Page 32 of Heart of a Hero

Would his family really accept me, Taylor, and my unborn child? Or would they see me as just some knocked-up girl their prodigal son had brought home out of pity? My hand drifted subconsciously to my stomach, as if to shield the tiny life growing inside from the unknown.

“Hey,” Dawson said softly, turning me to face him. His work-roughened hands cupped my face gently as his thumb stroked my cheek. “They’re going to love you, Nora. You’ve got nothing to worry about.”

I wanted so badly to believe him. To have faith that his biker family would welcome me as readily as he had. But a lifetime of disappointments had taught me to always expect the worst.

I took a deep, fortifying breath, willing my racing heart to slow. “Okay, I trust you. Let’s do this.”

Hand in hand, Dawson and I headed toward the front door with Taylor skipping along beside us. If she noticed the tension, she didn’t show it. Before we even had a chance to knock, the door swung open, and a petite woman with vibrant blonde hair and blue eyes stepped out. This had to be Dawson’s mother. He had her eyes. Her face lit up with a warm smile as she spotted Dawson, and she quickly closed the distance between us.

“Dawson, my baby boy!” she exclaimed, wrapping him in a tight hug. “I’m so glad you’re home.”

Dawson returned the embrace, his large frame enveloping her smaller one. “Hey, Mom. It’s good to be back.”

The woman turned her attention to me, her eyes filled with curiosity and kindness. “And who might this lovely young lady be?”

I felt my cheeks flush under her scrutiny, and I instinctively moved closer to Dawson, seeking his reassuring presence. Taylor, who had been hiding behind my leg, peeked out shyly.

Dawson placed a comforting hand on the small of my back again. “Mom, this is Nora and her daughter, Taylor. Nora, meet my mother, Ridley.”

Ridley’s smile widened, and she opened her arms, inviting me into a hug. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Nora. Welcome to the family.”

I hesitated for a moment, surprised by her immediate acceptance. Slowly, I stepped into her embrace, feeling the warmth and sincerity radiating from her. It was a foreign sensation, being welcomed so openly by someone I’d just met. Then again, hadn’t Dawson pretty much done the same thing? Maybe he’d learned it from her.

As we pulled apart, Ridley crouched down to Taylor’s level. “And hello there, little one. Aren’t you just the cutest thing?”

Taylor giggled, her initial shyness melting away in the face of Ridley’s genuine affection. I’d thought it would be the other way around and my daughter would melt the ice. I never knew if she’d be outgoing or shy. It was hit and miss with her. But then again, this place was far different from anything we’d experienced before.

“I’m Taylor and I’m this many years old.” Taylor held up five fingers.

Ridley gently tapped Taylor’s nose, eliciting another giggle. “Well, Miss Taylor, I have a feeling you and I are going to be great friends.”

Watching the interaction between Ridley and Taylor, I felt a glimmer of hope that maybe we’d be accepted after all. I glanced around, noticing more people moving about the compound, including a lot of men in leather cuts that said Dixie Reapers MC across the back.

“I know this all seems a bit overwhelming,” Ridley said, as if reading my thoughts.

I nodded, trying to muster a smile.

Her gaze focused on her son, or rather the leather cut draped over his shoulders. She shook her head. “Your dad is going to lose his shit, but I’m guessing you already knew that. Is that why you’ve been so secretive?”

Dawson shrugged. “Part of it.”

Ridley linked her arm with mine, guiding me toward the house. “Come on, let’s head inside. Let me warn you ahead of time, my Venom can have quite the bark, but he’d never hurt you. Our wayward son on the other hand…”

As we walked, I couldn’t help but marvel at the way Ridley had effortlessly put me at ease, her warmth and acceptance a balm to my frayed nerves. She led me into the kitchen and motioned for me to have a seat at the table.

“So, tell me about yourself, Nora,” Ridley said, her blue eyes sparkling with genuine interest. “What’s your story?”

I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. “Well, I’ve had a bit of a rough past, but meeting Dawson… it’s changed everything.”

Ridley nodded, her expression encouraging. “He’s a good man, my son. Even if I don’t like the way he keeps secrets from us. How did you two meet?”

As I recounted the story of how Dawson had saved me from the fire at my apartment building, Ridley listened intently, her face a mix of empathy and admiration. Although, I noticed the narrowed gaze she shot toward her son.

“You’re a strong woman, Nora,” she said, reaching out to squeeze my hand. “And I can see how much you and Dawson care for each other.”

I felt tears prick at my eyes, overwhelmed by her kindness. “Thank you, Ridley. That means more than you know.”

“As for you, son, exactlywhenwere you going to tell us you were a firefighter? Here I was, thankful you’d decided to skip the dangerous life of a Dixie Reaper, but no, not my son. Instead, he decides to run into burning buildings for a life and starts his own club.”

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