Page 76 of The Biker Needs A Nanny

“What happened? She went outside because I dropped my new doll in the driveway, and she went to get it. Then we heard her yelling for us to lock the door, so we did.”

“You did the right thing.”

“I was going to call 911, because that’s what they taught us to do at school, but then I heard your motorcycle.”

“That’s right, honey. And everything is going to be okay. Grace is getting some rest, and Angie and two of my friends are going to stay with you until Daddy gets back.”

“Where are you going?” Ella is panicked. “I don’t want you to leave.”

“I have to, sweetheart. I have to stop that bad man from every hurting Grace or you two again. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“That’s my good girl.” I kiss the top of her head, then Poppy’s.

Then I follow Brick out the front door, and together with Case and my brothers, we nail down a plan. I share Eric’s picture and that of his truck, and we decide to split up and search the town.

It’s after midnight when Brick and I return to the house.

The girls are in their beds, and Angie waits in the living room with our two prospects.

“Is Grace okay?” I ask.

“She’s fine,” Angie replies. “She’s sleeping. I just checked on her. Did you find the son-of-a-bitch who did this?”

“Yeah. I wanted to tell her that. Let her know she doesn’t have to worry about that asshole ever again, but I don’t want to wake her.”

“Yes, I agree. It’s best to let her sleep,” Angie says. “You can tell her in the morning.”

“Thank you for staying with the girls, Angie.” I hug her.

“Oh, it was no problem at all.”

“Come on, babe,” Brick says, capturing his ol’ lady’s hand.

I lift my chin to the two prospects. “You can take off now, guys.”

They all head out, and once the house is quiet, I go up to check on the girls, and then Grace.

I touch her forehead and then dip my head and replace my hand with a kiss.

Then I step back out and pace in the kitchen. I’ve realized now why she was putting up walls, but I’ve solved that problem. There’s nothing standing in our way. No secrets. No worries.

I can’t live without her. She makes me laugh. She makes me happy. The girls love her. Everything has fallen into place, and everything feels so right. I can’t imagine going back to my life before Grace walked into it.

I pace some more and stop to stare at the phone on the kitchen wall. Then I pick up the receiver.

“Pinky’s Pawn Shop. How can I help you?”

“I want to pay off a ring, and I want to know if you can deliver it first thing in the morning.”

“Sure, but we don’t usually do deliveries.”

“There’s an extra hundred in it for you, but I need it here first thing.”

“Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, mister, and you’re an hour away.”

“Then how much?”

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