17.

R OSIE

When I looked up from my laptop, I realized that the coffee shop had almost emptied out while I worked, so I reached up and took out my earbuds and then leaned back in my chair to stretch. I glanced out the window and watched the guests moving around outside, some of them lazily meandering back to their cabins after a late breakfast in the cafe and others on their way to have a delicious lunch in the restaurant. In the distance, I saw Rooster walking toward the front of the property with Kerrigan, holding his hand in hers. She was chattering happily, and he smiled as he looked down at her. Suddenly, he bent and picked her up, and I could almost feel the laughter just from the look of joy on her face as he spun them around in circles.

When he finally stopped, she was laughing hysterically, and the smile on his face was so open and joyous that it brought tears to my eyes.

The way that man loved his little girl made me positive that what we'd done last night - several times - wasn't a mistake. Yes, it was way too early in our relationship to even consider children, but I didn't care.

I wanted it all - the love, companionship, laughter, joy, family, and peacefulness I felt here in Red River with Rooster close by. As crazy as it seemed, I felt like he wanted the same thing with me, and after our second night together, we both definitely wanted more of that.

It was so hard to crawl out of bed this morning and make my way to my own cabin, but I knew that Kerrigan could come bounding in at any minute and find us naked in bed together. Rooster insisted that I stay but suggested that we put some clothes on just in case she appeared, but I didn't agree. Instead, I asked him to talk to his daughter and let her know that we were dating. That caused the first of what I assumed would be many arguments.

He took offense to the word dating and had the gall to bring up the fact that we hadn't used protection at all the night before. I got irritated that he seemed to think that branded me as his and insisted that even though we'd already taken that step, we still needed time to get to know each other . . . which, in his eyes, meant that I was thinking about running again. After a tense few minutes, I relented and told him I understood why he was leery but promised him that I was here for the duration which led us to a conversation about my living arrangements.

He wanted me to move into his cabin and make myself at home, and I thought it was a better idea to keep mine, at least for a little while until we got to know each other better.

We struck a deal that included his conversation with Kerrigan and two weeks in my own cabin where I could have my own space, at least for now.

"You did it again, I see," Dianna said as she pulled out the chair across from mine. "I wonder what it's like to live in that head of yours because let me say that when you're lost in there, you don't hear or see anything that's going on around you."

"What did I miss?"

"Not much, other than a proposal and a breakup," Dianna said with a shrug. "The most interesting part is that both scenarios happened within three minutes of each other and involved the same couple."

"What?"

"Yeah. She wasn't ready, and he gave her an ultimatum."

"Bad idea," I commented with a grimace.

"Yeah. This weekend's romantic getaway is going to end with a very tense car ride home."

"I bet you see all sorts of drama working here."

"You have no idea. Since I started managing guest services and was put in charge of the cabins, I've learned more about humanity than I ever wanted to know. Some of the most put-together people can be the trashiest, and the ones you're not sure of when they register usually turn out to be the cleanest. It's a crapshoot with every guest who registers."

"Do you have regulars who come back year after year?"

"Lots of them. There's one family who comes for a week every September. Their first trip was their honeymoon, their next trip included a baby, and since then, I've gotten snapshots of them adding to their family and their children growing up - just a glimpse once a year, but enough to make me smile every time I think of them."

"Speaking of babies, how are you feeling?"

"I'm not nearly as nauseated as I was just a few days ago. I have no illusions that the morning sickness is completely gone, but I'm counting my blessings for the moment."

I wondered how I'd feel when I got pregnant and then gasped when it hit me that right this second, something magical could be happening in my body and I might experience it sooner rather than later. I shook off the thought and told myself it wasn't likely, especially considering my age, since it was harder for women in their thirties to conceive.

"Did you and the girls have fun last night?"

"We did. I got to hear Rooster sing and . . ."

"The man's got a golden voice, doesn't he? I remember listening to him sing Kerrigan to sleep when she was a baby and thinking that if we had taken different paths in life, he could be a star."

"He still could be."

"He's not really one for the spotlight, which is crazy considering how outgoing the man is, but at least we get to hear him play occasionally. I know Mads still loves to listen to him."

"She stayed in the bar with Jeremy for a little while, but they went back up to her apartment after Rooster sang her song for her."

"Speaking of Mads, I want to talk to you about something that I'm not sure Rooster has mentioned."

"What's that?" I asked.

"I know you understand that being with Rooster includes Kerrigan, and since Madison is his sister, she'll be part of the equation, too, but has he told you anything else?"

"Like what?"

"He's her guardian, and if you and Rooster make a life together, it will always include Mads."

