Chapter 5
Wrath
A fter closing the door behind us, I lead her into my living room.
“Do you want to watch a movie or listen to music?”
“I’d love a good, stupid comedy.”
“Something with brainless laughs coming right up.”
“Is that Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood ?” Millie asks.
“You’re familiar with the movie?”
“I am. It’s a classic from ninety-six.”
“And how old were you in ninety-six?” I ask.
“Four.”
“You’re thirty-one?”
“I will be in a couple of weeks.”
“I turn thirty in July. How do you feel about dating a younger man?”
“Is that what we’re doing, dating?”
“That’s what I’d like to do. I’m not looking for a hook-up. Not with you. I want something more. I’d like to see where this goes.”
“I’d like that. I’m heading home to Indiana in two days for a ten day stay.”
“We could take the bike. It’s a scenic ride.”
“I’m not sure my ass or gut could take a twelve-hour ride. My parents retired to rural Indiana. There’s a ton of places to ride. Lots of hills and curves. The daffodils are in bloom. So are the dogwood trees.”
“Do you miss home?”
“Sometimes, but I love New Orleans. It’s nice going home, but my family is too damned complicated to live there.”
“You can fill me in on the drive.”
“You really want to go?”
“I do. We can take things as fast or slow as you want but it would be a good way to get to know each other. Plus, you already know my family.”
Her smile widens. “That I do. I love your family.”
“They like you too. My mom is still talking about that pretty nurse.”
Someone knocks on the door at the same time. I have an idea.
“Nightingale, can you get the door? It’s likely the prospect delivering food. I’m going to grab my laptop.”
“Sure,” she says, getting up.
I head in the opposite direction, grabbing my laptop from my nightstand. We meet back in the living room. She has a tray loaded with covered dishes and plastic-wrapped dessert. And a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle aged ten years.
I can’t believe this woman drinks the same bourbon as me and my brothers. I don’t have any because Saber and I drank the last of it two nights ago, and I haven’t had time to replenish the stock. I didn’t want to tap a prospect, as we were all busy gearing up for the poker run.
I grab two glasses and pour one for each of us as we settle back on the couch. I turn the movie back on while we eat. Then I fire up the laptop and look at the route.
“We could leave a day early and spend the night in Nashville, Tennessee.”
“Oh, I love Nashville. Big and Little.”
“Big and little?”
She nods. “We call Nashville, Indiana, little Nashville.”
“Makes sense.”
We spend the next couple of hours planning while the movie plays on in the background. Talking to her is easy, and I find myself pouring more bourbon as we talk.
Millie
T wo days later
I can’t believe I’m in an SUV on my way to Nashville, Tennessee, towing Wrath’s sled. He has kick-ass Indian Roadmaster Elite. I called my dad and stepmom the day after the poker run and told them I was bringing a friend. My dad and stepmom are thrilled.
“Tell me about your family?” Wrath asks.
“I’m closer to my stepmother, Lisa, than I am to my own mother, Felicity. I’m also close to my dad, Brian. My parents split when I was three. The court awarded my mother custody. Even though she was a known substance abuser, and my father didn’t have a record. He was a hardworking craftsman with his own small business.”
“What kind of business?”
“He makes furniture. It’s beautiful if I do say so.”
“I can’t wait to see some of his pieces.”
“The house is full of them. By the way, I know we have a hotel booked, but my parents want us to stay there. It’s up to you completely.”
He smiles and nods his head. Then says with a wink. “I’ll keep the reservations in case we want to have freaky sex.”
I laughed and went with the joke to hide my instant reaction. “I can see my dad bursting through my old bedroom door. ‘What are you doing to my daughter?’ ”
My imitation of my father’s voice has us both in tears. It takes me a few minutes to stop laughing.
“Did you have to stay with your mom until you turned eighteen?”
“No, thank God. My dad meant Lisa when I was six and by nine, they not only had custody of me. Felicity signed away her parental rights. She landed in jail for felony possession six months before.”
“Damn, baby. I’m sorry. That’s tough.”
“It would have been a lot rougher without Lisa. To this day, I swear she’s an angel sent from God to save me and my dad.”
“Do you have any siblings?”
“I have three brothers. One older, he hates my guts. I’m not fond of him as a human being. My two younger brothers are following in my dad’s footsteps. My uncle, Donnie, is running the furniture business since dad is technically retired. Both brothers work there learning the business and refining their craft.”
“A family of craftsmen. I thought those days were long gone.”
“Thankfully, Little Nashville is a popular tourist attraction.”
“Do you talk to your older brother?”
I shake my head. “I won't talk to Aaron if I can help it. He’s toxic.”
“I’m sorry, baby. I can’t say that I know what that’s like. I get along well with my brothers and our sister, Willow.”
“You have an amazing family. They’re so friendly and welcoming. I was just the nurse on duty, and they made me feel like family. Your mom made sure that she brought me food every day. Did you know that?”
Wrath shakes his head. “I didn’t, but that sounds like her.”
We drive straight through from New Orleans to Nashville, Tennessee. We spend the next eight hours talking and laughing. Stopping long enough to grab fast food, which we eat on the road.