35. Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty

C annon walked in carrying one of the twins with Jesse following behind. He'd never appreciated Sunday lunch more than now as a father. One meal he and Jesse didn't need to think about, and the bonus is they both got to eat without holding or taking care of a baby.

Last week, Clara had even stolen the girls for the afternoon and he and Jesse had gotten a two-hour nap. These first two weeks with the girls had taught him that he had no idea the mess two tiny humans who couldn't even walk could make.

Locks walked over and stood in front of him, cocking his eyebrow. Cannon smiled and handed one of his daughters to his soon-to-be father-in-law.

"Which one is this? I hate it when you guys dress them the same way," Locks grumbled.

"It was your daughter's idea. I like them in different outfits because it's easier. Jesse re-did the nail polish but it's on their toes. She was worried about them sucking it off on their fingers. I have Rissa. Here, clip her paci on her outfit and we'll be able to tell which is which," Cannon said, handing Rissa to Locks.

He set down the diaper bag and pulled out Rissa's pacifier with the embroidered strap that clipped onto her clothes and was also hooked on the pacifier. Her name was on it, which made Cannon's life immensely easier. He sometimes felt like a failure when he couldn't tell the girls apart. He clipped it on her onesie. It was one of the gifts they'd received for the girls. Bootstrap had sent onesies from Texas. On the front in big bold letters, it said Don't Make Me Cry or Bluff Creek Will Ride . It was honestly one of his favorites because he loved that his girls were protected.

With the MC and the fierce, badass Franks sisters, Cannon had no doubt his daughters would grow up to be fierce, capable women, but if someone disrespected them, he and his MC brothers would make sure the person regretted it.

Locks walked away with his granddaughter, and Cannon walked over to find a seat. The food was already on the table. He and Jesse had been running a little behind because their darlings had both pooped their pants right as they got them in the car seats. The time it had taken them to go back in the house, change diapers, and get them back into the car had taken longer than Cannon could have ever imagined before having kids.

It was chillier, so he had made them bring one of the vehicles instead of the side-by-side. He and Jesse had decided to stay in her house. Although Remi and Winnie were closer to the clubhouse, Sarah and Beth were still in their original houses. Sarah didn't want to be farther away from her job. Neither did Jesse, which was why they were keeping her house. Plus, he had fond memories in it of the time he finally pulled his head out of his butt and found the love of his life.

Jesse had made it a point of saying she was going to be sitting by Beth and might not be beside him at lunch. He'd learned to roll with the punches with the Franks siblings. When one of them had a Code Rachel , they all came running. It's something he hadn't had growing up without siblings. He had brothers now and was thankful for it. He loved the fact his girls would have a sibling, and he hoped he and Jesse might give them a couple more. Who knew the man who'd vowed to never have a family would adore the one he and Jesse had created? She'd truly opened his heart up and breathed life into it. He was grateful she hadn't made him grovel too much after his asinine behavior.

Flick bumped his shoulder. "Man, sit down, food's ready. You looked a million miles away. Those two little sweeties kicking your butt?"

Flick moved around him and sat down, nodding toward an open seat at the table. Cannon pulled the chair out and sat down. He supposed he had looked strange just standing there.

"Well, they don't seem to realize we sleep during the night, but I'll take any sleepless night to have them in my life."

Flick chuckled. "You may have had a long road to get here, but I have to say, I love seeing the family man you've become. I'm happy for you."

"Me too," Cannon replied.

Flick rolled his eyes. "Oh freaking fudge, did she have to bring him again? You know I'm not a violent man, but sometimes, I imagine driving the ambulance over him again and again."

Cannon bit his lip because Clara and Regina were watching him and Flick. He so didn't want them to ask what he and Flick were chuckling about. Cannon had been around Beth Franks a lot since he and Jesse had been thrown together. She was an amazing woman and the way she could change everything to look different for surveillance was nothing short of miraculous. So it freaking baffled his mind that she put up with Deputy Kerwin. He was such a gaslighting, manipulative waste of space. Why Beth was attracted to him was seriously whacked.

Beth sat down and Jesse slid in beside her before Kerwin could take the other seat. Kerwin had to walk around and sit across the table from her. He wondered what exactly was going on, but he'd be keeping a close eye on it.

Baron was sitting at the head of the table and War had taken what had become his spot at the opposite end. War could have pushed to be at the head of the table as the president, but Cannon loved that War showed his dad the respect of still being the head of the family.

