I made a mental note to stop by the clubhouse when I got home to finally properly thank Jinx for all those years ago. Maybe we could put the past behind us. Maybe we could be friends. And maybe Deb’s idea appealed to me the more I thought about it.
Not that I would ever admit that out loud.
Deidra’s P.O.V.
I woke up the next morning bright and early. Because I forgot to close the curtains last night. Igroaned as I rolled over and pulled a pillow over my head. It was too late though. I was up. As much as I hated it. I was always that type. Could never go back to sleep once I was awake.
Sighing, I grabbed my phone from the bedside table to see the time. It was just after eight in themorning. I first checked the local weather page to see that it was clear skies today. Then I spentway too much time on my social media apps. I was just wasting time, not wanting to get up.
After lying there for over an hour, I finally got up and decided to be a person today. I made my bedbefore walking across the hall to the bathroom. I turned the shower on and brushed my teeth whileI waited for the water to warm up. Then I stripped out of the over-sized T-shirt I was wearing andhopped in. I took my time, just enjoying the hot water running over my body.
Eventually, I started to get pruney, so after washing, I got out. I blow-dried my hair a little before going back to the bedroom. I quickly closed the curtains when I realized I was only in my towel. Not that anyone should be close enough to see me, but you never know. I dressed in a pair of thick black leggings and a white tank top. Then I went to the living room.
I turned the TV on, flipping to a local news channel. It appeared that all the roads were now clear, and they didn’t expect any more snow for a few more days. That must mean that I can get a ride totown easily.
I was scrolling on my phone, about to order an Uber when a knock came from the front door. Ifurrowed my brow as I pulled a sweatshirt over my head before answering. Much to my surprise,Dale was on the other side.
“Afternoon,” he said with a cheerful smile.
“Afternoon,” I replied, matching his energy. “What’s up?”
“Mrs and I wanted to know if you wanted a ride to town?” he asked, pointing his thumb behind him.
There was his wife, Emma, sitting in the passenger seat of his truck. When she caught my eye, a smile broke out on her face and she waved eagerly at me.
“Actually, yeah, that’d be great. I was just about to get an Uber,” I told him. “Is it okay if I have just a second to change?”
“Oh! Yeah, yeah of course, take your time,” he replied. “We’ll be in the truck.”
I thanked Dale before closing the door and rushing back to the bedroom. I quickly put a bra on anda different sweater. This one was nice. Cream-colored and soft. Mature and sort of festive. Not really my usual. I’m normally a jeans and regular ol’ shirt kinda gal. But this is my vacation, and I’m supposed to be branching out.
After I was dressed, I went to the bathroom to tame my curls. My hair is pretty much completely dry now, but my curls are everywhere. I racked the thick, dark brown locks back with my fingers and clipped them up. Curls fell in random spots, but it looked nice. I’m not one for makeup either, so my usual mascara and clear lip-gloss did the job.
I gave myself a once over, approving what I saw in the mirror. Then I pulled on my boots and coat, stuffing my gloves and hat into the pockets just in case. I grabbed my purse, the cabin key, and my phone, and rushed out the door. I hopped in the backseat behind Dale in the truck. Emma immediately turned to me and smiled.
“I love your sweater,” she told me.
“Thanks,” I replied with a huge smile. “I love your hair.”
Emma and I chatted away while Dale drove, commenting every few words or so. It was a lot nicer and easier than I expected. I knew they were kind people the moment I saw them, but as I’ve said, I’m a bit of a loner. Also, I apparently don’t have the best taste in friends. I expected to never feel at ease with anyone ever again because of Sophie and Theo. At least for a while. Talking with Emma and Dale was easy. Maybe I felt that way because I knew I’d never have to see them again after I left if I didn’t want to. Regardless, it had my spirits lifted, so I was thankful.
“No one checking in today, Emma?” I asked, making conversation.
“There was just one, but they were running late,” she told me. “I left the key under the mat on the porch for them and told them to come sign in first thing in the morning. Shouldn’t be a problem, they already paid. I wouldn’t do that for just anyone either, but I knew they had a few kids with them. I’m sure that’s the reason they’re late,” she said, making us all chuckle. “Plus, it’s Christmas time.”
“My favorite time of the year,” I blurted, smiling.
“Why’d that sound half sarcastic?” Dale asked, amused. Emma hit his arm and gave him a look. “Ow, geez, what?” He complained.
“That’s kind of rude, don’t you think?” She scolded him.
“It’s okay,” I cut in. “I probably did sound sarcastic. I do love Christmas, but it’s also a sad time of year for me,” I told them.
And immediately I’m wondering if I over shared.
Why can’t I just keep my mouth shut? Or control my tone in the first place? Why do I gotta be like this?
“Well, I hope that we can help make this year a little less sad for you,” Emma said with a bright smile.
I returned her smile. I couldn’t help it, because for the first time in forever, someone wasn’t looking at me with pity. Her smile was bright, and her eyes were kind. I could tell that she knew it was something heartbreaking, but she didn’t look at me like I was fragile. I appreciated that more than I could tell her at the moment.
