Page 23 of The Sentinels

"Come on, ladies. Grab your drinks and let's head outside." Cookie pushed glasses towards Ginger and Judith that were each adorned with little bows tied around the stems. "Virgins for you preggos," she said. "And if you want more, make sure you grab the pitcher with the bow on the handle."

There was a platter with julienne style onion, bell peppers, and carrots. "I'll bring the veggies." Judith scooped some aside to make room for her glass, and then picked up the tray.

We all headed out to the patio. The view from Ruby's house was spectacular. A few feet from the end of their patio was the beach, and then the glistening ocean. The sun reflecting off the water was blinding, and the heat instantly felt like it was baking my naked skin. I had the feeling that we'd be spending more time beneath the protection of the umbrella tables than actually reclining beneath the sun's rays.

"The water's going to be nice and warm," Ruby quipped, joining Judith at the grill where she'd set down the tray. She grabbed a piece of red pepper and began to nibble on it.

"I'm not going in too deep, but I want to get my feet wet." Ginger slipped off her sandals and began making her way in the direction of the beach.

"I'll go with you," Della said, removing her bathrobe-style cover up and revealing a jet black one-piece that crisscrossed at the back. "Salt water is good for the feet."

Cookie flopped down onto a lounger, her barely-there bikini revealing a toned and tanned body. She took a sip of her drink and made a loud sound of appreciation. "I did pretty good on the margaritas."

Her verbal pat on the back caused me to chuckle. I walked to the end of the patio and surveyed the beach. It was obvious that it wasn't a public beach. There were homes like Tanner and Ruby's, big and expensive, lined up all along it. A few people were walking along the water's edge, some were on the beach, I assumed across from their homes. It was pretty quiet where we were, but further down it was clear where the beach turned public.

"You have a beautiful spot here, Ruby, a beautiful house," I remarked, sucking in a deep breath of sea air.

"Thanks," she said from behind me. "This was Tanner's bachelor pad before we got together." She joined me. "He lived here with his dad."

There was a trace of sadness in her voice that drew my gaze to her. In spite of the half-smile on her face, I could see a deeper emotion trying to break through. Intuition caused me to ask, "He passed?"

Ruby nodded, directing her gaze toward the ocean. "Yeah."

I sensed there was something that Ruby was holding back, but decided not to press her. I took a sip of my drink, humming at the refreshing taste of it. "Are there any more kids in the future for you and Tanner?"

She nodded and returned her gaze to me. "Oh, yeah. Tanner wants a houseful. I wouldn't mind having a little girl or two to even up the balance," she joked.

I laughed; not exactly believing that Ruby didn't already have Tanner wrapped around her little finger. "You forget, I've seen all of you with your men. They may be possessive and over-protective, but you girls clearly have them eating out of your hands. They'd do anything for you."

A giggle escaped her. "I plead the Fifth." Suddenly the look in her eyes turned serious. "I know we gave you a hard time about Ace, but don't give up on him, Emerson." That comment caught me totally by surprise. "He needs someone like you."

That she cared about him was obvious. "I don't think Ace wants anyone."

"That's the problem, honey. Want and need isn't the same thing. Ace has convinced himself that because of his scars he's destined to go through life alone." She raised her hand when I opened my mouth to protest. "I know he doesn't lack female attention when it comes to sex. Those bitches just want bragging rights that they've been with one of the Sentinels. They're using him as much as he's using them."

I stared at Ruby in disbelief. "I think he's hot," I said honestly. "I don't see the scars when I look at Ace. I see a strong and sexy man that takes my breath away." I felt myself blush, realizing what I'd said, but I continued anyway. "His gruff, bad-ass ways and that intense look he has going kind of makes me hot."

“Kind of?” she laughed. "Ace doesn't have a monopoly on those characteristics. Those men are cut from the same mold. Big, tough, dangerous men. They're the epitome of an alpha male, but they're all good men. Ace is a good man."

I stared at Ruby for a minute, seeing something in her eyes that seemed to go beyond friendship. Not love, but something almost as strong. She had a soft spot for Ace, and I suddenly wondered if they had been involved before her and Tanner got together. At the same instant I brushed the notion aside. This was something different.

"You have a soft spot for Ace."

She didn't deny it, giving me a nod. "Yes. I love all the guys, but Ace went out of his way to do something nice for me once. Did you know that he gave me away at my wedding?"

Ace had walked her down the aisle? I couldn't see it, the image of the big, tough biker in a suit bringing a smile to my mouth.

"He helped me when I needed it most. If he hadn't done what he'd done at the time, I doubt Tanner and I would be together today."

"Wow, that sounds serious," I observed.

"Yeah."

There was sadness in her tone. "What happened?" As if a silent communication passed between us, we began walking.

"I was running from someone, and he found me. I'd been living here at the house as a helper for Tanner's ailing dad. This man, he and I had been in the same foster home growing up, and he had developed feelings for me. In his mind we were something more. He was delusional and dangerous." We made eye contact briefly. "He's the reason that Pops, Tanner's dad, is gone."

"And Tanner blamed you?"

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