Chapter Eleven

S prite kissed Oakley on the forehead and then held her arms open for a hug from Blake. The weekend had come quickly. It was hard to believe she'd been at Bluff Creek for four days.

"Mama Sprite, we're only going for a movie this evening, then we'll be home tonight."

Sprite continued to hold her arms open until Blake stepped in. Sprite wrapped her arms around her bonus daughter and leaned close to her ear. "You have fun tonight. There'll be plenty of people to watch Oakley. You enjoy playing with Phoebe and the others."

Blake nodded, though Sprite wondered if she'd actually follow the directions. Blake may get annoyed at Oakley when she was messing with her stuff, but Blake was a nurturer. Tonight, Sprite wanted Blake to be a kid and not worry. She hoped the longer they were at Bluff Creek, the more Blake would relax and have fun.

Sprite had left another message for her brother and hadn't heard anything yet. She wasn't going to worry about it tonight. She was going to enjoy her evening with the girls. Regina was taking her, Clara and Meg over in the side-by-side to Beth's. They were all waiting for her outside. She turned and walked out the door, forcing herself not to check on Blake and Oakley one more time.

She walked down the stairs to Regina and the ladies waiting on her.

"Let's go, chick. I'm ready to get to know everyone," Clara yelled.

When Sprite saw Clara's shirt, she giggled. She was wearing the Property of Cannon shirt that Regina had bought her at the store. She sat down beside Clara and listened to them chatting as Regina sped over to Beth's house.

She grabbed the seatback in front of her a few times when they went airborne on a couple of hills. Regina pulled them up to a cute ranch-style house, parking beside the front porch.

Sprite marveled at the clustering of the five houses around an oval drive. They were each different but pretty in their own way.

"We're coming. Wait for us," Rose and Tasha, who she'd met earlier in the week, were walking over along with Ellie and Kennedy. It was a good thing everyone had different looks, or she'd never keep this many new people straight. Rose and Tasha were easy because they, along with Scoop, were all Stella's kids. She and Ellie had gotten close at the party, but Kennedy had been busy and wasn't able to come. Sprite thought she was related to Bear. Sprite wasn't sure how because when Beth had been telling the story, she'd gotten confused.

She glanced around Beth's house as a standard schnauzer with the cutest mustache was licking Clara's hand.

"Who all thinks it's hysterical that Moss likes the woman who's in the Property of Cannon shirt," Beth snickered as she commented.

"You need to clue in the newbies," Regina picked up some trays of food.

"Well, Remi started a prank war with War when they were dating. It kind of spilled over to all of us when we had to go on lockdown for a while. Well, all of us except sweetie Sarah, who didn't want to do anything to hurt the guys' feelings. Let's put water in their shoes. Seriously, water? "

Sarah lightly pushed Beth. "Well, that's over now. It's on."

"Cannon put coloring in my shampoo and conditioner, so I decided to do something more permanent. Moss is Cannon's real name."

"So, you named your dog after him?" Sprite questioned.

"I named my neutered male dog after him."

Sprite joined in the laughter. Two other dogs were running around and enjoying the attention of everyone. Sprite followed everyone into the room past the kitchen. It had a TV but also a large table with chairs, two sofas and a bar against the wall.

"Snacks and drinks are on the bar. We can chat or I have crafts if we need stuff to do while we're talking," Beth directed, then pulled some trays out of the refrigerator, putting them on the bar where Regina had laid her trays.

Sprite walked over the bar to get food, basically to keep her hands busy and give herself something to do. She wasn't good in social situations and most times would just either draw in her sketch pad or read a book. Being forward with Roam at the bar had been so far outside her comfort zone even if it had led to something really good for her family.

She took one of everything to make sure she liked them. She wasn't a picky eater but also didn't want to take more than one and offend someone if she didn't eat it.

"If you like ranch and cream cheese, Winnie's veggie bars are yummy," Ellie mentioned as she added three to her plate. "But then I don't cook, so I'm always impressed with anybody who makes stuff. Thank goodness there's a great diner in town."

Ellie grabbed a couple more items, including some fried mushrooms that Sprite thought looked good. A lot of the food was items she wouldn't ever make with two young kids. Blake was a great eater, but she hated mushrooms, so Sprite didn't even have mushrooms on her pizza.

She picked up a napkin then scanned the room to decide where to sit.

A call of "Oh sit by me" had her walking over and sitting by Winnie. She sat down and listened to the conversation.

"Sprite, so how do the kids like daycare?" Winnie asked.

"They love it. I was worried since they've only stayed with myself or Clara since Blake's been with me. Blake was sad that she won't be there this weekend."

"It goes back and forth with mine. I have an area at the gym and certain hours that we supply short-term childcare for clients. Sometimes they're irritated with me that I take them with me instead of to daycare at the bail bonds. But on the days David and Phoebe are fighting, splitting them up with one at daycare and one at work with me for a while helps. Have you started booking clients yet?"

"Un-uh, I said I wanted in first, then as soon as she gets here you try to jump ahead of me," Remi whined.

Sprite giggled at the sisters fighting over her. "Well, Monday Roam is showing me the booking software even though I don't technically start until the following Monday. He wants me to know the software so I can accept or decline appointments, clients and time when we start booking on Tuesday."

