Page 36 of Raven
Looking around at the rolling land and large boulders jutting out of the terrain, I remarked, “It’s so beautiful here.”
She glanced at me before turning back to the road as she asked, “Are you planning on staying in South Dakota?”
I nodded and replied, “There was never anything in Oregon for me. Uncle Billy is lost somewhere in Mexico, probably drinking his retirement money away.” I shook my head with a smile. “And Caleb’s here so I have no reason to leave.”
She smiled and remarked. “It’s nice seeing Raven so happy.”
Her statement made me smile and as we topped a small incline which revealed the ranch house and barns, I couldn’t help but think of how far I’d come in such a short amount of time. Taking a quick look at Willow, I asked, “How long were you and Jigsaw together before he claimed you and you got married?”
I had been getting bits and pieces of how everyone met their partner, and the one thing that seemed to recur was the duration of their relationships. Most, if not all, had been claimed quickly and I started to wonder if and when it would happen for me.
Not that I was angling for anything, but I couldn’t wait to start my life with Caleb. Even though I had only met his older sister, I wasn’t worried about his family. Even if things stayed the same as they were now, I would still be happy forever.
As Willow pulled the vehicle up alongside the house, she turned off the engine and started to laugh. I felt like I was missing something.
“Dean and I had a one-night stand over ten years ago and bumped into each other during the Rally. We got married a week later,” Willow explained as she got out of the open side of the vehicle.
My eyes grew wide, and I didn’t know how to respond. Finally, I asked, “A week?”
I began to get out as she walked around the front. Nodding with a gorgeous smile she pointed to the front stairs and added, “Right there is where I said I do.” Walking beside her, she continued as we started walking to the front stairs, “When it comes to love, time is an illusion. You know deep down inside what the right thing to do it, and I promise you this, no one would judge you and Raven if you got hitched tomorrow.”
We climbed the stairs as an older woman walked up to the closed screen door. She smiled and opened the door as she spoke. “She’s right. No one gives a damn about how long you’ve been with someone. Hi, I’m Charlie. You must be the famous Sydney.”
I gave Willow a confused look and she remarked, “You’re one hell of a mechanic and around here, bikers gossip about mechanics like ol’ ladies gossip about, well, everything.”
Charlie laughed and looked over her shoulder. “Let’s go you two.”
Looking into the foyer, I saw two tiny, furry dogs trotting from the other room. One had little bows in her hair and the cutest jacket I’d ever seen on a dog, and the other was attentive to her, watching and sniffing her as she pranced next to Charlie.
Kneeling, I offered my hand as I spoke, “You must be Jack and Jill.”
Jill with the sweater pranced over to me and sniffed my hand before he pushed up onto her back legs and put her paws on my knee so I could scratch her. Jack immediately came over, circling me and sniffing around my butt and feet as I loved on his lady. Eventually, he came over and sat next to Jill. I carefully reached over and scratched his head, worried he might bite me, and when he wagged his tail and licked my hand, I smiled up at Charlie and Willow.
“Son of a bitch,” Willow remarked. “He doesn’t let new people touch his lady.”
Gently, I set Jill onto her feet and stood brushing off my knees as Charlies winked at me and remarked, “That’s because most new people can’t be trusted until they earn trust. Sydney is good people, and they know that. They’re a good judge of character.”
I wasn’t sure what just happened, but Willow gave a single nod and asked, “Do we need to grab anything besides the pups?”
Charlie answered, “They have a bag just inside the kitchen with food and toys if one of you could grab it for me.”
I stepped inside as Willow assisted Charlie down the stairs and into the SUV. The dogs watched from the porch until Charlie was settled into the front seat before they ran down the stairs and hopped inside. I pulled the door closed behind me and walked down the stairs with the dog’s bag over my shoulder.
We drove the paved road to the clubhouse and the entire time, Jack and Jill poked their heads out of the window, allowing the cool breeze to blow across their faces. I smiled, realizing this was just another thing that will be a part of my life going forward.
If Caleb decides to make me his ol’ lady.
THE SUN HAD SET, ANDa few fires were burning around the parking lot as groups of brothers gathered around them, enjoying the evening. There were so many Sinners here tonight, and I was glad they had on their cuts so I could keep track of everyone. No club girls or outsiders were at the gathering, and that gave me some peace. I had nothing against club girls, but I’d seen the damage they could do to a relationship, so I wasn’t a fan of them.
“It’s getting chilly out here,” Cheyenne remarked to the table.
The ol’ ladies had a table set up and a prospect assigned to make sure we wanted for nothing. He stood off to the side but was attentive. Caleb and a few of the brothers were inside the clubhouse playing pool. The front doors were open, allowing the cool night air to filter in.
I looked at Cheyenne, feeling a chill on my exposed arms and nodded. “It is getting cold. Is the wind always like this?”
“You mean unpredictable?” Claire asked, and I nodded. “Unfortunately, yes. The winds are random, strong, cold, and can take you off your feet.”
Another cold burst came through, and I saw the brothers around the fires step closer to the flames. I looked at the group. “I’m going to go inside for a bit and warm up.”
