Page 17 of Riding Dirty
Brush hems the meandering flow of water through a ravine south of the house. A fallen tree lays over the creek bed like a bridge and the sun shines on the grassy bank warming the soil for our arrival. The day is perfect, exactly the way every day has been since Millie and I made our love official.
We had a small ceremony by this very river ten months ago to the day. She wore a short white dress with lace set on the hem and the neckline. Her hair rested on her shoulders, golden in the sunlight, and her sweet hands laid in mine as though they’d been made for me.
I’m sure I wore something as well. I know I didn’t go nude, but I don’t remember much of that. My focus was on Millie and it has been every day since.
“He likes it down here.” Millie sets Everett in the grass to kick his toes through the soft blades as a dragonfly hums above him. He’s only six weeks old, and he’s becoming more and more aware of the world around him every day. I can’t wait to take him fishing, teach him where the best hunting is, and watch him grow into a man.
I kiss my girl on her forehead and settle next to her on the blanket she’s spread before tossing my fishing pole in the water. I dig the butt of the pole into the ground and leave it on idle as I wait for a bite. Last weekend we were out here all afternoon and the only bite happening was when I leaned onto Millie’s shoulder. I won’t hate it if that’s the way this Sunday goes as well.
She glances toward me with the scent of sun-warmed soil and rock on her skin. “Last night when we were cooking dinner, you mentioned something about trying for more babies. How many are you thinking?”
“As many as you’ll allow. Eight, maybe nine.”
Her eyes widen. “You’re kidding. I was thinking max six, and even that sounded crazy.”
For a minute, I imagine six of our children running through the grass next to this riverbank. A Sunday afternoon like this, the sun shining, the wind blowing through their hair as we all dip into the muddy creek for tadpoles and skimmers. I never thought my life could be so full.
“Any life with you, little one, is a life I can’t wait to live.” I kiss her forehead and lay back on the blanket as she settles baby Everett into his bassinet beside us. At six weeks, naps are imperative every hour or two. I figure its nature’s way of easing you into parenthood.
Millie leans back into my arms and sighs. “Thank you for taking over last night.” She giggles. “And the night before. I think I’m finally getting rested.”
Frogs croak and the wind slides through the tall grass near the edge of the creek as I lift on top of Millie. “Did you know I haven’t had a panic attack since that night you climbed up onto my lap? That was what… a year ago now?”
A gentle smile lifts onto her face. “I’d noticed, but I didn’t want to jinx it. You’re welcome for the vapor rub trick.”
I kiss her soft lips and suck the lobe of her ear. “I don’t need magic anymore, little one. I have you.”
She hums gently as I nuzzle into her neck and breathe in the soft scent of everything I’ve ever needed.
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RIDING HOT
Chapter One
Piper
People say it’s better to have loved and lost than never loved at all.
People are idiots.
If I’d never loved at all, I’d be enjoying a weekend at the lake with a calm mind and a peaceful heart. I’d be watching people fish and I wouldn’t be thinking about the stories some guy told me about the goliath trout he caught last summer. I’d be sucking in the fresh mountain air, and I wouldn’t be thinking about the scent of pine on his skin. I’d hear a motorcycle rumble in the distance, and I wouldn’t think of his colossal, tattooed frame bent onto it.
Hell, I’d probably be flirting with the hot, age-appropriate guy on the pier. I’d bet he has some inflated fishing stories to tell.
Instead, I’m stuck on the burning sand with a terrible, cold, bitter, IPA and a head full of thoughts about a man I can’t have.
I take another sip of the awful beer I’m nursing and let out a sigh as I watch my father tie the boat up at the dock. He’s talking to the hot fisherman. No doubt he’s telling him about the single daughter he has who’s in desperate need of a night out. My dad is like that…lovingly intrusive.
I think some people might call it toxic, but where we’re from, it’s customary to grin and bear ill thoughts of your parents. Especially when they’re generally good people,which my parents are. They’ve never done a sideways thing in their lives. My dad owns the service shop in town and my mom collects antiques and sells them on Main Street. There’s an age gap between them, but that was back when people didn’t think much about those things.
“Sweetheart…” Dad’s voice is heavy with concern. It’s been this way since he found me with the man I shouldn’t be thinking about. It was a few months back. I was supposed to be in the Springs advertising for Dad’s shop at a biker convention. Instead, I was riding around with Romeo. He’s a biker and drug dealer from the Death Rangers MC that I had no business being with. We met at last year’s convention, and we kept in contact every day since.Every hour of every day for a year—until six weeks ago.
Dad sits on the hot sand beside me. “Is this about what happened with that Death Ranger guy? Maybe you should see a counselor.” He’s been urging me to see someone for months. My parents still think Romeo kidnapped me because that’s what I let them believe. When Dad saw the two of us together, I panicked and, I don’t know, words came out.