Page 9 of Wild Runaway
“Sorry we woke you.”
I shake my head. “Don’t matter.” I’m an early riser anyway. “She need milk?”
Trish nods and follows me to the kitchen. I focus on what she and the baby need, trying to calm my racing male blood. I thought I was done with women, but twelve hours with this one in my cabin and my body’s behaving like I’m a teenager.
Trish holds Rose while I get the formula ready, trying to remember what I saw her do yesterday. The tin of formula is light when I pick it up, and I have to tip it sideways to get to the powder at the bottom. I don’t know if she’s got any more in her bag, but this won’t last another day.
While the bottle warms, Trish changes Rose and I make the coffee. Then we all sit out on the porch, the baby wrapped in a blanket as she sucks on her bottle.
As soon as Rose gets the teat of the bottle in her mouth, the crying finally stops. The silence is golden and we sit without talking, listening to the birdsong and the sound of the forest waking up.
“It’s peaceful out here.” Trish lets out a long sigh.
I take a sip of coffee and lean back in my chair.
“Yup.”
The porch is positioned to face a clearing where the sun rises every morning. The pale rays warm my face and I close my eyes, enjoying the sounds of the baby suckling as Trish rocks her chair back and forth. I got the rocking chairs because I like the motion, but they’re perfect for nursing babies.
A vision springs into my head, Trish and the baby here every morning by my side, rocking gently on the porch as we watch the sunrise.
A smile creeps over my face. I’ve never contemplated being with anyone until now, let alone a woman and a baby. But I like having Trish and Rose here. It’s soothing to watch her with the baby in a way that speaks to my damaged soul.
When I came back from the military, I didn’t want to be around people. I’d seen the worst of humanity, but Trish is showing me the best. The love of a mother and the fierce protectiveness toward her young.
I didn’t have any family when I got out of the military and Kobe told me about the Wild Riders MC, a motorcycle club of ex-servicemen. I’ve always loved to ride and I grew up in the mountains of the west, but there was nothing left for me back home. So I came here to see what it was about.
I like my quiet secluded life in the forest, but once a week I head down the mountain for the MC meetings and take part in any charity runs they’re doing. I’ve helped my brothers build their own cabins, and I supply meat to the restaurant and to anyone who needs it.
Out here, I don’t need much. I live off the land and off my military pension. I hunt and trap and sell meat and hides to the surrounding towns.
It’s a good life. It’s a single man’s life. But now, for the first time, I want to share it with someone else. The thought both pleases and terrifies me. I’m an old man compared to Trish. I’m thirty-six, old and damaged. I have nightmares, haunted by what I saw humans do to each other. I don’t like loud noises or being around people.
I stand up abruptly, not wanting to think about my failings. The best I can do is make Trish and the baby comfortable.
“I’m going for a supply run in town. What do you need?”
She hesitates, and I’m not sure if it’s because of a reluctance to ask for help or if she doesn’t have any money.
“I’ll put it on my store account, so you don’t have to pay me yet.”
She doesn’t have to pay me ever, but she’s too proud to take charity. I’ve seen that before with people who need help.
“Umm.” She bites her lower lip, and I wonder what’s got her so troubled. I wish I could take her troubles away and make her smile and laugh like a young woman should.
“I need diapers and formula.”
She looks away, and I’m sure there’s more she needs, but I don’t want to embarrass her. I’ll pick up some baby stuff and hope it’s right.
“Help yourself to anything in the cabin.”
I figure getting out of the way and giving her time to get used to the place will help her relax. I head down the porch and turn around at the bottom step.
“And if you go walking in the forest, take some bear spray.”
Her mouth pops open, and she pulls Rose to her chest as her eyes dart to the forest.
“Stick near the cabin and you’ll be fine.”
