Page 83 of Starting Over

“Do it, Jack.”

I hung up the phone.

Was I being an asshole? Yes, but I needed to control this meeting.

In order to do that, I needed King to be caught off guard.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Maureen

Standing in the kitchen with Hash, Beck, and four children I didn’t recognize, I tried to stay busy, not wanting to ask about the new children in the clubhouse.

It wasn’t my business.

They were so cute, though. Three little girls and a little boy sat at the table, having a snack with Charlie, Jack and Sam’s little girl.

I missed the time when Colleen was little like this. I missed all the cute things she said, and the way she mispronounced words. I missed seeing the excitement on her face when she learned new things.

“Ok, kids. We need to get going.” Two very large men walked into the kitchen and began gathering up the children.

“I’ll get Charlie; you get Bri. Andi and Drew, clean up your mess please.”

“My name is Charlie,” Jack’s little girl said.

One of the men, the one who looked a little younger, squatted down in front of Charlie. “Oh yeah? Is that a nickname?”

She nodded. “My name is Charlotte. Mommy calls me Charlie after my daddy.”

“This little one is Charlotte, too.”

Jack walked into the kitchen, and Charlie squealed, “Daddy, we have the same name and the same nickname.” Pointing to the youngest child in the group.

“Wow, Shortcake, that’s pretty cool.”

“Shortcake? I thought your nickname was Charlie?” the man asked her.

“Shortcake is my road name. Daddy said I needed one ’cause I was a princess.” She beamed.

The two men laughed, and the older one agreed, “Your daddy is a smart man.”

I heard Beck snort at the table, and Jack glared at her. She just shrugged as she laughed some more.

I enjoyed spending time at the clubhouse. It reminded me of times when families got together back home. Though it was nice to see there wasn’t the drama and competition between the women here. They were true friends. Something that wasn’t always easy to come by when you were a woman.

“Hey, Charlie, would you like to sit on the couch and read a book with me?” I asked, looking at Jack, hoping I hadn’t overstepped.

He nodded just before Charlie squealed again, “Yes!”

She rushed over and grabbed my hand as she led me out to the main room.

I followed her over to the couch, where I sat down and waited for her to pick a book. I smiled when I saw the stack of them she carried over. I didn’t mind. I would gladly sit here all day reading with her.

Amber walked in carrying the children’s bags. King met her just inside the room, and after whispering something in her ear, Amber turned and walked back out.

The two men and the children left, and I spent the afternoon with Charlie. She was such a bright little girl. We read books, then she helped me bake in the kitchen. Sam fell asleep on thecouch, and I knew that her pregnancy was wearing her out, so I spoke to Jack and told him I would stay and help with Charlie so Sam could rest.

No good deed goes unpunished, I guess, because an hour or so after lunch, the sheriff arrived, and with him he brought the one man I hoped to never see again.

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