32. ‘Raven’

THIRTY-TWO

The intervention worked. It’s been a couple of weeks and things are slowly looking up. Probably because I’m also talking with Ollie’s therapist from the sanctuary. I knew it was something that needed to be done but being an O’Brien, I’m just as stubborn as the rest of my family is. Though when Onyx got in my face, giving me the business, knew I had to remove my head from my own ass because I didn’t want her to do it. I’d never hear the end of it. It helped she brought me over the cutest little kitten ever. From the information she had and what I looked up he’s a Ragdoll. I named him Vinnie. Besides Ash he’s my new best friend.

That day I was shot scared the bejesus out of me. No, not so much the bullet hitting me center mass, but the crazy demented look in Cliff Sterling’s eyes when he pulled the trigger. He knew his life was over and instead of accepting it and giving his family some peace, he intentionally tried to kill his son’s girlfriend. I guess that’s me. Ash hasn’t left my side, well, until I had Avalanche, Noodles, Panther, and Enforcer force him to leave and manage the ranch. He was letting everything go so he could be here for me. I so appreciate it but not necessary. Life goes on, though sometimes you wonder why. Taz, Vixen, Glory, and Freak brought all my stuff from my office in the clubhouse to Ash’s house and between them they used one of the spare bedrooms and set me up a temporary office. Freak made sure it was secure and Glory went and got a digital door lock. George and Avalanche put in a finger and eye scanner after they bumped up the security all around Ash’s house. I was now tied into the Intruders security system, which Ash, Shadow, and a few others didn’t understand. Even Avalanche didn’t understand why it didn’t just tie into all the other security systems I manage. Took a while, but I explained to them all it was tied into the Devil’s Handmaidens main circuit, but for added protection Tank wanted me to feel doubly protected. Got to love the big teddy bear that he is.

So my day starts off with Ash waking me with kisses that lead to him doing range of motion with my legs while Vinnie’s fluffy tail tickles my face. Then Ash helps me get up and put my back brace on before my physical and occupational therapists arrive. After a usually brutal session, they leave after helping me to clean up, then I eat breakfast with Ash or Gertie, depending on what’s going on around the ranch. A few times even his brothers were around. Well, Reed, Alder, or Rowan with Joshua. Rue was back on the rodeo circuit so we don’t get to see too much of him. I’ve been working more since we have a couple of leads on some huge human trafficking circuits within our normal range. Also, some of our other chapters have been reaching out for some research help. I know what they are all doing and I appreciate it, making sure I feel needed within my club and just the whole Devil’s Handmaidens MC organization in general. And with every club duty I handle Vinnie is either at my side, on my desk or keyboard, or over my shoulder.

The one thing that is bothering me is Ash hasn’t even tried to take our relationship to the next level. I mean, yeah, we’ve gotten pretty hot and heavy with kissing and some feeling up leading to a few orgasms that were oh so good. Just the other day while we were lounging on the couch after he gave me a shoulder massage that had gotten me all hot and bothered. Well, good news is I’m not paralyzed. Thank the Lord for that miracle. I have feeling, especially were it matters…in my girly parts. I’ve been relearning to walk and don’t have all of my balance or strength so am limited to small walks throughout the day with a walker. Pretty sexy and I’m not sure if that’s why he won’t bump nasties with me. Damn, why did that pop in my head? For shit’s sake. I’m an adult not a high school cheerleader. That brings a grin to my face. I’ve been doing that more often too. Grinning and laughing. I’m always grinning when Ash helps me over the edge with his fingers and or mouth. I’ve even used my hands on him but nothing more.

The best thing that’s happened in the last two days was Noodles surprised me when he walked in with Tink at his side, Shadow on her other side. Seeing her up and about broke me. I instantly started sobbing like a crazy woman. I was taking a break on the sectional and they brought her to me and then Noodles told us he was gonna go find Ash. Shadow sat in the huge chair as Tink held me as I cried, then I held her as she cried. She explained everything that happened to her and what she’d been through. My God, she’s one strong woman because, shit, not sure I’d have made it through all of that. Funny she said the same thing to me. The entire time Shadow sat there watching over both of us like she was our shadow. That thought makes me laugh outright.

