18.

Z OEY

“What exactly are you doing today?” Garvey asked as I walked next to him up the path toward the office.

“Well, I’m going to show you something, and then I have to accompany a woman to a court hearing with some of the other Queens.”

“Why? Did she break the law?”

“No, her boyfriend did, and now she needs to give a statement about it.”

“Who is she?”

“She’s a lady who lives at the apartments. We’re available for moral support and to help the women who need it feel like there’s safety in numbers.”

“Safety in numbers? Is that how you’re marketing it? If there’s a woman with you ladies guarding her, she’s more than just safe because she’s in a group; she’s safe because almost all of you are certifiable and can throw down with the best of them.”

“Thank you!”

“Zo, sweetie, I’m not sure that was a compliment.”

“I’ll take it as one,” I said cheerfully as Garvey opened the door for me to walk in ahead of him. “Are you curious about why I brought you here?”

“Actually, I am.”

I called out to greet the women who were working in the main office - Meredith, who I planned to hire as the office administrator, and Taylor, who had been so helpful with her digital creativity that I would be using her as the media coordinator. There were a few other positions I was planning to hire for, and I had been looking through resumes and references of some of the women I’d already met as well as a few others who wanted to join the program.

However, one of the positions that I hadn’t considered before I met the women in Tenillo was an on-site substance abuse counselor - a position that Garvey was almost overqualified for. After discussing it with Cydney, who was helping me with the budgeting decisions, she suggested that we offer Garvey the position and ask that one of his duties be to gather funding for the program which he’d already mentioned researching.

He’d been home almost two weeks now, but it hadn’t taken that long for me to realize that deep down, he was still my Gravy . . . the man that my younger self was positive I’d spend the rest of my life with. At first, it had seemed like there were too many roadblocks - most of which he’d erected himself - for us to get through to find each other, but it seemed like he was busting us right through them.

Even though my family was still very hesitant about me starting a relationship with Garvey, I was content to keep things just the way they were between us - casually serious.

“What are you showing me, Zo?” Garvey asked as he took my hand. He squeezed it before he asked, “And why are you limping more today?”

“I think it’s going to rain.”

“Don’t change the subject.”

“I’m not!” I insisted. “This happened before, and Lana said that some people can feel shifts in the barometric pressure in the bones that have had trauma especially if there’s been some sort of surgical enhancement like a rod or a screw.”

“Do you have either of those?”

“Well, no, but I had a major injury to both my head and my leg.”

“You have a headache too? Should you go home and take the day off?”

“The weather around here is even more erratic than Janis when she’s trying to give up caffeine. If I took off every time it changed, I’d never leave my house.”

“But you think that you can predict the weather?”

“Maybe it’s my new superpower,” I joked as I entered the code on the panel that my uncle had installed earlier this morning and opened the interior door that led to the back offices. I motioned toward the first door on my left and said, “That’s going to be for intake, but I don’t have anyone in mind for that position yet. This door to the right will lead to the store, and there’s an office in there at the entry for that. This is the room where all the HR documents and personal information will be stored. That’s the bathroom, and around here . . .” I walked around the corner and put in the code to go through another door before I pointed to a door on my left and said, “This is where Emerald will work when she’s here.”

“Emerald’s going to work for you?”

“She’ll be available by appointment any time the women need to talk, but she’s also going to be part of the intake process. This next room is . . .”

“Why so much security?”

“In order to store all of that personal information, you have to establish two secured entrances. The front door and that first door are the entrances from that way, and then there’s this door and the back door from the other direction.”

“Damn. You’ve really thought this through.”

“We’re trying to make sure we follow all of the rules that were in that packet you gave me.”

“You read that?”

“Of course I did.”

“So, you’re interested in applying for the grants I researched? What about the other funding sources? I can start pulling information in the evenings after we get finished working . . .”

I took his hand and pulled him behind me, quickly pointing out the meeting room and supply closet before I turned the corner and walked into the empty room on the right. “This will be for small group meetings or counseling.” I led him through another doorway before I said, “And this is your office.”

