Page 46 of Love Finds Home

“Have they figured out they are there for wedding dresses yet?” Joker asks.

“If the pictures of them crying say anything, then yes.”

“And Elle is still alive?” I ask.

“Oh, yeah. She had a secret weapon. The moms,” Davis tells us. “My mom was so happy Elle called and invited her.”

“I bet that meant a lot to Trish,” Preacher adds, a small, fatherly smile on his face.

We move on to discussing the week of the wedding and when we should all head out. Tiny tells us about Elle’s opening and invite to be there Friday, and I adjust my own schedule to arrive in town the same day she does.

“How are the kids taking you two getting married?” Sarge asks Davis.

Trish and Davis grew up together but fell out for a while. When she moved back to town to take care of her siblings when her mom passed, they reconnected and life went sideways for a little while for them. Secrets and surprises kept them on their toes, but things seem to be calm in their lives now, and on top of the wedding, Davis is really excited to become a father.

“Harper and Owen are excited about it, and Harper is over the moon happy about the baby. Owen is worried he’s going to be pushed out, but he’s still excited and hopes it a girl.”

“So he can still be the baby boy?” Sarge guesses.

“Bingo. And Lucas…well Luc is as happy as—”

“A masturbatory new teenager who’s surrounded by his own funk can be?” Joker helpfully adds, making us all laugh.

“Something like that. He’s been hanging with Zach a lot. Staying over at his place a little bit more, but he’s adamant he isn’t moving out.”

“He’s a good kid,” Sarge tells us all. “He’s just finding his own footing in a world that has changed so much the last few years. From losing his mom, to Zach, and even Abigail coming home threw him into a tailspin for a while, but I think he’s evening out.”

When the Club broke apart, the county tried to take the clubhouse the former president, Raider, owned. Sarge bought it from them and has turned it into a safe place for kids—mostly boys—who need something they aren’t getting in their lives at home, if they even have homes. Him and Rosie, his lady love, have become certified foster parents and focus on the older kids who might need additional help. He’s been working with them all in the garage he owns, teaching them about the restoration of classic bikes and general maintenance for automobiles. It gives them a focus and a skill, and all the kids love it.

“That’s good to hear,” Davis says, a look of relief in his eyes. “He won’t talk to Trish at all about anything going on, so she’s been worried. And if she’s worried—”

“You’re worried,” we all chorus together.

“Owen is excited about the baby and going to the beach,” Tiny tells us. They have a bond that can’t be broken. He’s the uncle Owen never had, and Owen is the nephew Tiny doesn’t have yet.

“I think we’re all looking forward to the beach.” Joker nods. “A few days away from the grind, from the usual.”

“As long as Haper doesn’t throw any attitude.” Davis raises a brow.

“What attitude?” Joker challenges. “Careful there, Harp’s my girl.”

“Then you’re on Harper duty. Just watch out for the pre-teen tears.”

“Tears? Why are there tears?” Joker grimaces.

“Because she’s twelve. Ginny was the same, Trish was the same. I bet if you ask Lottie she’d tell you she was also a weepy, moody, angsty, boy crazy thing at that age. With attitude. Part of me wants to lock her up until she’s thirty.”

“Make it forty.” Joker nods.

I look around at all the guys, relaxed and having a good time, but Preacher catches my attention. He’s sitting on the edge of the group, watching us all like a proud papa with a contented smile on his face. Sam is next to him, but he’s looking at the orchard surrounding us and the land.

“Preacher, Trish been coming to see you?” Davis asks the man.

“She has. With Harper. I think Owen wants to start coming out, too. Harper’s really good with the horses, I think we’re going to try to find her one of her own to take care of. Start teaching her how to ride.” He gets a wistful look on his face. “Wish I had made sure she was on the back of a horse years ago.”

“You can’t live in regrets, Old Man,” Sarge tells him with a knowing look in his eyes.

“Only regret I have is that I didn’t take care of Raider sooner.”

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