Page 126 of Recklessly Rogue

“But generally, she thought it would be okay,” April goes on. “She said it would look good for me to be cooperating as much asI can when we go to court. And she likes the idea that all of these people are watching Christopher, and he knows it. And she was surprised, but happy, to know that the church guys were not just all on Christopher’s side. She likes knowing that these men she’s known all these years are who she hoped they were.”

I look over at the table. The men are all visiting, and there isn’t a Bible in sight. The game shows haven’t started yet, but these guys showed up anyway. Maybe they really do want to see if some of these relationships can be repaired.

That’s what I wanted.

I wanted my guys to see that they’re not outcasts.

“Okay. I just don’t want them to come in here and take over,” I say.

April nods. “Me either. But our people are very protective of this place. I don’t think that will happen. And I also heard that there are going to be fewer Live Right sessions in town this week.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. These guys aren’t having theirs at the coffee shop, and it sounds like they’ve talked to some other people and they’ve decided they’re sick of it too. I know of at least three that are taking a break this week.” April shrugs. “And Cecelia has been talking non-stop about the church and how they were part of turning that big grant down and saying that doesn’t sound very much like Jesus to her. She’s told her knitting club, her feral cat club, her wine club, and her origami club.”

“Cecelia’s in a lot of clubs,” I comment. She was the perfect choice to bring into my take-down-the-mega-church plan.

“She is.” April laughs. “People find her to be…a lot. But you can’t help but overhear her and, I don’t know, she plants seeds, you know?”

I definitely know.

“Those seem like small things, but it’s amazing how just one person can take a little action that starts a ripple that grows, isn’t it?” April asks.

Those words hit me harder than she intended, I’m sure.

It is amazing.

Over and over again, I’ve witnessed one person do seemingly small things that change the course of everything.

“Hey, I need to tell you something,” I say.

“Okay.”

“I’m moving to New Orleans. With Ruby.”

April’s face falls. “Oh. When?”

“Today. Tonight. Ruby is already there. I’m leaving this afternoon.”

April’s eyes fill with tears. “Oh.”

“I know you’re going to miss her,” I say quickly. “But she’s going to law school. She’s got a huge opportunity to do amazing things. She’s going to be so great at that.”

April nods. “For sure. That’s perfect for her.” She takes a shaky breath. “I’m just going to miss this place. And these people. Especially now that all of these things are coming together.”

Oh, shit. I handled that badly. “I’m not shutting Dick’s down,” I tell her. “In fact, I want you to manage it for me.”

April frowns. “Wait, what?”

“You know more about this place and these people than I do anyway,” I tell her. “I’m going to make you the manager. Full benefits, big raise.”

She wipes at her eyes. “Wh—what?”

“You’ll be in charge of the day-to-day. In fact, if you want to, we can arrange a situation where part of your benefits is a slow buy-in over time. Eventually you can be a co-owner with me. Or maybe even someday buy me out. Or, if you don’t want that and you’ve got your eyes set on something else, or somewhere else,that’s fine too.” I hand her the credit card I got in her name a few days ago. This was my plan even before I decided to move to New Orleans. It’s ridiculous for her tonotrun the place. “But until then, I want you to run Big Dick’s.”

April stares down at the credit card. “But…” She looks up at me. “Really?”

“Really. You can do whatever you want. I want to do some expansion and renovation at the back, for the kids, but I’ll show you all of that. If you don’t like it, we can do something else.”

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