18. Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Eighteen
T hey’d decided to make the trip from Logan Falls to Bluff Creek in one day. He’d wanted to have Lexi wrapped around him again but had known a six-hour trip was too much for Lexi when they’d only ridden short half-hour trips before today. She’d still wanted to ride part of the way, so they’d stopped in Wellington for a bathroom break and for her to get on behind him.
He'd loved showing her the hills between Medicine Lodge and Coldwater on the way to Bluff Creek. They were about a mile from the compound. He wasn’t sure who was driving the RV. It had been a fight between a couple of them, and Booker had walked away because it didn’t concern him.
He made the turn into the compound and parked his bike. Whoever was driving the RV parked it behind the garage. Baron had said there would be a place for it by the time they arrived.
The last three weeks had been amazing, and he was so excited about this weekend. Instead of Three Weddings and a Funeral, this weekend was three baby showers and a wedding. Well, really only one huge baby shower that lasted most of the day. Their wedding was set for Saturday, and the baby showers were all afternoon Sunday. The group text that somehow he and Lexi had been added to had gotten a little crazy this last week.
The last text had mentioned that there was going to be a combined bachelorette and bachelor party. He’d told the guys he didn’t need a bachelor party, especially regarding getting blitzed or strippers. He wanted to be completely sober and not hungover when he married the woman of his dreams tomorrow.
With her dad gone, Lexi had asked her mom to walk her down the aisle. Regina and Maureen had been coordinating anything to do with the wedding. Lexi had mentioned multiple times she wanted it to be fun. All he knew about the wedding was what he was wearing, where it was at, and that at the end of it, Lexi would be his forever.
He helped Lexi off the bike and then got off and walked her over to meet the people who were spilling out of the front of the clubhouse.
War walked up and stuck his hand out to Lexi. “Welcome to Bluff Creek. I’m glad you’re all okay.”
“Thank you. And thank you for hosting the wedding. I know Booker wanted all of you to be there, and after being in the group text, I have to confess I can’t wait to meet all the women in person,” Lexi said.
War rolled his eyes. “Well, let’s hope the only drama we’re going to have is getting through a wedding and multiple presents for the shower. With this group, you never know.”
Remi and Winnie walked up to meet Lexi. Nope, Booker wasn’t going to say a word about how big Remi’s stomach had gotten since he’d been gone. He wanted to be in shape to enjoy his wedding night and honeymoon. He listened to the women welcoming Lexi and glanced across at Regina, Baron, Rascal, and Meg chatting with Maureen and Compass.
The area was full of adults and children running around. Two side-by-sides pulled up. Roam was driving one with his family and Cannon was driving another with his family. Very few of the Bluff Creek Brotherhood MC were still single, and Booker was glad he’d be joining the ranks of the married men tomorrow.
Lexi giggled and was glad she hadn’t taken a drink before one of the Franks sisters said something that would have had her spewing her drink everywhere. Listening to these women joke about everything but have a deep friendship at the same time was something she envied. Booker had tried to explain to her that she was one of them, but she hadn’t realized that they would just suck her into their group, no questions asked.
“Hey Lexi, now I know Regina said you’d known Booker in high school, but how did you meet this time?” Sarah, one of the pregnant Franks sisters, asked. At least she thought it was Sarah. Booker had said Sarah and Remi were sisters and pregnant. Ariel was also pregnant. Thank goodness she’d met her in Kansas City because there were so many people to keep track of.
“I’m an author assistant, and I was attending Motorcycles, Mobsters and Mayhem in Frisco. We bumped into each other in the lobby, and he offered to buy me coffee after he knocked into me.”
“Wait, why was Booker at the hotel?” Sprite asked. She was married to Roam. They were the ones that had six kids between them and had just gotten married last year. She’d like a child with Booker but six was a little more than she could handle.
“He was doing one of his model appearances for an author.”
All talking stopped and she wondered if she’d said something she shouldn’t. Booker had never mentioned that the MC didn’t know about his modeling.
“I knew I recognized him from somewhere. I bet he’s on one of the covers of our books,” Sarah said, looking over at Beth.
