Chapter Eleven
Spider watched as Jordon disappeared into the bathroom, then finished dealing the next hand.
When that was done, he picked up his phone and sent a message to Fletch telling him to bring enough food for an extra person.
He quickly set his phone back down in his lap as he heard the toilet flush and picked up his cards so she wouldn’t know what he’d done.
If she was going to stay here and keep him company, the least he could do was make sure she was fed and taken care of.
And if she needed a nap, he would tell her to rest in the recliner, at least until whoever she was getting a ride from arrived.
Or maybe he’d have Dax take her wherever she wanted to go.
That idea felt good but he’d rather he was able to take her.
Not that he’d be able to go anywhere on his own for some time.
The bathroom door opened and Jordon stepped out.
Spider did his best to look like he’d done nothing but deal and wait for her to return.
He watched the sway of her ass in the snug denim and wondered how it would feel to have her thighs wrapped around him.
He had no doubt they’d hold him tight, as they’d be well muscled from her time on horseback.
Spider pushed that thought away. There was no way he’d end up with anyone but the club mamas.
Who else would be able to stand being with someone with missing parts?
No. He needed to think of something else.
He dropped his gaze to his cards as Jordon slid back into her spot at the foot of his bed and picked up her cards.
“So, you’ve been in Montana for ten years—how far have you been?”
“All over the state. We do rides at least once a month in the summer, going different places. It’s a good excuse to spend some time on the back of a bike.
What about you? You been anywhere but Montana?
Well, since your family settled down?” Between what she’d said and what Clint had told him on previous visits, he knew she’d been young when her father had lost his leg, likely not even old enough for school.
There was no telling how much she would remember from back then.
“Some,” she said while rearranging the cards in her hand.
“I mean we’re not far from eastern Idaho.
I’ve been into Pocatello. I’ve seen parts of Wyoming, and a little of northern Utah.
” She lifted one shoulder in a half shrug as she drew a card then laid one down.
“I did a little barrel racing when I was younger, so we hit a few of the local rodeos, but it wasn’t something I loved, just something to do for a while.
” She folded her cards together and looked up at him.
“If you could go anywhere in the world, money wasn’t an issue, what would you like to see? ”
Spider studied his cards while he thought about it. There were lots of places he might like to go but he’d always been drawn to Alaska.
“I’ve dreamed of taking a month, maybe two, hopping on my bike and heading for Alaska.
Go see Denali, see the huge herds of Caribou and all that wide open, wild land.
I don’t know if I would find motels to stay in or camp along the way.
Probably a bit of both.” He made his play and looked up to find her watching him, eyes wide.
“That sounds amazing. I hadn’t thought about that.” she looked down at the cards, drew one and compared it to her hand. “I love the idea of driving around the country seeing everything. But how do you manage all the stuff to camp on a motorcycle?”
“Some stuff folds up or collapses pretty small, but you also learn to do without a lot.” Spider shrugged. “It’s a trade-off. The little luxuries or the peace of that kind of trip.”
She watched him for a moment as if she was trying to tell if he was lying to her, then she shrugged and turned her attention back to the cards in her hand.
They continued to chat and get to know each other as they played. Spider wasn’t sure how long they’d been playing but he glanced at the score as he shuffled. This would be the last hand of this game, no matter who won.
Jordon had just thrown her first discard when someone knocked on the door the pushed it open without waiting for an answer. A glance told Spider it was Fletch with their lunch.
“This is the last hand in the game. I want to finish it, then we’ll see what you brought.” He drew a card, considered it against his hand then discarded it. “Fletch, do you remember Jordon? She’s Clint’s daughter.”
“I do. Nice to meet you again,” Fletch said with a nod.
“Nice to meet you too,” she shot him a tight smile before taking her turn.
It didn’t take them long to finish the game, which Jordon won, but she was gracious enough not to gloat or rub his nose in it.
“I’ll just go now,” Jordon said reaching for her phone.
“No, don’t. Fletch brought me something to eat and I made sure there’s enough for you too.” He winced. “I didn’t think to ask if you’re allergic to anything.”
