Page 11 of Roam

“I did really like staying in the tent with my new friend Blake. Thank you. So this one time is a pass.”

Sprite covered her mouth so Phoebe wouldn’t see her smile. She was a crack up with her telling one of the brothers in the MC what he could and couldn’t do. Sprite wasn’t super familiar with MCs beyond watching Sons of Anarchy and reading but she guessed Roam’s MC wasn’t like those.

“Okay, if we’re done with the spider incident, let’s get some food and get to packing.”

The front door opened, and Clara and Kennedy walked in carrying food. “I figured everyone was up when I heard one of the girls screaming.”

At her words, Ellie bent over at the waist, laughing again with tears leaking out of her eyes. “Oh my. I can’t breathe. I told you that you sounded like a girl,” she sputtered.

Cannon glared at her, “I’m going to go rinse off quickly and get dressed.” He walked toward the bathroom.

“Are you scared you still have spider cooties on you?” Ellie yelled, then hi-fived Beth as she walked into the room and then leaned over to Sprite. Sprite felt more at home with these women she’d just met than she had growing up. Besides Clara, Sprite had always been ready for someone to look down on her because of who she was or what people assumed.

“No backing out now. You have a contract with Bluff Creek Ink, and you can’t back out now because my family is crazy,” Roam cocked his eyebrow in the sexy way she was coming to like.

Sprite couldn’t help but giggle before she grabbed a muffin. “Your family is great. I’m still in.”

Everything she’d seen was exactly the type of atmosphere she wanted to raise her girls in. Now, if she could just keep Roam in the friend zone so nothing jeopardized their new home.

Chapter Seven

Roam flicked his turn signal on to make that last turn to the compound. Despite little hiccups with the loading, they had everything loaded and in the car by five. They’d bought sandwiches, chips and drinks for the road. Kennedy had ridden with Clara and Ellie, and Beth had offered to drive Sprite’s car. Cannon had been more than happy to be alone in the truck by himself. Roam had chuckled when Cannon had said Beth and Ellie had never quit talking the whole trip.

The girls had thought the car picnic was the coolest thing. Blake mentioned it was only her second picnic ever. Phoebe had assured her that they would have them all the time at Bluff Creek and even get to have them in the orchard sometimes.

A look had flitted across Sprite’s face at Blake’s words, but it was gone quickly before Roam could decipher it. From the little Sprite had said, Blake’s mom wasn’t someone who would do picnics or anything else fun. He’d see if he could get Sprite to open up more because he didn’t want to do anything that might bring back a bad memory for Blake. Oakley had eaten and then fallen asleep in her car seat. Roam was grateful they hadn’t had to stop.

Of course now, Sprite, Blake and Oakley would be introduced to his parents and the rest of the MC family. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be too overwhelming. He could see how they might be a little much. As he pulled the SUV into the compound and followed the road by the clubhouse to one of the homes available, he spotted his parents, his kids, Rascal and Meg standing on the front porch.

“Well, I hope you’re ready for more. It looks like my mom and dad, along with Rascal and Meg, and my children are the welcome committee tonight.”

Sprite leaned toward the window. “I think that’s very nice of them.”

By the time he’d stopped the vehicle, his dad was already at Sprite’s door. When she opened the door, Baron held out his hand. “Welcome to Bluff Creek, Sprite.”

At his words, Roam heard a scream, “More girls?” He leaned over and laid his hand on Sprite’s arm, “I’m so sorry for my son. We’ll have a chat.”

Sprite smiled and mouthed it’s okay before taking Baron’s hand to get out of the truck. Roam got out and opened the back door, lifting Oakley out, who was still asleep. Blake and Phoebe scrambled out themselves and headed toward the boys on the front porch.

Grant and David, Bear’s son, were standing on the front porch pouting. “I thought Blake was a boy. Not fair,” Grant wailed.

Roam leaned down close to the boys. “How about just being happy to have more kids to play with? Oakley here is your age.”

Roam held her back as she started to stir and rub her eyes. She raised her head and looked around. Seeing her mom, she wriggled to get down. Roam decided he’d walk her over to Sprite because there were four steps up to the front of the porch and he hadn’t seen how well she navigated steps yet.

Walking close to Sprite, he listened to his parents welcome her along with Blake. He hoped she felt at home despite it being a new place. He wanted, no, needed her to love it in Bluff Creek. Sprite glanced at him and saw Oakley reaching for her. Sprite lifted Oakley from his arms and introduced her to his mom and dad.

Roam headed around the SUV and grabbed their totes to start carrying stuff in.

“Are we going to try to unload all the stuff tonight?” Cannon asked.

Roam glanced around. “I think it’s doable and would make it easier for them. Why don’t you text and see who all is available to help.”

Roam carried a couple more totes in the house, then decided he didn’t want to move them. He walked back to Sprite and his parents.

“Hey Mom, I think Sprite needs to look at the rooms and give a final say which room is whose, so we only move some things once.”

His mom nodded. “Why don’t you all do that. We have banana bread, milk and fruit set up on the patio for a snack for the kids.”

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