“ My office?”

“Yes. Mine is right through that door over there.”

“You’re going to officially hire me to work for you?”

“Not for me, exactly. You’ll work for the foundation. That was what the meeting at my parents’ house was about last night.”

“How are your parents involved in this?”

“The land that all of this is built on was part of a trust my family set up that gives each of us a portion of my grandfather’s land. It can’t be sold, but it can be leased, so that’s how we’re taking care of that issue. As for hiring you, I presented your credentials and certifications to the board, and they voted unanimously to hire you on as a full-time employee.”

Garvey was stunned speechless and just stood there blinking for what seemed like an eternity before he asked, “You went to bat for me?”

I nodded before I said, “I believe in you.”

“You were there for hours, Zo. What did it take for you to convince your parents to hire me?”

“The board isn’t just my parents. It includes me, Zane, Mom, Dad, Uncle Zeke and Aunt Lisa, Aunt Kari, Terra Forrester, Tucker Martin, Marcus Hamilton, and Sonny Marks. There was quite a bit of yelling, some tears, and more than a little anger, but we worked our way through it. Before the meeting concluded, the vote to hire you was unanimous.”

“Holy shit.”

There were tears in Garvey’s eyes, and I reached up and put my hand on his cheek before I said, “I believe in you, Garvey. So do they.”

“Holy shit.”

“Marcus is going to call me when he gets the employment contract in order, and you’ll have time to review it before we enter negotiations about salary and such.”

“Holy shit.”

“You keep saying that, and I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.”

“I need a minute,” Garvey choked out as he walked to the window and stared out over the field.

I didn’t know whether I should leave him alone or wait here, so I went with my gut instinct and wrapped my arms around his waist from behind. When I rested my head on his back, I could hear his rapid heartbeat and labored breathing and started to worry that he might be having a panic attack.

After a few minutes of silence, he said, “I’m the luckiest man in the world to have you in my corner, Zo. The very luckiest. It amazes me that after all I put you through and all you’ve been through, you can still believe in me and the women you’re doing this for.”

“If you can’t believe in something bigger than you, then what’s the point of living? Love is bigger than me as are the futures of the women who deserve another chance at life. And love. Just like you, they fucked up, but they’re willing to work hard to reestablish not just the life they had before, but an even better one where they’re stronger and more ready to take on the world.”

“You’re an amazing woman, Zo, and I’m so lucky to have you beside me.”

“I know it sounds crazy, but I’m glad you waited to come home, Gravy. If you’d come back as soon as you got out, I wouldn’t have been ready.”

“I wouldn’t have either.”

“Now, you’re home forever, and nothing in the world could make me happier.”

Garvey turned in my arms until we were facing each other and then looked at me with tears in his eyes before he said, “I love you, Zoey Duke, and I plan on spending the rest of my life proving that I’m worthy of the love and forgiveness you’ve shown me.”

“You don’t have to prove anything, you just have to live. That’s all I want - for you to be happy, healthy, and whole, whether that’s with me or not.”

“I don’t ever want to leave you again.”

“Please don’t.”

Garvey gave me the softest and sweetest kiss I’d ever experienced and then pulled back just enough to say, “Someday, I’m going to marry you and have children that will be just as proud of you as I am right now.”

“Is that a proposal?”

“Not yet, but just know it’s coming.”

I winced before I said, “I may need you to keep it in your pocket for a while and bring it back out when I’m in the thick of things and feel like I can’t keep my head above water.”

“You’re the most put-together woman I’ve ever met. I can’t imagine that’s ever going to happen.”

“We got our first wedding order this morning, and I’m not sure there are enough seeds on the planet to fill it, let alone enough space or time to grow them, so I’m already feeling the water rise.”

“You got your first order?”

“Yeah. Bella’s getting married in a few months, and she’s having the wedding here in Rojo.”

“It’s going to be a big shindig?” I asked.

“The biggest. And there are going to be people from all over coming to it, which means that the pressure is on.”