Baron stood, "I'd like to say a few words today before we say grace. Over the years, the club has had their highs and lows. We've had people leave way too soon and we've been blessed with new brothers and family. When Regina came to Bluff Creek, I couldn't have imagined the kids and grandkids I'd be blessed with. The zoo I didn't know was in my future."

Laughter had Baron pausing. Cannon thought it was humorous that Baron acted like he didn't love those animals as much as his wife did. He'd seen Baron multiple times out petting and talking to the goats, cow, and horse. Anything Regina loved, Baron loved too.

"I couldn't have been happier to have the next generation start finding the type of love I was blessed with. I know that smooth sailing isn't always in our future, but I do know that whatever comes at us, we'll handle as a family. Together. So thank you for making this old man's dream of a place where brotherhood and family could grow. And thank you to the love of my life for helping us have this place. I love you, baby. Now, let's say grace."

Cannon bowed his head, listening to a couple of the older kids pray. He kept his face down for a minute because darn it, Baron's words had hit him. He had found a love like Baron and Regina. Jesse was everything he hadn't known he needed.

Jesse sat down by Beth after Ginny was stolen by Clara. Honestly, Jesse was glad. Beth had sent a Code Rachel to the girls right before lunch, saying she just needed their support during lunch. Jesse wondered if it had something to do with Deputy Kerwin.

The girls had both spit up their milk and doused her and Beth when Beth was over this week. Jesse had grabbed some sweats for Beth to put on. She'd walked in while Beth was changing. Something she'd done a thousand times before, but Beth had held the sweats in front of her. Jesse had walked closer because of the way she was acting. Beth had finally given in and shown her finger sized bruises where Deputy Kerwin had pinched her thighs at last week's lunch because he thought Beth was being too loud.

It had taken everything Jesse had inside her to not go tell her other sisters and devise a punishment for him. But the more she thought about it, the more she realized Beth needed to stand up for herself. Jesse hoped with everything in her that it started today.

Jesse was on guard as everyone passed the food. They were having mac ‘n' cheese, fried chicken, homemade rolls, salad, vegetables, along with tater tots and fried potatoes. Regina had modified some of the meals when she heard Phoebe and Blake talking about their favorites. It was those little things that had each person feeling so special.

When Beth put a big scoop of mac ‘n' cheese on her plate, Kerwin made a sound in his throat. Jesse glanced around the table and suddenly realized what she missed. Remi and Winnie had put themselves on both sides of Kerwin. She wasn't sure if they were protecting him from what Locks and the other guys might do during a confrontation or if they wanted to be the first to get their own knocks in.

Jesse would love to get a couple knocks in, but she wanted to support Beth in whatever way she wanted. Beth had been one of her supports during her pregnancy and they'd grown even closer than before.

Even if she hadn't seen the bruises on Beth's thighs, she would still not like the deputy. Something about him had bothered her from day one, but sometimes her sisters hadn't liked her boyfriend either. And they'd never shared until Jesse had kicked them to the curb. Sometimes, being a good sister was keeping your mouth shut until your siblings realized the truth for themselves.

Beth took the fried chicken from Phoebe and held the plate so Phoebe could get a piece. Blake was sitting on the other side of Phoebe and was whispering with Beth and Phoebe. Jesse would love to hear what the girls had to say. Sometimes they reminded her so much of her sisters it brought tears to her eyes. They might be cousins, but she could totally see those girls being the next generation to run the bail bonds along with her girls. She wanted her girls to do whatever they wanted and dreamed about. If they didn't want to work in the garage or run the bail bonds, then Jesse would do whatever to help them achieve their dreams. She wanted happy and healthy girls who knew their worth.

Beth took a piece of chicken and passed it to Jesse. Jesse took a piece and then took the green beans from Beth because she didn't really like any vegetable. She was teaching herself to like salad. Carrots with peanut butter were the only vegetables that Beth would eat growing up. Kerwin made that sound in his throat again when Beth passed the green beans by. As the rolls came, Beth put one on her plate and then went to grab a second one. Kerwin made that sound again that was freaking grating on Jesse's last nerve. Beth placed the second roll on Blake's plate.

Jesse buttered her own roll, then added the homemade apple butter. Jesse loved having the farm on the property because of all the jams and jellies. Blake and Phoebe were whispering to Beth and then Beth chuckled. Then laughed louder as the girls continued telling her something. Beth was shaking she was laughing so hard. Jesse would really like to know what the girls had said.

"Oh my gosh, that's hilarious," Beth said between laughs.

