by M. Merin
“We haven’t gotten that far…”
“Please, your type falls hard and fast. Jasper, Flint, Gunner, Jake, and Connal—all of you have fallen like dominoes, Sheriff,” she laughs to herself then cuts me off when I open my mouth to refute her. “I’m not blind, but I am old, Sheriff. Do not waste my time with denials. Let us use this time today wisely, to strategize. Now, I have a plan but it will require a bit of trust on your side.”
Again, I sit quietly and try to wait her out. Giving in, I nod my head.
“Excellent. I’ve discussed this all with Rogers. When the time comes, he will run your campaign.” And off she goes. I spend the next half an hour listening to her, as she has indeed, planned for everything. The food in front of us goes untouched.
“You’ve mentioned Gunner twice as you laid everything out,” I start when she’s finally finished. “I will not involve any of the MC with my campaign.”
“Normally, I would agree. However, Gunner is a decorated Vet who has a successful business and participates in the local Meals on Wheels. Furthermore,” she raises her voice when I try to cut in, “he’s Maddock’s son-in-law and any time they open their mouth against you the image of Gunner in your camp will amuse Rowansvilles’ residents and that will anger Bill beyond reason.”
“Look, I agree with eighty percent of your plan but Gunner is a murderer. I will not accept that I can’t win without his public backing, so drop that or I’ll handle this myself,” I stare her down, until she eventually nods. “Alright, now you referred to information that you might have the press leak if needed. What did you mean by that?”
“If it is necessary to keep you in office, I will handle that but I will not disclose it otherwise,” Mrs. Riley skirts my question.
“Next. Why me? Why over your family?”
“Riley and, now, Gunner are my family. Rogers and his wife, in their own way, are my family. Bill and Ann Maddock want nothing to do with this town, other than the property he expects to inherit. The MC is no more or less law-abiding than those two. At the end of the day, the difference is that the Grizzlies actually care about this town. The same way I do,” she pauses, seemingly to reassess me again. “You resent the MC so much and I understand why, but our little spot on the map is kept safe because of their interest here. It’s not overdeveloped because neither they nor I, will allow it. If Bill gets control of this town, all that I love about it will be knocked down and sold to the highest bidder.
“You, Sheriff Michaels, you are the balance the town needs against the MC taking too much control versus someone like Bill getting his way. Now, no one ever wants my opinion on these matters but get your courting done and settle in with that doctor before politics rears its ugly head. You’ll need her by your side,” Mrs. Riley finishes with a strong exhale.
“You just made me sound like Batman,” I deadpan.
“I don’t have any idea what you are talking about,” Mrs. Riley narrows her eyes at me. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have other things that require my attention.”
Rogers magically appears to see me out. As we approach the front door, he mumbles so softly I almost miss it. “She likes the Christian Bale version.”
Tabitha
Saturday flies by and that night I make good on my promise to stop by Jake’s house, not knowing that by BBQ, they meant they were having a full-on party.
I park the truck I’m still borrowing from Charlie at the end of a long line of bikes and ignore the stares and catcalls of men standing around out front. Their cuts indicate they’re all part of the MC and I square my shoulders to walk past them.
“Tabitha!” Charlie calls out, stepping out of the front door, just as one of the men had started towards me. He freezes in his tracks as she continues, “Everyone, this is Jake’s sister. She just moved here and is working over at the hospital.”
“Maybe we play doctor later, what do ya say, honey?” I can’t tell which one said it but I walk faster towards Charlie.
“Ford!” Jakes growls, coming around the corner of the house. “My sister is off-fucking-limits, got it?”
The largest man of the group looks me up and down again before turning to nod at him. “I hear ya.”
“Got a minute, Tabs?” Jake quickly leads me inside. Navigating around groups of people, I follow him back to the guest bedroom, noticing he pauses to listen before entering the room.
“Big crowd,” I start.
“Yeah, not much else going on this weekend,” he pauses. “Look, I stopped by your house last night.”
“When?”