“I’ll be right by your side through it all - whether that means planting the seeds or rubbing your back after a long day of work.”

“That means everything to me, Garvey. I hope you know that.”

“I’m starting to realize it, and it’s the best feeling in the world.”

◆◆◆

I split from Garvey at the intersection when he turned to go to his parents, so I was alone for the rest of the ride to New Horizons, the apartments where the Queens planned to meet to escort our new friend to the courthouse for her scheduled testimony.

Apparently, there had been some issues with security there, so Marla had asked some of the Texas Knights and Texas Kings to patrol the outside of the property while the paid security team stayed inside. So far, they had only caught one person trying to get in to see a woman who was protected from him inside. From what I didn’t hear, the guys had dealt with it accordingly rather than call the police.

The woman we were escorting today fortunately didn’t have to deal with a stalker right now since her soon-to-be ex-husband was currently a guest of the county. He’d stay that way if things went the way they should, and I hoped it was her testimony that swayed the jurors in that direction.

When I arrived at the apartments, I backed into the space next to Lark’s motorcycle and shook my head when I saw her kicked back with her feet on the handlebars, most likely taking one of the catnaps she loved. Rain was on her motorcycle on the other side of Lark, busily typing on her phone as she glanced toward the gate that led into the complex.

“Are we running late?”

“Not yet, but we will be soon. I wonder what the hold up . . .”

The gate squeaked when Marla walked out followed closely by Tannah, the woman we were escorting today, and her barely-teenage daughter, Bailey. Bailey waved at us as they walked closer, and she stopped at my bike as Marla and her mother walked in front of us to talk to Rain.

“Are you ready?” I asked her as I reached out to squeeze her hand.

“More than ready! I’m strong, I’m sassy, and I can do anything!”

“Hell yeah!” Lark said as she sat up and put her feet on the ground. She looked over at Tannah and asked, “What about you, Mom?”

“Let’s do it! I’m ready for us to move on with our lives.”

“Well then, let’s get started!” Lark said cheerfully.

Marla and Tannah kept talking to Lark and Rain, but I leaned closer to Bailey and said, “I’ll be right beside you the entire time, okay?”

“I know.”

“Some of the guys are coming today too. They’re going to catch up with us on the ride over. Most of them will sit in the courtroom, but a few will hang out with us.”

“Will Zane be there?” Bailey asked. She blushed before she said, “It’s okay if he’s not.”

I wrinkled my nose and said, “My brother is gross.”

“He is not! He’s nice.”

“He can be,” I allowed. “But I think Landry is better looking. So is Gray Vance.”

“But Zane is funnier than they are. He tells me a joke every time I see him.”

“Are they bad jokes?”

“Kinda,” Bailey said with a wince. “But they make me laugh.”

“I think he tells those bad jokes just to irritate me.”

“Isn’t that what brothers are supposed to do?”

“If it is, then he’s been doing a great job.”

Bailey laughed, and it was such a wonderful sound, considering that when I first met her she barely ever smiled.

“Did you tell her?” Tannah asked as she walked over to stand in front of my bike.

“Not yet. I was waiting on you.”

“Tell me what?”

“Would you like to ride to the courthouse with me, Miss Bailey?”

“Yes!” Bailey squealed as she jumped up and down.

I hopped off my trike and walked around to the back so I could open the trunk and smiled when I saw Bailey hugging her mom in excitement. Once I had the helmet out of its fabric bag, I walked back over to Bailey and held it out toward her.

“Put it on, and I’ll help you get it adjusted,” I ordered as she took it from me.

Tannah helped her put it on and then stepped back to take a few pictures of Bailey as she posed in front of the motorcycle and then a few more of a smiling Bailey with our entire group. I took a few seconds to adjust the straps for Bailey’s safety and then helped her get on to the seat behind mine and gave her some instructions for the ride.

“This makes the worst day the best day!” Bailey squealed before she squeezed me tight. “Thank you, Zoey! You’re awesome!”

