CHAPTER SIX
Do you think someone ever actually took the time to figure out how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?
~Text from Saxon to Kinsley~
Emmett
I called my dad this morning when I knew no one else was going to be awake and told him about my current situation. I knew he would be up early before fishing. As much as I love fishing, this situation needs to be handled.
My dad is a great listener, and he’s always been there for me when I needed some advice or some sense smacked into me.
He let me get it all out before he asked me one question.
“How did you feel when you met her?” I told him the best answer I could come up with.
“Like I finally understood what you meant about the day you met Mom. It was like actual electricity when we first held hands and kissed. It might not have been love at first sight, but it was like my soul knew she was meant to be in my life.”
Once Dad heard my answer, he told me he was going to tell Booker that I got called into work for a bit and that I better go find her and find out if he was gonna get another grandbaby.
He also said he wouldn’t tell Mom anything, and that means I owe him.
I will have to buy him a bottle of his favorite whiskey because I know the wrath he could get if Mom were to find out he hid something like this from her, even for just a short time.
I made myself a big cup of coffee and got myself ready for the day. As I slip my wallet and badge into my pocket, I open the top drawer of my dresser and take out the small box I put in there just last week. I open it and look at the ring. Crazy how sure of things I was just over seven days ago.
I close the box and put it back in the drawer. Today’s not the time for it. Today is for finding my woman and getting her to understand that she’s not alone, and, if I have my way, will never be alone again to worry about things without my support.
**********
How can one woman be so fucking hard to track down? I checked her apartment, and no one seemed to be home. I went to the sandwich shop, but neither of her roommates were there. Hell, I went across the street, and the tattoo shop was closed, with a sign saying they would be back.
I did something I told myself I wouldn’t do, but damn it, I’m a desperate man. I called into work and asked Thomas to get her dad’s address. He didn’t question me about why, but commented that we’d be talking about it on our next shift together.
That’s how I find myself sitting in my truck in front of her dad’s place.
I’m about out of places to look. I decide I need to sit back and think for a few minutes.
I pull up our text message thread and scroll back to when we first started seeing each other.
Reading through some of the thousands of texts between us, I love seeing the everyday moments along with the messages that went a little deeper and showed me even more of who Kinsley is.
I must read for at least five or ten minutes before I come to a message that gives me an idea.
I remember her talking about the club her dad’s in and how they have a family barbecue day at least one Saturday a month.
Now, I’m not a man who’s easily intimidated, and I have no problem going to a motorcycle club’s clubhouse, especially when their reputation in the county is a positive one, but I have one slight problem.
I don’t know exactly where it is. However, I do know someone who might be able to help me out.
I find the contact in my phone and tap the call button. As I wait for my call to be answered, I can’t help but hope this will be the key to finding my wayward woman. Answer the phone, damn it.
It rings two more times before a familiar voice comes over the line. “Deputy Wood, to what do I owe this phone call?”
Kinsley
I don’t know that I’ve ever felt alone while sitting in a room full of my family.
It’s a foreign feeling and one I’m hoping doesn’t become the norm.
I know it’s because I’m in my head and trying to figure out what my next step is.
I haven’t heard from Emmett today and don’t know if it’s because he’s gone fishing with his family or because he’s realized I might not be worth the effort, since I haven’t really talked to him in over a week.
I know part of this whole thing is my fault since no one in my family—outside of Christy, Mary, Hanna, and Anna—even knows I’ve been seeing Emmett.
I’ve thought about nothing else but telling Emmett.
I finally realized this morning that I know he’s a good guy, and even if he doesn’t want to stay together, he would do right by our child, even if he didn’t want more kids.
I’m going to call him tonight and go see him.
I need to tell him, and I miss him so much.
Ma, Anna, Romona, and everyone else made some amazing food today, and luckily, none of it has triggered my stomach, so I’ve been able to eat.
