Page 25 of Whiskey

“Woah, I thought you were going on a bike ride. Looks like Vivi might be trying to ride something else.”

Whiskey reluctantly pulled his lips away from Vivi, enjoying the dazed look in her gorgeous green eyes.

“Did anyone ever tell you that you’re annoying, Halligan?”

Halligan tossed the trash into the bin, then strolled toward them. “Only every brother and cousin I have. Vivi, there’s still time. You could leave Whiskey and pick the better cousin.”

Vivi got on behind Whiskey, giggling at his cousin. “Halligan, don’t worry. I’m working on finding you and your cousins your own women.”

Whiskey chuckled at the look of fear on Halligan’s face.

“Now Vivi, you don’t need to worry yourself about that.”

Whiskey didn’t wait for his cousin to finish but started up the bike as soon as Vivi patted his stomach, signaling she had her helmet on and was ready. He pulled out of the parking lot and headed toward his surprise. He was going to enjoy each and every minute of Vivi’s arms wrapped around him and her breasts pressed up against him.

Vivi held onto Whiskey, enjoying her first motorcycle ride. She was positive her legs would be sore from holding on, but she was looking forward to more rides with Whiskey. The Bluff Creek women had been telling her she’d love when they did Poker Runs.

The last week with her former in-laws in jail had been freeing. She could decide what she wanted to do. She didn’t worry about anything happening to their kids. Their kids were adored by the family and spoiled rotten. She didn’t worry about that because the kids deserved to know they had a family who adored them.

Of course, it would be a different story when Bailey wanted to date. She’d overheard Hennessy and Halligan talking to Bailey while they were holding her. Telling her that any boy would have to pass their tests and she wasn’t allowed to date until she was at least thirty had her putting her hand over her mouth to not laugh out loud.

She had done a huge baking day with Crewe and Ezra for treats for all the people who had helped. All the men had visited during the day to get their share of the cookies. The laughter and teasing had brought tears to her eyes.

Having her father-in-law, Peck, wrap his arms around her and thank her for bringing love to Whiskey’s life had turned the trickle of tears to a waterfall. The tears had made the men uncomfortable, and so they’d cut up until she’d smiled.

The drive went quickly. Whiskey was pulling over to an area on the side of the road. It had a paved area that looked similar to rest stops on the side of the road or those historical markers along the road she looked forward to exploring. Whiskey had the kickstand down and was holding his hand out to help her off.

She clumsily got off the bike. She might need to practice so it goes smoother next time. Whiskey helped her take her helmet off and left them on the bike as he grabbed a hamper and took her hand with his other hand.

“Vivi, I have something I want to show you.”

He led her over to an area with a picnic table, bench, and a pergola over the area. Wild flowers native to the area had been planted around the area. A small sign was over at the side hooked to the wooden post. She read the sign and fought back tears.

Beauty can be found in the silence on the side of the road.

She turned to Whiskey. “Is this where I wrecked?”

Whiskey nodded and set the picnic basket on the table.

“Yes, I wanted a place where travelers could stop and appreciate the beauty. You coming into my life was the best thing that has ever happened to me. We may have gotten married to protect you, Ezra, and Little Tot, but it was the best decision in my life. I thought I’d never find love, but you rolled into my life, filling each dark corner with your love.”

Vivi laid her hand against Whiskey’s heart, then pulled his mouth down for a kiss. She poured everything she felt for the man who had saved her and given her a life she loved into her kiss. Her heart thudded. She would have never dreamed her hero would ride a motorcycle and have tattoos and a beard, but he was the one who rescued her.

Chapter Fifteen

Whiskey sat with some of his cousins while they waited for the rest of the group to show. They were in the bar’s meeting room because a group text had gone out that there was a family meeting.

Bailey was three months old, and he was a tad low on sleep. The last five nights, by the time he’d closed the bar and gotten out of the shower for bed, she’d woken up. Vivi had finally called their doctor because she seemed to be having gas pains or possibly colic. He suggested Vivi look at what she’d eaten different to see if it was bothering Bailey. Vivi had said she’d been trying some new recipes of Crewe’s and she’d stop and see if that was the problem.

He felt bad Bailey’s tummy was hurting, but he was running on fumes. He wondered if he could sneak in a nap tomorrow.

“Hey Whiskey, what’s the meeting about?” his cousin Halligan asked. Halligan and a couple of cousins oversaw their oil wells and some other interests.

“I didn’t call the meeting.”

“Yes, you did. It came from the phone assigned to the bar,” Quinton, another cousin, replied.

His dad and two uncles walked in. “Fool woman wouldn’t let me bring Bailey down here. Said she had a babysitter. Why would anyone need a babysitter when we have twelve people ready to hold her?” his dad groused.

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