by Wilder, L.
When we walked in, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the inside was much nicer than the exterior. It was very clean with country memorabilia hanging on the walls and picnic tables for seating. The place was packed, so it took a few minutes to find an empty spot. As soon as we were seated, I took a quick glance around at all the people, and none of them seemed to notice or care that Jackson and I weren’t from around the area. In fact, they didn’t seem to notice us at all, which suited me just fine. I’d just turned my attention back to Jackson when one of the waitresses came over to take our order. “Hey, y’all. How y’all making it today?”
“Doing good. You?” Jackson politely asked her.
“I’m doing the best I can.” She smiled. “My name’s Holly. I’ll be taking your order today. Can I get you two something to drink?”
She was a young girl, maybe eighteen or nineteen, and she was pregnant—very pregnant. Looking at her reminded me of the days right before Tate was born and how terrified I was about becoming a mother. I felt so lost and alone, and whenever I thought about having to raise my son on my own, I would become overwhelmed with panic. While my mother tried her best to be understanding and supportive, my father was too ashamed to even look at me. He remained distant for months, and even now, there are moments when I wonder if he’ll ever get over it. As I looked at her standing there with no ring on her finger, I wondered if she was having a similar experience. After Jackson had given her his drink order, I smiled at her and replied, “I’ll have a sweet tea.”
“All righty. I’ll go grab your drinks while you decide what you wanna eat. Our special today is either the tuna casserole for $4.99 or a cheeseburger with fries for $5.99, but you’re welcome to order anything you’d like from the menu.”
“Thanks, Holly.”
As she walked away, Jackson leaned towards me and whispered, “Poor thing looks like she’s about to pop.”
“She probably feels that way too. When I was that far along with Tate, I could barely walk across the room without feeling like I had to go to the bathroom.”
A solemn look crossed his face as he sat back in his seat and sighed. “I hate that I missed it. I would’ve liked to see you carrying our son.”
“Well, if it makes you feel any better, it wasn’t a pretty sight.”
“I bet you were beautiful.” An awkward silence fell upon as we sat there staring at each other. After several moments, he gave me a despondent shrug and said, “I just wish things could’ve been different. I missed out on so much … more than I even realized.”
“I know, and to be honest, I did, too. Had I known what I know now, I would’ve tried harder to let you know what was going on.”
Before he had a chance to respond, Holly returned with our drinks. As she placed them on the table, she asked, “Have you decided what you’re having?”
“I’ll take the cheeseburger—medium rare, and the fries.”
Jackson nodded and said, “I’ll have the same.”
“You got it. If there isn’t anything else, I’ll go put this in.”
“Nope, we’re good.” Once she’d left, Jackson looked back over to me and said, “I talked to Gus earlier. He wanted you to know that your folks are doing okay.”
“Oh, thank you for telling me that. I’ve been so worried about them, especially after the way I had to leave without really explaining everything that happened. Mom had all these questions, and it was so hard not to answer them.” As I fiddled with my napkin, I went on, “Dad, on the other hand, was angry about the whole thing, but that came as no surprise. He’s always mad at me about something.”
“I’m sorry, Reece. I know that has to be tough.”
“It is, but I’m used to it.”
A hopeful look crossed his eyes as he asked, “Do you think things with your dad will ever get back to the way they used to be?”
“Maybe, but it would take something big like winning the SBJ Award or the Pulitzer for an article I’d written. Unfortunately, that’s not gonna happen.”
“I don’t know. It might. Have you thought about what you’re going to do about your article on Navarro’s cartel?”
“Actually, I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. People might be interested to hear about what happened from my perspective, especially if Josue goes to prison.”
“I think you’re right, but be careful. Even if he goes to prison, there’ll be people out there who don’t want his story told.”
“I’m sure you’re right about that. I guess that’s something I need to consider.”
“Just know that whatever you decide, I’ll have your back.”
“Thanks, Jackson. That means more than you know.”
“Anything for you … baby cakes.”
“Baby cakes? Really? Where do you come up with these things?”
“Just trying to be creative,” he taunted. “Don’t worry. I’ll come up with the right one. You’ll see.”
Right then, Holly brought over our food. The burgers looked amazing and they tasted even better. After a few bites, I looked up at him and said, “You were right. The food is really good.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
“So, I have a question for you.”
“Okay. Shoot.”
“You told me there are things about the club that you can’t tell me, and I get that … well, I kind of do, but what are some things that you can tell me?”
“What do you want to know?”
I took a minute to think, then answered, “Why does a person join a club like yours in the first place?”
“Guys don't just join a club for the sake of doing so, especially one like ours. They join because that particular club offers a purpose. Every club has its own ideals or philosophies, and of course, those who join add their own individual personalities. That’s what makes each club different from the other—so, if you can find the one that fits your purpose, you prospect and hope for the best.”
“So, what was it about Satan’s Fury that drew you in?”
“It was all about the brotherhood. The relationships I have with these men are like no other. I’d do anything for them.”
“You all seem to get along really well, which is saying something since there are so many of you, and all with such strong personalities.” I took a sip of my tea, then added, “I don’t know how you do it, but it works.”