“When you were wrapped around the Sheriff,” my cheeks flare red at his answer, he stares at me unblinking. “Tabs…”
“Stop. Stop right there!” I step towards him, raising my voice. “Of all the people on the planet, you’re going to weigh in on me kissing one person?
“I don’t want you getting hurt!” Jake starts to yell back at me before catching himself and putting his hands up to placate me. “Look, just, I hear things from time to time. I don’t know anything for sure but make sure you can trust him.”
“How well do you know him?”
“We don’t exactly run in the same circles, Tabby,” he laughs. “Look, the Governor’s office is really coming after us hard. There can’t be any fucking leaks. I’m not going to tell you who to see, but you can’t say shit about any of us. You can’t even mention it if you see any of us at a store or in passing. I need you to understand this is really fucking serious. Don’t talk about any of us. Can you do that?”
“I…” pausing I take a moment to digest what he’s said. “Dammit Jake, you know I babble when I get nervous. I’ll try, that’s all I can promise.”
“Come here,” Jake pulls me into his arms. “You’re my family. I don’t want you getting hurt, just be careful with him.”
I stand within Jake’s arms and all I can think is I can’t remember the last time my own mother held me like this. The last true hug I had was when he returned from active duty and my fears of losing my favorite sibling finally started to leave me, when I knew he was home safe. He’s right, he is my family and I have to protect him.
“You two alright?” comes Charlie’s soft voice from the doorway.
He nods and I wipe the moisture away from my eyelids.
“Jake probably hasn’t said it,” she gently smiles at me before turning back to the hall. “But he’s so happy you’re here.” Jake grunts in response and I poke him in the ribs.
“Charlie,” I call out to stop her retreat. “Can we have dinner one night next week?” Jake squeezes me one more time before releasing me.
“Any night but Monday,” she eagerly nods and we all walk out towards the patio. “Come on, Amy and Wrench are here and I’ll introduce you to my friend, Riley.”
“Oh! Are Amy’s sons here also? I met her daughter last week,” I respond, right before my foot catches the base of the French doors and I go flying right into someone’s back.
“FUCK! Fuck. Fuck.” The man I’ve half landed on is carrying on something fierce.
“I’m so sorry,” I squeal trying to get to my feet. I think it’s the guy who works at Connal’s Garage that I tripped into. Behind me, Jake is holding up Charlie, who seems to be gasping for breath. Looking forward at a rumbling noise, I see the largest, scariest man wearing most of the beer from the cup of the guy I knocked down.
“Are you alright?” I ask Charlie, thinking she’s having an asthma attack.
“No,” grunts the guy under me. “Get the fuck off.”
“You okay, Tabby?” Connal comes to my aide, scooping me up. “Chill the fuck out, Royce,” he growls at the man slowly standing up. “You met Jake’s sister at the Garage the other day.”
“Goddammit, she’s just like that one!” he grounds out before storming off in the opposite direction, mumbling to himself.
At that moment I look around, trying to figure out what’s happening as everyone around us starts laughing. I shrink back into Connal, wa
nting to hide from being mocked.
“It’s not you, Tabby,” Connal whispers but steps back from me a little. “Charles is a little accident prone sometimes and Royce…” he voice drifts off as he watches Charlie laughing and disengaging himself from me he goes to nuzzle at her neck.
No one around us blinks an eye as the three of them hold each other, getting their laughter under control as Jake and Connal gently kiss Charlie. Amy steps up to me, tugging me away to introduce me to her Ol’ Man.
Wrench is talking to the large, scar-faced man who ended up wearing Royce’s beer.
“I’m sorry about that,” I indicate his wet shirt under his cut and he shrugs as he lights up a cigarette. He’s probably the largest man I’ve ever seen and I try to focus on Wrench and Amy.
“Tabby is the new OB/GYN in town,” Amy says by way of introduction and that immediately elicits a groan from Wrench.
“Baby?” He wraps his arm around her waist to pull her close, and I can’t tell if it means it as an endearment. “You DO want another one, don’t you?”