We both talked about what might have gone wrong with Cliff Sterling for him to act the way he did. It was now out in the open that Sheriff George and Gertie were an item. Along with that came the horror story of what Gertie had been through. Cliff was still abusing her whenever he could, holding their boys over her head. I’ve never wished anyone dead but I’m glad he is, just saying.

Hearing a knock on the door, the day nurse looks at me then goes to answer it. I hear my mom’s voice so I adjust on the sectional, slowly shifting my legs off so I can just sit. Mom and Dad come into the great room with a huge bouquet of wildflowers and looks to be a container or two of some of Mom’s baked goods. Yum, I could always use some brownie and cookie inspiration, though I’m curious what has my parents here to begin with.

“Hey, beautiful daughter of ours. How are you feeling? Brought some of yours and Ash’s favorite treats, thought you both could use some of my homemade goodies. How’s your therapy going?”

I know my mom and right now she’s babbling. Jesus, what’s going on and what has her so frigging nervous? Wonder if one of my siblings is up to no good yet again. Just as I go to ask her, Gertie and Sheriff George come in the front door.

“Oh sorry, Bronagh, didn’t mean to intrude. George and I were going to see if Brenna and Vinnie were up to a drive in the country. You know, fresh air and sunshine.”

They all laugh but my gut is telling me something is up with the lot of them. I’m just not in the know at the moment. When there’s another knock on the front door, I just about lose it. So much for a relaxing afternoon. I gently stand and reach for the walker that I’ve graduated to. At least it allows me to somewhat walk on my own, though I can’t go far or for a long period of time, as long as I’m not dizzy when I stand. As the therapists say, “Give it time,” so I’m trying.

Everyone is standing around the kitchen island watching me as I shuffle my way to the door. When I look through the glass, my head jerks back. I open the door to one of Sheriff George’s deputies; Yoggie, who I know. Yeah, the same Yoggie who’s our VP Glory’s ol’ man. He grins my way as I hear a throat clear behind me, then Sheriff George tells me he has a few more questions. I motion Yoggie in and am about to close the door when Rowan comes jogging to the house.

“Brenna, do you have a minute? I need some help, if you don’t mind. Oh, sorry, you got people here. I’ll find someone else to help me.”

Looking at this as a sign to get the hell out of this nuthouse, I tell him I’ll be out in a few minutes. Turning, I see everyone is talking and laughing so I whistle to get their attention. When I have it, I tell them I have to help Rowan and I’ll be back. Some of them have a shit-eating grin on their face, though I don’t know why. Before turning to use my walker, I tell Onyx to watch Vinnie, I make my way out the door to the front porch. I don’t see Rowan anywhere but I’m out here so figured should keep looking.

As much as I hate using the ramp, that’s where I head. Taking my time, just as I hit the bottom Rowan comes around the back in one of the golf carts. Since my accident there are two new ones everyone uses to get me around the ranch. As much as I appreciate it, they make me feel like a cripple. That’s another incentive to get my ass moving.

“Come on, Brenna, let me help you in. Take your time, once you’re in I’ll put the walker in the back. This shouldn’t take but a second or two. I’ll explain on the way.”

He helps me in while explaining he’s trying to surprise Gertie, his mom, I’m paying attention to getting my body in the cart. Once in, he grabs the seat belt that I hate, but Ash won that argument. Rowan clips me in then closes the walker and puts it in the back. I watch him walk in front of the cart, thinking he’s such a good kid.

