Page 107 of The Heart We Guard
“I did, Doc. The guys helped me fix her up. We did an extra decontamination, changed the plugs and put in new oil and fuels filters. You got new tires, new wipers, and we even lubed up every latch and joint.”
Greer leans back a little in my arms and cups my cheeks. “She’s perfect, Nolan.”
And then, she kisses me soundly.
“I don’t know how to thank you, or the men who helped you.” She wiggles from my arms, and I put her down.
“You could patch us up in it when we get broken,” I say.
“I could do that.” She looks up to me. “Can I go look inside?”
I let go of her hand. “Sure.”
She practically jogs back to the rear entrance and jumps inside. There’s an echoingwhoopthat makes me grin.
“I guess you like it,” I say when I catch up with her. “Worth getting it all fixed up for you.”
“Oh my God, yes. I could do so much with this. And there’s so much storage. I’d have to decide where everything goes. But I can equip it pretty cheaply. I know a salesperson for one of the medical supplies companies who could…” She stops and smiles at me. “I’m rambling, aren’t I?”
I shrug. “So, what if you are? It’s not every day you get an ambulance.”
“Oh my God,” she says suddenly. “Does it still have its siren?”
“It does. But before you get too excited, you aren’t allowed to use it. Colorado law, specifically Title 42, Section 42-4-222 and 238 forbid it. “
“Boo, they have no sense of imagination.” Greer grins and steps to the rear of the ambulance, and I reach up for her to help her down.
“This is a really special gift, Nolan. But it’s too expensive. Let me pay half.”
She’s got no idea how much I want to give her and our child. “It’s a gift. A thank-you. For the second chance you’re giving me. I snuck out without your bank details and never paid you for saving my life.”
“You don’t owe me for that.”
I touch her cheek. “I just want you to have the life you want, Greer. If I have the power to give it to you, I will. Every time.”
She opens her mouth as if to argue, then smiles. “Then, I’ll accept it with grace. Maybe you’ll be able to ride alongside me some days to see the good it does.”
What if, when you die, before you enter heaven, God shows you the very best version of yourself you could have become if you’d made different choices?
While he makes me feel safe, his proximity to his world does not. He’s the president. That has to make him a target, even if that’s law enforcement rather than club enemies.
I can’t ask Nolan to quit. He’s a biker to his core.
“Yeah, Doc. Maybe I will.”
31
GREER
“Okay, before the server asks for our drinks order, and it all gets weird because you know how much I love the margaritas here, but I’m ordering a lemonade,” Ember says as we gather for lunch, “you should all know, I’m pregnant.”
Raven throws herself out of her chair and wraps her arms around Ember, who smiles shyly, like she didn’t just drop a bomb among the group of friends.
The small tapas place in town was Ember’s pick, but only I know it’s because she wanted those little pink pickled things they put on top of some of the dishes.
“Oh my God, I’m so happy for you,” Quinn says. “Are you happy? Are you well? Please tell me you aren’t puking twenty-four seven.”
Ember shakes her head. “I get a bit sick as soon as I wake up and walk around. But I’ve found some tea and a couple of dry crackers quell it. I thought Atom would be bothered by the fact I’m a littleout of actionfirst thing in the morning, but he loves it. Loves running to make the tea. Even got me a little tray for theside of the bed to hold the crackers. Said this is like pregaming for the baby being here.”
