Chapter 23
Nina
Skylar and her mother were escorted to a small town outside of Asheville, North Carolina, three days ago.
Jack and Coty’s friends Bobby, Pip, and Taylor are members of a small MC there.
Since the Viking Warriors don’t have a chapter in North Carolina, Bobby promised their club would look after our angels.
I was able to find an orthopedic, family doctor, and a psychiatrist for Skylar. With her mom and the medical teams, she has the support system she needs.
Austin Miller was arrested yesterday after trying to break down Skylar’s best friend, Bella’s, door, as he had done to Ms. Clarke’s.
Skylar was isolated from her friend at the same time as her mother.
Thankfully, Bella lives with her parents while she attends a local college.
Her father is ex-military. Austin got a huge surprise when the ex-marine wrestled him to the ground in the front yard and held him there until the cops arrived.
Everything worked out great, if you ask me.
Today’s the day my sister has been waiting for.
It’s my birthday, and we’re in town shopping.
I was nervous about being out on a Saturday.
There are 10 times as many people moving around Willow Creek today.
I prefer Slow Day Tuesday with Darin. Yes, it’s an official thing now.
My mind goes back to the jeans. I’m wearing the dark blue pair I tried on that day.
“Why are you grinning?” Lauren asks.
I give my head a little shake, clearing it more than answering her. “No reason.”
She laughs and loops her arm around mine. “You two just need to jump each other and get it over with.”
“Lauren!”
Her laughter quickly dies. “What? You don’t want to jump him?”
“No. Well, yes. No. I mean. Ugh.” She’s driving me insane. “Say it loud enough for everyone to hear you.”
I shouldn’t have said that.
Lauren takes a step back and yells, “My sister is in love…”
I clamp my hand over her mouth. She says the word love behind my hand. I glance down the sidewalk and shake my head. We aren’t in town alone today. Darin and Jay have followed us everywhere. They’re staying back enough not crowd us. It’s nice to know they’re there, and a little unsettling too.
The people around us turn their heads to stare like my sister and me are idiots as they walk past us.
I still haven’t been recognized by anyone.
Well, I have changed a lot since I was last here.
I filled out a lot, and my hair isn’t short with blonde highlights anymore.
I’m a little nervous about being noticed now, though.
Lauren said the word sister before I could stop her.
“I’m sorry,” she says behind my hand.
“Oops.” I remove my hand and turn us towards Angie’s.
Jay’s truck is already in the parking lot.
Since we were going from shop to shop toward the restaurant, he moved the truck earlier while Darin kept an eye on us.
We walk right on by Miss High Tootie’s shop.
We’re all calling Ms. Gibson that now. I grab Lauren’s hand and pull her towards Angie’s.
It’s two o’clock and time to meet the others.
Plus, I need to get my loud sister off the street.
Darin opens the door for us. I smile as I step inside. He winks. Jay punches his arm. These two have been going at it all day.
Angie hurries to greet us the moment we step inside. “Lauren, it’s good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you, too.” Lauren hugs her. “This is…” She looks between Angie and me.
“I know who she is.” Angie hugs me just like she did when Darin and I had lunch here. “Happy Birthday, sweet girl.”
“Thank you.”
“The rest of your group is already here.” Angie leads us to tables near the far corner of the back dining room. We can’t see the front door from here.
The McLeod ladies and Emily Powell are here. So are birthday decorations and a cake with purple roses. I’m really not surprised to see Lil Mama here, too. She’s going to be wherever Nanny is. Each of the ladies takes turns hugging me and wishing me a happy birthday.
“Happy Birthday.” Everly squeezes me tightly. This girl gives the best hugs.
“Thank you, sweetie.” I kiss the top of her head.
Darin and Jay join Mack, Hendrix, Jack, and Bankz at a table halfway across the room.
Wow. Bikers are a bit more protective of their women than I first thought.
It amazes me how these women sit here and pretend their men aren’t here.
It’s kinda like Lauren and I have done all day with Darin and Jay.