“Hey, number three was your idea!” She grins at him and I can tell this is an ongoing debate.
“Well, I’d promised myself that I’d give you that little girl you wanted.” Wrench gently kisses her forehead as they continue their discussion.
“I’m Gunner,” the giant next to me says.
“I’m Jake’s sister,” I blurt out.
“Yeah, I caught that. Heard you met the Sheriff,” he chuckles in return and I immediately blush. I guess this is what small town living comes down to. “I made the coffee table you bought the other day. I’m part of the Artisan’s Collective.”
“Oh wow! Your pieces were really great, once I get settled in I know I’ll get more,” I gush, feeling more at ease.
“Sweetheart,” Gunner’s eyes light up as he looks over my shoulder. “Come meet Jake’s sister. Tabby, this is my wife, Riley.”
For the second time in five minutes, I almost collapse. The girl approaching us looks younger than Charlie, who’s by her side. She walks with an easy confidence that I’ve seen displayed at social events all my life. Riley’s a little taller than I am but less curvy, a healthy weight without being too thin or too heavy. Her light brown hair falls below her shoulders and her amber eyes seem to glow as she reaches out to the huge man standing beside me.
She scarcely gives me a nod before she leans up to meet Gunner’s eager lips, kissing him passionately. “I think you’re supposed to drink the beer, not wear it,” she whispers as she pulls back. His eyes flick to me then around, locating a makeshift ashtray to put out his cigarette.
Riley's eyes harden as they take me in, “Do we like her, or not?” Her question startles me and it takes me a second to realize she’s speaking to Charlie.
“We do,” Charlie laughs and I’m sure Riley’s heard ALL about me.
“Nice to meet you, Riley,” I fall back to the manners I was raised with, while she continues to study me.
“She bought that new coffee table the other day,” Gunner adds and I notice that her eyes soften with pride when she looks back up to him.
“Welcome to Rowansville, Tabby. I know it’s not what you’re used to,” Riley says as Gunner leans down to kiss her neck.
“She’s the new baby doc,” he whispers loudly, getting a full laugh from her, in addition to an elbow to his stomach.
“Oh, are you???” I nod towards her stomach in question.
“No. I’m finishing up my degree before we start a family,” Riley smiles at me, but her eyes are quickly drawn back to Gunner.
“We’re practicing,” Gunner firmly states, wiggling his eyebrows as he grins down at her.
“I heard that Amy leased one of the Sheriff’s properties to you?” She ignores his comment but gets a chuckle from her husband.
“Yeah, Amy didn’t mention that little tidbit until she was flying down the driveway after I signed the papers,” I raise an eyebrow over to Amy, who has tuned back into our conversation. They all start giggling and I work to keep myself from laughing along with them. “How much longer will you be in school, Riley?” I ask, looking for a safer topic.
“I’m just starting senior year,” she says and my eyes widen in surprise.
“Riley started there when she was sixteen, summer classes besides the normal year,” Gunner adds, his eyes trained on her, a soft smile on his lips. “What is it they say in Boston? Wicked? She’s wicked smart.”
He glances back to me as Riley nudges him with her elbow, her cheeks turning pink. My eyes dart back and forth between them, realizing that she is younger than Charlie and Gunner has to be older than Jake.
I am definitely not in Boston anymore.
Charlie and I eventually drift off from that group and she makes a point of introducing me to the other pregnant women present. Soon, I call it a night and say my goodbyes to Jake and Connal.
On the way home I’m finally able to comprehend what I witnessed earlier and it’s like a weight off my shoulders. I don’t have to worry about the child Charlie’s carrying because no one they associate with will care who the father is. Their children will be protected by the MC.
Chapter 11
Tabitha
I hadn’t heard from Michaels all weekend and I was beginning to wonder about our alleged date on Monday. Sunday night finds me waiting on the pizza delivery guy when my phone notifies me of a text.
Michaels: I’ve been thinking about you, Princess.
I roll my eyes. The silence of the weekend was hardly an indicator of that, so I put my phone back down thinking to text him later.
