6. ‘Tink’

SIX

Damn, talk about a total shitshow of a night. Poor Raven, I had no idea she’d been through so much. Yeah, she’s younger than me, but shit, how did I not know all of this? I kind of remember some party at her family’s ranch, but we didn’t run in the same circles back then.

Though with what she told us tonight, wish we had. I’d have kicked Ash’s ass for sure. Surprised Ollie and her other brothers didn’t kill him outright. This gives us some insight and explains where those assholes have been holed up. My heart breaks for the Sterling family. Well, everyone except Cliff, the father. I always had a bad feeling around him, even when I was a little girl. I think Mom felt it too because when there were county fairs and stuff she always told us kids to stay as far away as possible from Cliff Sterling. I’m sensing a conversation needs to be had with Mom in the very near future.

I just finished sending the text to every sister in the club; members and prospects. Or as they say all-hands-on-deck. Dad usually says that, but since his heart attack he’s not like he used to be. Maybe it scared him or maybe Mom scared him, don’t know, but need to make time—just him and me. I miss my old man, even if he is kinda grumpy and old-fashioned. Especially when it comes to his daughters.

Knowing I should go to bed, or at least fill in Noodles, I just need some quiet time so I head down to the front porch. When I open the door, a huge smile hits my face when I see my man already out there with what looks to be hot chocolate and a heavy throw. Damn, how did I get so lucky, I think to myself.

“Sweet Pea, thought you’d make your way out here. Beautiful night to look at all the stars. Come on, Maggie, take a seat, two shoulders and ears, no waiting. And as you know, I can keep a secret.”

Looking at Noodles my heart jumps in my chest. Even with all that we’ve been through and the drama all my club sisters have struggled with, this man never falters in his devotion and love. I thank God every day for him and even more today after hearing Raven’s story.

“We are about to be hit by a shitstorm hurricane, and I don’t know how to fix or stop it, soldier boy. This time it has to do with Raven. Noodles, the evil out there scares me more and more each and every day.”

“So take a deep breath and tell me what’s got you so worried and frightened. That’s not like you, Maggie.”

“It’s that goddamn brotherhood that’s scaring me, Noodles. No matter how hard we work to save victims, there are always so many more out there. Tonight, I found out Raven’s sister, Bray, is the newest victim. Shit, let me start from the beginning.”

While I give Noodles all the information I have on the current situation, my mind is drowning in everything that is going through my head at the same time. Need to check on both Mom and Dad, see what new drama Hannah is up to. Figure out who keeps messing with our equipment at the trucking company. Working through our wedding planning. Last, but not least, my pregnancy situation or lack of it. Seems like any of my club sisters can get pregnant at the drop of a pair of jeans. Vixen is more than a little pregnant right now with her third child, though the other two she just got back during her drama. Fuck, we’re a mess and getting so far from our original cause and purpose. With all of our attention narrowed on the Thunder Cloud Knuckle Brotherhood, we’ve started handing off some cases either to Panther and his guys or any chapters close enough to us for the time being. I’ve never had to do that before, so either we are lapsing in our purpose or the traffickers have upped their game. I pray to Christ it’s on me and not the bad guys.

I’m not sure what the problem is, but it is starting to weigh on my mind and take up necessary space I need to run the club. I mean, I already have a grown child so we know I can get pregnant. One day at a time is what my mom’s been telling me since this started. I can always depend on her. No matter what the subject is, she tries to be as open-minded as possible.

“Maggie, what’s got you frowning like that? Don’t shove me aside, I’m here, willing and able to give a helping hand if you only let me. So walk me through your plan for the morning? Do you know who’s coming? Is Tank able to or are you not calling him? Fuck, I’m an asshole at times. Take a minute, Sweet Pea, drink your hot chocolate and chill. Enjoy the stars, relax your mind. Then we can talk. Make sure you’ve got an idea on how to keep this meeting under control. Am I allowed or is it a closed meeting, just for the Devil’s Handmaidens club sisters?”

“Noodles, let me get through the beginning of the meeting with just my sisters. After that, all hell is going to break loose, so would rather have you close than far away. Only God knows the path He’s chosen us to go on next. All I can do is pray He’s taken in all the good we do. That way maybe He can overlook all that is Zoey.”

Hearing him laugh gives me a moment of solace before once again my mind runs off in so many directions, it makes my head hurt. Though my heart is broken for my sister Raven, need to share some of it with my ol’ man.

“Raven shared something tonight that tore me in two. I’m losing my mind trying to get pregnant. She not only was pregnant when all that shit went down, she had planned on telling Ash after the party. Once he left, with all the added stress, she lost the baby and almost died from hemorrhaging. She then went into a dark place and was considering doing something to end her pain. Then she walked into the Wooden Spirit Bar and Grill. She heard Zoey, Glory, and I talking about needing a technology person and she asked about it. The rest is, like they say, history. I thank God it fell the way it did because I can’t imagine her doing something to end her life. Noodles, she has so much to offer. I mean, you know she’s quick as a whip, funny as shit and, man, what she can do with a computer. She’s saved our asses on numerous occasions, just sayin’.”

He pulls me up after he grabs the throw, then puts me on his lap, covering us both up. Feeling his warmth, I lean into him, putting my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. We sit like this for I don’t even know how long, but my body fully relaxes and I close my eyes and just be.

“Sweet Pea, what will be, will be. I mean that for every single thing you mentioned tonight, but mostly the worry you are carrying about getting pregnant. It will happen, just let it. You need to try and ease up on yourself, Maggie. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Things happen when they should, not when we want them too. That I found you and we are planning our wedding is more than enough for me, and no, I’m not saying I don’t want kids. Don’t put words in my mouth. It’s just that our world is spinning extremely fast. Maybe that’s one of the reasons it’s not happening. Let shit just happen and quit trying to control every goddamn thing, Maggie. You’re driving yourself crazy. I love you and you love me, what else can we want?”

I feel it and try to stop it, but the sob comes out. Damn it, I’ve become a crybaby since he came into my life, for Christ’s sake.

“Come on, Sweet Pea, let me take you to bed and take your mind off of everything for one night. Can you do that for me?”

Smiling, I lean back and look him in the eyes. His are sparkling with laughter.

“Sure can, soldier boy. Take me to bed and have your way with me. I dare you to.”

Since my man never passes up a dare, both laughing we get off the rocker and, hand in hand, we go into the house, walk past our nightly guard, and head up to our bedroom, where Noodles removes all my worries as I concentrate on everything that is him.