She turned back to look at him, her eyes wide.
“You had them get me food too?”
Spider nodded.
“Thank you.” She seemed to relax. “And you’re good. My only allergies are to medications.”
“I’m allergic to sulfa, you?” Spider held up his right arm with the bright red Allergy band around it.
“Penicillin.”
“It’s a pain, isn’t it?” He smiled at her, ignoring the disbelieving looks Fletch was giving him from behind Jordon’s back.
“It can be.” She twisted around, obviously looking for Fletch. “You didn’t have to bring me food. I could have called for a ride. I should let you two have your time together.”
“I see him every day,” Spider said. “Stay. I’m enjoying talking to you.”
She looked back at him, as if not sure. After a moment, she nodded.
“All right. I’ll stay. What did you bring us?” she asked Fletch.
He opened one of the two grocery bags he’d carried in. “Sandwiches, chips, and a couple of sodas. I wasn’t sure what you’d want or like so I got roast turkey all the way around.” He started pulling out sandwiches wrapped in deli paper and handing them out.
“Spider tells me you’re staying in town while he’s here. I hope you found a short-term rental and you’re not paying hotel prices.”
“I did. I found an apartment not far from here. The price is about the same as a hotel, if we wanted just one room, and when there are two of us here, like now, we could do that. But we’d be getting on each other’s nerves within a week.
Plus, this gives us room when someone else comes up, like Raven and Taylynn, without more expense.
It also lets us cook when we want, not that I’m all that much in the kitchen but Dax isn’t bad.
” He finished handing out sandwiches, then pulled two different full-size bags of potato chips from the bag and set them on the table between her and Spider, then did the same with the drinks. “Dig in.”
By the time they finished eating, Spider could see Jordon was drooping.
Being on alert for the last week and up all night last night was catching up to her.
He wanted her to stay. He wanted to tell her to stretch out on the small sofa where her father had been sitting or even to curl up on the bed beside him.
He’d be willing to move over and make room for her, but he knew it wouldn’t sound right.
“Why don’t you call that friend and make sure you’re good to stay, then Fletch can run you over there. You look like you’re barely holding your eyes open.” He reached across the table and snagged the paper her sandwich was wrapped in, then added it to his and balled it up.
“You sure?” she glanced at Fletch. “I can have her come get me. Or I can call one of the boys to get me.”
“I’m sure. Go call her, make sure you can stay.” He waved one hand at her.
She slid off the other end of the bed, pulled her phone from the rear pocket of her jeans and went out into the hall. He watched her the whole way.
“When did he start bringing her back?” Fletch asked almost as soon as she was out of the room. “I thought he was coming alone.”
“He was. Because she was busy. She had a horse getting ready to foal and was watching it. The baby was born last night, and she was up all night taking care of them both.” Spider found it difficult to look away from the doorway, but he dragged his gaze away and looked at his best friend.
“That’s why she looks like she’s been dragged through a knothole backwards.”
Spider scowled at Fletch. He’d thought she looked wonderful. Tired but still stunning.
“I asked her, she said he only asked her to come the first time, after that, he’s just asked if she wants to come. She said she had the same choice this morning and she’d wanted to come see me more than she wanted to sleep.”
“Why’s she calling for a ride if her dad brought her in? Did he just drop her off?”
Spider shook his head.
“He was here for a while, but his wife called. He needed to head back to the ranch. He offered to take her with him or to have one of her brothers come pick her up. She said she’d stay with a friend in town instead. That’s who she’s calling now.”
“And you want me to take her wherever she’s wanting to go?”
“I do. You can come back here afterwards or go do your thing and send Dax back with dinner. If I was able to, I’d take her myself, but that’s not going to happen any time soon.
” He couldn’t keep the bitterness out of his voice in that last bit, not that he’d tried very hard.
Fletch was one of the few people he knew he could say how he felt.
Be totally blunt and even mean about things and he wouldn’t take it personally.
He would know that it was just Spider letting off some steam.
And if he overstepped that, Fletch would reel him back in too.
It was part of who they were to each other.
