Page 74 of Gunner

“Jesus Christ,” Jack groaned. “First of all, it’s a fucking boy. Second of all, it’s not his little anything.”

Sam just stood there, waiting for Jack to concede.

“Fine,” he grumbled. Sam linked her arm with Jack’s.

“Let us know how it goes,” King called as they walked out the door.

“I need to get to the station.” Turning to Maureen, the sheriff asked, “Are you staying?”

“No, I think I need a nap.” She sighed. “Charlie just reminded me of what life will be like soon.” She narrowed her eyes at the sheriff.

Maureen moved here back in November. She had known the sheriff when they were kids, but lost touch for nearly forty years. Now they were together, and a few months ago at forty-eight, they found out they were expecting.

Beck had told me Maureen threatened to let Bane cut off Declan’s balls for knocking her up, while Bane was drunk, no less. Though Beck was excited that her little boy would have an aunt or uncle growing up with him.

“Are you ready for your session?” I asked Aspen.

Stocks walked by our table and Diesel growled. I knew Stocks was one of the brothers that made Aspen uncomfortable. The dog must have noticed the change in her when the man got close.

Stocks ignored the dog and kept walking. Once he had passed, Aspen’s shoulders dropped, and her body relaxed. Diesel relaxed as well.

“Could we maybe skip this morning’s session?” Aspen studied Diesel, then looked at me. “I think I’d like to try to take a walk outside by myself. Well, with Diesel. Is that ok?”

“I think that’s a great idea.” I smiled at Aspen, impressed that she took the initiative.

“But could you sit outside while I do? Maybe read a book or something? Just in case.” Hope and fear swirled in her eyes. I reached over and touched her hand.

“Of course. How about you sit here with Diesel, and I will run upstairs and grab my book?”

Not giving her time to answer, I jumped from my seat and dashed from the room. Just sitting in the main room without me was a huge step for Aspen.

By the time I made it back downstairs, Shotgun was sitting at the table talking with Aspen. Shotgun was doing most of the talking, but I stood there for a moment and just watched her. She wasn’t the animated flower shop owner I once knew, but she was getting there.

Aspen and I moved outside, and I sat in one of the Adirondack chairs while she took her new dog for a walk. I watched for a few minutes to be sure she was ok and then lost myself in my book.

“She’s making remarkable progress in such a short time.”

Recognizing King’s voice, I kept my attention on my book.

“She is.”

“Mind if I sit?”

This time, I did look up. “It’s your home, you don’t need my permission.” Yea, I was being snarky, but I wasn’t sure why.

Taking the seat next to me, King caught me off guard when he said, “I wanted to talk to you about someone.”

Chapter Twenty

Gunner

Stomping around my shop, I avoided the gazes of both Indie and Bruce. I was a surly fucker today because I didn’t want to be here. I had a full day of tattoos and all I wanted was to be at the clubhouse, watching Haizley.

Maybe I could still watch.

For the past week, I had left her alone, except at breakfast and dinner. Those two meals gave me the opportunity to take care of her. I filled a plate and set it in front of her. After the first time, when I threatened to feed her myself, she hadn’t hesitated.

But fuck, how I wish she would.

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