Chapter 13
Storm
“What’s going on, Storm?” Porter takes a seat at the table and steeples his fingers under his chin.
“It’s Dixie.”
“What’s wrong with my daughter?” He sits a little straighter and his body tenses. Porter cares more about his daughters than anyone else.
“She’s going to run.”
“What do you mean she’s going to run?” He stands from his chair so quickly; it clatters to the floor with a loud bang.
“She wants to own a restaurant and if we don’t let her, she’s leaving the club and disappearing.” I keep my tone neutral, knowing if I get emotional this won't end well.
“If she isn't here, who will cook for the club? Who will protect her? Where would her restaurant be located? It would need to be in our territory!”
“Calm down, Porter. I told her to give me a few days before she makes any decisions. I have until Saturday to figure this all out.”
“Ok. We can work with that.” He slowly lowers himself and after he rights his chair, he settles into it.
“We could hire some bike bunnies to cook. We both know the guys don’t expect something amazing. I'm sure they could handle it.”
“You spend too much time with the girls if you’re calling them bike bunnies.” He chuckles, shaking his head at me.
“We can still protect her. We protect Roxy and Oakley while they work outside of the clubhouse. We just need to be smart. I want to look for some locations within our territory that Dixie could use, but I wanted to get your approval first.”
“I can't lose my daughter, Storm. Do whatever you have to.”
“Why are we combing the area for empty stores?” Chopper climbs onto his bike and fastens his helmet on his head, but he makes no effort to start the engine.
“To find Dixie a restaurant.”
“Seriously? Does Porter know?”
“Of course Porter knows. Do you really think I’d go behind his back and do something like this?”
“Nah. Never.” He scrubs a hand over his mouth and down his beard. “Can I ask a question?”
I sigh, knowing exactly what the question will be. I don’t want to deal with this. I'm trying to make sure Dixie’s happy and she isn't going to run away from me. I'm with Porter, I can't lose her.
“What?” As much as I want to start my engine and speed off, I know Chopper won't let this go.
“Why are you doing this for Dixie?”
“Because if I don’t, she’ll run. You heard her, she wants some distance from the club.”
“Did you come up with this idea or did Porter?” He arches a brow.
“I did,” I growl. “Any other questions?”
“When are you going to tell her you’re in love with your Little Fox?” He smirks.
“The same day you tell Roxy you’re in love with her.”
With that, I take off down the road. I’ll ride up and down every street until I find the perfect place for her. And if I can't find one available, I’ll offer a current business money to move elsewhere.
I have money saved up. Living on the clubhouse property, I don’t spend a whole lot of money every month.
I have my SUV that I use for work, but that’s paid off and so is my bike.
The only thing I spend money on is the little bit that goes to the club for food and my place.
I could make it even cheaper if I didn’t want to live alone.
I’d be willing to blow all of my savings if Dixie doesn’t leave. Anything to keep her close. To get to see her whenever I want to.
I swallow hard as I process my thoughts. That sounds a whole lot like a man in love. One who will put his girl before anything else in the world.
Jeez, maybe I am the type of man Dixie’s looking for.
That thought bounces around in my head as we drive through town.
There’s one store front available, but it’s tiny.
I don’t think she’d be happy there. We keep riding and pass a restaurant that’s much larger.
It looks like it’s in need of some major repairs and I don’t remember seeing a lot of customers here.
Pulling my bike over, I cut the engine and take off my helmet. I take the place in and frown. It will definitely need a facelift before she could use the space, but I think this is perfect and it’s only a few blocks from the clubhouse.
“What do you think?” I nod towards the place.
“I think someone already has a business here.” Chopper chuckles.
“Yeah, but let’s see how long that lasts.”
I climb off my bike and leave my helmet behind as I stroll inside the building. I scan the area, noticing the yellow lights and peeling wall paper.
There’s an old man sitting at one table and no one else in sight. I glance at my watch and notice it’s six o’clock. This place should be overwhelmed with the dinner rush, yet it looks like a ghost town.
“You can take a seat anywhere,” he calls as he struggles to stand from the table.
“Stay seated. I don’t want you to hurt yourself.” Chopper hurries over to help the man.
“Nonsense. If you’re here to eat, someone needs to cook for you.”
My heart breaks for him. He has to be over eighty years old and yet he’s still trying to run this place by himself.
“Do you mind if we sit and talk to you?” I motion to the three empty chairs around the table.
“Sure. I’d love the company.” He smiles up at us, not seeming to notice our cuts. Or if he does, he doesn’t care.
“How long has this place been in business?” Chopper glances around, making small talk with the man.
“Sixty-three years. My Jenni opened this restaurant right after we got married. She died a few months ago and I just can't give it up.”
“Is it hard running it all alone?” My brows draw together as I study him.
“Yeah, it sure is. She had this dream of renovating and recreating the menu. She wanted to breathe some fresh life into this place. She even talked about renaming it and bringing in some help.” He drops his gaze to his lap and his bottom lip trembles.
“I wanted to give her all of that, but money doesn’t grow on trees, you know?
Now, this place is dying faster than ever.
No one comes in and I don’t know how to save it. ”
“What did she want to rename it?” I swallow hard. I can't imagine loving someone so much and wanting to give them the world, yet failing at every turn.
“Little Fox Café.” He grins as he stares at his restaurant.
Chopper’s gaze snaps to mine and I nod my head. This is the perfect place for Dixie. I have a feeling I was meant to stop here and talk to this old man.
“I have a proposition for you,” I begin, unsure of how he’s going to respond, but I have to take a shot.
“Well, let’s hear it.” He sits back in his chair and watches me carefully.
“My girl wants to open her own restaurant. My problem is there’s only one space available in our territory and it isn't great.” I motion to our cuts and he nods his head in understanding.
“He calls her Little Fox. He’s done it since she was in high school.” Chopper chuckles. “It drives her crazy, but she secretly loves it.”
“What if you work with her and bring your wife’s visions to reality? You let Dixie come up with a new menu and redesign the restaurant. She’d let you continue to work here, but you won't have to do it all alone anymore.”
“What’s this Dixie like?” He narrows his eyes and keeps his chin held high.
“She’s great,” Chopper begins, but I cut him off.
“She’s perfect. Beautiful, smart, driven, and an amazing chef. She’s full of life and love, but she wants more in life. She wants to share her cooking with the world.”
I tug my phone from my cut and pull up a picture of Dixie. I spin it around and show the old man. He takes the device with shaky hands and smiles down at it.
“My Jenni would love her.” He hands it back and scans the area. “Do you think she could come in and talk to me before I agree?”
“I'm sure I can make that happen. I'll cover the cost of everything. I can pay you too.”
“Nah, I don’t need the money. I know I won't live much longer. I just want to honor my Jenni before I go.”
“Can we come back Saturday night? We can bring you some of her cooking too.”
“That sounds great. Thank you…” He trails off and I realize I never gave him my name.
“I'm Storm and this is Chopper.”
“I'm Artie. I look forward to meeting Dixie on Saturday.”