Fletch didn’t say anything but met his gaze for several seconds, then nodded.
Some of the tension seemed to just drain out of Spider.
Fletch would do for him what he couldn’t do for himself, at least for now.
Spider wouldn’t have to worry that she was safe, that she’d gotten where she needed to go or that she was too tired to drive safely, not that she had a vehicle here now but it was still a thought.
Jordon stepped back in the open door. “She’s not going to be home for another few hours. And I don’t have a key.” Her shoulders slumped. “I called Wyatt but he didn’t answer. Give me a couple minutes and I’ll call my other brothers. One of them will be able to come get me.”
“So you’re going home?”
She nodded, barely glancing up from her phone.
“Wait. Don’t call them. Let Fletch take you home.”
She looked up, meeting his gaze with a wide-eyed stare. She glanced at Fletch then back to him.
“I can’t do that. I can’t ask you to go all that way for me. Out to the ranch and back will take you over an hour.”
“You don’t have to ask. I’d be happy to do it,” Fletch said, speaking up.
“I’d appreciate it if you’d let him take you, Jordon. For me.” He kept his gaze on hers, trying to get her to see what this meant to him. Not that he could say why, only that he needed to make sure she was safe.
She looked back and forth between the two of them for a moment, then nodded.
“All right. I’ll let you take me home. Can I text Daddy and let him know I’m on the way?”
“Go ahead. I want you to feel safe. Fletch won’t hurt you.
He’ll do everything he can to get you home safe and sound.
” Spider didn’t even glance at his friend as he made the promise.
He had no doubts that Fletch would keep her safe.
Not just because she was innocent—or at least as it would apply to their lives—but because this was a small way he could help Spider.
Fletch gathered up the trash from their meal, stuffing it back into the bag he’d brought it in, then stood.
“I’m ready whenever you are. I’m just going to go find a trash can then we can head out when you’re ready. No need to rush for my sake.” He stepped past Jordon and out of the room.
Jordon stood at the foot of the bed, watching him despite barely being able to keep her eyes open.
“Would you be open to my coming back tomorrow?” she asked, her gaze flicking to the window, then back to him.
“I’d love it. Here, let me give you my number.” He held out his hand for her phone. She had to step a little closer but handed it over. He quickly added his number, then texted himself so he would have hers. “There. Now you can call or text any time.”
“Thanks,” she took her phone back and held it in both hands in front of her. “I’ll keep it to daylight hours so you can rest and heal.”
“No need. My sleep schedule is all screwed up. If I’m asleep, messages coming in won’t wake me. And I’ll find them when I wake. Message me any time you want.”
A smile curved her lips. “Thank you. I will.” She looked him up and down with a critical eye. “You might not be willing to admit it, but you look as tired as I do.”
“He is, and, yes, he’s just stubborn enough to ignore it until he can’t anymore,” Fletch said, stepping back into the room. “I’m ready whenever you are.”
“I’m ready. I’m just saying goodbye,” Jordon twisted back around to look at him.
“Get some rest. I’ll text later about when I’ll come back.
” she leaned in and dropped a chaste kiss on his cheek, surprising him, then she walked away.
“I’ll wait at the front door for you. I’m sure you have things to say you don’t need me listening in on.
” She walked out, turning to shoot him a grin as she stepped out the door and disappeared.
Once she was gone, Spider turned his attention back to Fletch.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?”
“No. and I wasn’t expecting that, but if she isn’t scared away by all this shit, I’m not going to fight it.” he motioned to the bed in front of him, the missing leg and the one in a cast almost to his groin.
“I guess I get that. I’ll see you later. Let me know if you need anything or if there’s something specific you want for dinner.”
“Will do.” Spider watched his brother leave the room then let his head fall back against the bed.
He was tired. He was exhausted. Why did simple things make him so tired lately?
But Fletch had been right. He never would have admitted it to Jordon, especially if it meant she would have left sooner.
He could do it for her well-being, but he’d give up a lot for her, which was odd, because today was the most they’d talked, ever.
How had she worked her way under his skin so quickly?