Page 41 of Pound

“Ah, so like mother, like daughter.”

“Yep,” she admitted.

“I will say I’m not sure what to make of this chicken talk.”

Trip’s laughter rocketed through the car. “You have Taps to blame for that.”

“Yeah, I heard she’s settled on three, I believe, but it’s a bargain. She’s been asking for a pig, so chickens are a few steps down.”

“You know, there is a big area behind the clubhouse and behind Pound’s place for a coop. You could get them for her and win the day.”

She felt a pang in her heart. She meant it when she told Trip she’d stay even if she wasn’t with Pound.

“I think I’ll start looking at some horse-zoned properties so she can have her chickens, and one day when I need an ace up my sleeve, I can think about a pig or goat or one of the many other animals she says she can’t live without.”

Meri was drained. She knew they’d been driving what had felt like forever, but she didn’t realize she’d zoned out until she spotted her kids standing in front of the giant painted Phantom on the side of the building.

Flanking Pound in the afternoon sun.

Pound?

How was he in Vegas already?

After Trip shut the car off, he turned to her with a twinkle in his eye. “Guess you were right about the fucker, and I was wrong.”

Meri’s jaw hit the ground. “Did you just ad—”

“Nope.” Her brother popped the p and strode around the car toward her.

Her kids wrapped themselves around her before she’d taken more than two steps. She bent to heft her daughter up, but her ribs stopped her. Although they actually felt pretty good, just a dull ache, but lifted her growing kidlet would likely change that. She couldn’t resist leaning forward to sniff James’s hair. He started to protest when Trip gently shoved him on the shoulder. “Don’t deny your mom a hug. She brought you into this world, and I can take you out.” It wasn’t a real threat, it was said good-naturedly, but Meri couldn’t imagine what an onlooker might’ve thought.

As much as she wanted to talk to Pound and get some clarity, her kids could cling to her as long as they wanted. No way would she pull away first.

Meri noticed Trip gripping Pound’s hand and pulling him in for a bro hug, and she may or may not have teared up a little. They exchanged soft words and Trip nodded.

They were healing their relationship which meant everything to her. The last thing she wanted was to come between her brother and anyone in his club. The club saved him when she couldn’t and she would always owe them for that.

Especially Pound. He and Trip had a special bond she could never understand. Meri knew Trip was at his lowest when he’d ETS’d out and it was Pound who was there for him. Maybe that’s why she always sought him out.

Her gaze was drawn to his. Nahhhhh, she sought him out because of him. Because she’d wanted to, not gratitude.

Pound gave her a rare smile, and her stomach fluttered like a schoolgirl. A million questions were flying through her mind, but only one mattered at that moment.

Is he mine?

All the others would come later, and they could talk about them until they drove each other to drink. As long as that one was yes, she could manage anything else.

Pound cleared his throat. “James, Trixie made cookies for the two of you. Why don’t you grab your mom’s bag and take it back to the house?”

He said the last, hopefully, like she would deny him.

“Oh, yeah,” Crissy said and headed toward the direct Pound indicated, while James untangled himself and went to the trunk, where Trip handed him a bag.

“I’ll go with you. I want to see the house and I’m not ready to be parted from you just yet.” Meri leaned over and brushed her daughter’s soft brown hair from her eyes.

“No,” James practically shouted. When she raised her brow toward her son, he softened his tone and shifted her duffel. “No, ma’am. Uncle Pound wants to take you for a ride.”

“Yeah,” Crissy conspiratorially agreed with her brother. Trixie came around the building and called them. They bolted like their feet were on fire.

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