’s full of shit. Court finally shakes his head.
“Justice knows I don’t tell her club shit because she doesn’t need or really want to know club shit. Her life is simpler without the details.”
“Good. I don’t need Journey giving me hell for helping you. She’s got plenty of other reasons to give me hell.”
“You two sound like a love match.”
“Fuck off, Boy Scout.”
“So sensitive,” Court says, standing up. “I need to get going. We have someone coming to dinner tonight that’ll be a clusterfuck. Anyway, good luck with your journey with Journey.”
“Funny.”
“Not really. I do hope you guys work out. If I get another man hanging around the family, I’d rather it be you.”
Walking Court to the door, I watch him disappear down the driveway to his Harley. Long after he leaves, his words roll around in my head. I’m once again struck by how I hadn’t considered the long-term consequences of dating Journey. I just wanted her, and that was as far as my thought process went.
“I’ve been alone too damn long,” I tell Kitty.
The dog rests on his side, looking exhausted after his pepperoni meal. I try to envision a life with Journey. Where will we live? Will Kitty get along with her pets? How will I deal with family occasions when I can barely tolerate visiting the Mooney clan I’ve known my entire life?
Unable to imagine such complications, I finish the six pack while fantasizing about simpler things like Journey’s smile and laugh. I recall her bright blue eyes when she’s happy and the faded green ones when she’s grumpy. When my mind remains on easy concepts like her beauty and wanting to kiss her, the tension fades.
I’ll deal with reality another day.
12 Snake Charmers
Journey
Christine is a confident, powerful, intelligent woman. These qualities wouldn’t be evident to anyone witnessing her arrival home tonight. Her blonde hair is wrapped in a bun like on most work days. Having messed with it too much on the drive home, her hair now sticks out in every direction.
“Why did you invite him to dinner tonight?” she asks, rushing into her bedroom.
A disapproving Justice shakes her head and frowns at me. “Yeah, why not next year or five minutes before the sun burns out?”
“I don’t believe in waiting around to do things,” I say, despite how I’ve repeatedly considered calling Donovan to postpone our hiking date.
“You should have asked first,” Christine says, turning on the shower. “I need time to prepare.”
“You’ve been waiting to see him since we moved back here. I’ll cook dinner. We’ll play interference for you, and Jared will come over and draw all of Zeb’s ire. It’ll be fine.”
Christine stops rushing around her bathroom and focuses her gaze on me.
“He’s my dad,” she says, explaining her frayed nerves. “My disappointed father who told me not to marry Jared and who said I was a bad person to leave town. He’s judged everything I ever did.”
“And he looks like a homeless person now. Feel free to judge him right back.”
My mother gives me a tight smile. “You’re right, but it doesn’t make me feel any better.”
“You dealt with your mother issues. You faced your Jared issues.”
Justice leans over my shoulder and whispers, “Not in quite the same ways.”
Not in the mood to remember my parents dry-humping against my SUV in the Kroger parking lot, I bump my sister with my hip to force her out of the room. Once we’re alone, I focus on Christine.
“You’re ready to deal with your father issues,” I promise.
Leaving her to take a shower, I return to the kitchen where Otto and Felix sit at the table. They immediately look up from their homework.
“Who is coming to dinner?” Otto asks in his wannabe alpha voice.
“My grandfather Zeb Earlham.”
“What does he want?”
“Chill on the big man talk,” I warn while looking through our freezer. “What did I tell you about sou
nding like a thug? Better to speak softly so your enemy won’t expect the punch to their face.”
Otto nods because everything I say is golden to his little ears. I don’t know how long he’ll worship my every fart, but I’m taking advantage of it for now.
“Is Zeb nice like your grandmother?” Felix asks.
A laughing Poppy ruffles his dark hair. “I think that was sarcasm.”
“Jared doesn’t believe in sarcasm,” Justice reminds her step-son. “He won’t acknowledge it. So if you notice him ignoring everything I say, that’s why.”
The boys glance at each other and share a look. Justice does the same with Poppy. I have no one to share a look with, so I frown at our fat gray cat, Thelma.
“We’re having pork chops for dinner,” I announce when everyone remains too quiet. “I’ll throw in a few extra for Jared and Zeb. No sweat.”
Justice joins me in the kitchen. “I’ll help. I don’t want you hogging all the obedient daughter points.”
Handing her a knife, I gesture at the cabbage. Poppy sits in her spot on the floor and reads a school book. The next hour is quiet while the kids do homework and then watch a movie. Only Matilda shows any interest in helping with dinner.
A half hour later, I hear my father’s Harley heading up the driveway. Justice opens the door for him. Even in a simple black shirt and jeans, he looks ready to seduce his former wife.
“Why am I here exactly?” he asks upon entering the house.
Poppy frowns. “Shouldn’t you have asked that before driving over?”
My father quickly learned to ignore a troublemaking Poppy, and he does so tonight.
“Your grandfather won’t want to see me tonight any more than he did when you girls were little. Last time I saw him, he was walking along the side of the road. When I stopped to see if he needed any help, he pulled a knife on me and said I stole his daughter’s dreams.”
“Poor bastard,” I say, patting his shoulder. “Did he hurt your feelings?”
Jared gives me a little smile and then loses it when Justice saddles up next to him.
“Why not be the hero here, Pa? If you draw all of the homeless man’s rage, Mom can relax.”
Jared stares at us. I wait for him to say something, but he’s figuring out if helping Christine is worth suffering through the old man’s hate.