Before Jesse could ask what was so hilarious, Kerwin piped up in his authoritative voice, which Jesse always thought sounded like a yippy dog compared to Cannon's deep voice.

"Beth, indoor voice. We've talked about learning to control your volume multiple times."

Jesse waited to see what happened because all conversation and sound had stopped at the table. Jesse was hoping Beth would take the opportunity to stand up for herself. It was the first time Kerwin had corrected Beth where everyone else could hear.

Beth tilted her head and stared at Kerwin, not saying anything at first, then nodded. She leaned over and whispered something to Blake and Phoebe that had them covering their mouths and nodding their heads.

"Definitely a Code Paulo ," Phoebe said. Phoebe was correct in using that code of you can't trust the situation or the person. Jesse didn't trust anything about the deputy.

"You know, we have discussed what you think about my indoor voice. We've discussed what you think of my body, of my family, and last but certainly not least, all the ways you think I need to change. I think we've missed a vital part of the conversation. So since my family is all here, let's just have that conversation here because they've been here and put up with you."

"What vital part of the conversation have we missed? And I think we can take care of this by ourselves, Beth. You know I only want you to be the best version of yourself. I care for you and how people see you."

Beth stood up and pushed her seat back. "Do you really? Is concern where your words are coming from?" Beth's fingers making air quotes when she said concern had Jesse bracing. Beth might be slow to anger sometimes but the air quotes were a sign she'd hit her limit. Jesse was looking forward to the fallout because Beth, on a tear, was a sight to see.

"Now, Elizabeth…"

Beth held up her hand at his words. "If you were really concerned," Beth emphasized with air quotes again. "Then you wouldn't use my full name because that's not my preferred name. You using my full name like parents sometimes use to get after their children is a sign of disrespect to me. I am not a child and you are not my parent. In fact, one of my parents is here and he would never treat me the way you do, but let's get back to the part of the conversation we've missed. I owe it to the younger girls."

"Now…"

Beth held up her hand again. "Uh, uh, uh. It's time for this adult to talk now. Keep your mouth shut for a second or I'll let one of my sisters make sure you keep your mouth shut. The vital piece of the conversation is all the things you need to change about yourself. I mean fair is fair. If you need to point out all of my so-called deficiencies, then I need to help you too. So, buckle up, buttercup, because I've got a lot to say.

I think I said yes to you asking me out because you were so persistent. I wasn't really that attracted to you, but sometimes a woman likes to be chased. To know she matters. My sisters were all finding their happily ever after and I admit, I was bored. At first, it was nice how attentive I thought you were. But then my clothes were never what you'd pick for me. You'd say I needed to change what I was wearing. This would be a deficiency with you because you were threatened by a strong woman wearing what she wanted. You'd bring up me needing to change because having that type of control over someone made you feel better. It wasn't in any way, shape or form done for me.

Now, I will say. You're a master at gaslighting. It took me a little bit to figure out what you were doing. But here comes another deficiency. You made a huge mistake. You turned your negativity toward my family and sisters. You not only pointed out how I was too loud or didn't act the way you thought I should, but you called Remi names because she doesn't have what you consider a traditional job for a woman."

Jesse waited for what was next. Beth had not only thrown Kerwin under the bus, but she was now going to drive it over him until he understood where he'd screwed up. War's face was turning red. Remi's face hadn't shown any emotion about him saying negative things about her, but she'd been livid at what Beth had revealed about their relationship.

"I'd thought about kicking you to the curb quietly after lunch, but then I realized I needed to set an example."

"An example…"

Beth shook her finger at Kerwin. "Uh, uh, uh. Remember, it's my turn to talk."

Beth waited a second, nodding at Sarah. Sarah walked behind Kerwin and slapped a piece of duct tape over his mouth. Jesse bit her lip because she so wanted to laugh at the look in Kerwin's eyes. Gaslighting didn't work near as well when Beth had a huge family at her back.

"I'm setting an example for the young girls who will grow to be strong, fierce women someday. They've seen you put me down and they've seen me not stand up for myself. I'm not even sure why because my dad raised strong women, but your put downs were so insidious with how they crept in that I missed what was happening. Me, a strong woman who would never dream I'd let myself be in an abusive relationship. But now it's out in the open and the girls are learning that it's okay to stand up to bullies. Because that's what you are. You're the bully on the playground who changed their tactics when they grew up. But no more. Not only am I getting rid of you as a boyfriend, but Jesse also took pictures," Beth paused and pointed at Jesse's phone. Jesse hit send on her email to the sheriff. Beth's statement was attached, requesting that the sheriff review the deputy's qualifications for a job of keeping the people of Bluff Creek safe if he abused his girlfriend.