“No, kiddo, you’re awesome, I’m just driving.”

We all started our engines and then pulled out in a line to fall in around the truck Marla and Tannah were riding in. I looked around and saw that all of the women were more than ready to get this started. We didn’t want this over because it was taking time out of our day but because it would mean there was one more woman who didn’t have to worry and look over her shoulder all the time and could get on with her life, taking care of her daughter.

Lark and Rain went ahead of the truck, and the rest of us followed behind in two lines. The drive didn’t take long. Within just a few minutes, we were parked in the lot and walking up the sidewalk that would take us into the courthouse for the hearing.

As usual, the sight of so many motorcycles caught the attention of people in the area, and almost everyone that saw us knew why we were here together. The guard inside the entrance knew us all by name and greeted us as we walked in, chatting amicably while we emptied our pockets and dropped our possessions into the trays to be x-rayed.

Once we were finished, I took Bailey’s hand and held it tightly, knowing that the ride had been exciting for her but she would likely be nervous again now that she was facing reality.

“You’re gonna do great, and everything is going to be okay, Bailey-Boo.”

“I’m glad I met you, Zoey,” Bailey said quietly as we watched the guys go through security.

Finally, everyone was cleared and we were able to walk into the courthouse, and my brother came up and took Bailey’s other hand. I felt so proud of him when I saw him wink at Bailey and then lean closer to whisper, “Who’s the strongest, most kick-ass kid in town?”

“I am.”

“Damn right you are, baby girl! Are you nervous?”

“I am, but Mom said that everything will work out the way it’s supposed to.”

“I guess that’s one way to look at it.”

“Will you and Zoey stay with me the whole time?” Bailey asked.

“You’re gonna make me hang out with my sister?” Zane whined. When Bailey giggled, he said, “Man, that sucks, but I’ll do it for you, okay?”

“Thanks, Zane.”

“He really loves it when you call him Zaney Waney,” I whispered loud enough for Zane to hear. When he growled, Bailey and I giggled.

As we walked down the corridor toward the courtroom, we passed a lawyer I’d met before when he defended a man I arrested. I didn’t pay much attention until I saw the man walking with him glaring at me. I felt like I should know the man giving me the dirty look but couldn’t place him, so I just shrugged it off and looked away.

When we got to the courtroom, I let go of Bailey’s hand so she could hug Tannah and then took it again and led her across the hall toward the benches where we would have to sit and wait. Since Bailey was a minor and would be testifying against her mother’s ex-boyfriend, she wasn’t allowed in the courtroom. However, she needed to be there to wait for her video testimony that would take place later and because her therapist had assured us that being here would give her some security and closure that would help her overcome the horrible things she’d witnessed.

We’d been sitting for a little over an hour, playing cards with my brother, when the lawyer I’d recognized earlier walked past us again with his client in tow.

I had just looked back down at the cards in my hand when I heard a man say, “That’s what I thought, bitch. You can’t even fucking look at me, but I see you. Yeah. I fucking see you.”

Without thinking, I looked up at the man who had stopped in front of us and fought a wave of dizziness as I tried to focus on his face. Suddenly, Bailey was thrust even closer to my side, and my brother’s back was in my line of vision as the officer guarding the door of the courtroom rushed across the hall.

I was too busy trying to comfort Bailey to hear everything that was said, but I got the gist of it.

My past as a police officer was coming back to haunt me, but now, I didn’t have the protection of the badge or the ability to defend myself.

Luckily, my brother had always been quick to come to my defense, and he took care of the problem with words and a few threats before the lawyer grabbed his client by the arm and dragged him away.

“Who was that man?” Bailey whispered as we watched them disappear around the corner.

“I thought I recognized him, but I can’t remember why. My guess is that he did something bad and I arrested him for it when I was a police officer. Now he’s pissed because he’s gotta go to court.”

“Is he gonna hurt you?”

“Me?” I scoffed before I said, “I’m a Queen just like you, sweetheart. We’re invincible!”