Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
RACHEL
Frankie’s excitement didn’t die all morning.
She ran around, showing me the shelf of origami on the wall, the donuts Killian brought, and even the bed she slept in the night before.
Mojave’s bed. When I shot him a questioning look, he just shrugged and gestured to the pull out couch still rumpled from him sleeping in it all night.
“It was safer. I didn’t like her near the door. ”
This far out in the desert, I didn’t think he had to worry much about break ins, but he’d always been cautious since the first time I’d met him. It was sweet that he’d give up his own bed for Frankie too.
I used the impromptu tour to look around, taking in the small but tidy space. Even the storage room was tidy, taking up the second bedroom with shelves lined neatly with boxes and totes all labeled. For a single man’s home, it was cleaner than I’d expected.
When I returned to the living room, Frankie was sitting cross legged on the couch that Mojave had set back to rights while I was looking around, eating a donut and watching a documentary about baby animals on the small TV hanging on the wall.
Mojave rested his hands on the back of the couch, watching as well with a frown on his face like he was just as enthralled by the information as Frankie.
I felt a smile tug at my lips as I moved to stand beside Killian, who was leaning against the kitchen counter, watching them with amusement.
“You’d think they were related with the way they mirror each other,” he murmured.
“I thought the same thing the first time we met,” I agreed. “They’ve both got the same communication habits. You should hear the conversations they have together. Last week, they spent an entire afternoon discussing whether a lizard was technically a dragon or not.”
Killian huffed a laugh, shaking his head. “Never would’ve thought Mojave would be good with kids, but he clicked with this one.” He shot me a curious look. “He said you were working on moving her to a safer place?”
I grimaced. “Unfortunately, there’s no other option, especially after yesterday. While I know Mojave is a safe and trustworthy person, they don’t know him and still handed Frankie off without a care.”
Killian didn’t look surprised. He crossed his arms over his chest, a scowl pulling at his lips as he said, “Good. Anyone willing to just dump their kid for a whole weekend without even getting contact information for whoever is watching her shouldn’t be responsible for a little kid.
She deserves to be with someone who actually gives a crap. ”
“I was honestly thinking about recommending Mojave,” I admitted softly. “She trusts him and he’s proven over the past few weeks that he’ll show up for her.” I glanced at Mojave’s friend to gauge his reaction “Think he’d be a good guardian?”
I appreciated how Killian didn’t automatically answer in support of his friend.
He thought about it before answering and he was honest with his assessment.
“Mojave’s had a rough go of it since he got out of the military.
Sometimes he still struggles. But if he did decide to step up for Frankie, I know he’d do everything in his power to make sure she was taken care of.
And he wouldn’t be doing it alone. The whole crew would have his back, just like we have for every other guy who got surprised with a kid in the past few years. He’s got support.”
That sometimes mattered just as much as where a child was staying.
I’d had some parents tell me they were worried I’d take their kids away because their house wasn’t big or fancy and they weren’t rich.
But the parents who cared that much usually did everything they could for their kids, and they had a strong support system to back them up.
Friends, family members, members of their church.
That mattered when it came to raising children.
Knowing Mojave had an entire crew at his back, even if he wasn’t perfect, would look favorable when brought in front of a judge.
“Do you think he’d be willing?” I had to ask. Mojave hadn’t signed up for full time parenthood. While he never complained about showing up for Frankie, I was still well aware he was doing it because he was a good person. That didn't mean he’d jump at the chance to be a full time guardian.
Killian tipped his head side to side. “Yes and no. He’d do it because he cares, but he’d also argue against it because he likely doesn’t see himself as the best candidate.”
I snorted. “So he and Zero are similar in that regard. You bikers just love breaking stereotypes, don’t you?”
He shot me a smirk and shrugged. “We’ve been trying to prove that since the beginning. It wasn’t until the women of the crew started showing up that we actually got a chance to change people’s minds.”
I loved that they saw the wives and girlfriends just as much part of the crew as the other guys. I’d expected misogyny at the very least when I first found out about the crew. These guys weren’t like that. They were good people.
“I suggest giving him the weekend,” Killian added. “A lot of the time, it’s the unknown that makes him so wary. Once he’s got a grasp of what’d be expected, he’d be more on board with it.”
“I can agree to that,” I said. It was a smart plan. Technically, Mojave had permission from Frankie’s parents to keep her over the weekend, and they both seemed happy to be here. Giving them both some time to really experience what it’d be like to live together would be a good thing.
Mojave accepted watching Frankie another night without any issue, seeming comfortable enough with the plan, and I hung out for a while when Frankie asked if I’d learned any more origami I could show her.
Eventually, though, I headed home for some rest. I needed it.
After the case the night prior, I hadn’t gotten much sleep before heading out to meet with Mojave. I was running on empty.
