Chapter 4: Clearing the Air

Amelia, Zachariah and Jeremiah ran around gleefully at the park. The boys looked so much like their mom, but they had their dads coloring with dark hair and tan skin. Sam had invited us over for dinner about a month ago and we all became fast friends. Jason had offered to help me out with any projects I couldn't do myself to improve the house. The kids hit it off and it was great to see Amelia making friends with other kids. Sam and I were seated side by side on the bench chatting and keeping and eye on the kids when Jason pulled up like a bat out of hell. A familiar big black truck pulled up next to him. Sam jogged over to Jason and Shaw exited the vehicle and joined Jason and Sam's conversation. They all talked in hushed tones and I tried to mind my business.

"Hey Kat is it okay if the boys hang at your house for a couple hours?"

"Of course. Is everything okay?" I tuck my hair behind my ear nervously.

"Yeah one of the log cutting guys got caught in a bear trap and I have to go take a look at him."

Sam was a RN and pretty much the designated caregiver of the town. The nearest hospital was nearly four hours away and thankfully Sam was a Trauma nurse in the ER for over five years before she moved back home. Not that it happened often but whenever there was an injury she was the first one they called.

Jason and Sam hoped in their SUV and took off down the road. Shaw was still standing on the side walk. He was dressed in dark denim jeans and a black crewneck top. His muscled arms crossed his chest and he seemed stressed.

Without realizing what I was doing I had made my way over to him. He looked surprised to see me approach him.

"Hi." I said demurely. I didn't want to have any hard feelings between us so I was being a big girl and speaking first. I glanced over at the kids to make sure they were within eyesight.

"I wanted to apologize for our last encounter." I tucked my long curly hair behind my ear.

"Amelia's sperm donor is always a sensitive subject for me and I thought it was inappropriate for you to ask me something so personal. With that being said I could have handled it better."

"I didn't mean to offend you Kat." He growled out.

Hearing him say my name sent shivers down my spine and it took all of my restraint not to do it right in front of him.

"I just wanted to know more about your situation, but I've been told I don't have the best social skills."

"Why would you want to know more about me?" I had an inkling but I wanted to hear him say it.

His brown eyes held a glint in them, but he did not answer my question.

"Ahhh!" screamed Amelia breaking the spell he had over me.

I snapped my attention back to the kids, making sure they were all accounted for.

"You know exactly why."

"Would you like to come by for dinner some time?" I blurted out like a fucking idiot.

My heart was pounding and a small part of me feared he would reject my offer.

"What are you cooking?"

"Whatever you want. I mean I'm open to requests." I blushed. I didn't mean to sound submissive.

He smiled a real smile and nodded.

"Friday. I'll bring desert." He walked back to his truck and got in taking off down the same road Sam and Jason had.

I nodded my head and walked back to the kids on the playground.

"Are you kids hungry?"

"Yeah!" Shouted the trio.

We headed into the diner ready to order pizza and drinks after having such a fun time at the park. The kids were all winding down as it was now evening time. There was a larger crowd at the diner today. One group in particular stood out. There were four well built guys in cutoff shirts and jeans sitting together having a pitcher of beer. Two of the guys were familiar and I realized they helped Shaw move my furniture last month. Jax and Sean if I recall correctly.

As we walked past them I was sure to speak to the guys that helped me out when I was in a bind. They spoke back nodding their heads at me briefly. Once we ordered our pizza the three kids chatted while I sat quietly listening.

A short while later one of the guys got a little carried away drinking and made some crude statements about his love of milfs. The others with him tried to tell him to calm down, but he was letting the alcohol get the best of him. He made his way to my table with a drunken sway.

"So your the hot piece that's got Shaw wrapped around your finger huh?"

"I don't know you and you don't know me, but I know you see I'm with children so please watch what you say to me." I looked him square in the eyes. I would not tolerate disrespect in front of anyone's children especially my own.

He looked over at the three kids and nodded.

"I didn't mean any disrespect to the children of course. I only wanted to see what all the fuss is about."

"Well, now that you know I suggest you go back to your table." Jax and Sean both came over to show the dipshit back to his seat, but of course he wouldn't back down that easy.

"I know you didn't make that baby by being a saint. I just wanted to sample you myself."

Before I could stop myself I stood and slapped him across the face. There was a stunned silence around the room. Jax and Sean grabbed a hold of him before he could get to me but boy did he try.

"You know you're wrong Noah. When Shaw hears-"

"When I hear what?" you could hear a pin drop.

Speaking of the devil. Shaw took in the scene before him and if looks could kill Noah would be a doornail.