“It works because we respect one another. Without that, and discipline, you have nothing.”
“You seem very passionate about this.”
“I am,” he admitted freely. “Until you and Tate, the club was all that really mattered to me.”
“I think that’s truly amazing. I’m not sure that I’ve ever felt so strongly about anything before.” I studied him for a moment, then asked, “I know your job at the club has something to do with computers. What about the others?”
“We own Daisy’s Diner, where Louise and her brother, Cyrus, work with a couple of the prospects, and we own the garage. Most of the guys work there, and I help out when I can.”
“So, you work and ride together.”
“We do.” He finished off his burger and smiled as he said, “We work hard and play even harder.”
“I bet you do,” I scoffed. “I can only imagine what partying with you guys would be like.”
“You’ll see soon enough. Once this trial is over, we’ll have us one hell of a celebration.”
“I like the sound of that.”
Jackson glanced down at his watch and said, “It’s after twelve. I need to get back and relieve Murphy.”
“Okay. I’m ready when you are.”
While Jackson paid the bill, I reached into my purse for my cash. I took out all that I had with me and put it on the table for Holly’s tip. It wasn’t much, but I hoped that it would brighten her day. Once Jackson was done at the register, I followed him out the door and over to the truck. As we were getting in, he asked, “So, I was right?”
“Yes, Jackson. You were
right. This hole-in-the-wall diner was actually good.”
“Good. That’s two points for me.”
“Two points? When did we start keeping points, and how did you end up with two?”
“I figured it would help keep us on track,” he replied as he started the truck. “I got one point for last night when I did that thing you liked so much, and I got another one today for being right about the diner.”
“Fine. I’ll agree to those two points, but what about me? How many points do I have?”
“No idea. You’re the one who has to decide when you think you deserve the point. If we both agree, then it’s yours.”
“Okay, I think I can work with that.”
As soon as we made it back up the mountain, we went over and picked up Tate from Sue Ellen. I thought she’d be worn out from keeping him for so long, but she genuinely seemed disappointed that he was leaving. While we were gathering his things, she informed me that he’d been a little fussy and running a low-grade fever. It was time for his secondary back molars to come in, so we hoped it was just that and not a cold coming on. After we both thanked her for watching him, we rushed up to the cabin. As soon as we pulled up, T-Bone and Crow came out to help unload. After Jackson opened up the back, he looked over to T-Bone and asked, “How’s the mare doing?”
“It was a damn mess, brother. I thought we were going to lose them both, but Jed kept his cool and ended up saving them.”
“Glad to hear that.” Jackson shook his head as he said, “That Jed is really something. Not much he can’t do.”
“You ain’t lying, brother.”
“Well, I hate to leave you with all these groceries, but I need to go relieve Murphy.”
“No problem. We’ve got it,” Crow assured him.
With that, Jackson headed to the back to find Murphy. While the guys brought everything inside, I put Tate in his highchair and gave him a snack, hoping it would keep him entertained while I put things away. That worked for about a second, and then the whining started. I gave him some Tylenol and one of his favorite popsicles, but nothing seemed to work. I wanted to get dinner started but couldn’t get anything done with him feeling so off-kilter. I’d just taken him out of his highchair and was about to go rock him when Murphy walked in. From the time we’d first arrived at the cabin, Murphy hadn’t shaved or cut his hair, making him look a little menacing with his thick beard and unruly waves, but I’d quickly learned that there was a softer side to Murphy, especially when it came to Tate. His voice was all kinds of sweet as he looked down at my pouting son and asked, “What’s wrong, big man?”
“No,” he fussed.
I shrugged then said, “I think he’s got some molars coming in, but I’m not sure. I was going to try rocking him for a minute to see if it would settle him down.”
Murphy took a quick glance behind me, and when he saw all the pots and pans scattered on the counter, he asked, “You cooking something?”
“I was going to, but it doesn’t look like he’s going to let that happen.”
“I could watch him for you,” he offered.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I don’t mind a bit.” When he glanced down at Tate, he asked, “Do you have toy or something he might wanna play with?”
I thought for a moment, then said, “Yeah. Let me run upstairs and see what I can find.”
With Tate in tow, I rushed upstairs to find something that might entertain him for a bit. I picked up a few toy cars, but he pouted, “No.”
I dropped them back in the toy box and took out a few trains. “How about this?”
“No.”
This went on for several minutes, and then I remembered that my old iPad was still in the bottom of Tate’s diaper bag. It had a few videos downloaded on it, and a couple of games he used to like. As I hurried into my room to get it, I said, “I have something you might like.”
As Tate spotted it, his eyes lit up and he said, “I unt.”
“Okay, but you have to be careful with it.”
I grabbed the extra-long charger that I’d stored in my luggage, then went downstairs to charge it up. I hadn’t used it since I’d gotten a new one from my job, so I wasn’t sure if it would even work. When the screen came on, I smiled and said, “Here we go, sweetie. Let’s pick you out a movie to watch.”
I was searching through the old movies when Murphy asked, “Where’d that come from?”
