by Freya Barker
By the time I hear the kids come into the clubhouse, Finn is asleep in his stroller in one of the bedrooms in the back, and we’re at the kitchen table peeling potatoes.
“Nana! It’s snowing! Can we go build a snowman?”
Kiara, as usual, starts chatting at high volume before she even gets to the kitchen.
“Inside voice, child,” I scold her as she comes storming in. “And hello.”
“Hi. But can we?”
“Hey, Nana.” Ezrah pokes his head in behind his sister. “Can we have a snack?”
I wipe my hands on the towel I have tucked in my waistband and get to my feet.
“Got homework, you two?” From the pout forming on Kiara’s face it’s clear she does. Ezrah has homework every day so that’s a given. “Right. I’ll get you a snack, you two do your homework, and if there’s time after that before we sit down for dinner, you can go out for a bit.”
Ezrah disappears at once, but his sister is slower, dragging her feet out the door while mumbling, “not fair,” under her breath.
“I could always change my mind,” I call after her.
Sophia snickers. “She reminds me of me growing up. All princess, all the time.”
“You got that right. Only girl with all these boys, she gets away with a lot.”
“I bet.”
A few minutes later, I walk out with a large plate of sliced apples, cheese, and crackers and set it down in the middle of the large table where all six kids are bent over their books.
“Share,” I warn them. “Four of each, apiece.” Five heads nod except for my granddaughter’s. “You hear me, Kiara?”
She glances up with a mutinous look on her face, but knows me well enough to nod. Lordy, that child’s gonna turn me gray before my time.
When I turn back to the kitchen I notice Wapi sitting at the bar, his eyes peeled on the doorway.
“What’s with Wapi?” I ask when I sit back down at the table and grab the next potato.
“Why?”
“He’s out there starin’ at the kitchen, and I’m pretty sure it ain’t because of me.”
She shakes her head, her eyes on the potato she’s peeling.
“I don’t know. He’s nice, and up until last week I thought he was a buddy. He reminds me of my younger brother.”
I wince. From that pining look I caught, I’m pretty sure Wapi sees her as anything but an older sister.
“Not thinkin’ he looks at it the same way.”
“Yeah, I’m starting to get that,” she snorts, her eyes meeting mine, a hint of humor in their depths. “If I’d known getting hurt would draw this much attention, I could’ve ended my relationship drought six years ago.”
I don’t bother pointing out she’d caught their eye long before she was shot.
“Six years?”
“Hmmmm,” she hums.
What a waste. My mind goes to the many years I stayed willfully single, and then the last two years keeping my distance from the man I knew could break my resolve.
I may not be particularly smart or educated, but experience has given me some wisdom to share.
Putting down my knife I put my hand on her arm.
“Life’s too short, honey.”
CHAPTER 25
Brick
KIARA’S GIGGLE JOINS her nana’s.
“He’s messy,” the little princess points out and I look at Finn.
He is messy. Lisa decided it was time to try him on solid food and sent me out in the snow last night to get him the high chair from the shed. He’s still listing a little to one side, but she says he’ll get the hang of sitting unassisted soon. Until then, the harness seems to keep him in the chair.
This morning I have the honor of trying to fit a tiny spoon, with some orange guck Lisa says is good for him, between those constantly moving lips. Needless to say he’s wearing it—everywhere—to my frustration and apparently to everyone else’s hilarity.
“You’re not helping,” I grumble when Finn breaks out a smile, showing off the beginnings of his very first tooth.
While he has his mouth open, I try to shove in another spoonful. Of course the moment I do, his little jaws slam shut and most, if not all of it, ends up under his nose. Before I have a chance to scrape it off, one of his waving hands lands on his mouth and rubs the gunk around. Then he shoves his fist in his mouth and tries to suck it off.
“At least he’s not spitting it out,” Lisa observes, a smile in her voice.
“I suppose one could call that a win.”
“Don’t be so glum, you’ll see, in a couple of days he’ll get the hang of it.”
