Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
Violet held Deacon’s hand, and Speedy carried Tessie in her carrier into Regina’s Roadside Refuge. They’d decided to do after-Christmas shopping in Bluff Creek and have breakfast out. Speedy wanted to make sure Deacon and Tessie had Bluff Creek T-shirts like all the other kids.
Deacon had woken them at five a.m. on Christmas Day. Luckily, they’d been able to watch a movie after lunch with everyone at the clubhouse.
Well, Deacon had watched the movie. She was pretty sure Speedy had slept through it, just like she and Tessie had.
It may have been tiring but it was the best Christmas Day Violet had ever had, and knowing she was Deacon and Tessie’s mom was icing on the cake.
When Speedy had asked her about a wedding, she’d asked if she could think about it.
He’d suggested going away somewhere, but she’d found her family, her tribe at Bluff Creek, and she wanted them celebrating with her.
But this morning, she had a mission. She helped Speedy get Deacon and Tessie situated, ordered, and then said she was going to check out the shopping while Speedy chatted with Rascal and Meg at the next table.
Clara was in the shop working. The bright smile on her face had Violet smiling in return.
“Looks like everything worked out, didn’t it?” Clara asked.
“Yes, it did, and thank you for helping me. Umm, I need to buy something,” Violet said.
Clara grinned. “Okay, what do you want?”
“I want all the keychains and T-shirts that say Property of Speedy,” Violet said.
“Sure, just the ones that are out or the ones we have in back?” Clara asked, her eyes dancing in mirth. Violet didn’t care if Clara was laughing at her. Speedy was hers and the kids’. She could use all the bigger T-shirts to sleep in, or maybe she’d learn to sew and make a T-shirt quilt.
“You know we’ll just order more,” Clara said, placing the boxes on the counter.
Violet nodded. “Yes, but if you let me know, I can come back in and buy the new shipment.”
“Okay, with the club discount, it’ll be three hundred and twenty-five dollars,” Clara said.
Speedy’s hand reached around Violet, placing his credit card on the table. “Let me cover this,” he said.
Violet could feel her face heating.
“You a little jealous, baby?” he asked, smirking at her.
“So what if I don’t want anyone else salivating over my man. I’m entitled to be possessive too,” she said.
“My fierce woman is entitled to be as possessive as she wants,” he said, kissing her before accepting his receipt from Clara.
“Ma’am, ma’am, I was told the Property of Speedy keychains and shirts were in and I can’t find them anywhere,” a woman said.
Clara grinned and crossed her arms. “You want to take care of that?” she asked.
“I’ve got this,” he said, walking over to the woman.
“Oh, I’m sorry, we’re out of those, but I have it on good authority that these are the ones you want.
We have plenty of Property of Dex, Property of Gunner, and Property of Brody.
And Dex is eating breakfast in the diner, so he could even autograph your shirt or take a picture with you,” Speedy said.
Violet bit her lip, staring at Clara doing the same. As soon as the woman checked out with her Property of Dex keychain and T-shirt, Clara and Violet let their laughter out.
“Thanks, Clara,” Violet said.
Clara walked around the counter and slipped an arm around Violet.
“Oh, honey, I’m thrilled it worked out for you. I’m available for babysitting anytime.”
Speedy walked back over, but he wasn’t smiling anymore.
“Violet, baby, I’m so sorry. There’s a policeman from Dodge City here about your mom,” he said.
Violet let Speedy lead her to where the policeman was standing near the door. Violet couldn’t remember his name, but she recognized him from when she lived in Dodge City.
“Violet, could we go somewhere private?” he asked.
“No. You can tell me around my family,” Violet said. Clara had followed her out. Faith and Slice were here with their family too. She had nothing to hide.
“Last night, your mom lost control of her car and went off a bridge. A passerby called 911. She was not breathing when EMS arrived on scene, and she was pronounced dead at the hospital at one a.m. I’m sorry for your loss,” he said.
Violet nodded. Wasn’t she supposed to feel bad? Like when you lost the woman who had birthed you, Violet should feel something. But the only thing she felt was relief—relief that her kids would never have to hear the toxic words her mother spewed.
The policeman seemed to be waiting for Violet to say something.
“Thank you for notifying me,” she said. He nodded and left.
“Violet, are you okay?” Speedy asked, his arm sliding around her shoulder. The warmth of his arm reminding her that he’d always have her back.
“I’m fine. I won’t grieve for a woman who took delight in making me miserable. Do I wish maybe she could have had more time and decided to change her ways? Sure, but I won’t worry about the what-ifs. Now, let’s go hug those kids and maybe go find Deacon a pet?” Violet asked.
Speedy seemed to accept her words for now. She was positive he’d bring it up and talk about it later to make sure she was doing okay, just like she’d continue checking on how he was dealing with the loss of his parents.
Violet grasped Speedy’s hand and led him back to their table, where Rascal was asking Deacon about his Christmas presents.
“Oh, I think I see our pancakes coming out?” Violet said as the waitress brought the food over.
“I love pancakes,” Deacon said.
“I love you, Deacon, and I really like pancakes too,” Violet replied.
“Love you too, Mommy,” Deacon said.
With his words, Violet put the past behind her and looked at Deacon, Tessie, and Speedy—her amazing future.
Bluff Creek had become home, and she wasn’t going to let anything dim the joy she’d found here. Life was too short to spend it wondering about the what-ifs when she had the here and now with her love.
Thank you so much for reading Speedy and Violet's story. I hope you enjoyed it.