Page 36 of Pigeon

I don’t even have the door shut, and he’s got a stupid grin plastered to his stupid face and asking stupid questions. I shoot him a dark look which only makes his grin widen. Pillow, his sleeping face—I need to start making the plan.

“You have food here?” Ivy asks as she sets Tabitha on the floor.

“After you guys left, I went shopping,” Horse answers while aiming hopeful eyes at Ivy.

“Ivy’s not here to cook for you, dick splat,” I remind him.

“That’s not a nice thing to say in front of a lady, Pigeon,” Horse corrects me with an innocent look.

“I don’t mind, Pigeon. I like to cook, in fact. Nana and I cooked together a lot and being in the kitchen with her are some of my favorite memories,” Ivy says in a soft voice before taking a seat next to Horse on the couch.

“Most of my favorite memories involve food too,” Chubs adds with a wicked grin.

“I’ve heard things about that. Your, um, your appetite is kind of legendary,” Ivy says with a smile.

“Thank you! I think I’ll hang out with Horse and honor you with my presence for dinner then,” Chubs responds. Turning to Horse, he asks, “What did you buy?”

“A huge fucking roast like the ones Ava buys. Potatoes, carrots, and some other veggies,” Horse answers enthusiastically.

Shaking my head at the two men, I carry Ivy’s bags upstairs to my room. Spotting my guitar leaning against a chair, I place it in the closet and shut the door. Walking back downstairs, I find Tabitha curled up on the couch, alone. Walking into the kitchen, I grab a beer, take a seat at the table next to the other two assholes, and take a long drink. When I see Ivy standing at the counter staring at my hand, I look down to the beer bottle.

I move my eyes to her face and wait for hers to meet mine. When they do, I lift the beer bottle slightly and shake my head.

“Beer isn’t his problem, Ivy. He’s a dick, even sober. Nobody sitting in this kitchen will change their behavior toward you because they’ve had a few beers. Nobody in our club either. Words are cheap. I know that, but you’ll see that for yourself in time.”

Her eyes soften, and she gives a quick nod before turning back to the food she’s prepping.

A few hours later, the smell of the roast in the oven is making my mouth water. As a club, we eat very well. Ava makes sure of it, but there’s nothing like kicking back on the couch, watching a game, and having dinner in your own home. Glancing down at my thigh, I smile when I see Ivy curled up with her cat, her head on my thigh, both sound asleep. I’m beginning to understand just how hard her life has been in recent years.

I run my fingers through her soft curls and watch them shape themselves around my finger before springing back to their original shape when my hand pulls free. I can only imagine how cute she was as a child with those big hazel eyes and bouncing nearly blond curls. Riding her horse, dogs following, around a ranch that saved her from a life of uncertainty. The land, the home, and her grandparents gave her confidence, a sense of belonging, and safety. I want her to have those things again.

“Dinner’s done,” Chubs says while standing from the chair he was just napping in.

“You’re not the cook. How do you know it’s ready?” Horse looks up from his phone to ask.

“It’s a gift,” Chubs replies with a grin before bolting for the kitchen.

“Shit! Wake Ivy and get her out there before Chubs eats our share too!” Horse blurts as he too takes off for the kitchen.

Giving Ivy’s shoulder a nudge, I call her name.

Sleepy eyes look up at me before she places her hand on my thigh to push herself upright. Setting Tabitha on the end cushion, Ivy yawns then stands. Hearing the clatter of plates and utensils, a few swear words, and what sounds like a struggle, Ivy looks toward the kitchen before realization dawns. She bolts out of the room, and a minute later, I hear her ordering the men to stand down.

Following her, I enter the kitchen to see Horse blocking Chubs from the roasting pan sitting on the stove. Chubs is not deterred, but Horse is using his size to win this battle.

“Jesus, you two! You’ve seen food before!” I shout into the fray but to no avail.

Seconds later, Ivy lifts the large pan, oven gloves on her hands, and sets it on a towel near the sink. Lifting the lid, steam rises, and along with it, more aroma. Chubs literally groans loudly while keeping his eyes glued to the pan. Horse takes advantage of the distraction and places Chubs in a headlock. Stepping between the two idiots and Ivy, I stand guard while she cuts the roast.

“Remember the last time you crossed me, Horse? Driving lesson with Tessie. Do I need to call Gunner and make sure that lesson isn’t the last one?” Chubs asks in a muffled voice.

Horse instantly steps back while releasing Chubs from the headlock. Chubs grins before his eyes find the roast again. I step sideways to block his view and shake my head at him.

“You have nothing to threaten me with, Chubs. You want to eat, sit your ass at the table, and wait for Ivy to serve the food. You too, Horse.”

Both men take their seats, bitching me out, and I turn to help Ivy get the food plated. When I notice her shoulders shaking, I frown, concerned the men scared her. Instead, I see tears in her eyes but from silent laughter. Nudging her elbow, those eyes meet mine.

“I’d heard things, but I honestly thought they were exaggerated! Now I understand why Chubs makes such large donations to the rescue each month!” Ivy says during a fit of giggles. Gathering her composure takes a minute, but she does and then asks, “How is he not 500 pounds?”

---