Page 26 of Deacon

“I don’t think I’ve met Miles yet.”

“I don’t think you have. He wasn’t part of the group that helped move you in. I’m pretty sure he was off doing something with his own family. That’s what he spends most of his time doing these days.”

“Are there a lot of families? I mean kids, not just wives or girlfriends.”

“A few, but the number is growing. Miles discovered his son just last month.”

“Discovered?”

Deacon nodded. “It’s a long story and not mine to tell, but yeah, discovered. I’m sure you’ll meet Courtney before too long. You can ask her about it if you like.” He pulled out his phone and typed up a text to Cowboy, letting him know what they were planning for the day and inviting him and Ava along.” He hit send then pushed the phone away and turned his attention back to Lisa. “What do you say we take the ride, then stop at the Enchanted Steakhouse to eat when we’re done?”

“That sounds like fun. I’ve never been there, but I’ve heard it’s good. Can we stop at each sculpture and take pictures?”

“We can do whatever you want, bumblebee.”

She bent and let her head rest against his arm. Warmth filled his chest and spread through him. How had he waited so long to feel this? Deacon knew the answer to that. He hadn’t known what he was missing. Now that he did, what would he do to not ever give it up?

That thought circled in his head as he leaned over and kissed the top of Lisa’s head. They talked about plans for the day, but his mind was only half on that. The rest was stuck on the realization that he’d found something he didn’t want to give up. Ever.

20

Lisa refused to think about the call from the police she’d received that morning before they’d left. They’d given her some news that had answered a few questions and left her feeling even more glad that she’d come back home to Dickenson and that Randy was locked up.

The local police had searched her old apartment, to see if there was any evidence Randy had been there. They found cameras hidden in every room. Every room, including the bathroom.

That explained how he’d known when she was gone, and probably how he’d tracked her phone too. There was no doubt he’d seen her typing her passwords and had been able to get into any of her accounts. She knew she would need to change them all but not now. He was locked up and couldn’t hurt her today. Today she was going to have fun.

Lisa pushed all thoughts of Randy from her mind as she laughed and danced around the pullout and picnic area in front of the giant grasshopper sculpture. She and Ava were having a blast being goofy and taking silly pictures. They were still trying to get the boys involved, but Deke and Cowboy would look at each other, shake their heads and just watch as she and Ava carried on.

She didn’t care if they looked like kids, or if someone stared at them. They were having fun, and after yesterday, she needed a little fun.

“What do you think it will take to get them involved?” Lisa leaned close to Ava and asked in a soft voice. They were far enough away from the guys, they wouldn’t hear that, but they might if she spoke out loud.

“I’m not sure.” Ava turned and watched the men for a moment. They were talking and shaking their heads at their antics.

“Maybe we should make it a little more fun.”

“What do you mean?” Ava frowned at her.

“A bet.”

“What kind of bet?”

“First one of us to get their guy to goof off and be silly with them wins. But you can’t tell them there’s a bet, because those two are competitive enough they’ll do it just to win.”

“But what does the winner get?”

Lisa pursed her lips and pulled them to one side as she thought for a moment.

“I know,” she said with a snap of her fingers. “Next weekend, that’s not a club ride weekend, is it?”

Ava shook her head. “No that’s not until the following week.”

“Good. Next weekend we will get together for a game night. Don’t tell Cowboy about the games, he’ll whine."

“Okay, but I’m not seeing the prize here.”

“Loser has to cook for the day.”

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