It’s good to see Bankz out. The fight at the Roadhouse left him with a couple of broken ribs, a black eye, a busted nose, and a concussion.
He’s probably another reason Lil Mama is here.
Oh, that feisty little woman wants justice for her son.
She’s threatened to go after the Mavericks herself if the cops don’t do something soon.
“You sit here, Aunt Nina.” Everly pulls me to the backside of the table to the middle chair. I can see the entire dining room from here. However, my eyes remain on her for a moment. “Is it okay if I call you Aunt?”
“If your family doesn’t mind, then neither do I.”
“We don’t mind. You’re part of our family.” Nanny settles the matter.
Well, okay then. I’m not about to argue with the club Queen. Only a fool would.
No sooner than we sit, Angie and a couple of servers begin to bring out our food. Apparently, everyone loves the fried chicken here, even the men. After my first bite, I understand why. This is even better than Lauren’s. I will never say those words out loud.
We talk, laugh, and have one of the best meals of my life. I don’t know why I was so nervous about doing this. My fear of a large crowd is subsiding, too. I’m not opposed to more girls’ day out.
We’re going to need to-go plates. None of us can finish our meals. Besides, we need to save room for cake. Of course, Everly insists that everyone sings "Happy Birthday " to me. She stands and leads the song.
Emily takes the dessert plates from Angie and reaches for the knife.
Before she cuts the first slice, I glance at Darin.
The men aren’t talking and laughing anymore.
The other ladies notice the quietness and look at them, too.
They’re staring at the end counter where customers pick up to-go orders. We follow their gaze.
A pretty young woman waits by the counter. She watches the men as they do her. Her eyes are soft and caring, not filled with judgment or ridicule like Miss High Tootie.
“It’s not right,” Everly whispers.
“No, it’s not,” Maci agrees.
The woman’s eyes move to us. She smiles. No one moves or says anything for a long moment. I swear she’s holding back tears.
“It’s beyond wrong.” Nanny stands and faces the woman.
Mack is quickly on his feet. “Ev.”
The other men stand as well.
“How are you?” Nanny asks.
She shrugs one shoulder. “Okay, I guess.”
What’s happening? Who is she?
Nanny holds her arms out to her sides. “I want to, but I can’t.”
She nods and looks around the entire restaurant. She turns back to us and takes a deep breath.
“Oh, screw it,” she exclaims and almost runs into Nanny’s arms.
The men move as one, forming a wall so no one can see into the back dining room.
“Oh, Finley.” Maci hurries around to hug her, too.
“Finley. You said screw it.” Everly giggles and hugs her next.
Finley? The preacher’s daughter. Now, it makes sense. The McLeods aren’t allowed to have contact with the Rhodes family. Everyone at our table goes to hug her, even Lauren.
“Everly McLeod, you just said screw it,” Lil Mama teases.
“Uh.” Everly’s eyes widen when she looks at her grandmother. “Logan says worse.”
“We’ll let your grandfather handle your brother.” Nanny turns back to Finley. “It’s really good to see you.”
“I approached you. You didn’t approach me,” Finley says.
“I’m pretty sure they won’t see it that way.” Nanny wipes a tear from the corner of her eye.
“Still, don’t let your family see you.” Lily looks toward the front doors. A wall of Vikings prevents her from seeing anything. Jack gives her a thumbs-up.
“I won’t. I miss all of you.” She looks at the decorations. “The cake is lovely, Emily.”
“Thank you. You want a slice?” Emily grabs the knife again.
“I do, but I won’t take it with me, but happy birthday to whoever.”
I wave. “Thank you.”
“Finley, your to-go order is ready.” Angie sets it on the counter.
“Go, sweet girl, before they catch you.” Nanny hugs Finley one more time.
“Bye.” Finley waves as she hurries to the counter.
The men part and walk back to their table.
Finley watches them until they’re seated.
She waves to them, pays for her order, and hurries out the door.
The moment she steps outside, she swipes a hand across her cheek.
I swear, from everything I’ve heard, and meeting her for this one moment, she’s the nicest person in her family.
I glance at Darin again. He’s watching my nephew.