Page 17 of Roam

“It’s good. Dad made me one last week when I was hungwy,” Grant said around a mouthful of mac ‘n’ cheese.

“No see food,” Georgia shook her finger at her brother.

Grant turned toward Georgia, opened his mouth and stuck his mac ‘n’ cheese covered tongue out at his sister. Roam declined to say anything. There were so many battles to fight with the kids. Today, he was enjoying this time and not going to police him over a little thing.

Roam also enjoyed watching Sprite helping Georgia. Sprite was sitting between Georgia and Oakley’s booster seats. Both were eating French fries and chicken strips. Sprite had cut the chicken strips into bite-sized pieces. Georgia was dipping hers in honey mustard, then stuffing a cut up French fry in her mouth with the chicken. She and Casper couldn’t be more different. Georgia mixed all different foods together while Casper ate all of one thing on his plate before he ate another. And never should the foods touch. He didn’t need that headache. He’d cut up Casper’s food and had it in a special divided plate that his almost two-year-old demanded. Casper also didn’t like sticky fingers, so he’d wipe his hands on his bib while eating. He’d never understood the fascination with kids until he’d had his own and they’d crawled inside his heart. He’d do anything for his kids, even protect them from their mother.

He needed to figure out a plan to convince Sprite that they could all work together. Seeing the kids together just cemented that he could have the dream he wanted if he could get Shanna to sign the papers. He knew he needed to discuss it with Sprite but wasn’t sure how to bring it up. Maybe he’d ask his mom when they had time.

Chapter Ten

Sprite had brought the kids down to the side of the clubhouse where the party was. Within minutes, Phoebe had grabbed Blake to come with her and ride on bikes. When she’d worried about Blake not having one, Phoebe had said they had plenty. Clara had taken Oakley from her arms and was joining Regina over by a large play area that she didn’t remember seeing the day before. There were colorful rubber mats that had been put down under a shaded awning. The area was enclosed with those plastic hexagon baby areas she’d seen advertised. It looked like they’d put four of them together to make the large area. There were lawn chairs inside for the adults and a playpen against the wall.

It seemed that for right now, she only needed to take care of herself. There were tables in the shade with food. Large flat inflatable coolers held ice with bowls full of potato salad, coleslaw, fruit salad and so many items Sprite couldn’t wait to try. Another table held a huge amount of drinks chilled in ice, including beer and sodas. She walked toward large drink containers which were labeled iced tea and lemonade. It was hot, and she also wanted to keep her wits about her. Lemonade would hit the spot.

She filled her glass and wandered toward where Ellie was sitting, along with Jesse. Jesse was easy to remember because she seemed to always be wearing her pink coveralls with the bail bonds logo on it along with her name.

“Join us and hide from the craziness,” Ellie offered.

“It is crazy, but I think it’s a good kind of crazy. Everyone seems very friendly and so good with kids,” Sprite said.

“How’s the house?” Jesse asked.

“It’s wonderful. I’ve never lived anywhere as nice.”

“Me neither,” Ellie commented.

“I grew up here, so at times I forget how special it is. Oh friggin’ hell, I’m out of here,” Jesse said and got up and left.

Cannon sat down across from them, his eyes flicking to Jesse as she left.

“So, Sprite, I run the gun range and tactical center. Since you’re new here, we can schedule you in to learn to shoot if you’d like.”

“Nope, nope, nope. I’m going to offer to teach Sprite, and then hopefully, she’ll fit me in for some ink,” Ellie said.

Sprite thought it was nice of Cannon to offer but couldn’t imagine that she’d be as comfortable with him as she’d be with Ellie teaching her.

“I appreciate the offer, Cannon, but I think I’ll have Ellie teach me. Nothing against you but I would feel more comfortable with Ellie. I asked my brother multiple times to show me, but his skank of a baby mama always whined when he’d plan time. Then he was deployed, and it was a moot point. He’d always cave to her.”

“Sounds like he was well rid of her. Okay, I’ll leave it in your capable hands, Ellie. I don’t have any big groups scheduled in the next month, so whenever you all want to have the range, I can make it happen.”

Cannon got up and wandered over to another group.

“I appreciate you offering, Ellie, and I’d love to do any tattoos you’d like. I’m not scheduling yet but I’ll let you know when I am. Now, can you tell me who some of these people are? Like that guy, right there.”

Ellie nodded and turned to look. “Yum. That’s Slice and Cruise who came from the Army, I believe. They’ve been here a couple months. The guy next to them is Speedy. He came about the time Sarah and Scoop got together. I know he came to work in the garage, but honestly, I think he transferred from the Texas Chapter. He’s the Road Captain. You have to admit the scenery is beautiful and I plan on enjoying it tonight. My kids are at summer camp for two weeks. I’m going to have a drink and relax.”

Sprite nodded and tried to memorize the names and faces. There were so many people who were either the MC or connected to the MC.

Tonight was the first time she’d had to really take a breath and appreciate how things had changed so quickly. She’d never thought when she entered the contest that she’d be moved and in a new home before a week was up. She’d figured she’d spend the weekend talking to multiple studios, trying to find a place to land.

Now she and the kids had a place to stay. She was going to be making enough money to take care of them and save some. The daycare being so inexpensive and her housing being included in her package really helped. For now, she’d just enjoy getting to know people and watch her little ones get the family they’d always deserved.

ROAM WATCHED CANNON walk toward him from Sprite’s table with a frown on his face.

“Your girl wants Ellie to teach her on the range, so you got your way.”

Roam chuckled. Cannon had informed him that he was going to offer to teach Sprite. Roam hadn’t risen to the challenge and had let Cannon find out himself. Ellie had texted him yesterday to make sure it was okay for her to offer to teach Sprite. She didn’t want to step on his toes if he wanted to teach Sprite. Although Roam would love to teach her, Sprite needed friends and Ellie teaching her was an excellent way for them to get to know each other. Plus, Ellie had mentioned multiple times that she wanted a tattoo but didn’t feel comfortable having a male tattoo her. Roam could understand after he’d heard how Ellie’s previous job had treated her.

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