“Okay, preggo woman, I would be happy to go check your shelves,” Beth said, getting up and leaving the room.
She smiled at the sisters trying to annoy each other. Beth walked back in and handed two books to Sarah. One was from an author Lexi didn’t recognize, and the other was Nat Logan’s book, which she’d actually named after Booker.
“This is so cool. We know a cover model. Do you think he’d sign our books if we asked?” Sarah asked.
Lexi grinned and nodded. She couldn’t wait to see his face when they asked. “I’m sure he would.”
Ellie was holding the book and then started laughing. She’d met Ellie earlier. She was a former FBI agent who now helped run the gun range. They’d chatted about guns earlier, and Lexi was hoping they’d have time before they left for her to visit the shooting range. It sounded like a lot of fun.
“What are you chortling about over there?” Meg asked.
Ellie blushed. “I’m embarrassed to say.”
Beth stood up, shaking her finger at Ellie. “Now you have to tell us because our imaginations will be way worse than anything you could tell us. Let’s face it. We’re not shocked easily.”
Ellie’s face reddened even more. “The guys at the range have been playing that Dicked Down in Dallas song constantly in the last week.”
She paused because everyone started laughing and someone began singing the song.
“It does have a very catchy tune. I heard the guys playing it when I dropped my car off at the garage for an oil change, but why are you blushing?” Meg said.
“Because in my head I was thinking Lexi, Booker, their wedding night and then Booked in Bluff Creek starting swirling in my head to that tune,” Ellie said, then covered her face.
“Oh my gosh. That’s friggin’ hysterical. I guess most of us have been Booked in Bluff Creek, and some of us have the little ones on the way to prove it,” Sarah said.
“Shirts, we so need shirts. Regina, it’s too bad you couldn’t get some ordered and here to wear for the reception,” Jesse said. Lexi matched her up with the twin girls and another one of the hot guys here at Bluff Creek.
“Our printer is fast but not that fast. You’ll just have to save that little nugget for some time special when we want to annoy the guys. Baron has been on his best behavior,” Regina said and winked.
Lexi listened and relaxed, enjoying her last night as a single woman. She hoped Booker was enjoying the time with the guys. They’d chosen to have their get-together at the clubhouse. Booker had said since he’d vetoed strippers that they were having a poker, pool, and darts tournament.
They were even spending tonight apart. She and her mom were staying with Rascal and Meg at their house. Booker was staying in the clubhouse, she thought, or possibly the RV. She hadn’t asked.
Booker sipped on his beer, leaning back in the chair. He’d played darts, joked with his brothers, and listened to advice from all the married men. War and Baron’s was by far the funniest. They’d called them rules one and two. Rule one was the wife was always right. Rule two was if the wife was wrong, refer to rule number one. All the rest of the married men had chimed in that those rules were the best advice any man getting married could follow.
Booker didn’t have great parents to aspire to be like. Lexi’s parents had been a great example, and the marriages at Bluff Creek had been too. He wanted to live a full and happy life with Lexi, and he was going to do whatever it took to make that happen.
“So what’s next for you and Lexi?” Flick asked.
“We’ve decided that home base will be in Logan Falls, but the majority of our time will be spent traveling to book signings. We also want to visit here and the Texas Chapter. Cowboy and Dodge were invaluable. Lexi said they almost feel like brothers to her. Well, brothers that she can trust.”
“Yeah, that was a bad thing with her brother and that ranch hand. I’m glad that he was killed by a car wreck and neither one of you had to take the kill shot,” Cannon chimed in.
“Me too,” Booker replied.
“So what are you going to do at the book signings while Lexi works?” Rascal asked.
Cannon started chuckling along with Twist.
“You know, don’t you?” Booker asked.
“Yes, and I’m sure now the girls will too. You were going to be my get out of jail card sometime when I ticked off Jesse,” Cannon grumbled.
“For those that don’t know, I’m a cover model on romance books. So most likely, one of the authors using my image on her book will be at the signings we attend. I’ll be signing books,” Booker said, then waited for the response.
