Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 90607 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90607 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
He spotted Bull’s car, and before it had even parked, Ava and Bernice were out and rushing up toward him. Pat didn’t get the chance to hold his arms out before she threw herself at him.
“Thank God you’re okay. I was so worried. Mrs. Henderson came to the shop, and she said there had been a shoot-out, and I drove past and saw the blood, and no one knew for certain what was going on, and I didn’t know how to reach you, so I went to the clubhouse, and ... you’re okay.” Ava cupped his face.
Pat put his hands on top of hers, and he stared into her eyes. He wanted to ask her why she snuck out, but with his father close, and Bull there, as well as Violet and Grant, he was not about to embarrass her, or himself.
“Yeah, I’m okay.” He leaned down and kissed her.
Ava wrapped her arms around him.
“Well, this is disgusting,” Violet said. “I seem to know everyone here but you, old man. I’m Violet Beckett.”
“Doc,” his father said.
Pat pulled away and watched as Violet and Doc shook hands. “I’m her sister.”
“I’m his father.”
“No fucking way,” Violet said. “That cannot be true. You look like his brother.”
Pat didn’t like this. Was Violet flirting with his fucking dad? That was impossible.
“You have just earned yourself a slice of cake and some of the finest coffee around,” Doc said.
His dad liked Violet. Pat didn’t know how he knew, he just did. His dad never offered cake to anyone.
“And you too, young lady. I think it is only fair I get to offer you cake for putting my son in his place.”
Ava’s face had gone bright red. “I am sorry about that.”
“Don’t be. Men need a good, strong woman who will not take any shit. That is exactly what you did, and you should stick by it.”
His dad led the two women inside the cabin, leaving him with Bull.
Pat stepped down off the porch and went to him.
“How’s Rusty?” Bull asked.
“Dad fixed him up. He’s going to be out of it, but Dad will keep an eye on him.”
“Your dad is great,” Bull said.
“You’ve got to stop doing this shit to yourself,” Pat said.
“It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not. My dad had a beef with your dad, not you.”
“Pat, if I had acted sooner, your mom would still be alive. None of this shit would have happened. Fuck!”
“Stop. You and I both know none of us could have stopped your dad. That is all in the past, and you’ve got to leave it there and not bring it into the present. Shit happens. We all know that, and it is not always our fault. We need to deal with the fact the cartel was able to get to that mom and kid, and lure us out to the garage,” Pat said.
“What?”
“That tow job you got me to take care of. There was nothing wrong with the car. It was perfectly fine and running great. It was a setup, and that means the mother was involved.”
“Oh, fuck me,” Bull said.
“You need to get Dylan to go to her house. I have a feeling he’s going to be cleaning up two bodies,” Pat said.
****
Violet and Doc were hitting it off. Ava sat on the porch and watched the two just talking. She had never seen her sister so intensely curious in what a man had to say. She sipped at her coffee and enjoyed the cake. She knew it was one Lauren had baked. Lauren not only baked for the coffee shop, but she also did regular orders for special customers or occasions. She had a regular clientele. The other woman liked to keep busy, and Ava could relate.
“I don’t know if I should be happy or freaked out by that,” Pat said, coming to sit beside her.
Ava smiled at him. “It’s ... kind of strange.”
“If they get together, Violet will be my stepmom, and I don’t like that. Aren’t stepmoms supposed to be into the sons?”
Ava laughed. “I think you’ll be safe. Trust me, Violet has no interest in you.”
Ava looked toward Violet and Doc again, who seemed to be enjoying each other’s company. Her sister kept reaching out, touching Doc’s arm. She never recalled Violet being so familiar with anyone.
“You snuck out,” Pat said.
Ava sighed. “Yeah, uh, I am so sorry about that.”
“Do you regret what we did?” he asked.
“No, no, absolutely not,” Ava said.
“Why did you sneak out?”
“Because ... you looked so peaceful. And I know that is not a good reason, because in truth, that is every reason to stay.” She sighed. “Uh, this is ... I didn’t know what the protocol is. I’ve never been in this position, and I didn’t know if it would be awkward if I stayed.”
“Ava, you’re not a quick fuck, or some fun.” Pat reached out and took her hand. “I know we have an age gap.”