Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Naomi helped Regina carry dishes out to the tables.
It seemed the MC had grown so much that Regina had decided to make four huge tables to accommodate everyone.
The kids who didn’t need their parents’ help with their plates or eating had asked Regina to make a kids-only table, though they hadn’t called it that.
Phoebe, Blake, and Benji had suggested their table be called the Next Gen table.
Naomi had giggled when Regina told her because the original name Phoebe had requested had been turned down.
She’d wanted to call the adult tables The Ancients, but Bear had put a stop to that immediately.
Naomi could appreciate that because she didn’t need anyone reminding her that she and her womb mates had their fortieth birthday approaching this summer.
“Mom, Mom, Mom,” the triplets called as they walked into the kitchen.
“Yes?” Naomi answered, staring at her daughters, who had smiled more in the last twenty-four hours than she’d seen them smile in years.
“Phoebe said that Stone is helping to illustrate a book she’s writing, and he’s going to do a lesson on drawing and painting right after lunch before the club has council,” Regan said.
“We’re invited because it’s open to any of the Bluff Creek kids,” Taylor continued.
“And since we live here,” Beck added.
“We’re Bluff Creek kids,” all three girls yelled.
“I think that is fantastic. How about you help us carry the platters out, and then you can tell Phoebe you’d love to attend,” Naomi suggested, motioning at the huge platters of food.
“You know, with us moving to divided tables and having to do three platters of each item, I think we’ll move to a buffet line starting next week.
We could use those large pans to keep stuff warm.
It would also shorten the time for people to wash the dishes because we’d be using less platters,” Regina mused, wiping her forehead.
“I think that sounds like a fantastic idea. I love the idea of family meals, but with how large the group is, especially adding our eight, it’s a lot,” Naomi said, balancing the three baskets of rolls.
“Let’s get in our seats,” War directed, holding Amelia in his arms.
Remi kissed Amelia on the cheek and went to the far end of the table to sit away from War.
“Remi, I said I was sorry,” War said, settling Amelia in the high chair by his seat.
“Actions speak louder than words,” Remi called.
Naomi made her way to one of the open spaces. Her Franks cousins had made sure there was room for her and her sisters near them.
Dex walked in and paused at the door. Naomi didn’t know much about him other than that he was in charge of the range for the club. She did know he seemed to not enjoy kids because he was very vocal about it.
The only space left was beside her sister Chloe. He sat down, scooting a little closer to Finn on his other side.
“I promise I don’t have any diseases and no kids, so you’re safe beside me, biker boy,” Chloe deadpanned.
“I wasn’t scooting away from you. I thought you were left-handed and didn’t want to take too much room when we ate. I’m right-handed,” Dex defended.
Naomi grinned. Chloe despised it when people couldn’t tell which triplet was which, and to be fair, they all wore their hair differently. Unless they were trying to confuse someone, they never wore their hair like each other.
“Thanks so much. I’m Chloe. My hair is always in braids and reaches my back. Naomi wears her hair down unless she puts it in a ponytail or bun, and Lilah, who is left-handed, has the shortest hair because hers is shoulder length,” Chloe replied, rolling her eyes.
“Okay, so you’re Chloe,” Dex recapitulated, nodding his head.
“Yes,” she emphasized, her eyes wide. “He runs the range, you said?”
Naomi chuckled at Chloe’s tone. Out of the three of them, Chloe acted the prim woman around their dad but was the wildest of the three.
“He does. I want to say I’m thankful for all the people around this table. It was a little bit of a rough start when I took over as President…”
“That’s an understatement,” Bear, the Vice President, interrupted.
“It was the best thing that I ever did, and I’m thrilled we’ve expanded in the last year with new Prospects and new family.
A year ago, at the D-Day celebration, we almost lost Locks.
Today, planning our third annual celebration with even more people makes me happy.
Now, let’s raise a glass to the amazing women who are part of the MC, whom we couldn’t survive without,” War toasted.
“Better,” Remi called.
Naomi spent lunch eating and giggling. Each of the Franks sisters had some story to tell. By the time lunch was over, Naomi knew more about the women she was thrilled to have found with her sisters.
Lunch was cleaned up, and easels with canvases were set up on two of the tables. Pencils were beside each place. Naomi grabbed a drink and settled beside where Winnie was sitting.
“Interested in watching?” Naomi asked.
“I’m interested in making sure Phoebe and Blake don’t disrupt the class with too many questions while Stone is teaching.
I explained to Phoebe that Stone was donating his time to help her and the others, but she got that look on her face that means she’s going to do what she wants.
Since this is the first class, I thought I’d stay just in case I needed to step in and save Stone,” Winnie said.
Naomi grinned and nodded. Phoebe was a force, but she hoped her girls learned that they could speak up without retribution by watching the younger Phoebe stand up for herself.