It was just after supper that I got a call from Mojave. I frowned, not expecting him to call so soon, and my tone was worried when I put the phone to my ear.
“Mojave?”
“Yeah, hey, I, uh, need a favor.”
“Sure. Is everything alright?” I asked.
He was quiet for a moment, like he wasn’t sure how to answer, before finally asking, “Can you take Frankie tonight? Something happened with my crew.”
The tightness in his voice made me think he was on the verge of panic, which worried me. I didn’t want to force him to wait around to explain it all to me when he was obviously in a hurry, though.
“Of course I can. Did you want me to pick her up?”
“No. I gotta get my bike anyway. I’m heading that way. Send me your address? We’ll be there in like thirty-five minutes.”
I appreciated the timeframe since it told me he wasn’t going to speed to get here. He still prioritized Frankie’s safety, even when things came up and he had to ask for help to care for her.
“I’ll text it to you and be waiting when you get here. And Mojave?” I stopped him before he hung up, ensuring he heard the sincerity in my tone. “Thank you for calling. I’m glad she isn’t going to be left alone.”
Not once did I ever think he’d do something like that, but it felt like it needed saying.
Frankie likely wouldn’t have been too bothered staying alone given that she’d done it a dozen times before, but Mojave understood it wasn’t safe and looked for the next safest option if he couldn’t keep her with him while dealing with whatever was going on with his crew.
It was dark when they pulled up, the sun having finally set, but Frankie didn't look bothered, bouncing out of the truck and skipping up to where I was waiting at my front door. “Hi, Ms. Rachel! Mojave says he’s got an errand, so I get to play with you!”
“That’s right,” I agreed with a soft smile for her. “Mojave got to have you over for a slumber party. I’m glad I get a turn tonight.”
She beamed at me. “Does that mean we can watch a movie?”
“Absolutely,” I nodded seriously. “Movies are a necessity for slumber parties. Give me just a second to talk to Mojave, then I’ll show you the room you’ll sleep in so you can change into pjs, okay?”
“Okay!”
As she started exploring my living room, I met Mojave as he was heading my way, Frankie’s backpack in hand and a deep frown on his face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to– But Prez called and–”
He looked a little out of sorts, like he was conflicted about the whole situation. I squeezed his arm gently to reassure him, taking the bag from his hands. “It’s fine, Mojave, I promise. I’m happy to take Frankie for the night. Emergencies happen. Believe me, I know. Just… be careful, okay?”
He hadn’t said what had happened with his crew or what he’d be doing, and while I didn't think it’d be something illegal, I was concerned. I hadn’t heard much about what was going on with his crew to even guess what he needed to do, and I didn't want him to get hurt.
Nodding, he leaned in to press a quick kiss to my lips, surprising me. “I will.”
He walked away without another word, leaving me speechless and smiling. How in the world did he get to be so sweet?
He didn’t pull away from the curb until I was inside the house and the door was shut behind me.
I locked up, finding Frankie nosing through my DVD collection with wide eyed wonder on her face, and took a deep breath.
Having a surprise visitor for the night wasn’t common, but it did happen.
I’d had kids stay with me in emergency situations.
I’d also covered one or two of Ted’s cases, and he’d done the same for me in the past, until we could find family members or a more permanent foster placement for the kids.
As such, I had a set up in the guest room for kids if necessary.
It wasn’t much, a single bed with a trundle and some spare clothes and toiletries, but I liked to be prepared just in case.
In small towns like ours, where foster families were sometimes over an hour away, we did what we had to do in order for the kids to be safe and comfortable.
“Okay! How about pjs first, then you can pick a movie while I make some popcorn,” I offered.
Frankie spun around, delighted. “Popcorn? Really? Yeah!”
Snickering, I ushered her toward the hallway. “Come on. We can both get changed before getting comfy on the couch.”
When her pjs turned out to be nothing more than a large t-shirt and too-small shorts, I let Frankie pick through my stash of kids clothes.
I had a little of everything, usually stuff donated to us that was still in good condition.
Frankie found a pair of Wonderwoman jammies that she thought looked cool, and when I said she could keep them, she looked like I’d just offered her the moon.
After popcorn was made and the movie was turned on, we sat on the couch together.
She started a little ways away from me, focused on the bowl in her lap, but eventually she scooted closer and closer, like she was unsure if she was welcome for cuddles.
It broke my heart that she even had to ask and I opened my arms for her to join me with a reassuring smile.
“I like cuddles. How about you?”
“I do too,” she admitted a little shyly. “It’s nice.”
I swallowed down the lump in my throat, trying not to cry. “Well, when you’re with me, feel free to have as many cuddles as you want. I don’t mind.”
She smiled brightly and wiggled until she was snugged against my side, eyes on the TV and her little body relaxed. This sweet little girl only ever wanted to be loved. I’d make it my mission to ensure she got exactly what she needed. For tonight, though, a little cuddling was enough.