Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Stone held the door open for Naomi as they walked outside. He stuffed his hands in his jean pockets as they walked.
“How are you?” Stone asked.
He wasn’t sure what else to say. He didn’t have a lot of experience being around women besides family, and he was guessing she was a little embarrassed even though he’d left the note for her.
“Embarrassed but thankful you were so sweet,” Naomi said.
“You have no reason to be embarrassed. You didn’t do anything wrong. I was happy to be there when you needed someone,” Stone reassured her.
They walked by the diner, past a couple vacant buildings, and went by the police station before crossing the street to the park. Maybe if he shared something, it would help Naomi. He didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable.
“It was a little under a year ago that I got out of prison and we came to Bluff Creek. At first, I couldn’t believe the family atmosphere was real.
The Sunday lunches, the comradery felt like I was in a dream.
I couldn’t sleep in the RV that my siblings and Frankie were living in.
After being in prison, it was too confining.
I dealt with it by grabbing a sleeping bag and pillow and sleeping under the stars on the compound.
It was so quiet that, at first, I couldn’t sleep.
Prison is loud and smelly. So many men in such close quarters.
But the brothers didn’t push me. I worked at Bluff Creek Ink and did my own thing, but they invited me to everything,” Stone said, chuckling.
“Was it a lot?” Naomi asked.
“For someone who had spent the last twenty years trying not to bring attention to himself, it was an adjustment.
But then Locks and Baron came to talk to me about my needs like it was important to them.
When I told them why I was sleeping outside, they started having plans drawn up for an open-concept house with a big porch that wraps around the house.
We only sat on the front but on the side is one of those hanging bed swings. They wanted options for me.
“Even before the house was ready, they didn’t want me sleeping outside completely.
It rains a lot in June in Kansas. They ordered tarps, poles, and some camping cots.
On the weekend, everyone showed up to help me set up my temporary home.
I had an enclosed changing area in the middle of the large open tent.
It also had a compostable toilet and an outdoor shower.
The tarp was twenty feet by twenty feet.
Plenty of space for me to see what was coming from all sides but get out of the rain, especially when it blew everywhere,” Stone said.
“They made you feel at home,” Naomi observed, following Stone to the swings. He motioned for her to sit down. Once she did, he gave her swing a push to get her started before joining her on the one next to her.
“Yes. When the house was done, I couldn’t believe it was mine.
No money required, no strings attached—the club paid for it out of the general fund.
Joining the club was the best thing I’ve ever done.
The freedom of riding and the brotherhood is something I’d craved.
I know that if anything happens to me, my family will be taken care of,” Stone shared, continuing to swing.
“I was embarrassed I showed you my correction marks, but now, after meeting with the women for a Code Rachel, I’m glad I did. Everyone wants to help,” Naomi opened up, a sense of relief washing over her face.
Stone relaxed a little hearing Naomi confirm that she was accepting the help. He appreciated hearing that the men wanted to help, but Naomi would benefit from being a part of the process.
“I’m glad. Now, are you still wanting your thighs tattooed, and if so, do you want one of the women to do it, or would you like me to?” Stone asked.
Naomi quit pumping her legs, letting her swing slow down.
Stone did the same, trying to keep quiet while he waited for her answer.
He wasn’t going to beg her to let him remove those marks, but he craved to fix what her ex-husband had done.
He wanted to go beat the crap out of him but was holding back on that because, well, prison.
Roam had told Stone that he needed to be patient.
Eventually, Jared would get what was coming to him.
Stone hoped it included some type of beatdown.
Naomi stood up and turned toward him. “If it doesn’t make you uncomfortable, I think I’d feel most comfortable with you tattooing me,” she said, staring at the ground. He stood up, stepping closer. He slid his finger under her chin and tilted her head until he could see her eyes.
“It would be my honor to tattoo you. Please, never feel you need to look down. You are one of the strongest women I know, and that’s saying a lot considering the women here at Bluff Creek.
I know you sacrificed to keep your girls safe.
I think you’re fierce and amazing. Now, have you thought about what you might want? ” he asked.
The hesitant smile she gave him told him all he needed to know. Naomi was starting to believe, but if Stone had anything to say about it, she was going to know it deep down to her bones that she was fierce and amazing.
“Well, I was hoping we could talk about it,” Naomi intimated.
“Sure. Do you want to go back to the shop and look at some options and have some lunch?” Stone proposed.
“Yes, but my girls are at Broken Hearts Brewing,” Naomi said.
“Well, let’s go check there and then make a plan. It doesn’t have to be today if you and the girls are busy,” Stone offered lightly.
Naomi nodded, smiling. He walked her across the street, wondering how the heck he was going to keep it just friends because Naomi needed a friend and not an ex-con.