She approaches the high chair with a wet towel and with a sure hand easily wipes a squirming Finn clean.
“I’ll quickly change him before I go,” I offer.
“Let me, you haven’t even had breakfast yet. What time is Ouray picking you up?”
We’re heading to Albuquerque to pick up a new tow truck. The one we had was pretty old, and even though Ouray hasn’t heard from insurance yet, he didn’t think we’d get a whole lot back for it anyway. He calls it a capital investment, which is fine by me, I’m just glad I don’t have to pay the tab.
We’ve been bleeding money these past few weeks, having to pass on tow calls, and believe me, with the weather we’ve been having there were plenty. Every year it’s the same thing, the first couple of weeks winter hits in earnest, it’s like the road is full of idiots who forget how to drive in slick conditions.
It’s generally a busy time of year for us and not just with tows, with snow removal as well. A few of the club trucks are outfitted with blades and every snowfall we’re busy plowing the growing number of businesses the club owns in town. We’re missing out on tows, though, and with another storm on the way this weekend, we really need that new truck. If this is any indication, it’s gonna be a brutal winter.
“Eight,” I tell her.
She plucks Finn off his chair and smartly turns him with his back to her clean front.
“That’s in ten minutes. Pour yourself another coffee and grab some toast at least.”
I manage to pull her close when she tries to walk past and lean in for a kiss.
“Yes, Mother,” I tease her with a wink.
Then I watch her walk to the stairs, her rounded hips swaying with every step. My dick hardens in response. I turn to the counter, pouring myself that coffee to give the tent in my jeans a chance to deflate.
Lisa never answered my question about sex when Ouray interrupted us in the clubhouse kitchen a few days ago, and I haven’t brought it up again. Doesn’t help we’re still sharing a room with my grandson, and I’d like to get started on that extension sooner than later, but it’ll have to wait until spring.
Fuck, it’s gonna be a long winter.
“Uncle Ouray is here!”
Kiara is already running for the front door, pulling it open.
“Mornin’ Sunshine,” he grins at Kiara.
“Papa tried to feed Finn sweet potatoes, but he got it all over hisself!” she announces.
“That a fact?” Ouray raises an eyebrow at me over her head and chuckles. “Sounds like your papa needs to practice a little more.”
“Nana says he’ll get the hang of it in a few days.”
I don’t bother explaining her grandmother was talking about Finn, not me. Ouray clearly finds it all very amusing.
“I’m sure he will.”
“Go finish your breakfast, Princess,” I tell the little girl, pressing a kiss on her head. “You have to leave for school soon.”
Lisa is driving Finn over to Lissie’s this morning before taking the kids to school, because she has an appointment with Dr. Husse. I told her I’d come with her—Ouray and I could’ve gone on Monday—but she insisted since it was just a checkup, she’d be fine.
“I’m just gonna tell Lisa I’m gone. Be right out.”
With that I close the door in the asshole’s still grinning face, and hustle up the stairs.
“Is that Ouray?” she asks when I walk into our bedroom.
“Yeah, we’re headin’ out.”
She picks up Finn and props him on her hip before lifting her face for a kiss. Instead of taking her offering, I place my hands on either side of her face and lean close.
“We’re gonna need to find a solution for the baby, and soon,” I whisper, watching as her eyes flare. “Fuckin’ blue balls are painful at my age.”
“Mind your mouth,” she whispers, mostly by rote.
“He’s been sleepin’ through the night for a couple of weeks now, Sugar. He don’t need to be in the same room.”
“I’ll think about it.”
She follows her words with a brush of her lips, which I immediately capitalize on to show her how serious I am. Finn has little patience though, and almost immediately yanks on my beard.
“All right, buddy,” I tell him, kissing his forehead. “You be good for Nana.”
His face breaks into a smile and he lets out a lusty cry of agreement. At least that’s what I hope it is.
Ouray is waiting in his vehicle with the engine running.
