Chapter Seven

R oam flicked his turn signal on to make that last turn to the compound. Despite little hiccups with the loading, they had everything loaded and in the car by five. They'd bought sandwiches, chips and drinks for the road. Kennedy had ridden with Clara and Ellie, and Beth had offered to drive Sprite's car. Cannon had been more than happy to be alone in the truck by himself. Roam had chuckled when Cannon had said Beth and Ellie had never quit talking the whole trip.

The girls had thought the car picnic was the coolest thing. Blake mentioned it was only her second picnic ever. Phoebe had assured her that they would have them all the time at Bluff Creek and even get to have them in the orchard sometimes.

A look had flitted across Sprite's face at Blake's words, but it was gone quickly before Roam could decipher it. From the little Sprite had said, Blake's mom wasn't someone who would do picnics or anything else fun. He'd see if he could get Sprite to open up more because he didn't want to do anything that might bring back a bad memory for Blake. Oakley had eaten and then fallen asleep in her car seat. Roam was grateful they hadn't had to stop.

Of course now, Sprite, Blake and Oakley would be introduced to his parents and the rest of the MC family. Hopefully, it wouldn't be too overwhelming. He could see how they might be a little much. As he pulled the SUV into the compound and followed the road by the clubhouse to one of the homes available, he spotted his parents, his kids, Rascal and Meg standing on the front porch.

"Well, I hope you're ready for more. It looks like my mom and dad, along with Rascal and Meg, and my children are the welcome committee tonight."

Sprite leaned toward the window. "I think that's very nice of them."

By the time he'd stopped the vehicle, his dad was already at Sprite's door. When she opened the door, Baron held out his hand. "Welcome to Bluff Creek, Sprite."

At his words, Roam heard a scream, "More girls?" He leaned over and laid his hand on Sprite's arm, "I'm so sorry for my son. We'll have a chat."

Sprite smiled and mouthed it's okay before taking Baron's hand to get out of the truck. Roam got out and opened the back door, lifting Oakley out, who was still asleep. Blake and Phoebe scrambled out themselves and headed toward the boys on the front porch.

Grant and David, Bear's son, were standing on the front porch pouting. "I thought Blake was a boy. Not fair," Grant wailed.

Roam leaned down close to the boys. "How about just being happy to have more kids to play with? Oakley here is your age."

Roam held her back as she started to stir and rub her eyes. She raised her head and looked around. Seeing her mom, she wriggled to get down. Roam decided he'd walk her over to Sprite because there were four steps up to the front of the porch and he hadn't seen how well she navigated steps yet.

Walking close to Sprite, he listened to his parents welcome her along with Blake. He hoped she felt at home despite it being a new place. He wanted, no, needed her to love it in Bluff Creek. Sprite glanced at him and saw Oakley reaching for her. Sprite lifted Oakley from his arms and introduced her to his mom and dad.

Roam headed around the SUV and grabbed their totes to start carrying stuff in.

"Are we going to try to unload all the stuff tonight?" Cannon asked.

Roam glanced around. "I think it's doable and would make it easier for them. Why don't you text and see who all is available to help."

Roam carried a couple more totes in the house, then decided he didn't want to move them. He walked back to Sprite and his parents.

"Hey Mom, I think Sprite needs to look at the rooms and give a final say which room is whose, so we only move some things once."

His mom nodded. "Why don't you all do that. We have banana bread, milk and fruit set up on the patio for a snack for the kids."

Sprite nodded and followed him into the house. At the front family room, she paused. He wondered if she didn't like it. It was an open concept with a large front family room which connected to a cased opening to the large kitchen with an island and room for a kitchen table. There were doors to the front two bedrooms off to the right along with the main bathroom door, which was situated between the bedrooms. Then a hallway ran beside the kitchen, which had the master bedroom and bath. Past the master was a mudroom with storage and a washer and dryer.

He waited a second, then called her name. He didn't know her well enough to understand the look in her eyes.

"If you don't like it, we have a couple other options. This is the larger of them."

Sprite shook her head and held her hand in front of her mouth. When he walked over to her, she looked up at him, then slid her arms around him.

"I've never had anything this nice in my life. Thank you for hiring me so my kids could experience this."

Her choked-up voice had him fighting back tears. This woman could undo him. She was grateful for things he'd always taken for granted.

"Well, I'm glad you said yes because this is a new beginning for you and the kids. Now, how about deciding on the rooms. The master is at the back, but I didn't know which girl you wanted in which room."

SPRITE WALKED INTO the first front bedroom. It was bigger than Sprite's bedroom had been at the rental house, and it had a bay window with a window seat with a cushion. She could see Blake loving sitting there reading or drawing. The closet had plenty of room. Blake's clothes and toys probably wouldn't even fill half of it.

"This should be Blake's room."

Roam pulled pen and post it note from his pocket and wrote Blake's name on it, tacking it to the door. He followed her as she checked out the bathroom, then the second bedroom. She knew he did because there was a certain feeling when Roam was close to her. It had a large window and was a little smaller than Blake's room.

"This will be perfect for Oakley. I don't think I can thank you enough."

Oakley and Blake had shared a room at the rental house. They'd be so excited to have their own space, especially Blake. She wouldn't have to worry about Oakley getting into her colored pencils or markers.

She walked into the master bedroom and en suite bathroom and paused. The large bedroom had a walk-in closet and two large windows flanking where she could imagine her bed. The bathroom had a soaking tub, along with a large, glassed walk- in shower. It had thin rectangular windows up high on the wall. They let in the sunlight, but no one could see into the room.