“Pay up, losers,” Hennessy said. Booker shook his head at the Nelson cousins, all handing money to Hennessy. He hadn’t got to know them very well, but from what he heard, there was a lot of betting between them. He did enjoy their bar. He and Lexi should stop in Dodge City on their way to the honeymoon destination.
“What did you bet this time?” Roam questioned.
“I might have cheated a little bit because I’d seen Booker on the cover of a romance book. I bet these losers that he had a secret job none of the MC knew about,” Hennessy said.
“Oh, wait a minute. Hand our cash back. You bet that none of the MC knew. Cannon admitted he knew,” Whiskey, the oldest Nelson cousin, said, glaring at Hennessy.
“Well, fudge,” Hennessy said, rolling his eyes.
Booker decided to get them back on track. He had a couple of ideas to talk about.
“I also wanted to talk to you all about Sturgis bike rally. Lexi suggested maybe we do a huge get-together in Logan Falls for a couple days before the rally starts. We have plenty of room and we’re about five hours away from Sturgis. I know that with all the babies coming, it will be hit or miss who will attend, but we thought it would be fun. Maureen said she had no wish to go to Sturgis, so anyone who wanted to just hang out there for the week of the rally was welcome to.”
A lot of the guys were nodding.
“Remi’s due in June, so we had talked about figuring out how we could go this year. Having your place five hours away might make a difference.”
“Regina and I have had great times at Sturgis. We’re ready for the grandkid part, so we could hang in Logan Falls and watch any of the kids,” Baron offered.
“I want to take Meg to at least one day of it, but I know she’s not going to want to stay. We’ll babysit for some of the days too,” Rascal said.
Booker smiled because he could imagine how excited Maureen would be to have everyone staying at the ranch.
“Our little one is due July 7 th , so we’d have to see if the baby actually comes the day it’s supposed to and how she feels. But I can guarantee that one of the years, we will make it. So are you inviting all the Texas Chapter too?” Scoop asked.
“Yes, and you guys too, Pit. The Saint’s Outlaws MC is always welcome. I think Lexi and Ariel have already set up some type of shopping trip when we’re in Kansas City next,” Booker said.
“Ariel’s excited. Since most of my MC isn’t married, Ariel doesn’t have a lot of women around. Just my mom and aunt,” Pit said.
“So a wedding tomorrow and three baby showers on Sunday. Look at us all getting domesticated and stuff. Does anybody worry about what’s going to happen when all of our kids take over the MC and the bail bonds? I mean, Phoebe scares me sometimes with how smart she is,” Bear said.
“Don’t get too settled, old man. We’ve still got some business to take care of in Texas. Once we get past the baby showers, the wedding, and the honeymoon, we’ll need to get back to business. Scoop and Sarah have enough information for us to go to Texas. It’s time we take care of the issues we left unfinished with Rose’s abduction and Cannon’s wreck. I feel confident we have enough, but like I said, we’ll have council in three weeks and set our game plan,” War said.
Booker was glad they were waiting until after the honeymoon. He wanted Lexi to have the perfect wedding and honeymoon. They had both waited a long time to find each other again. The road had been long, with a lot of detours along the way, but he was ready for his very own happily ever after.
He hoped Lexi loved the wedding present he had for her. He tried to think of something that would be perfect for their new life. He was almost positive he’d nailed it. He’d know more when he saw her face.
He wondered if he’d even sleep tonight. He wasn’t nervous because marrying Lexi was the best decision he’d ever made, but he was excited. To start their new life without the threat of her brother hanging over them. To know that when they drove away in the RV to their honeymoon, they could choose whatever path they wanted without worrying about any danger.
“It’s getting late, and we’ve got huge celebrations this weekend. I want to raise a glass to Booker and Lexi. May you have love to last a lifetime, a smooth ride wherever you are on the road, and the wisdom to know how incredibly lucky you are to find the woman of your heart. To Booker and Lexi!” Baron toasted.
Cheers of “To Booker and Lexi!” echoed through the room. Standing here in Bluff Creek, he was thankful for Roam asking him to visit, which had set him on the path to Lexi.