“Shut it,” I warn him, when I see from the smirk on his face he’s about to give me a hard time.
“Finally a good woman in your bed and she comes with a house full of babies. It’s too fucking funny.” He laughs at my expense as we drive away from the cottage.
I almost tell him to fuck off, but I know it wouldn’t do a lick of good.
“You laugh, but I gotta house full ’a love so you won’t hear me complainin’.”
Much.
He pats my knee as we head down the drive to the road.
“Pleased as fuck for you, brother.”
I grin out the window.
So am I.
Lisa
“Everything looks great. I’m going to be away for Christmas and won’t be back until the first full week of January, so why don’t we book you in for the Tuesday. Same time?”
I nod. “Sounds good.”
She stands so I do too. It’s been on my lips to ask, but it’s not a subject I’m necessarily comfortable discussing. She rounds her desk, if I don’t do it now, I’ll have lost my chance. She reaches for the doorknob and stops, looking at me with narrowed eyes.
“Was there something else?”
“Sex,” I blurt out panicked, and immediately feel the heat of a blush creeping up my cheeks.
Dr. Husse chuckles. “Hell, yes. The more the better,” she jokes, putting me immediately at ease. “I’m sorry, I should’ve mentioned it when I had you on the phone the other day. You should be able to go back to your regular activities.”
“Technically that falls under new activities, but okay, good to know.”
I grin when she barks out a laugh.
“I’m sure it is,” she says with a twinkle in her eyes. “Don’t forget, I met the man.”
I’m still smiling at the doctor’s words when I pull up to Lissie’s place. She has the door open before I can get out of the SUV.
“What’s that grin for?” she asks when I walk up to the door.
“Today’s a good day,” I share, as she waves me inside.
I hand her the bag of fresh muffins I picked up on my way from the hospital. She glances at the name on the bag before opening it up to take a sniff.
“Perfect. They’ll go nicely with the fresh pot of coffee I just put on.”
In the living room, Lettie—who is a month and a half older—and Finn are playing on a blanket on the living room floor, babbling at each other. The moment Finn spots me, his little legs start kicking and his arms come up.
“A-da…”
I pick him up for a kiss.
“Havin’ fun, Little Man?”
His hands slap my face and I bend down to blow a raspberry in his neck, making him giggle. I smile at the contagious sound.
“I’ve got your coffee here, come doctor it up yourself,” Lissie calls from the kitchen.
I give Finn another kiss, put him back on the blanket with his little friend, and go fetch my coffee.
“So what makes today a good day?” she asks when we sit down in the living room.
I swallow down the bite of muffin before I answer.
“It just is. I have my independence back. Don’t need a guard to drive the kids to school, or to go see my doctor. It feels good.”
“How was the doctor? What did she say?”
I can’t stop my smile and quickly take a sip of my coffee to hide it. Not soon enough apparently, because Lissie narrows her eyes on me.
“It’s all good,” I answer obscurely. “Stitches came out, wound looks good. I can return to all regular activities.”
“Mmhmm,” she teases, grinning at me. “All of them? So how come you’re here and not stopping off at home to celebrate the good news with your man?” She wiggles her eyebrows and I snicker.
I’m lucky to have found a friend in Lissie. Something else I’ve done without for too damn long. My life’s been all about the kids for so long, I’d almost forgotten how good it feels to share everyday things with someone who gets it.
“He’s on his way to Albuquerque with Ouray. Pickin’ up a new tow truck.”
“Well, that’s poor timing.”
“Storm coming in for this weekend,” I explain. “They’re gonna need the truck. Besides, we still have three kids in the house, and this one,” I point at Finn, who is chewing on a corner of the blanket, “is still sleeping in our bedroom.”
“So move him. Put him in with Kiara. From what I remember her bedroom is big enough to add his crib. He sleeps through the night, yeah?” I nod. “Then it shouldn’t be an issue. It’s only until you guys have a chance to build the extension. She’s six, she’s gonna love her bunking with her little brother.”