He turns it on and starts to make a turn to the back of the house. I hang on but take in the view, which is breathtaking. I’m so lost in the panoramic vista, I’m kind of shocked when Rowan stops. When I lift my eyes to the side, I’m shocked to see all of my club sisters sitting around a firepit or at the patio sitting on our new furniture there. My mom and dad along with Gertie and Sheriff George are also standing around. Not only is Yoggie there but Noodles, Panther, and Avalanche, along with George, Dallas, Jersey, and Chicago. Finally, off to the far end I see my siblings and some of Ollie’s folks. The one my eyes catch on is Spirit. She gives me her impression of a smile, which is her lips barely tipping up. Though to see her there tells me something important is going on because she doesn’t come out to stuff that often. She’s kind of the definition of a loner.

Then I see it. Past the patio and back deck is an additional gazebo that Ash had added with his brothers when I finally was released from the hospital. He said it was for me to be able to enjoy the outdoors without the bugs and shit like that eating me alive. When it was completed, he showed me the gazebo and all the fancy stuff in it, including a ceiling fan to circulate the air through the screened-in windows. Though as I’m looking at it right now, it’s covered with wildflowers all over. In containers all around on the ground and on top of that there are fairy lights hanging inside. What the heck is going on?

When I see Ash, my heart stops. My cowboy is in new Levi’s, his boots are shined, and he’s got on one of his good fancy cowboy shirts. The Stetson on his head looks new. In other words, he looks extremely hawt. And that smirk has me tingling all over. His one arm is behind his back as he walks toward me. He hands me a huge bouquet of wildflowers then he unclips the seat belt, bends down, and lifts me up and out of the golf cart. He carries me to the gazebo were Rowan opens the door. Once in, it’s just us, and inside is even prettier. The table is fancy with a tablecloth and some glasses with a bottle of champagne in a bucket of ice. The entire place is lit by candles. Some real and some I’m guessing battery type.

My head jerks up to look at his handsome face but his expression is serious. He places me on the love seat covered in pillows. He lifts my legs up, placing them on a pile of pillows. Then he grabs the flowers, putting them on a side table. He sits on the edge of the love seat, grabbing my arms.

“A stór, life has given us a lot of bumps in our road. This last one almost killed you and that would have been the end of me. I know a lot of what happened wasn’t either of our faults and we lost something more precious than words can express. Our little baby. Before I go any further, wanted you to know with the help of our family and friends, we’ve built a memorial for our baby by the little meadow you love that’s filled with wildflowers. I’ll take you there and show you when you’re up to it.”

I feel the tears and don’t try to stop them. I’m watching Ash and he seems so unusually nervous. He clears his throat and wipes his hand across his face. Then he shifts and kneels beside the love seat. Something jumps in my chest and I feel my heart starting to beat quickly. My eyes get big as he reaches into his front pocket and pulls something out. He grabs my hands again, kissing them.

“Brenna, I waited way too long to tell you the truth, and I’m so thankful you’ve forgiven me. I’ve never stopped loving you, as you can see from the house I built just for you. Everything I’ve done the last couple of years has been for you. I would be honored if you would become my wife and mother of our children. This ring is the one from before but I’ve added to it. Back then I didn’t have a lot of money so the ring I gave you was the best I could do. This one incorporates our past, our present, and hopefully our future. Brenna O’Brien, will you marry me?”

I’m shocked and speechless. I’ve dreamt about this since he left me at our engagement party, even though I was so pissed at him and so very hurt, more like devastated. He’s the one who owns my heart, always has. He is getting pale waiting and I’m struggling to find the words.

“Brenna, it’s a simple question. Yes or no? You’re killing me here. Come on, put me out of my misery.”

I lean forward and whisper my answer in his ear. He grabs my arms and smashes his lips on mine. When I give him a slight opening of my lips, he plunges in, taking the kiss to another level. When we separate to grab some air, he looks toward the door and lets out a loud, “Yo.” Then he yells, “She said yes!”

All I hear are screams of joy and lots of “Awesome” and “Oh yeah.”

When he’s done, he pulls me back to him and kisses the hell out of me.