Page 35 of Rattler
Janet shook her head.“No.We talked about it, but we just want a healthy baby.It doesn’t matter if it’s a girl or boy.I know people say it makes it easier to decorate a nursery and all that, but I like the idea of finding out when it’s born.It makes it more exciting, at least for me.As for luck, it has a whole ready-made family here in Riptide, so I think it’s already good on that.He or she will have more honorary aunts and uncles than they can handle.”
Lucky indeed.I couldn’t imagine anyone being better looked after.“Do you live in the clubhouse?I could help with getting a nursery set up.I love to paint, and paint fumes are probably not good for you or the baby.”
Janet twisted her neck to smile up at Thor.“I have a flower shop in town, and there’s a flat above it where we live.We just didn’t feel like going all the way back into town last night, so we bunked down in Thor’s room here.All the guys have rooms here even if they live somewhere else.They need them if Ace puts things into lockdown.We haven’t started worrying about a nursery yet, but when we do I will definitely take you up on that.Paint fumes aside, I hate painting walls.I wanted to get the wedding done first, though.Lots of time to plan a nursery once that’s over.”
I frowned.I had a vague idea of what lockdown meant, and I suddenly didn’t feel as safe as I had.“Does that happen a lot?Getting put into lockdown?”
Thor shook his head, frowning at Janet.“Now you’ve got her scared.”He looked up at me.“No, but it is possible, and when it happens it’s because this is the safest place to be.If there’s a threat to anyone specific or to the club in general, we want to have everyone here where we can protect them.So really, lockdown is a good thing.Safety in numbers and all that crap.”
“Oh.”I knew I still sounded doubtful.
Janet gave Thor a meaningful glare before turning her attention back to me.“Lockdowns can be fun as long as they don’t drag on too long.Having everyone together isn’t a bad thing, especially since there’s lots of room in the clubhouse.It can lead to video game marathons, shooting range challenges, and baking sprints as some of the old ladies try out recipes on a captive audience.My favorite cookie recipe, chocolate chip oatmeal with salted caramel drizzle, came out of the last lockdown.I swear I gained five pounds in a week that time!”She licked her lips in emphasis.“Quick change of subject.You up for helping with the welcome bags today?We could use another pair of hands.”
“Welcome bags?”My mind was still on lockdowns and babies.
“For the wedding!”She grinned.“We’re making little gift bags to hand out to everyone.Some trinkets, a little cookie cutter in the shape of a heart with my favorite recipe attached, a map of the area with a list of places people might want to visit.We were going to add a piece of wedding cake, but that would have to be done within a day or so of the wedding and that’s just too much for the last minute.”
“I’d advise you to say yes, or she’ll just keep hounding you until you give in.”Thor managed to avoid the elbow Janet poked in his direction.
“I do not hound people!”
“No, dear.Of course you don’t.”He mouthed “yes she does” in my direction.
I laughed.“Sounds like fun.I’d love to help.The reception is here, right?”
Janet nodded.“Yes.It seemed easier.The wedding itself is at that church in town with the big bell tower.It’s kind of a concession to my parents.They’re not thrilled with Thor, but they’re trying real hard not to be negative, and to them, a church wedding is the only legitimate kind.”
“Church weddings are nice, especially in those big old churches.”And I totally understood her trying to make her family happy.I had to wonder if my mom would even care if I got married.Since I’d left home, she certainly hadn’t taken any interest in my relationship with Tim.Her whole focus was on her new husband.
Just then Scrapper came bounding out of the clubhouse, closely followed by Willow.The two of them had become firm friends in a short time and often chased each other across the lawn or piled up together to nap on the sofa in the common room.
“They are cute together.”Janet watched the pair zigzag their way across the lawn.
I nodded.“They are.And with Willow around I don’t worry about Scrapper getting eaten by something hiding in the woods.”
“Not much hiding in those woods.”Thor inclined his head toward the tree line at the back of the yard.“Too much noise and commotion around here all the time for critters to feel comfortable.The shooting range alone would be enough to keep most things at a distance.”
The cell phone tucked in my pocket started to vibrate and chime at the same time, and I let out a startled squeak.I guess having a phone again was going to take some getting used to.I pulled it out and looked at the screen.
Incoming call from Rattler.
* * *
Rattler
We found a coffee shop at the edge of town where we weren’t likely to run into the asshole or anyone connected with him.The three of us ordered full breakfasts.It had been a long night, and we needed fuel.I’d called Ace to fill him in on what we found, and now we were in hold mode, waiting for him to let us know what our next move was.
I picked up my cell and hitcallon the number to Lily’s new phone.Shadow had done a great job getting her a secure phone in record time.
I scanned the coffee shop while I waited for her to answer.It had been less than twenty-four hours since I’d held her in my arms, but I needed to hear her voice.I knew her asshole ex was still in town here, but guys like that rarely did their own dirty work.They put out contracts and made sure they had an alibi when shit went down.The missing person posters were all over this town, including one displayed prominently in the window of this place.
When I’d asked the waitress about it, she’d tsked and shook her head sadly.She said the husband had come in and asked for permission to put that up.They didn’t usually allow it, but he was heartbroken over his wife’s disappearance and the boss felt bad for him.She’d lowered her voice when she mentioned that the husband was worried she’d met up with a bad end.He said she was always chatting on the Internet, and he feared she’d connected with the wrong person.Happens way too often these days, she added.
Fucking asshole.Already setting up his alibi?
Luckily, my growl of disgust was taken as a comment on the Internet trolls who might be looking to lure women into danger.
Lily answered the phone on the third ring, sounding hesitant.“Hi there.Can you hear me?”