Michaels: Are you going to pretend you aren’t home?
Sighing, I respond: Busy right now.
Michaels: Might want to be nicer to me.
I roll my eyes but my fingers glide over the keys at his answer: Why’s that?
Michaels: Pulled the pizza guy over for speeding. U won’t be eating unless you say ’please’.
I can’t help but laugh outright at that, quickly responding: I haven’t eaten all day. Need food.
Michaels: Sounds like an emergency to me.
Leaving me hanging with his last text, I stand in my living room holding my phone. Within minutes, there are flashing lights coming up my drive. Opening the door, I can’t help but smile as Michaels carries my pizza to me. I make a show of looking over his shoulder and can’t help but give him a hard time.
“Is the delivery boy in the back of your SUV, or do I need to bail him out?”
“He got off with a warning and a tip, Princess,” Michaels grins at me. “Want some company?”
When I hesitate, he continues, “Just want to make sure you won’t pass out from hunger.”
I nod and he enters, walking toward the kitchen. Getting a second plate for him, he sits across from me as I dig in.
Getting more nervous as he watches me devour the first and second piece, he finally takes a bite.
“I’ve had a lot to figure out this weekend,” he suddenly starts speaking. “It’s come to my attention that someone is being groomed to run against me in the next county election. I like to take time to process things as they come. I’ve just met you, but I know I want you. That doesn’t make any sense to me, how strongly I feel that.
“Then, with having to run an actual campaign, probably starting in the next six to eight months, I didn’t call because I wanted to wrap my head around everything before we talked.” He pauses, just noticing that I’m staring at him with my jaw gaping open.
“Just like that? You want me?” I finally stutter out. “Why…”
“I gotta say I’m happy you dated a bunch of ass wipes back home, Princess,” he cuts me off. “I’m sure as hell not perfect, but I want to be with you because your touch sets me on fire. Even when you were yelling at me the other day, I wanted to do all sorts of naked things right in the back of my SUV.”
I gulp.
“And now?” I venture, not sure why I’m fighting him so hard when
I could really use a good romp.
“I still do,” he says in that hypnotic voice of his, a wolfish smile spreading across his face. “But, I did promise you some time to get to know me. What does that entail, anyway? Do you need references?”
Accidentally swallowing a bigger than intended piece of pizza, I start gasping for air as he slides my glass of water closer to me. Clearing my pipe, it takes me a moment to register the look on his face. He looks completely over his head and I wonder if he was really kidding.
“When was the last time you dated someone?” I query.
“College,” he shrugs. “After the injury and moving back here, well, I had other concerns.”
“Well, starting to date nowadays is more about you knowing that your partner doesn’t have any STDs and less about a letter from your high school guidance counselor.” I pause as he chuckles. “I’m clean, I’ve had…well, I haven’t had many partners and get tested through work.”
“I get tested through work also, breaking up bar fights on weekends can get messy and I don’t want to take any chances. Women, I keep it wrapped. No oral.”
I nod and look away at that, ignoring the flash of jealousy that makes no sense.
“Not that I’m opposed to oral,” he smiles widely and a blush creeps up my neck. “Giving or receiving.”
“Enjoying yourself?” I ask, barely concealing a yawn.
“Go get into bed, I’ll get this cleaned up then tuck you in.”
I’m so exhausted from my shifts, that I’m halfway down the hall before I wonder why the hell I obeyed. Oh, well. Brushing my teeth quickly, I slip into my nightie and crawl in between my new flannel sheets.
Michaels
I put her food away, straighten the kitchen and relieve myself in the hall bathroom before following her down to the master bedroom. Memories of growing up here make me smile as I enter her room. I knew she was tired but seeing her curled up on her side, already asleep, captivates me. Standing over her, the light from the hall throwing a gentle light on the relaxed, vulnerable expression on her face – one I’ve never seen when she’s awake. In this light, she’s easy to picture as a Tabby rather than Tabitha. Just as I reach down to smooth her hair away from her face, Tabby starts awake.