Page 15 of Shadow Touched

“Yeah, it does,” Brim replied, clearing histhroat.

Piper glanced between him and her son.Sympathy lit up her face. “I’m sorry about your loss. Martha toldus.”

He nodded, too choked up to say anything. Hehated sympathy. Hated any type of sentiment that made him rememberthat it’d been his fault his son was now dead.

****

“Glasses are over in that cabinet,” Kixsaid, pointing.

Leia followed his direction and pulled downfour glasses. “I hope we’re not imposing. I was expecting to seeBrim’s mom and then be on our way.”

“Oh, she’s on her way, all right,” he said,grinning. “You’ve been warned.”

“She can’t be that bad.”

He opened up the freezer and pulled out anice tray. “She’s endearingly sweet. Like eating too much candyafter the dentist has drilled out six cavities. I have to admit, Iwas a little shocked to see you with Brim.”

“Oh? Is that a bad thing?”

Kix shook his head. “Just, his ex was, howshould I put it, a woman who understood the biker world.”

Leia raised an eyebrow. “Club pussy?”

He chuckled. “I see he told you.”

No, he didn’t, but Leia didn’t reveal thatbit of information. So far, the MC life was far different than whatshe expected. Kix dropped a few ice cubes in each glass then placedthe tray into the sink.

“Did you know Brim’s son?”

“No,” Kix said as he poured iced tea intothe glasses. “Never had the opportunity to meet him. He wasdeployed when Martha married Striker. I’m not sure how Brim hassurvived that. If anything were to happen to my kids or my wife,I’d think I’d go insane.”

Maybe Brim did go a little insane. Afterall, he admitted that was why he’d gone off on his own. A parentshould never have to bury their child.

“I know he feels guilty since it was hissuggestion that Nate join the military,” Kix added. “He wantedsomething more for his son, and I can’t blame him for that. Here inrural Missouri … well, there aren’t many opportunities.”

Just then the back door slammed open, and asmall woman barreled into the kitchen. Her obviously dyed blackhair was up in a ponytail and the air around her shimmered withenergy. She came up short when she spotted Leia, and when sheraised an eyebrow, Leia immediately saw the resemblance to herson.

“Martha, this is Leia,” Kix introduced.“Brim’s woman.”

Martha stepped closer, looked her up anddown, then smiled. “’Bout time he found someone decent. Welcome tothe family!”

Chapter Six

Martha hurried over, pinning Leia’s arms toher side in a bear hug. Leia blinked at Kix, who gave her ahelpless shrug. The scent of beer and old cigarette smoke waftedfrom her. When Martha eased back, she grabbed hold of Leia’shands.

“Thank you for bringing him back to me.”

“Oh, okay,” Leia said weakly, not sure howto respond. “You’re welcome.”

Martha patted her hand. “He went off thedeep end. Been nomad for too damn long.”

“How long has it been?”

“Nate passed a year ago.” Marth shook herhead. “Brim tried to conceal his pain. Go on like he didn’t haveany feelings, but I know my boy. Couldn’t deal, so a couple ofmonths ago he ran. No one should bottle that up for so long.”

Personally, Leia knew what it was like towant to hide. She’d been doing the same thing for quite a while.Sometimes hiding was easier.

“But that’s all over now,” Martha said,beaming. “I can tell right away you’ve got a good heart. It’s inthe eyes, you know. You brought him back to the living and I am soglad you’re my new daughter-in-law.”

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