Page 126 of Mensa's Match

Mensa shook his head. “No. We shut down the bar three times a year. Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.”

“That’s strange. I’d think today would be a high-volume day.”

“Yeah, but people get over it. When you take over for Nadia, are you gonna keep her policy of closing Hard Pressed for the wholeweekof July fourth?”

She grinned and shrugged her right shoulder. “Too soon to tell, honey.”

He put his arm around her shoulders. “After we get married, I’m taking you on a honeymoon, so… you might want to consider that in your decision.”

Her blue eyes went wide. “What? Are you telling me I have to have a summer wedding?”

His fingers traced circles on her upper arm. “I’ve heard it takes a year to plan a wedding. Your parents strike me as the traditional type…so, yeah. Sooner would be better than later.”

She aimed her coy smile his way. “See, I’d always wanted a winter wedding. Then we can get cracking on starting our family.

Someone yelled across the forecourt. “Houston!”

Whitney’s smile brightened and she looked at Mensa. “Is that Donny?”

“Might be. I told him he was welcome to come by. He never believes me when I tell him we roast a whole hog.”

Whitney waved a hand at him. “Yeah, no need to remind me. I’d rather not know that y’all do that.”

Dontrell took a seat across from them. “Where is your sling, Houston?”

Whitney chuckled. “At the back of my closet where it will rest in peace. Yesterday, they told me I was done with it and I never want to see another sling again. Did you ever hear back from your insurance agent?”

When Dontrell grinned, it had a lightness to it Mensa hadn’t seen since last May. “Yes, thanks to your brother. He recommended I send them articles about Rod’s trial and how I was targeted by Corrupt Chrome MC and one of the members admitted to the arson. Last week they cut me a check. Construction begins next week.”

“That’s great news!” Whitney said, sliding out of her seat and rounding the table to give Dontrell a hug.

Hearing that Dontrell’s troubles were resolved was great, but Mensa believed the best news was that Rod had been sentenced to twenty-five years in jail for that crime.

Dontrell nodded. “It sure is. Now, where’s this hog I’ve heard so much about?”

Whitney shook her head. “That’s all Mensa. I’m out.”

Whitney

Five months later…

“Girl, it’s high time for you to level up your leather game, before I retire in February,” Aunt Nadia said from her sewing machine. She was working on a large piece of leather. For some reason I hadn’t paid attention to what she was sewing.

Back when I was in my teens, I had my first experience stitching leather. I’d convinced my parents to enroll me in dance lessons. My ballet slippers were leather, and I had to sew the elastic band in place. I remembered how tough it was to get the needle and thread through the slipper. The sewing machine made working on leather cuts easier, but I wasn’t at the same level as Aunt Nadia.

“What do you mean, level up? I’ve been doing embroidery now for three weeks, but those VFW members are picky about their patches.”

She cocked a brow at me and grinned. “Yes, and you’re never gonna be able to deal with those fussy ol’ men if you don’t try your hand at this more often. Now get over here.”

I sidled up to her and she stood to give me her seat. Once I sat down, I focused on the leather. Aunt Nadia had already stitched a rocker at the top. It read ‘Property of.’

“Now, here’s the patch you need to put on and make sure it’s centered just so,” Aunt Nadia said, handing me a die-cut embroidered patch.

I flipped it over to put it in place. The wings caught my attention first, and I recognized the Riot MC emblem.

For a moment, I paused, then I centered the patch under the needle. “Who is getting their property patch? I know Riley already has hers, but is this for Trinity?”

Aunt Nadia didn’t answer and I turned my face in her direction.

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