"Of course it will. Even if he wasn't her guardian and she was just an average girl, she'd still be part of his life." I looked over at the woman in question and smiled when she looked my way. She gave me a quick wave and then got back on task, restocking the paper goods for tomorrow's busy morning. "You're forgetting something."

"What's that?"

"A life with Rooster includes a life with you and Clark along with your kids. You're just as much a part of his life as Madison."

"That's true. None of us are going anywhere."

"And I'm not either," I said firmly. I laughed uncomfortably before I said, "Wow. I think that's the first time I've admitted it out loud. It sounds so crazy that I'm just stunned."

"It's a big step to become part of a ready-made family, and that's exactly what it is, considering Rooster is right in the middle of helping me raise Kerrigan and an important part of my other children's lives too."

"I'd be honored to be part of that," I said happily.

"Considering his mom's age when she got pregnant and then finding out that Mads was blessed with an extra chromosome, Rooster knew that he'd have to fill the role of caretaker from the minute Mads was born. He never shied away from it and treated her like she was his own child. When he got convicted and sent to prison, he felt like he had let her down, but I promised him that I'd take up the slack while he was gone, and I did. I'll always do that."

"I wouldn't expect anything less. I know your relationship with Rooster is more than just exes - it's family. Believe me, I was raised as part of a group of people that takes that very seriously, no matter how vague the connection." Dianna nodded, and as we sat there in silence for a few minutes, watching Rooster and Kerrigan laughing outside, I realized that she seemed relieved to have gotten that off her chest. "I hope you realize that I'm not just joining your family, Dianna, but you'll be joining mine too."

"I am perfectly okay with that! I absolutely adore Flora and Fauna. They've already promised that they'll be back in the spring."

"Flora and Fauna are just the tip of an iceberg, honey. They're the Colorado friends who are like family. Wait until you meet my sisters and everyone from Rojo - and you will because with me living here, they'll take every opportunity to visit and escape the craziness at home."

"Like you did?"

"Exactly. My friend Jewel is already talking about coming for a week, and let me just say that Flora and Fauna are tame compared to that woman."

"I can't wait to meet her."

"I talked to Rooster about taking Madison to meet my family at the end of the month."

"Was he hesitant about it?"

"A little, yeah."

"He can't stand it when people treat her like she's less than, and they do."

"My people won't. I can guarantee it."

"I hope you're right," Dianna said doubtfully. "Some people who meet Madison can only see Down syndrome, but that's really the least interesting thing about her."

"I haven't known her for long, but I knew from the second I met her that there was so much more."

"That is one of the many reasons that Rooster is sure that you're the one for him, Rosie."

"She's going to love my family just as much as they're going to love her."

"I know she will. She's just that kind of woman."

"Mama! Guess what Daddy told me!" Kerrigan said as she ran up to our table.

"Knowing your father, I can't even begin to imagine."

"He's got a girlfriend!" Kerrigan exclaimed with eyes as wide as dinner plates. Dianna feigned shock and gasped, which made Kerrigan giggle. She looked over at me and said, "That means you have to find a costume so we can all dress alike!"

Rooster rolled his eyes, and I laughed at his reaction before I asked, "You'll have to fill me in on the theme and help me figure out what to wear."

"Dianna started that a few years ago, and it's just snowballed every year until it's . . ." He looked down at his daughter and pleaded, "Please don't make me, Chickadee."

"It's happening," Kerrigan said firmly. "I'll go get my iPad so I can show you what we're wearing this year."

"I'll wait right here," I assured her before she ran off.

"Can Kerrigan come with us to Rojo? The party is definitely kid-friendly, and they'll all be in costume."

Rooster looked at Dianna, and she nodded before he said, "She'll enjoy that."

"Good. I'll let everyone know to expect us," I said with a grin before I picked up my phone to text my mom. I knew that the second she read it, she'd call me, so I decided to send her a message later when I was alone and put the phone back down beside my laptop. "When Kerrigan is finished telling me what my costume will be, I'm going to go check on the girls and see if they're up and around yet."

"They were sitting on your porch when we left. We had an . . . interaction."

"What does that mean?" I asked.

"Remember when I told you that I like your friends?"

"Changed your mind, huh?"

Rooster sighed as he pulled out a chair and sat down with a thump. "They critiqued my performance and gave me an 8.5 out of 10."

"What?" Dianna asked as I burst out laughing.

"Apparently, they were still awake when Rosie and I got to my cabin."

"And?"

"I have to say that you rated much higher than an 8.5, Strange. Much higher."

Dianna shook her head and laughed when she realized what we were talking about and then said, "How am I supposed to get onto the guests who want to become one with nature when the owner of the place does the same damn thing?"