"I bet that's not all he wants," Beth said.

Sprite blushed as everyone giggled.

"Okay, on that note, Regina, close your ears if you don't want the answer. Since I'm married to War, I, um, am just curious if the twins are identical in all ways."

Sprite waited, feeling her cheeks heat. She'd never had girlfriends to discuss anything with, so this was all new. She had no idea exactly what Remi was asking.

"I'm not sure what you mean."

Remi leaned closer. "So, War has a Jacob's ladder piercing in his dick which Roam tricked him into getting. Roam cheated at poker so he could practice piercing. So, I'm just curious. Is Roam's pleasure penis pierced?"

Regina groaned and covered her ears. "Seriously, Remi. Pleasure penis?"

"I think I'm going to love it here," Clara said.

Stella chuckled. "Trust me, Clara. I have laughed more and had more fun since I moved to Bluff Creek than in my whole life."

Rose and Tasha were looking at each other and grinning. "Umm, more fun. Is that what you call riding the Locks' pleasure penis? I mean, he's older but man, he can fill out a pair of jeans."

"Girls, not everything is about sex."

"Way to deflect, Mom. We're adults and we can talk about whatever we want," Tasha commented, sticking out her tongue.

"Oh yes, that's so mature."

Rose and Tasha hi-fived, giggling at their mom.

"Hey, hey, let's not get off track here. Roam. So pierced pleasure penis or undecorated?"

Laughter filled the room.

"Undecorated, really?" Sarah questioned.

"You know, if I'm going to have to deal with everyone friggin' questioning what I'm asking, then I'll need more food and possibly something stronger than this strawberry lemonade. Though it is delicious."

Sprite wasn't sure the protocol or what Roam would think of her discussing his dick but heck, Remi had shared, and she liked Remi.

"Umm, nope, no hardware on his penis. But are you saying Roam pierced his brother's dick? I mean I've done piercings, but I wouldn't dream of piercing my brother's dick."

"War's dick. My belly and Beth, didn't he get you too?"

"Yep, belly button ring but I let it close because hello, undercover person here. A belly button ring is too distinctive in some of the outfits I wear."

Sprite just sat and listened for a little bit soaking in the atmosphere. She'd never been at a place where all the women were friends and so comfortable around each other. They'd welcomed her. She realized for the first time in forever, she felt like she'd found a home and a family.

"We had another reason for bringing you here with us."

Sprite paused as she reached for a veggie bar on her plate. Was this the catch? Or the other shoe she'd been waiting to drop?

"Our mom," Remi motioned to the five sisters, "died almost ten years ago. After I started assuming more responsibilities at the bail bonds, I started seeing more people in abusive situations. I felt helpless and started discussing it with my sisters. A little under two years ago, we formed Kathryn's Wings. It's a hidden part of our security company. It's never spoken about except in closed spaces where no one can overhear. Not even all of the MC know about it. Prospects don't and some of the newer guys haven't been brought in yet. Roam does know so as long as no kids are around and you're in a closed space, he could answer questions if you want to know right away.

Kathryn's Wings helps victims of human trafficking, sexual abuse and domestic violence. We help them to get out of the situation, find new places to live and find new jobs. We call them survivors because it's a new start. We felt that there was a need. I brought it up tonight because we have something still hanging out there and I worry it might bring trouble and I want everyone ready.

When Sarah helped rescue Rose from a corrupt cop, we got her and Tasha here to be safe but were unable to track down everyone involved. Sarah and Scoop have been searching for leads but the back of my neck is itching, and I want everyone watching for anything unusual."

Sprite nodded, trying to think through all Remi had said. These women who were offering her friendship were fierce, badass women fighting for good in the world. She wanted to be a part of it but wasn't sure what she could do. For now, she'd keep her eyes out.

"Well, I'm really glad that Roam offered Sprite a job because this place is awesome. Maybe I should learn to shoot a gun," Clara said.

"We have our own range and Cannon runs it. He'd be happy to teach you since by your shirt, you're obviously his old lady. Or any of us can," Beth teased.

Sprite got up to refill her plate because she was worried if she sat there she might break down crying. When she'd been worried about how she'd supply the basic essentials for the girls, she'd never dreamed she'd find a place like this. A place her girls would be cherished and grow up with friends, never knowing what an empty stomach or too small clothes felt like.

A hand on her shoulder had her turning. Kennedy was standing beside her with an understanding look on her face. "It's a little hard to believe that they're for real, isn't it?"

Sprite nodded because her throat felt so full she wasn't sure she could speak.

"They helped rescue me from a situation but that's a story for another day. What I will say is relax and enjoy the ride. From what I've seen of Roam, he's a devoted father, a good brother and someone you can trust. He's had a rough road too. I think you both deserve a happily ever after."

Sprite nodded as Kennedy gave her shoulder one last squeeze before she went to sit down. It had been a whirlwind since she'd met Roam but each time she doubted, something told her that it was all okay. She'd never believed she'd get a happily ever after like she read about in the books. It was early days, and she wasn't quite ready to completely let down her guard, but she'd keep an open mind.