Page 6 of Slice

“Well, you look like you need to sit back and tell me all about it,” Hope said, pulling Faith into her arms and hugging her tight. Hope gave the best hugs. No token quick hugs for her. She held you in her arms until you knew she cared about you.

“I’m not sure what you mean,” Faith said.

Hope chuckled, then walked over to the bassinet. “Oh wow, I forget how small they are when I have a nine-year-old running screaming through the house,” Hope said, then turned and stared at Faith. It was the same stare Hope used in high school when she thought Faith wasn’t telling her everything.

Faith huffed, then poured Hope and herself both a cup of coffee. “It’s been interesting.”

Hope took the cup and sat down in the chair closest to the bassinet. Faith knew her sister was itching to pick up the babybut wouldn’t disturb his sleep. Hope stared at Faith over her coffee cup.

Sometimes it really stunk that Hope knew her so well. Hope had always won during waiting contests, but Faith waited until the boys ran down the hall before talking.

“Christmas was magical. I was looking forward to it with the boys, but having LB and Slice here was a dream.”

Hope nodded. “When I got your text, I wondered where Tall, Dark, Tattooed, and Tempting went.”

“He had to cover cooking at the diner. Some mishap with the cook and there being no backups. He was visibly upset he had to leave and said he’d bring lunch back for all of us. I was surprised he was coming back.”

Hope chuckled and then shook her head. Oh man. Sometimes Faith really wanted to bonk her sister upside her head.

“What is so funny?” Faith muttered.

“That you still, after all these years, have no idea what a man sees when he looks at you. You’ve dated the weakest, sniveling men for years. A real man sees a sexy, wonderful, caring woman who he’d love to get to know better,” Hope said.

“How do you know that?” Faith asked.

“I texted Winnie when I got your text about you letting him stay the night because, although I know the Franks sisters well, I don’t know all the MC guys. Winnie said I could trust Slice to treat you right. She also mentioned that if the heat in his eyes was reciprocated, she thought another one of the men of the MC would be becoming unavailable.”

“Unavailable,” Faith squeaked.

Hope laughed while Faith glared at her.

“Unavailable meaning she thought he was falling for you. I love you with all my heart, Faith, but if I could beat one point into your head, it would be that you deserve a man who loves every voluptuous inch of you,” Hope said.

Hope had always been her biggest cheerleader, but Hope didn’t have to deal with the constant comments from men and from some women. The judgment and, oh my gosh, the condemnation if she tossed a box of cookies in her cart at the store. Faith hadn’t been blessed with a great metabolism, and frankly, it sucked.

Faith was happy with her life. She adored being a foster parent, and she loved teaching the littles at school. Sure, she’d love a man like the ones she read about, but even if she never found one, her life would be full.

“How about we change the subject? Did deadbeat come around?” Faith asked.

Her sister’s son, Benji’s dad, was bad news. Hope had moved from a bigger city to be close to Faith and to get away from her son, who continued to do illegal things. Unfortunately, he had to be the worst criminal because he was caught so many times.

“He did, but Remi had put my house on the list for their deliveries. When Rose recognized him, she notified their bail bonds, and they took him into custody. He is currently a guest of the Ford County Jail, which is a blessing. I don’t have to worry about him hurting Benji or me,” Hope said, then pulled her sleeve up to show Faith fingermark-sized bruises on her skin.

“I’m glad he’s put away. You’re not going to move now, are you?” Faith asked.

“No, I love it here. I, umm, also met Locks,” Hope said with a smile on her face.

Faith chuckled. The blush on her sister’s face was good to see. Her sister deserved someone special, and oh man! Locks would qualify as special. He was in his sixties or seventies, she assumed, but just like Baron and Bear, they were sweet to look at. Tattoos, salt-n-pepper hair with muscles. She could see her sister with him. Hope had always wanted a strong man and a big family. They both had wanted that.

Faith fulfilled the big family by fostering, but Hope had seemed to give up on that dream when deadbeat was such a horrible person. At least, Hope had custody of Benji. Benji’s mom had died of an overdose when he was two, which was when deadbeat had gotten custody.

“Gonna climb him like a tree?” Faith asked. Wouldn’t it be great if her sister could find happiness?

“That’s funny coming from the woman that probably thought the same thing about her tattooed biker. But if I do, I’m sure it will be just for fun,” Hope said.

“Why?”

“Because he lost his wife, and from all accounts, she was the great love of his life. I don’t ever want to be anyone’s second best, but there’s nothing to say I can’t enjoy our time together,” Hope said.

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