“Let’s get started. Council is in an hour. We’re going to start with a short lesson,” Stone announced.
“I thought we were painting. Where’s the paint?” Benji demanded.
“I thought we were illustrating too. Stone, did you plan this or are you half-assing it?” Phoebe challenged.
“Phoebe Carter, you apologize right this minute. First, Stone is giving his time and teaching; therefore, you will give him the respect he deserves. Second, how the heck do you think it’s okay to charge everyone a subscription to either cuss with approval or have to pay if they don’t have the subscription and then you cuss?
You will sincerely give Stone your apology or you will leave this lesson.
Do you understand?” Winnie scolded, shaking her finger toward Phoebe.
“I told you I’d get in trouble for this. You better come through with the fifty bucks, Finn,” Phoebe yelled.
Naomi stood up because Beck was cringing in her seat at the yelling.
Finn stepped around the corner, grinning at Stone. Naomi couldn’t believe that after all the things she’d heard about Finn, that he still hadn’t learned his lesson. Finn walked over and handed Phoebe the money.
“Finn, just so you understand this very clearly, I do not appreciate you using my daughter to pull a prank on Stone. We are a family, and pranks are all good and well in appropriate places. This wasn’t one of them and wipe that smirk off your face, Prospect.
I’ll be chatting with my husband, and when I’m through, you’ll be lucky if your prospect time isn’t extended another year.
Buy some gloves because I can guarantee that cleaning toilets at the gym and every business in town will be added to your prospect duties after I chat with the other wives,” Winnie said, walking over and pulling Phoebe into her arms.
Naomi walked over to check on Beck. She leaned close. “Are you okay?” she whispered.
Beck nodded. “I’m good. Phoebe had warned us that she was going to yell, but it still made me jump.”
“Finn, I don’t appreciate what you did. Head outside and start washing my bike. I’ll make sure Locks, Bear, and anyone else who wants theirs washed bring their bikes by if they aren’t already outside,” Stone commanded in a cold voice that had Naomi imagining the harsh man he’d had to be in prison.
“But…” Finn started to say but Stone pointed at the door. Finn nodded and walked out.
“Wow, who knew we were getting a show today with the class,” Deborah joked, getting the kids all laughing.
“Phoebe,” Winnie prompted.
“Stone, I’m sorry that when you were nice enough to defend the unicorns, help me illustrate my book I’m writing, and teach a class on drawing and painting, I chose poorly and disrupted the class. Here’s the fifty dollars that Finn gave me,” Phoebe said, holding it out to Stone.
“I appreciate the apology, but I won’t take your money.
Maybe you could buy the class a dessert when we’re done since the outburst took learning time away from them.
We’re good, Phoebe. Everybody makes mistakes.
Finn should never have included you in his prank.
Maybe next time, ask your mom or dad if someone asks you to do something that doesn’t sound quite right,” Stone suggested.
“Thanks, Stone,” Phoebe beamed, throwing her arms around Stone. He hugged her back, telling her everything was okay.
Stone started teaching, and Naomi sat down to watch. He was so patient with the kids, talking through how they could learn to draw by starting with shapes or even tracing things they liked.
He started them off with three circles, which he told them would become a cat.
“I like cats. Blaze and Maisie are fun to play with at Papa Rascal’s. Maisie’s zoomies are funny, though she usually knocks something over,” Benji said.
“I think it’s funny when Meg tries to work on the computer and Blaze crawls up on her chest and shoulder, making her try to type around him,” Blake added, giggling.
Naomi drifted as Stone taught, soaking in her daughters’ expressions as a male figure gave them the attention that they’d never received from her father or husband. If nothing else changed for them besides this, the move was worth it.
“So, now that the divorce is final and you’re starting to get your footing here, have you thought about what you’d like to do?” Winnie questioned softly, leaning closer.
Naomi paused, then heard Sarah’s voice in her head that she didn’t need to censor her words with these women, her family.
“No one has ever asked me that. I went to college and have an accounting degree because that’s what my father required.
I double majored and received my degree in library sciences because, well, I adore books.
But the closest I’ve come to libraries has been taking the girls to programs. I know I want to do something.
I didn’t like staying home while Jared went to work.
Housework is not my favorite, and living in Uncle Locks’ and Aunt Hope’s house, even if I wanted to clean, they pay someone to do that.
It’s strange to have choices, especially being almost forty,” Naomi said softly, not wanting to disturb Stone’s teaching.
He was walking around, making suggestions on how the kids could improve their drawings.
“Hmm, let me think a little. Until we find something permanent, you could always volunteer in one of the businesses to relieve the boredom. Everyone always needs help,” Winnie said.
Naomi wasn’t designed to be a lady of leisure, but she wasn’t sure where to start. Some people thrived on it, but she wasn’t one. Maybe she’d ask her Aunt Hope for a suggestion.