Page 37 of Savage

The late afternoon sun slanted through the windows of the Old Bridge free clinic’s staff lounge, casting a gleam against the bulletin board I’d helped decorate earlier that week. The task had fallen to me because I was the only mom on the nursing staff. It was not exactly fair, but I didn’t complain since I was happy to have a flexible position that allowed me to use the degree that had taken me so long to get while still having time for my husband and our children.

After what I’d seen at the mobile clinic, on top of what had happened to my mom, I wanted to help for real. Talon had encouraged me to go to nursing school, and I never would’ve made it through without him.

Juggling a growing family and my studies hadn’t been easy, but I’d been luckier than most students because I had such a great support system between him and the Iron Rogues crew. If it weren’t for Blade, the club’s doctor, I wouldn’t even have this job as a part-time float nurse since I’d only gone back to school long enough to become an LPN.

“Don’t forget to clock out, Tamara,” one of my coworkers called as she walked past.

“Got it,” I smiled. “Thanks, Marie.”

I finished entering a note into the charting system, then logged out and tucked my badge into my tote. My shift had ended a little early today, and I was excited to get home.

I stepped out into the fall breeze and zipped my jacket. Old Bridge was finally getting chilly, and I couldn’t wait to get home and curl up under one of the soft throws I’d left on the couch.

Talon’s bike rumbled to life from a spot on the far end of the parking lot before the door even shut all the way behind me. I grinned as he rolled to a stop, that familiar scowl tugging at his lips even though I knew he’d been watching for me since I texted that I was off early.

“You could’ve just come to pick me up on time instead of stalking me from the lot,” I teased as I walked over.

“Had to make sure no one else got any ideas,” he muttered, pulling off his helmet and setting it aside. “You’re too damn tempting.”

I laughed, walking right into his open arms. “And you’re ridiculous.”

“That’s not the insult you think it is, baby.” He grinned at me. “’Cause it makes you the woman who married ridiculous.”

“And I’d do it again,” I whispered against his cut.

His arms tightened around me, and for a second, we just stood there. The world faded away like it always did when he held me like this.

“Come on,” he finally said. “I promised Calida you’d be home before bedtime, and she’s got that glare of yours when she’s mad.”

“She gets it from you,” I muttered.

“Nope,” he disagreed as he grabbed my helmet. “I’ve seen you mad. She’s got your stubborn chin, too.”

Our daughter was three going on thirty, and I adored every bossy inch of her. She was currently in a tutu phase and wantedto wear one with everything. She had also just discovered glitter glue, much to Talon’s horror. But he never said no when she held her arms up because she had him wrapped around her finger tighter than any MC patch.

He helped me onto the bike, and I settled against his back with my arms around his waist. The ride home was quick, and I spotted the porch lights glowing as we pulled up to our house. The place still took my breath away sometimes. Every room had signs of our life together. Toys. Boots by the door. A framed photo of Calida covered in frosting from her last birthday. The pregnancy test under the cabinet that I planned to take tomorrow morning…after I told Talon what I suspected.

The second we walked in, I heard running footsteps. “Mama!”

Calida barreled into me, and I scooped her up, covering her cheeks in kisses. “Hey, cupcake! Did you miss me?”

“Yes,” she whispered dramatically, clinging to me as though I’d been gone for days instead of barely seven hours.

“Missed you, too,” I murmured as I set her back on her feet. “Were you good for Sheila while Daddy picked me up from work?”

“Uh-huh.” She lifted her hand with her fingers splayed and whispered, “I gots tree cookies!”

“I thought that was our little secret,” Sheila chided as she padded into the living room behind our little whirlwind.

Calida giggled. “Oops, sorry.”

Sheila ruffled her hair. “That’s okay, sweetie.”

“Cookies, huh?” I asked as I cuddled against Talon’s side.

“Don’t worry, there’s some left for you two.”

I patted my belly. “Lucky me.”

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