Page 72 of Gotta Dig Deep
The room erupted in laughter and the pride on Horse’s face made her sit a little straighter, shoulders back. If this was his family, she wanted to be inside the circle of trust.
It’s a start.
Chapter Nineteen
Horse
He checked his phone for the hundredth time that morning, pleased to find “all clear” messages received from everyone he’d reached out to about the MDMC menace. Like Blackie had said a week ago, they’d knocked the East Coast club back on their heels and escorted them out of the territory with a band of riders from various clubs. The massive show of force and unity meant it should be a very long time before the Monster Devils tested this area again.
With the danger gone, he’d found himself making up reasons to stay on the ranch. First it had been to ensure the threat was gone, then to be around during Glenna’s healing period. She was well on her way back to the same feisty woman he’d first met, the pain subsiding more every day.
Not that Glenna had mentioned him moving on, thank God. He almost didn’t want to take the chance of her declining, so it had become easier to simply not ask.
“Less than a month ago.” Horse shook his head as it really hit him. “She’s been on her own a long time, wonder what the chances are she’d want a troublemaker like me to stick around?”
Things had been intense between and around them for a few days, and he believed they’d built a bond that was unbreakable. But he hadn’t yet pulled up the courage to talk to her about the future. If she rejected him because the risk was past, he didn’t know if he’d survive it.
“I sure as fuck don’t want to leave.”
Shamu’s weight against his leg made him smile. The dog had gotten over his huff with Horse during the brief war, and days like this when Horse left Glenna sleeping in their bed, the dog made sure he accompanied Horse on his patrols.
“You don’t want me to leave either, huh?” Fondling the dog’s ears, he looked out over the pastures dotted with serenely grazing cattle. “This is a good life, Shammy. A place I can see myself in ten years, or twenty.” The dog settled heavier against him. “Good to know you feel the same, boy. Good to know.”
The next morning, Horse was lying in bed beside Glenna, conversation starting points running through his head. His fingers stroked her back, bared to the waist by the sheet. She’d gone to bed last night in a nightgown, but that and his boxers were gracing the floor next to the dresser.
She’s fuckin’ perfect for me. I’m not ever gettin' past wanting her in every way. In bed, laughing over dinner, or even just arguing about what show to watch on TV—it doesn’t matter, as long as I’m here with her.
She stirred, rocking up slightly to shove an arm underneath the pillow. “Horse?” Her voice was husky, shaded with sleep. “You gonna stay, right?”
“You want me to stay, darlin’?” Was she awake? He wasn’t sure, but she moved and pressed back towards him, molding her body against his chest. “Want that?”
“Oh, yeah. Nothing more.” Glenna sighed softly, then gave a tiny snore.
Heart lighter than it had been in days, Horse chuckled quietly, his hand continuing to stroke the long muscles in her back. She might be sleep talking, but he believed she'd spoken the truth.
When he finally slid out of bed and dressed quietly, he flipped the coffeemaker on in the kitchen, then stepped outside onto the stoop. Shamu went with him, taking care of business quickly before returning to sit next to Horse’s feet.
Phone in hand, he looked out at the pastures and paddocks, then up the hill towards the horse stables. They were still empty, and it was time to change that.
Between the feed store and Reggie/Cooter, Horse spent less than fifteen minutes on the phone, but big things were set in motion.
Shoving the phone deep into his pocket, he clucked his tongue and went down the steps, grinning when Shamu kept pace with him.
He walked the first few stalls on either side, double checking that the things he’d ordered were what was needed. Everything was close to ready, and he couldn’t contain the grin on his face. Glenna was gonna go nuts when she saw what he’d done.Least I hope so.
Pulling the stable’s door closed behind him, Horse glanced across at the smaller shed next door. He frowned, surprised his wrecked bike was no longer laying on the concrete pad under the roof’s overhang. He opened the door and stopped in shock. A whole bike waited there, heeled over on its kickstand. The black and blue touring motorcycle had a double seat and was shining as if someone had just finished waxing the striking paint job. A red bow was tied to the handlebars, and as he stumbled closer, Horse saw a small card propped on the seat.
He opened the envelope, glancing at the card’s front where the word “Surprise” sat centered over a hand-drawn version of the Freed Riders MC logo. Inside was a brief note from Blackie.
“Give any brother shit about this and you’ll answer to me. Woman’s a keeper, brother. She had the ideas. We just made them happen. Be happy, Horse. That’s repayment enough.” His voice wavered by the end of the note.
Staring down at the bike, his heart thudded fast, the echo beating hard in his ears.
A new bike, given to him by the club.
“What the fuck?” He walked around the bike, admiring every angle and shiny piece of chrome. Peeking inside one saddlebag, he found the registration and insurance in his name. “Motherfuckers thought of everything.” Swinging a leg over the seat, he rocked the bike up onto its wheels where it balanced with ease. “Son of a bitch.” It was heavier than his old bike, but the double seat would come in handy when he could talk Glenna into riding with him. “Son of a fucking bitch.”
Pulling his phone out, he hit a button and set the device against his ear. It only rang once and Blackie’s laughter filled his hearing.