She followed Roam down the hall to what he called the mudroom. It had a washer, dryer and a drying rack for clothes, along with spaces to hang coats and put shoes.

"I don't know whether you noticed but we drove through a second gate to get to the houses. No one gets to the houses without being connected to the MC or escorted by someone connected. You and the girls will be safe here."

Sprite swallowed as they walked into the kitchen. It was a cook's dream and she couldn't wait to make stuff in here. She'd been so worried when she went to the competition that she'd spend money and still be desperate for a job.

What she'd found was more than she'd imagined. It was hard to believe this was real and if it wasn't, she didn't want to wake up. This place seemed like an answer to her prayers, and she hoped she wouldn't be disappointed. She opened a cabinet and saw it was stocked along with the refrigerator.

"We have a small grocery store in town but for big shopping we do trips into Dodge City, Wichita and a couple other places. Mom and Dad wanted to make sure you didn't have to worry about going right away. If there's something you need, you can order and have it here pretty quickly, or if one of the MC is heading to Dodge City, they usually ask if anyone needs anything. What do you think?"

Sprite smiled at Roam and wondered how she was going to keep this man who set her on fire and was the sweetest at arm's length. Not only was she attracted to him physically but the way he treated her girls was a turn on too.

"I think it's perfect. Let's get the stuff moved in. I hope you're ready for a six-year-old's scream because Blake is going to flip when she realizes she doesn't have to share with her sister."

Sprite walked out to check on the kids as Roam went out to direct the unloading. Regina was at a patio area along with Clara and the kids. She had to admit she'd been scared about uprooting their life even though she'd have a job and a place to live. Knowing Clara was coming with them had given that little bit of security that Sprite had needed to enjoy the move.

Oakley was young enough she wouldn't care as long as her favorite people were with them. Blake had taken it better, but sometimes Sprite wondered if Blake had just gotten used to being let down. Her dad was deployed. Although Sprite was proud of him for serving, Blake was left behind with her mother. Sprite and her brother's ex had never gotten along. The ex had always resented her brother spending any time with Sprite.

When the ex had come to Sprite's work and asked to speak to her alone, Sprite had been wary. Sprite hadn't been able to believe her words when the ex said she was done being a mother and Sprite needed to take Blake. Sprite had immediately called her brother's lawyer and asked what needed to be done. He'd directed Sprite and the ex to come to his office. He'd taken care of all the paperwork, and suddenly, Sprite was her niece's guardian until her brother returned home. The ex had picked Blake up from school and dropped her and her stuff with Sprite without talking to her about what was happening.

Sprite didn't usually have much of a temper but if she could have found Mackenzie, she would have beaten her with a baseball bat. She wanted to hit her, but Sprite worked with her hands and wasn't damaging them on such a slimeball. Blake had been close to being done with school, so Sprite had driven her the half hour drive to school each day. Without Clara, she couldn't have survived. Clara had watched Oakley for free and then picked up Blake from school, keeping both girls until Sprite got off work.

But then Sprite had lost her job and everything had changed. Seeing the smile on Blake's face today as she and Phoebe chatted touched her heart. It was a small indicator that Sprite had made the right decision for her family.

"Mama Sprite, Phoebe said they have kittens and dogs here that we can play with."

Sprite walked over and kissed Blake's forehead, laying her hand on her shoulder. "Well, that sounds like the best thing ever. When you're finished with your snack, you and Phoebe can go see your room, which you don't have to share with anyone."

Blake's eyes widened as she stared at Sprite. "No one?" she whispered.

Sprite nodded, grinning at her oldest. "Nope, Oakley has her own room. If she wakes during the night, you shouldn't hear her."

Blake jumped up, threw her hands in the air and started dancing while screaming. "I have my own room. No baby junk in my room. Woohoo!"

Phoebe jumped up and joined her, which had the adults all laughing.

Cannon and Roam walked out the back of the house. "Does this yelling mean Blake's ready to show us where she wants her bed in her room?"

"Yes!"

Blake ran up the steps of the house past Cannon and Roam, with Phoebe following. Roam turned and followed them in. Cannon walked down to the table.

"Regina, where are we unloading Clara's stuff?"

Regina patted Clara's arm. "We were just discussing this. Since it's late and there are a couple of options, Clara wants to stay in one of the empty rooms in the clubhouse for now."

Sprite covered her mouth and held in her laughter at the stunned look on Cannon's face.

"The clubhouse?" Cannon squeaked.

Regina laughed and patted his arm. "I offered a room at Locks' house or Remi and War's but she wants to check out the apartment we have over the quilting and crafting space along with one of the other bungalows. She's being nice because I offered to let her have all her stuff unloaded into the bungalow and then you all could move it in a couple days when she decides for sure where to live."

Cannon nodded. "Nope, the clubhouse sounds perfect. I, um, believe the only open room is the one next to me. Three other ones are in the process of being painted. Would you like me to show you where it is?"

Sprite waited until Clara slid her hand through Cannon's arm and walked around the corner. Then she laughed until she had to bend over. When she got her laughing under control, she turned to Regina. "I want to be you when I get older."

Regina smirked. "They're just big boys. Sometimes they need the consequences before they fall in line. Now, let's go in and Oakley can help me put stuff away in the kitchen, can't you, sweetie?"

Sprite watched Oakley hold her arms up for Regina and cuddle against her once she picked her up. Yep, Bluff Creek was turning out better than she planned.