Trust me. I’ve seen the absolute worst and best of people. – Carly
Carly was a licensed therapist and used various types of animal therapy. She was good at handling injured animals and people. Both physical and emotional. She was also good at reading people and making quick judgements that were usually right.She had a long pink and purple pixie cut and a few visible tattoos. Her work boots had been left on the front porch and she wore thick black socks. The bottoms of her jeans were rolled up concealing the mud and other things from the barns. Her thick khaki jacket hung in the foyer and the long sleeves of her red flannel shirt were rolled above her elbows.Carly smiled at the group in the living room. “Unless you live here, sit down and shut up. Miss Lynch, show me your home, please.”The three lawyers sat at the dining table and went back to work, reviewing the notes and other information that they had been able to pull on such short notice. Karan made Chance sitI named him after our dad and his mom. – RyeRye sat in the courtroom wearing the gray slacks and purple sweater that Chance had bought her last night. He also bought her a pair of dress boots and a leather jacket. She had argued over it all until he reminded her that it was for Michael. They had gone to several other stores at the mall where they found some artwork and little trinkets that she liked. Then he took her to dinner at the Sombrero, or as his mother called it, big hat Mexican. Chance slipped his hand into hers and linked their fingers. She turned and looked at him. His beard was trimmed, and his long hair was in a ponytail just above his suit collar. He wore a dark gray suit and crisp white shirt. His tie was expertly tied and had small army emblems and his unit patch all over the green silk.Looking at him like this, it was hard to see the biker. He looked like the type of man who would treasure his wife. Spoil his children. Take care of his mom.
Trigg, huge favor. Can you please ask Toad if we can invade his church for a bit tonight? – ChanceThe Saints were filling up the chapel room at the Shack. All the brothers from Pop’s Place and a few from the mother house found places to sit. They were all chatting about everything from bikes to kids to work to why they were there. “Chance tell you what this was about?” Toad asked Trigg as he shook the other president’s hand. They both wore the standard fare for the Saints. Motorcycle boots, jeans and club cut. The main difference was that Trigg wore a black T-shirt with scope sights on it declaring THIS IS MY PEACE SIGN. Toad wore a gray one that his niece gave him. He had tried to hide the Disney frog saying, ‘It’s not slime, it’s mucus.’ Somehow, Molly’s little pretties knew about it and kept asking him to unzip his cut. He wasn’t sure if his wife or niece was behind them knowing.“I wish. He called me from the courthouse and asked for this.” He motioned va
Who the hell am I marrying? – TriggAfter the women left the men to their meeting, the old ladies went to watch their movie. Alana took Michael from her son after the diaper change. He found her surrounded by other old ladies when he brought her a fresh bottle. He kissed his mom and sister on the top of their heads before joining the other Saints from Pop’s Place in the bar. Nessie guided Rye to a small couch by itself. Nessie sat cross-legged facing Rye who sat in the corner with a foot tucked under her. She held a throw pillow in her lap. The last time that she had talked to the redhead, she had said things that scared Rye. She was afraid that the woman could see all of her deep buried secrets.“Yeh don’t love him yet.”Rye was surprised by the bluntness. “No. I don’t.”“Yeh will.” She smiled and took Rye’s left hand in both of hers. “I don’t know if I can.” Nessie moved her fingers over the upturned palm without looking at it. The movement relaxed a
If you’re not going to help support the family, stay silent in your precious closet. – Donna LeighRye was walking home from the bus stop to the cheap apartment in Biloxi when she felt someone following her. Images from a few nights ago of Leigh Anne being held down and raped flashed through her mind.She sped up digging out the single key from her jeans pocket. Just as she reached her stoop, the man grabbed her. He was never in her sight, but his scent and touch would forever be branded in her mind. Whiskey. Sweat. Chewing tobacco. Foul breath. Rough calloused hands. Greasy hair and skin. Fingernails that are too long and pointy. Scratchy facial hair. Her backpack was torn away as he shoved her inside. Rye stumbled as she tried to grab the bag. A large hand shoved her to the floor, and she heard material rip as her shirt was pulled away. Screaming for help, Rye struggled to get away. The man released her shirt to cover her mouth. She bit the man’s finger as h
Welcome to North Star. Chance is going to show you how to saddle a horse and I’ll see you two when you get back. – CarlyAlana gladly agreed to watch Michael anytime Chance and Rye went to see Carly. It did not take long for Rye to discover why Chance had gotten a hatchback. Along with Michael and his carrier was his stroller, diaper bag, and portable bassinet. And that was just for a few hours at his grandmothers house. There was a vague memory deep in the back of her mind of spending a Christmas at her dad's parents house. Her Uncle Bass and his family had been there. But Donna Leigh was not and she couldn't remember why. They built a snowman with their cousins. It was so idealic that Rye had just about convinced herself it didn't really happen. That was the year that both she and Leigh Anne received their bears holding a picture of their dad. That tangible proof had always given her hope of better days.As they drove out to the facilities for the North Star Ranch, Ry
You are more than enough. – Chance Sitting in the small living room like area, clutching the pink pillow to her chest with one hand and barely holding a cup of hot tea with the other, Rye swallowed hard looking at the other woman. What she said could not be accurate. All those times that she failed. That they had to leave because of her. No, she thought, this woman didn’t understand. “You think I’m wrong?” Carly asked and Rye nodded her head. “Why?”“Before my dad left the last time, he made us promise to take of each other.” She whispered hoarsely. “I failed.”Carly sat her cup on the table as she stood up and moved in front of Rye. She gently pried the cup from the other woman’s hands and sat it on the table as she knelt. Clasping the smooth hands in her calloused ones she spoke softly. “How old were you when you made this promise?”“Twelve.” She mumbled. Carly nodded, waiting for Rye to focus on her. It took a moment, but her lavender colored eyes
Of all the assholes in this world, this one got blessed with an angel. I’m the luckiest asshole there is. – ChanceChance grumbled as he made his way to the front door. He found his mother and sister, Evie and Karan. “What time is it?” he asked as the four women entered. “Eight.” His mother said and his sister added “Ish.”“Define nine. Ish.”“Seven thirty.” Karan laughed. “I need coffee.” Chance said making his way past the women and to the kitchen. “Where’s Rye?” Karan asked as they all followed him into the kitchen. “Asleep.” He answered starting the coffee pot and effortlessly making a bottle. Down the hall Michael began to cry. “You’re late, buddy.”“He’s late?” Evie asked as they heard baby giggles. “And I’m leaking.”Chance handed her a box of breast pads from the cabinet with bottles and formula. “Don’t ask. We keep getting them in the mail.”“You’re on the newborn mailing list.” Evie said as she pulled damp breast pads out of
Bring her for church. The other old ladies will be here also. – TriggMonday before the wedding, Chance drove the hatchback over to Pop’s Place for church. Rye rode in the passenger seat, nervous. He had explained that Pop’s was smaller than the Shack, there would not be near as many people there. But she knew that a lot of the women that had been his lovers would be there. Karan had admitted that she had been with him before she and Cookie became serious. Somehow it was different with her. Probably because she liked Karan before she and Chance got involved. Even before she would talk to him.Mia would be there. Although they started off rocky, it was getting better. Alana said that she would be there. For moral support, and possibly wine.Chance pulled into the lot and parked over by the Nomad that his sister drove. As he got out, some of the guys that were standing outside called out to him as he had expected. “Did she already take your man card?”“Nice r