"She's just sent copies to the sheriff, along with my request for him to review your employment status. I mean, can we trust you to keep the people of Bluff Creek safe if you choose to leave bruises on the person you profess to be your girlfriend? The person you say you like."

At Beth's words, Locks stood, knocking his chair back. Oh wow, her dad was ready to jump across the table and teach Kerwin about how to treat women. Beth held her hand out to her dad, silently asking him to hold back.

"So, I'll close out this little chat with a warning. I'm talking to Kerwin my ex-boyfriend, not Deputy Kerwin. Run far and run fast. You're no longer welcome in Bluff Creek or the surrounding counties. Heck, if you want to be safe, make sure you're not within two hundred miles of any of the Bluff Creek Chapters or any of the bail bonds offices. Our reach is far and wide. What you didn't realize is the only reason you were safe was because my family thought I liked you. Now they know it's not true and they don't appreciate behavior like you've shown. I could be nice and say I'll hold them back for two hours to give you a head start, but I have zero fucks to give about you."

"Swear," the kids yelled.

Beth chuckled. "How about I buy you all ice cream after lunch since I swore, and we'll celebrate me taking out the trash?"

Jesse smiled watching Phoebe and Blake high-five each other.

"One more thing. I think you need a more visual reminder. The next time you think about telling a woman what she should or shouldn't eat, remember this." Beth reached her hand into the pile of mac ‘n' cheese she'd placed on her plate and grabbed a huge glob, then threw it directly in Kerwin's face. Sarah must have realized what she was doing because before the mac ‘n' cheese hit his face, she'd ripped off the duct tape. The glob hit his nose, eyes, and mouth.

Jesse chuckled and the rest of the table was laughing too.

"Aunt Jesse, Mama said we're not s'posed to throw food."

Bear patted David's shoulder. "Nope, but sometimes a point needs to be made," he said.

"Thank goodness," War yelled and threw up his hands. "My prayers have been answered. I didn't want to miss a Sunday meal, but that guy grates on my last nerve. However, it seems like the situation is a little more serious than I'd thought. Beth, I think Kerwin might need some help out to his car. I know Locks would like to help him. Do you want to help him, or do you want to leave it up to the brothers?"

Beth grinned. "I just did my nails, and I still have mac ‘n' cheese to finish. I'm okay with anyone helping him along that would like to. I'm going to clean off my hand and enjoy my lunch."

Beth sat back down, and Jesse slipped her arm around her. "I'm so proud of you. I know that was hard. Your time will come, and I'm sure it's going to be epic."

Beth nodded. "Well, I had to set an example for all the girls. Hopefully, they'll remember that it's okay to make mistakes. Your family will always have your back. And they don't have to make themselves smaller to fit someone else's ideal."

Jesse nodded. Beth was right. Her daughters were too young to see this in person, but someday, they'd hear the story of how Aunt Beth stood up to a bully at Sunday lunch and her family stood up with her.

Jesse glanced around the table. Not only had Locks, War, and the men of the MC headed outside, but it looked like she was the only sister that stayed in the clubhouse. Jesse was fine sitting here, hanging with Beth.

By the time Locks and her sisters got done with Kerwin, there wouldn't be enough left for her to have any fun with him anyway. But if he was still in town when she went to pick up the twins' onesies she'd ordered from the diner, she might have to do a little on-site maintenance of his personal vehicle. It would be such a shame if the vehicle broke down close to their Texas Chapter. She sent the email with his personal car info to the Texas Chapter and all bail bonds locations. Once Beth had said to get the email ready for the sheriff because she was going to take out the trash, Jesse had crafted one to go. She hadn't instructed them to do anything bad, just to make sure that Kerwin moved along if he found himself close to their allies.

Cannon and War walked back in and went toward the kitchen. Jesse took a bite of her fried chicken, savoring the flavor. Regina's chicken was even tastier knowing that jerk was out of her sister's life.

When Cannon rejoined them, he grinned at Beth. "Way to go, little sis. I totally would have gotten a couple punches in for you, but Locks wasn't really sharing. I only wish you would have warned me it was going to be an epic smackdown. I would have recorded it."

Jesse grinned at her man. He still had the need for control, but he smiled a lot more and joked more with the family. Who knew the man she originally wanted to bash with a cast iron skillet turned into the biggest hero of her life? And gave her two of the best gifts she'd ever received.