Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Speedy knew eventually someone was going to tease him about the grin he was sporting and the music he was humming.
Last night with Violet had been perfect.
He’d held her in his arms until right before the kids were supposed to be dropped off.
They’d talked about the next couple days.
Speedy worked the orchard tonight, and then they were spending Christmas Eve with the kids together.
The kids had been dropped off, and they’d put them to bed together.
And for the first time, Violet slept in his room.
Speedy’s shift at the orchard started in half an hour, but he was picking up Deacon early from Roam’s house so they could chat before Violet showed up with Tessie.
He knocked and walked in. Roam had said they left their front door unlocked and had an open house rule because he and Sprite would never hear the doorbell over the kids.
Speedy stood for a second, letting his ears adjust. With Sprite and Roam’s six kids, plus all the extras hanging out today, Speedy counted at least fifteen kids.
“Hey, Deacon, you ready?” he asked when he finally spotted his kid staring at David and Grant racing on the game system.
“Yep, I lost. Where are we going?” Deacon asked.
“I thought you could help me with something,” Speedy said.
Deacon nodded and said his goodbyes. Speedy was thankful for the friends Deacon had made in the short time he’d been living at Bluff Creek. They walked outside. Speedy laid his hand on Deacon’s shoulder.
After they’d walked far enough away from the house, Speedy led Deacon through a field to where the racetrack was. There was a huge tree that Bear had mentioned was a great place for conversations.
He sat down and Deacon cuddled up against him.
“I love you a lot, Deacon. I’m glad I get to see you now, but I am sorry that your mom’s gone. My mom and dad died recently, and I miss them,” Speedy said.
“I miss Mommy. But I love living here with you and Lettie. Do I get to stay?” Deacon asked.
Speedy hugged Deacon a little tighter and turned them so they were face to face.
“Deacon, I’ll always be your dad, and yes, you get to stay forever,” Speedy said.
Holding Deacon in his arms made him equally thrilled and petrified.
He really wished his dad was still around so he could ask him questions and share the kids.
At least with all the men at Bluff Creek, he could ask them, but it wasn’t quite the same.
“What do you need help with?” Deacon asked.
Trust Deacon to remember what Speedy had said.
“Well, I love you. I love Tessie and I love Violet too. I want us to be a family. What do you think about that?” Speedy asked.
The breeze blew a tumbleweed across the dirt track. Speedy kept his concentration on it because then he wouldn’t be wondering what Deacon might say.
“I want to be a family. Can Violet be my mom too? I think my mommy in Heaven would be okay with me having another mommy since she can’t be here,” Deacon said.
Speedy’s throat tightened. Out of the mouths of babes was so true. As much as Anita loved Deacon, she would want him to have it all.
“I love you and think she would too,” Speedy said softly. Another tumbleweed blew across the racetrack. Until Violet, that tumbleweed was how Speedy had felt. He’d been doing his job and just following where the wind led him—from Texas to Kansas.
“When will she be my mommy?” Deacon asked.
“Well, about that. I’m going to need your help,” Speedy said.
Violet carried Tessie as she, Beth, Savi, and Frankie walked over to the orchard. Flick was working the orchard rides tonight along with Speedy.
This year, the animals were available for a petting zoo, and there were wagon rides through the orchard. It was cool, crisp, and dry. No sleigh rides this year. But Violet would be here next year too, and she couldn’t wait for what the new year held.
“Okay, do I get my turn holding her?” Savi asked.
“Sure, do you want the carrier?” Violet asked.
“Yes, please,” Savi said.
“I love this time of year. I know a lot of people hate the holidays, and I have to admit the first couple after Mom died were really hard, but I still love seeing the wonder in kids’ eyes,” Beth said.
After Tessie was situated with Savi holding her, Violet kissed Tessie’s head.
“Well, I never did before this year. It wasn’t good growing up with my mom, and as an adult, I’d go because she’d make my life miserable if I didn’t, but honestly, it was horrible with her. This December has just been magical,” Violet said.
Frankie slipped her arm around Violet and hugged her.
“I get it, Violet. We didn’t have a bad mother, but after Stone got sent away, it was hard. We all just usually worked holiday hours. This year with Stone home, I can see the relief on everyone’s faces,” Frankie said.
Violet hugged her back but had to laugh a little. Frankie was a fashion diva and tonight was no exception. She had on high-heeled boots with a cute skirt and a fringed jacket. If Violet wore high heels across a field, she’d end up falling on her face.
Violet had gone for comfort and cute. Beth had dropped by and helped her pick out something to wear. Violet wanted to be warm but look cute for her man because she finally had one.
As they got to the edge of the orchard, the Christmas music changed to another song. She didn’t recognize it, but it was gorgeous.
Speedy and Deacon were walking toward her, with Deacon clutching a bouquet in his hands. A hand on her back gave her a nudge forward.
“Go to him,” Beth said.
Violet walked toward them, following Speedy’s hand motion to come a little closer.
“Violet, I wasn’t looking for someone when you came into my life, but somehow, fate led us together and gave me that woman who was perfect for me. You make each day brighter, and when I’m with you, it feels like home. We have a couple questions, and Deacon would like to go first,” Speedy said.
Deacon handed her the bunch of flowers. “Lettie, I love you and Tessie loves you. Will you be our mommy?”
Violet knelt down and pulled Deacon into her arms. “Oh, Deacon, nothing could make me happier. I love you and Tessie so much. I will be your mommy.”
Her throat tightened and tears welled in her eyes. This sweet little boy was going to be hers.
“Now, Daddy,” Deacon said, tugging her hand to make her stand up. Speedy’s hand was there to help her.
“Violet, you’re mine and I need the world to know it. Will you be my Ol’ Lady?” Speedy asked.
Deacon tugged his hand. “She’s not old.”
Speedy chuckled. “It’s a sign of respect in the biker world. It’s like a wedding.”
Deacon nodded. “’Kay,” he said.
“I will,” she said, turning when Roam brought him the cut to put on her. The leather settled over her shoulders. Whistles and catcalls came from their friends—no, their family—because Bluff Creek was a family.
When she turned around, Speedy was on one knee in front of her.
“When I found you, I knew I wanted it all. Will you marry me?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said. Speedy took her hand and slipped a vintage silver diamond ring on her finger.
He pulled her close. “If you want something different, I’ll buy you whatever you want. This was my mom’s ring,” he said.
She bit her lip and knew she couldn’t hold the tears back. This evening was perfect. Every dream she’d ever had was coming true.
“It’s perfect and you’re perfect for me too,” Violet said.
“Then we should probably make it truly official by sealing the promise with a kiss,” Speedy said, pointing above them, where strings of lights with mistletoe attached were hanging.
Violet grinned. “Yes, we should,” she said, kissing her man until their friends pulled them apart to congratulate them.