Page 23 of Wild Runaway
I think about the kicking I gave him; how easy it would have been to keep going. But I didn’t. I stopped. When it came to it, I was one of the good guys.
12
TRISH
My hands shake as I clutch Rose to my chest, her little heartbeat thundering against mine.
“It’s okay.” I rub her back, but I’m not sure if I’m soothing her or myself.
The relief at seeing Ian go makes my legs weak, and I cling to Joseph.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
It takes me a moment to answer. I think about Ian turning up, surprising us, and the fear that sliced through me when he took Rose. Then the relief when Joseph turned up.
I wasn’t sorry to see Ian getting a beating, but I’m glad that it’s over. He’s a coward, and with the MC here he won’t be back. Finally, I’ve got him out of my life.
“Do you need anything?”
I look up to the kindly face of one of the MC guys. I’m so relieved they turned up.
“We’re fine. But do you want some coffee? Please, stay for breakfast.”
I glance at Joseph, just realizing that I’ve offered his food up for everyone. I’ve gotten so comfortable here that it feels like my own home.
Joseph just smiles at me. “Yup,” he says. “Least we can do is get you some breakfast.”
I carry Rose inside and put her in the sling. She’s wide awake, but I want to keep her close to me.
There’s a carton of eggs in the cupboard and bacon in the fridge, and I get to work making breakfast for the men who showed up to help a stranger.
Joseph introduces me to his MC friends. They’ve all got two names. Travis has the road name Hops and works with Barrels, whose real name is Quentin.
Arlo’s road name is Prince, as in Prince Charming. I can see why. He’s younger than the others with a cheeky smile that he gives freely. He takes Rose off me, and she giggles as the big man throws her up in the air, charming my little girl. Colter introduces himself as the husband of Danni. He invites us over anytime we like for a play date.
There isn’t enough room inside, so we take our breakfasts onto the porch and eat on the stairs.
Joseph takes Rose on his knee, and he puts a bit of runny egg on his finger. Her face screws up when she licks it, making the men laugh.
Everyone talks easily, and as I listen to the chatter of the men, my heart lifts. I feel safe here. It’s a real family, and they’ve welcomed me with open arms.
A little while later, we wave off the last of the MC.
Rose is exhausted, and I give her a bottle and put her down for a nap.
When I come out of the bedroom, Joseph’s on the porch, and I join him. We sit in companionable silence on the two rocking chairs, looking out at the forest and listening to the bird song.
He reaches across the chair and takes my hand.
“I meant everything I said, Trish. I want you here with the baby. I want to have our own babies with you. But it’s got to be your decision.”
It’s not a hard decision. It’s peaceful here, it’s safe, and I’ve fallen for the quiet recluse with the kind heart. There’s just one thing that’s niggling at me.
“If you hadn’t have found me on Hailey’s doorstep, I don’t know what I would have done.”
He squeezes my hand. “There’s no point thinking about that. That’s not how it happened.”
But he misunderstands what I’m getting at.