She’s probably right. Kiara is a happy kid, loves the baby, and doesn’t like hearing she’s not big enough to carry Finn around like her big brother does. She’d be thrilled to be given a little responsibility.
The only thing that’s held me back was Finn still feeding during the night—but now he sleeps right through—and not wanting to take away the first bedroom Kiara has had to herself. The first is no longer an issue, and the second may well have been about me wanting to give that to her instead of what she might want for herself.
“Good point.”
“I know.” Lissie grins at me. “You’ve gotta get creative when you have kids running around and you want a little fun time with your man.” She holds up two fingers. “One; set your alarm at four thirty, it gives you enough time for some early morning nookie before the rugrats need attention. And two; lunch hours are underrated. Older kids are in school, baby’s down for a nap, and you’ve got the whole house to play. Why do you think Yuma comes home for lunch almost every day?”
“Every day?” My eyes about fall from my head.
“Mmhmm,” she hums again, her eyes twinkling.
Wow. Shows you how limited my experience is. I don’t think I’d mind more of Brick every day. Since we got together, we really haven’t had a chance to find our groove. Too much shit kept happening. But with the latest report that Nowak is in Mexico somewhere and the FBI is poised to nab him the moment he steps over the border, there’s no longer anything stopping us from living a regular life.
Maybe it’s time to find a new normal.
“Do you have time?” I ask Lissie who looks at me questioningly.
“For?”
“Helping me move Finn in with his big sister.”
She immediately gets to her feet.
“Damn right I do.”
Standing up as well, a few butterflies start swirling in my stomach from excitement.
I’m standing on the edge of a new tomorrow.
CHAPTER 26
Brick
IT’S CLOSE TO eleven at night when I pull the new tow truck up to the garage.
Much later than I had anticipated.
We got to Albuquerque a
little after noon, had a quick lunch, and Ouray helped me run an errand before we finally got to the dealership. That took a few hours and on the way back we ended up stopping at the diner in Bloomfield. The snow started falling when we passed Aztec and got worse the closer we got to Durango.
The big storm arrived early.
Lisa left on the hall light I notice when I walk to the cottage. I talked to her when the snow started falling and told her not to wait up, but I’m still a little disappointed. Goes to show you how deep I’ve fallen for the woman.
Trying to keep the noise down, I kick off my boots and head for the kitchen for a glass of water. Then, making sure we’re all locked up, I tiptoe up the stairs, peeking my head around Ezrah’s door first. He’s lying on his back in bed, one arm folded up under his head, in a typical guy-pose. Next I look in on Kiara, and I immediately notice her room has been rearranged. Her bed, which was first jutting into the room with the headboard butted up to the middle of the wall on the far side, is now lengthwise along that wall. To my surprise, Finn’s crib is along the other wall, foot end to foot end.
My woman’s been busy.
I bend over Finn’s bed and notice he’s also on his back, both his little pudgy arms flailed up beside his head, his little lips pursed in sleep. Leaning over, I press a kiss to his forehead before turning to Kiara—starfished across her bed as usual—and do the same with her. Then I walk to Lisa’s bedroom, our bedroom, and notice a faint light coming from under the door.
The light on the nightstand on my side of the bed casts a soft glow and I can see a few of the tight curls of her hair sticking out of the blanket she is buried under. I’d love nothing more than to dive under the covers and pull her in my arms, but first I want to wash the day off me. A two-minute shower takes care of that.
With Finn in the other room, I forfeit putting on clean boxers and slide into bed in the buff. There I discover I wasn’t the only one with those thoughts and fling back the covers to find luscious stretches of silky soft, dark skin.
“Hey, honey,” she murmurs, rolling over to face me.
“Sugar…”
Suddenly grateful for that quick rinse in the shower, I reach out, tuck a curl behind her ear, and let my hand slide down her neck, over her shoulder, and down her arm.