Page 55 of Rock

“I think I get it,” she responded softly.

The other women started filing forward.

“So glad you’re here. I’m Ivy, Steele’s Little girl.” She gave Lyla a hug. These girls were friendly with each other. They wouldn’t give a formal handshake.

“I’m Carlee. You met my Daddy, Atlas, at the grocery store.”

“My name is Harper. My Daddy is Doc.”

This went on until all eleven of the women had introduced themselves. Rock was pretty sure there was no way Lyla would remember all their names, but she looked like she was trying to memorize them. He was so grateful for everyone and that they’d all rearranged whatever they’d had planned for tonight so they could be here to meet Lyla. It meant a lot to him.

He was one of the older members of the club, and he didn’t have a specific role among the voting members any longer. Years ago, he’d been the secretary, but now he was simply respected for his age and the length of time he’d been a member.

The Littles were all dressed up, too. They had on pretty dresses, hair ribbons, and frilly socks. None of them were hiding who they were.

“Bear made mac and cheese,” Ella told Lyla. “He’s the best cook.” She moaned as if she were currently eating his food.

“You’re King’s Little girl, right?” Lyla asked.

“Yep.” Ella beamed. “Come on.” She held out a hand. “I’ll show you around the clubhouse.”

King came up behind her and set his hands on her shoulders. “Do you think you should maybe ask Rock for permission before you drag Lyla away? Maybe he’d like to show Lyla around himself.”

Ella lifted her gaze to Rock’s. “Sorry, Rock. May I show Lyla around?”

Rock shifted his attention to Lyla, trying to gauge her reaction.

She smiled at him and reached up to kiss his cheek. “I’m okay. You don’t have to hover. I’ll be fine.”

He set his palm on the back of her neck and kissed her hard on the lips. “Baby girl, I will hover for the rest of your life. Get used to it. But I’ll let the Little girls show you around if you’re okay with it. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need to find me.” He pointed across the room toward a door.

Lyla nodded. “Got it.”

Ella took one of her hands. Sapphire, Blade’s Little girl, took the other, and they were off.

Rock watched as they disappeared, praying he was doing the right thing. It wasn’t as though Lyla was twenty and didn’t know her mind. She was fifty-six. If she got uncomfortable, she would surely extricate herself from any situation.

“You dog,” Storm said, slapping a hand on Rock’s shoulder. “All these years…”

Apparently, word had gotten around. Rock didn’t mind. It was actually easier for the rumor mill to have spread the details of his relationship with Lyla.

Faust joined them. “Has it really been forty years since you last saw her? Molly didn’t believe that part.”

Rock nodded. “It has. Well, thirty-eight. We lost touch.” He didn’t want to expound on that. He didn’t have all the answers himself yet. There were things Lyla hadn’t told him.

Talon stepped closer, holding a beer. “What matters is that she’s here now.”

Gabriel was next to join. “Is she planning to stay?”

Rock rubbed his beard. “We only reconnected last night. I don’t know every eventuality yet.”

“But you hope so,” Atlas said.

“I do.”

“Love matters more than location,” Atlas added, lifting a brow. “I know that better than anyone. If she’s your woman, you’ll go to another planet with her to please her.”

Atlas had come to town intending to help the club out with their finances and then returning to the big city where he was an accountant. Reuniting with Carlee had changed his plans, but Rock knew he would have done whatever was best for Carlee. At one point, it had looked like taking Carlee away from Shadowridge might have been the best option.

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