Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 69582 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 348(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69582 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 348(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
“And where was everyone else while this was happening?” I asked. “You said you were in a bar.”
“I was,” she admitted. “In a bar that was loyal to bikers. And Errol was a biker. They just assumed that Mackey had done something to warrant the ass beating.”
“Fuck,” I said. “Were any other club members there?”
“The friend was one,” she said softly. “The one that’d come in with Errol. He watched it all happen.”
“He doesn’t deserve to wear that patch,” I said. “No wonder you hate me.”
“Hated,” she corrected. “I don’t hate you anymore.”
“That’s what she told Grandma today, too, when she pointed out that you were a biker,” Wendy said as she brought her dish to the sink and rinsed it.
I’d never seen a kid so damn capable before. And so damn smart and understanding.
She left the room before I could comment.
Silence followed her exit, and I turned to Constance and asked, “You don’t have to be nice to me if what I am bothers you. I’m a big boy. Unlike the other bikers you knew, we’re not all like that. We can participate in the life and still know right from wrong.”
She shot me a smile. “I fed Peanut.”
I winced. “Where is he?”
“I walked with him to my parents’ place. He got really excited about all the smells, and Mom needed to take her dogs on a walk anyway, so she has him.”
“Oh,” I said. “I guess I need to go fetch him then. I need to be at work.”
I looked at my watch and winced. An hour ago, I needed to be at work.
I was officially late.
“But you didn’t eat any biscuits.”
No. No, I hadn’t. But…
“You have to take Wendy to school, don’t you?” I asked.
She shrugged. “Yeah.”
“Then maybe I should take a biscuit to go.” I stepped toward the couch to retrieve my boots. “I get a lunch break today around two, if you want to meet for lunch before you get Wendy.”
When I looked back at her, her eyes were lit with happiness. “I’d love that.”
“We’re going to be late, Coco,” Wendy called. “And I’ve already been late once this week. What will the office ladies think?”
I chuckled. “Better get going, Coco. I’ll make myself a to-go biscuit and see you for lunch.”
“Wait, lunch wasn’t an option.” Wendy threw up her hands.
I stood up, gathered up my keys that I’d left on the counter last night, and headed for the door. “Point me in the direction of your mother, Coco.”
Coco shook her head and did just that.
I heard Peanut baying in excitement the moment I stepped outside.
The snow was exactly like I’d expected it.
A light dusting.
But the cold hit me in the chest as I tossed a smile over my shoulder and headed in the direction of the barks.
I found my dog along with another Border Collie right outside of a pen holding a wolf looking at the two with curiosity.
“You come to collect this sweet boy?”
I switched my attention from the young wolf to the older version of Constance. “I have. It’s time to get to work.”
“Ah,” she said. “You’re the medical examiner?”
“I am,” I confirmed.
“And a biker.”
I looked at my truck. “How do you know?”
She gestured to the cut now on my shoulders under my jacket. “I saw it on the chair when I came in.”
“Ah,” I said, focusing on her eyes. “I won’t hurt her.”
She focused on me then, her eyes intense. “She wouldn’t let you. Not anymore.”
“Good.” I held out my hand for Peanut’s leash. “Peanut, heel.”
Peanut abandoned the cool new thing and headed toward me, heeling at my side.
“It’s nice to meet you…” She left the name off.
“Odin,” I said. “And you?”
Her eyes were lit with laughter as she said, “Janet.” She tilted her head. “But you know that, don’t you?”
I did.
I knew a lot about them all.
But how did she know that?
“I have a friend,” she said. “Her name is Margery.”
Margery Windsor.
Denver’s mother. Boone’s grandmother.
The matriarch of the damn town.
No wonder she knew.
“She has a lot to share, and most of it is good.” She studied me intensely. “Though there are a few things that she wouldn’t share.”
Thank God.
“Is that so?”
“That’s so.” She stepped backward and waved. “Take care, Odin.”
“You, too, Janet.”
I watched her go.
Only when she was in the trees did I leave.
The entire drive to work I wondered what else Margery Windsor had shared. And if I had time to share my secrets with Constance before Janet did.
Nineteen
There are only two things certain in this life. Death. And if you fall asleep in a tank top, one of your titties will be out when you wake up.
—Constance to Odin
Constance
My belly was a riot of nerves as I waited at The Mercantile for Odin to arrive.
I chose a table outside since I guessed he still had Peanut with him, and was shivering in the cold when a deep male voice said, “Can I offer you a jacket?”