Madison and Kierstie are helping Shandy and Brandy clean things up and do the dishes. The kitchen always looks almost like a war zone after a family meal. There’s one thing for sure, and that’s that everyone in this family loves to eat good food.
I just set an empty bowl on the counter when Ma comes up next to me and gives me a side hug.
She speaks quietly, so not everyone can hear.
“You doin’ okay, sweetie? Seems like you got a lot goin’ on in your mind today.
” I look over at one of the most important women in my life, and the urge to spill my guts to her is so strong, but I really need to tell Emmett first. “I do. I’m not quite ready to share, but very soon.
” Ma kisses my temple, turns, and gives me a big hug, the kind only a mama bear can give.
She whispers in my ear before she lets me go, “I don’t know completely what’s goin’ on with you, darlin’, but you know we’re all here for you no matter what.
Good or bad, our family sticks together. ”
Fighting back tears, I just nod and give her a hug back.
Luckily, Ma is as good with emotions as I am and changes the subject for both of our benefits.
She looks over my shoulder and sees who is in the kitchen.
“Girls, let’s get the desserts out before someone complains about a lack of sugar or needin’ some chocolate. ”
Christy, Madison, Kierstie, and I all grab a tray of desserts to take out to the serving table.
As soon as I get close to the table, I get a whiff of coffee, and a tidal wave of nausea comes over me.
I hurry as fast as I can to the bathroom.
I proceed to lose everything I’ve eaten today and probably yesterday too.
I take a good five minutes to get myself put back together and make sure nothing else is going to come back up.
I splash water on my face and fix my hair back in its messy bun. So much for getting over that.
I step out of the bathroom and feel like there are a million eyes on me. I look up, and everyone in the room is looking at me.
Dad is standing by the table that Erik’s sitting at, and he’s glaring at me.
“You’re fucking pregnant? How in the hell is that possible?
” The room goes silent after he yells out his questions that seem more like accusations.
Saxon chimes in. “Are you even dating anyone?” Samson, for once, is thinking just like Saxon and adds in his question to the public interrogation.
“If you are, why the hell have we not met him?”
Rory, ever the peacemaker, has been watching all of this and is sitting closest to me.
He must see that my eyes start to water uncontrollably.
“Now let’s just all calm down, everyone.
This doesn’t need to be a conversation in front of everyone.
Why don’t we go into the other room so you all can talk, and Kinsley doesn’t need to share with every person all at once?
” Dad, Saxon, Samson, and Erik all head into the room where they have church.
Rory places a hand on my shoulder. “I’m gonna go in there with you and grab Pa because he can handle your dad.
” Before I can answer, someone comes up to us.
I’m surprised to see that it’s Romona’s new man.
I think his name is Jason, but I know him more as one of the officers in the sheriff’s department.
“I don’t mean to interrupt, but there’s someone outside that needs to speak to Kinsley.
” He looks at me and continues speaking, though what he doesn’t say tells me exactly who it is.
“Someone she really needs to speak to before she goes in and talks to her dad and brothers.” I look over at Rory, and he questions me.
“Is that true?” I wipe my tears and nod.
“Yeah, it is. I know my dad needs to know, but I need to go talk to him outside first. I’ll try to be quick, but I have to go talk to him.
” Pa comes up next to Rory, having most likely heard everything that was just said.
He looks down at me, gives me a small smile, and tells me, “I’ll go in there and talk to your dad.
You take the time you need and come in when you’re ready. Grant won’t like it, but he will wait.”
I nod and hurry to the door. I open it and look around for Emmett.
His truck is parked at the last spot, and he’s standing there leaning against his tailgate.
I must make a sound because he looks up and sees me.
I can’t help the cry and tears that fall as I run to him, feeling somewhat right for the first time in days.
Emmett
Jason had me text when I got to the clubhouse, parking in the one open spot I found. He just sent me a text.
Captain Stone: She’ll be out in just a second.
Me: Thanks.