Page 41 of Rattler
I woke to the feeling of a gentle kiss on my forehead.When I opened my eyes, Rattler was staring down at me with a bemused expression on his face.
“You look beautiful when you wake up.All soft and dreamy.”
I smiled.“Flatterer.You think I’m going to fall for that kind of crap?”
He grinned.“You already have.You’re in my bed, aren’t you?”
I wrinkled my nose, pretending to look thoughtful.“I guess I am.How did church go?”
“Fine.Your ex isn’t going to be a problem much longer.”
I felt my eyes widen.“You’re not going to kill him, are you?”Not that I’d object to that, but I didn’t want Rattler to go to jail just because of me.
“No, nothing like that.”He stroked a hand through my hair.“I can’t go into detail.Club business and all, but he’s been screwing around with stuff that he shouldn’t.We just handed off the information, and the authorities will take care of him.”
“So I’m free?I can go into town if I want to?”
He narrowed his eyes.“That sounds like you have something in mind.”
I nodded.“A dress for the wedding.I can’t show up in leggings and one of your shirts.I need a dress.And some shoes to go with it.Formal dresses aren’t something I can rustle up from Mom’s lost and found box.”
He frowned.“It’s not a done deal yet, so I think you need to stay put a bit longer.”
My happy bubble burst.“So, I’m still in hiding?”
“Only until it all goes down and your ex is behind bars.Then we can go to the local sheriff and clear up the missing person thing.I have an idea, though.”
“What?”I wasn’t very hopeful.He was an outstanding guy, and I was so lucky to have found him, but I’d seen his wardrobe.Black and gray so he didn’t have to think about what to wear or what would match.
“Why don’t you let a couple of the old ladies go to town and pick out some shit?You can give them an idea of what you want.Shadow can put you on video chat with them while they shop and if you see something you like, they can bring it here for you to try on.Would that work?”
I thought about it.“Couldn’t you just smuggle me into a store so I can look for myself?”
“Too risky.What if the clerk, or even the owner, had seen you on one of those fucking missing person posters?They could call your ex and turn you in, or they could think we are holding you against your will and notify the local cops.”He shook his head.“Sorry, but not gonna happen.”
I could see his point; I was just disappointed.He was trying to keep me safe.“Okay, we can do it your way.Who would you send?”
“Not sure.Janet’s already going nuts trying to make sure everything is going to run smoothly.You’ve met all the old ladies.Who do you think?”
I had no idea.“I guess we could ask and see who has time?”
“That sounds like a good idea.”He traced one finger across my lips.“We can ask around at supper.Prospects were just pulling in with the Chinese food when church let out.”
I opened my mouth and bit his finger lightly.
His nostrils flared.“Naughty girl!”
I grinned around his captive finger, biting down gently before letting it go.“That’s for not letting me go shopping.”
He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me in closer.“You know I’m going to have to punish you for that?”
I tossed my head, batting my lashes at him.“I was counting on it.”
It was almost an hour later when we headed out back for supper.The Chinese food wasn’t hot any longer, but we didn’t care.
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Rattler