“You already have, thank you,” I told her.
“Alright, so, on that note, we have to take you to all the best spots in town,” Emma said happily,clapping her hands in excitement.
I smiled as Emma went on and on about all the spots we were going to see. The famous lightsaround downtown, her favorite bakery, Dale’s favorite coffee shop. I’d already known the placesshe listed, but I didn’t tell them that. They were so happy about taking me around town that Icouldn’t. Besides, it kept me busy, distracted. And I was grateful for it.
***********
The three of us ended up spending hours in town. We parked and walked around for a bit. Emmaand I went into a few stores while Dale spent a lot of his time in a hardware store. They also took me to the grocery store while we were out so that I could cook at the cabin. We ended up havingdinner together at their favorite little bistro. It was a really nice day.
When they dropped me off, Emma asked if I wanted to hang out tomorrow or if that was too clingy. I laughed at her joke and told her I’d be happy to. We made plans that she’d be over in the evening after her shift was over with a bottle of wine. It was going to be a girls’ night. It made meextra happy that I bought so many wine-coolers and that 5th of Jack while we were out, because I am so not a wine-girl.
It took me a little bit to put everything away. By the time I was done, it was pretty late. I was exhausted after all the walking and socializing I did all day. Instead of staying up to read or take a nice bath, I decided to change and go to bed. I stripped out of my clothes and threw an over-sized T-shirt over my head. I walked to the window to make sure the curtains were shut tight. I peeked outside as I grabbed them to pull them together more.
I noticed the huge cabin a few yards away looked different. There were a few lights on in the windows, but that wasn’t what caught my eye. It was the family of snowmen in the backyard. Ofcourse, snowmen aren’t a strange thing to see this time of year, but it was the way they were staged.
Three sets of families. One was in the middle, and appeared to be an older couple based off the glasses on the gramps and the granny nightgown on the other. The family to the right was the biggest. There was a mom, a dad, two young boys, and one young girl. All of them decorated to the nines with stick arms, carrot noses, and a patch of clothing to indicate who/what they are. The family to the left was just two. One was a dad with a black scarf wrapped around the neck. The other was a boy with a red scarf.
Something about it tugged at my heart. I wasn’t sure what it represented. For all I know, they ran out of time or got too cold to finish.
I shook my head, closed the curtains, and got into bed. I wanted my thoughts to remain clear. As I fell asleep I didn’t think about Sophie and Theo, or my loneliness, or my parents’ deaths, or Jinx’s stupidly beautiful blue-green eyes. Instead, I thought about the amazing day I had with two new friends.
Hope for the future sprouted in my chest as I drifted into darkness.
Jinx’s P.O.V.
“I can’t believe you guys thought it was a good idea to drive instead of flying,” I grumbled as we stopped at the fourth gas station in the last two hours because Drew had to go the bathroom again.
“Well, we thought it would be fun to take a road trip with the whole family,” Adam said as we waited outside the bathroom door for Andrew, Chance, and Waylen. I have a feeling they’re in there making trouble. I can feel it. “That’s why we left Saturday,” Adam continued. “Thought we could split the drive between two days. Didn’t think a little over 19 hours was bad.”
“And now?” I asked with a raised brow.
“I just keep picturing going through the airport with these three,” he said, pointing his thumb at the closed door. “You think they’re wild in the car… A plane ride would have been shorter, but would it have been less hectic?”
I guess he has a point. The boys are usually well-behaved, but when they get together… not so much. They just get too wild, too many bad ideas. I could only imagine the craziness at an airport. Not to mention on the plane. And there would be other people to complain about it too. Which would inevitably end in a fight because I can’t control my anger when it comes to my son, and
Adam is just as bad.
Adam might not be part of an MC, but he’s still an intimidating man. He’s huge; the same height as me but with way more muscle. He looks scary, but he’s got a heart of gold. I’ve asked him to prospect for the club numerous times since he started dating my older sister, but he always refused. Said the life didn’t appeal to him. Not because of the bro.therhood we share, but because of the club bunnies and runs he’d have to go on.
My brother-in-law is undeniably faithful to my sister. You should see the way he means-mugs other girls when they even get close. I seriously doubt that any club bunny could seduce him. I think he’s more worried about losing it and hitting a woman than cheating on my sister. Plus, he hates being away from his family. A lot of our runs take days, and all members go on runs if that’s what War wants. Those of us who have other jobs rarely go on them though.
Plus, Adam has a really good job. He’s a project engineer and makes bank. My sister is able to be a stay-at-home mother. They live in a big house too, and their kids never want for anything. I’m happy he’s happy with his life, but sometimes I wish he would have taken me up on prospecting. My sister would be closer. Way would have friends around.
“I’m glad you guys decided to come,” Adam said, pulling me from my thoughts. “Glad you weren’t gonna really punish Waylen.”
I sighed heavily.
“I can’t just let him think his little pranks are okay,” I replied.
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