Page 15 of Roam

Blake definitely took after her father. Her brother was the biggest freaking planner and overthought everything, which served him well in his job. Sprite could see that trait in Blake every day. She just wished he would check in. The longer he was unavailable, the more she worried.

She pulled up in front of the house and parked.

“Okay, so I’m heading into work, and I was planning on being back to have lunch with all the kids and you. Are you good with that?”

Was she good with that? Heck yeah, but it was becoming harder to remember she had to work with him. She knew Rascal had made it clear he was her boss, but Roam was still one of the owners, though she guessed since the MC helped own it then they all were.

She realized she hadn’t answered him.

“Sure. Are we fixing something?”

They were stocked up and she thought she’d have time to cook.

“No, Mom said the last place she would take you and Clara would be to the diner to grab food. I suggested she get some different items so Blake and Oakley could for sure have something they liked.”

Once again, he was doing the unexpected. At least, unexpected as far as she’d experienced.

Growing up, she wasn’t sure how she would have survived without her brother. With him being overseas, she’d been all alone except for Clara. To know they had this huge group of people who already considered them family was daunting.

Chapter Nine

Sprite held her stomach and wiped the tears from her eyes. She’d laughed more this morning with Regina and Clara than she had in forever.

Regina had taken them all around the club’s compound. She showed them a lot of the things Roam had already showed Sprite, but she was happy to go by them again. She wanted to know the layout, so she’d always know where her kids were.

Sprite couldn’t wait to get fresh vegetables from the MC’s farm and fresh fruit from the trees in the orchard. She kept waiting for that certain something that was the catch but all she’d experienced so far was that the MC was exactly how Roam had promised. Clara had adored the little apartment over the quilt shop but was torn being so far away from the kids. Regina had told her to take the time to think about where she wanted but there wasn’t any rush. She could stay in the compound as long as she wanted. They had plenty of the houses on the compound open too.

Sprite was trying to get herself under control, but Regina had a wicked sense of humor, and she obviously didn’t like the deputy who had come in the diner. As soon as he’d walked in, she’d whispered to Sprite and Clara to watch out because the waste of space was here. Sprite wasn’t sure what was wrong with him, but she believed Regina. She’d been open about everything, including some of the things that had gone on with the MC in the last year. And honestly, the hairs on Sprite’s arms stood up when he’d brushed close to her. Did he not respect personal space?

“Regina, is Beth with you all? I’m meeting her for lunch.”

Sprite caught the tightening of Regina’s mouth before her face became expressionless.

“No, I’m showing Sprite and Clara around town. They’ve joined our Bluff Creek family.”

“Oh, well welcome. I hope you bring something good to our town. We always welcome individuals who know how to act.”

Sprite so wanted to ask exactly what he meant by know how to act, but she wasn’t rocking the boat in her new town.

“Well, deputy...” Regina said but was interrupted as Beth walked up and asked, “Sprite, how’s the tour?”

“It’s going really great. For a small town, there’s so much going on.”

Beth grabbed her hands and bounced on her feet. “So I think we need to let you get to know all of us. So how about a girls’ night this weekend?”

“I’d love that but what about the kids?”

“Oh, Rascal, Baron and Locks can watch them all, or we have a couple women from the daycare that like to earn extra money in the evenings. Beth, is this all women with us older ones coming too?”

Beth chuckled, then answered Regina. “Of course, we want you, Regina, Clara, Stella and Meg. The more, the merrier. Let’s do it at my house since no kids will have to be relocated.”

Sprite nodded but kept an eye on the deputy as he led Beth away. She was positive she’d heard him whisper something about indoor voice but for the life of her, she couldn’t believe that was right. Beth had just been exuberant. She hadn’t been yelling.

Sprite followed Regina to the counter to place their order. She’d glanced over the menu and agreed with Roam. They were getting a sampler of items but she was positive the chicken fingers, French fries and mac ‘n’ cheese would be the kids’ favorites.

“Let’s head over here to the store while they get our food ready,” Regina said, leading them through a cased opening into an area with gift items and clothing.

“So Sprite, let’s see if they have your size in the Bluff Creek Ink shirts. If they don’t or you want a different style, then we can order what you want. Roam and Rascal don’t require them but they are nice to have.”

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