“What?”
“The iPad?”
“It’s an old one I had. The stupid thing only works half the time, but it will still play the videos I downloaded.”
“You need to let Riggs check it out.”
“I will when he finishes his shift.”
“Good.” He leaned back in his recliner and asked, “Hey, sport. You wanna watch something with me?”
Tate nodded in excitement. I chose one of the movies he used to love, then lowered him onto Murphy’s lap. As soon as they were settled, I started the movie and gave the iPad to Tate. And just like that, they were both zoned in on the screen. Seeing that they were both content, I went back into the kitchen and started cooking. I didn’t hear a peep out of either of them as I fixed a big pot of chili and corn bread. Since they were both doing so well together, I decided I’d go ahead and make banana pudding for dessert. Once I had everything ready, I went to check on the boys. When I walked into the living room, I found Murphy sound asleep in the recliner with his head resting on his shoulder as he snored like an old man. Seemingly unbothered by the racket, Tate was still sitting in his lap watching his video. “Hey, sweetheart. You ready to eat some super? I made you some chicken nuggets.”
“Um-hmm,” he replied with a nod.
I reached down, and as I lifted him into my arms, I noticed that the iPad was no longer playing the movie I’d put on. Apparently, Tate had opened several tabs, and my screen was filled with notifications requesting updates for this and for that. Tate started to wiggle and whine, so instead of taking the time to go through every tab and close them out, I simply powered the whole thing down. I set it on top of the sofa and went back into the kitchen. I put Tate in his highchair, and as soon as I had his plate ready, I called the guys in for dinner. Seconds later, T-Bone and Crow came rushing into the kitchen with Murphy lagging a few seconds behind. T-Bone lifted his nose in the air as he asked, “Cornbread and chili?”
“Yep. With banana pudding for dessert.”
“And that’s why you’re awesome.”
“Thanks, T-Bone. I hope you enjoy it.”
“You know, you’re gonna spoil us with all this good food, Reece. I don’t know what we’re gonna do when we have to go back home,” Crow told me, then put a big smile on his face.
“I’m sure you’ll manage just fine.”
I watched as they all filled their bowls with chili and started eating. It was hard to believe how much they’d come to mean to me over these past few weeks, and while I wanted to go home so very desperately, I knew I would miss each and every one of them. They made me feel like I was a part of their family. I just hoped that when this was all said and done, they’d still feel that way.
19
Riggs
The last month and a half had taken its toll on everyone, making us all feel on edge, but nothing like the effect it was having on Reece. With the trial date inching closer, she was becoming increasingly more anxious. When I asked her about it, she told me she this strange feeling that something was wrong. At first, I thought it had something to do with the weather. It had been snowing for days, and with the freezing temperatures, she hadn’t been able to go outside or even visit with Sue Ellen. I figured she was just dealing with a case of cabin fever, but she didn’t agree. Hoping to settle her nerves, I had her call and talk to Detective Rayburn, and when that didn’t help, I suggested that she call the prosecutor. Even though neither of them had any pertinent news, she was still feeling off center, so I decided to try a different tactic all together. While she took a hot bath, I went into
our bedroom and made us a spot in front of the fire and turned on some soft blues music. A surprised look crossed her face when she walked back into the bedroom and noticed the blankets and pillows on the floor. “What’s all this?”
“I thought you could use a little break.” I offered her a glass of wine and asked, “Is Tate asleep?”
“Oh, yeah. He’s been out for hours.”
“Good.”
I reached for her hand and led her over to the spot I’d made on the floor. With the music quietly playing in the background, I lay my head down on one of the pillows as Reece curled up next to me. We both watched the flames dance in the darkness as the snow blanketed the ground outside. Having her lying next to me was the perfect way to spend the night, and I was glad to hear that she felt the same. “Thank you, Jackson. This is just what I needed.”
“No need to thank me, Reece. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”
She leaned towards me and gave me a brief kiss before saying, “I know that.”
I wondered if she knew just how serious I was. Hell, I’d move heaven and earth for her. She and I just seemed to fit, like two puzzle pieces who’d finally found their place. She was everything I’d ever wanted and more, and on top of that, she given me a son—a family that I could call my own. I didn’t know how I had gotten so lucky to find Reece, but now that I had her, there was nothing in this world I wouldn’t do to keep her. “I’ve been thinking ...”
“Oh, yeah? What have you been thinking about?”
“Do you remember me telling you that Alejandra was Shadow’s ol’ lady?”
“I do.”
“Do you have any idea what that means?”
She shrugged as she answered, “I figured it meant she was his girlfriend.”
“It means a lot more than that. It means they are completely committed to each other, that he has devoted his life to her in every way. I want that for us.” I reached for her hand, and as I slipped a ring on her finger, I said, “I knew the minute I saw you that you were someone special … someone I wanted … the one I needed in my life. I knew it then, and I know it now. You and Tate mean everything to me, and if you give me the chance, I’ll do everything in my power to make you both happy. So, I’m asking you, Reece Winters … will you let me have the next fifty or sixty years to show you just how much I love you? Will you be my wife?”
