Chapter 2
Lola kicked his bike into gear and shot out onto the road. It was late and he wanted to crash. He huffed a laugh. Dutch wasn’t joking when he said prospecting was a hard road. The club had him running from daylight till nightfall and beyond. He liked his work at the garage. He felt at home there. The shifts at the Landing? He never knew what he might encounter there. The few security details he had manned at the Brick House were interesting.
And Angel Haven. Not quite his style, but it was a bed and that’s all he needed. Oh yeah, along with the job of chaperoning the women. Or at least Mia for Maeve. Every two to three nights when he would arrive back at the house and check the grounds and the house, Ghost had called and asked about her, with Maeve’s voice clearly controlling the questions in the background. He always heard the amusement in Ghost’s voice as he relayed the question that he had heard her ask. Ghost never expected a problem. Lola knew that. He guessed it was his way of not only pacifying his wife but also relaying a message that the men do anything for their old ladies. They were an important part of life. That was a fact he had learned in his time hanging around the club.
That was something he wasn’t sure he agreed a hundred percent with though. His track record with women told him they were not to be trusted. Not with your money, your home, and certainly not with your heart. He had none of those things at the moment, so he had no worries.
Lola pulled up to the house. It was past midnight, and the place would be dark. He smiled. It should also be quiet as usual with the girls asleep. He pushed the door open, stepping in and resetting the alarm quickly before turning toward the stairs. He was exhausted and ready to fall into his bed and not move. No luck. The kitchen light was on. His shoulders dropped as he redirected his stride toward the lit-up room. Only a few extra steps. Kill the lights, check the doors and finally he could head to bed. Only a few steps out of his way. What was that aroma? He inhaled again. Tea? At this hour?
He stepped through the doorway and froze. His gaze fell on Mia filling two mugs from a steaming teapot. Her smile was like an energy shot filling him with adrenaline.
She placed the pot back onto the stove and carefully lifted the mugs, carrying them to a small round table tucked into the corner of the industrial-sized kitchen. With the mugs planted on thick cork coasters, she pulled back a chair and eased onto the yellow and white cushion.
He gave her a lopsided smile and walked to the table, pulling out the chair across from her. At her nod, he picked up the mug and tasted it. Definitely some sort of tea. Not his preference, but he would drink it. After a few minutes of forcing the hot liquid down, he asked, “Can we talk?”
She looked up and scrunched her forehead.
“Okay, maybe that wasn’t the best question.”
She smiled at his faint laugh and nodded.
“Odd time for a cup of tea, isn’t it?”
She lifted her shoulder, dropping it when she raised the mug to her lips.
“Is this some home remedy for sleepless nights? Because I have no problem falling asleep,” he assured her.
Laughter shone in her eyes even though she said nothing, at least not verbally. Her hands flew into action.
“I don’t know sign language.” He watched again as she put her hands together and spread them apart. “Big? Long?” he guessed. As she nodded, his brain clicked. “Long day? You’re asking about my day?”
Her smile was warm and confident, somehow different from before. Leaning her folded arms on the edge of the table, she locked her gaze on his, listening.
“Long is an understatement. Busy day at the garage, then straight to the Landing. The club was there, along with a large crowd. It’s been nonstop. But I’m not complaining. Everything here going okay?”
Mia nodded and raised the mug to her lips again. He did the same while watching her over the rim of his mug. She was not only a beauty but also comfortable and confident. It showed in her deep emerald eyes. And she never hesitated when he was around. Just like now, she sat across from him dressed for bed in the most godawful tattered lounge wear—sweats that he could tell had been cut to her height and an oversized turtleneck that had to be two sizes too big if any.
She returned her mug to the coaster and waved to Lola like someone waves for you to follow.
“More? You want to hear more of my day?”
Her eyes seemed to shine like diamonds as she nodded.
“Not much to tell. We’re restoring a Fifties custom coupe at the garage. The Landing?” Lola mustered another sip of the mystery tea. “I covered the grill tonight. The cook shack is vented but that only turns it into a sauna with the heat and the lake air. I imagine I’ll get double shifts on the grill for that very reason.
Mia’s eyes widened as she pointed toward Lola and toward the large cooktop across the room.
“Yes.” Lola chuckled. “I can cook. The Landing offers steaks and baked potatoes each day five to eight, or until we sell out. Tonight, we sold out in a little over two hours. The rest of the night, I shagged drinks and worked the bar with Brew.”
After enjoying the last of her tea in silence, Mia returned her mug to the coaster and pushed to her feet. Looking at him, she raised her brows and paused.
He nodded and rose to his feet also as she took his mug. He followed her to the sink and perched his ass on the counter. “Have you been here long?” Watching as she held up four fingers covered in suds, he asked, “Four months?” He nodded at her confirmation, wanting to ask more, knowing he shouldn’t.
Mia rinsed the suds from the sink and gave him a thumbs up, smiling.
“All done?”
She shook her head and again popped up four fingers then a thumbs up.
“Ah. It’s been a good four months.”
Her smile grew. The clean mugs and teapot were now turned upside down on a folded dish towel to drain. She dried her hands and walked to the light switch, flipping it down. Pushing from the edge of the counter, Lola turned toward the grand room, following her up the stairs. Only when she closed her bedroom door did he finally manage to disappear into his.