"It's her fault."

I was still grinning when I said, "Damn right it was, and I don't regret it at all."

Rooster's phone dinged, and before he could pull it out of his pocket, it started to ring. He looked down at it and smiled as he swiped his thumb across the screen, but a second after he greeted whoever was on the other end of the line, he stood up and walked away from the table without a word. I watched him as he rushed toward the door, probably to get privacy for his conversation, and then looked over at Dianna.

"What do you know about Rooster's MC, Rosie?" Before I could answer, she put her hand up and shook her head. "Better yet, what do you know about motorcycle clubs in general."

"That it's a family of men who are extremely loyal to each other."

"I saw the name on the screen before Rooster answered, and I have a feeling you're about to experience that firsthand."

◆◆◆

ROOSTER

I pulled over on the side of the highway at the coordinates my friend had given me and cut the lights even though my truck was still running. I scrolled through my recent texts and found the last one my friend had sent so I could reply and let him know I was here. Just then, I heard someone tapping on my passenger window. I fumbled my phone when I jumped and turned to find a woman who was barely tall enough to see inside with a terrified look on her face.

I hit the button to unlock the door, and she opened it and said, "We've got to hurry! They'll see you here!"

"Where is he?" I asked.

She pointed behind her and said, "He's in those bushes over there. He tried to walk but . . ."

"Get in the back seat. I'll go get him."

Since I didn't know the woman or what her intentions might be, I turned the truck off and took the keys before I got out and rushed around the hood. I didn't know who she worried might see us, but considering the amount of trouble my friend always seemed to have following him, I didn't dare use the light on my phone to see my way. Luckily, the sky was clear, so the full moon made it easy to pick my way down the embankment on the side of the highway until I found steadier ground at the bottom.

I heard a faint whistle and turned that direction. I hadn't gone very far when I tripped over something and heard a loud grunt.

"Let's go ahead and add a broken leg to my injuries," I heard my friend grumble as I got back to my feet.

"What the fuck have you gotten yourself into now, brother?" I asked when I saw the state he was in.

"Why do you automatically assume it was my fault?"

As I squatted down and slid my hand under his shoulders so I could help him sit up, I said, "Let's look at the common denominator here."

He groaned before he whispered painfully, "I don't know why people keep fucking shooting me. I'm a pleasant goddamn individual."

"Yep. So pleasant that almost everyone who meets you wants to use you as target practice." Once he was sitting, I asked, "How many, and where are they?"

"Through and through on both. Fucker's aim was shit, and he got me in the legs."

"Well, that's better than losing a kidney," I mumbled as I tried to figure out how in the hell I was going to get him to my truck. "You're gonna bleed all over my fucking interior."

"My client will buy you a new truck."

"Can you stand up?"

"Fuck. I doubt it. I've lost a lot of blood, and I'm feeling pretty woozy."

"Well, shit," I mumbled as I looked over my shoulder at my truck in the distance. "Looks like I'll have to carry you, Princess."

"Your weak ass probably can't even . . ." I heard him take a deep breath in through his nose and then steadily blow it out of his mouth and realized that he was in worse shape than I thought. Only a near death experience could stop my friend from using sarcasm or finishing an insult. "Wow. I think I need to lay down."

I was glad that I already had one knee on the ground because my friend had passed out and was suddenly dead weight in my arms.

"Well, shit," I mumbled as I changed my angle to get a better grip on him. "I hope his client has enough money for a chiropractor too."

The trip home seemed to take forever, and I found myself nodding off just before dawn. Instead of pulling over, I shook the woman in the passenger seat awake so I had someone to talk to.

"What is your name?" she asked.

"I'm Rooster."

"He said he didn't know which one of his friends would be able to come get us, but he swore that someone would show."

"Of course. Who else did he call?"

"I'm not sure," the woman said with an uncomfortable laugh. "I was too busy trying to make sure he didn't bleed to death to pay attention to their names."

"Who is looking for you?"

"Some very bad men," she answered sadly. "He rescued me."

"That's what he does."

"Are we almost there?" she asked before she twisted around in her seat to look at him. "He's as white as a sheet."

"Pfft," I scoffed. "He'll be fine. He's survived much worse than a few measly gunshots."

"Where are we going?"

"I'm taking you back to my place."

"And then?"

"We'll have to wait until he wakes up to find out. Is there someone waiting for you that you want to call?"

When she didn't answer immediately, I glanced over at her in the early morning light and saw tears in her eyes. "There's not anyone that I want to talk to other than my sister."

"Where is your sister?"

"He hasn't rescued her yet."