Page 61 of Ava
Ava awoke feeling relaxed,and refreshed. She’d just had the best night’s sleep she’d had in years, ever since being kidnapped and tortured. If sleeping with Justin caused the nightmares to stay away, she’d have to do it more often. She glanced over at the clock, and it surprised her to see that it was eight in the morning. As she did, she felt some of her muscles that hadn’t been used in a long, long time letting her know they were there, and she grinned as she remembered just how she had used those muscles. Throwing the covers back, she walked naked into her bathroom, and in no time she had taken her shower, brushed her teeth, and because her hair was short, just rubbed a towel over it.
As much as she wanted to wear shorts, she didn’t want to have to explain the scar on her outer thigh, so she threw on a pair of capri pants, a tank, and grabbed a pair of sandals to take down and put next to the door. Morgan said she didn’t have to work today, one, because it was a Saturday, and two, because of the BBQ, but she would still go over and see if she could get any information on Officer Tanner. An hour tops, and she’d be good. Besides, Morgan said that by ten, it would be all hands on deck.
Downstairs, she headed toward the kitchen, and stopped and sniffed the air. Her stomach grumbled, and she stopped when she saw the two older women standing at the island looking at her.
“Good morning,” Dottie said. “Would you like a cup of coffee?”
Peggy giggled, and shook her head. “Ava doesn’t do coffee, she does Cola.”
“Ah,” Dottie smiled and went to the refrigerator to pull out a can, and hand it to Ava. “Sit, what would you like for breakfast. We’ve already fed the men, and we’ve eaten.”
“Don’t go to any trouble, I can get a couple slices of toast.”
“No, that won’t last you until the BBQ is ready.” Dottie opened the refrigerator again, and began pulling out items for a breakfast.
Peggy grinned and looked at Ava. “Don’t argue, she’s used to waiting on her sons, and several members of the club. A couple of eggs and bacon for you won’t bother her.”
“Oh, then okay, if you’re sure.”
“I am, how would you like your eggs?”
“Scrambled please, and chewy bacon.” Ava sat at the counter and eyed all the Ziploc bags of cookies. “That’s a lot of cookies.”
“Yes, I made the boys’ favorites, chocolate chip, snickerdoodles, and peanut butter.”
“May I ask why?”
“For the BBQ. Sometimes at functions like these, not a lot of people want a heavy piece of pie, and if there are any kids, it’s easier to hand them a cookie and send them on their way, especially if they’re hungry before the rest of the food is ready.”
“Ah,” Ava nodded and sipped her Cola. “Keeps down on the crankiness?”
“Exactly,” Dottie laughed as she put three slices of bacon in a pan, and expertly broke two eggs into a bowl. As she worked she looked at Ava, and bit her lower lip. “You can tell me to mind my own business, but what did you do while you were in the military.”
Ava stared at her with a deer-in-the-headlights look, and didn’t know how to answer. She had never discussed this situation with Morgan. Before she could form an answer without sounding bitchy, she was saved by the voice from behind her.
“Mind your own business, Mom,” Morgan said as she walked up to the table, and looked at Ava with a wink. “I don’t mean to be bitchy, but some things civilians don’t need to know.”
Ava sighed in relief, but she took pity on Dottie, and looked at Morgan, then at the other woman. “Let’s just say I know my way around weapons.” It was better than telling her that she’d been a sniper with her unit and killed people.
“Oh,” Dottie said, and turned back to making the breakfast.
“Mom, I’m sorry, but it’s not public knowledge what we did in the military. Because we’re out, that doesn’t change. It’s in the papers we signed when we were discharged. Think about this, would you go around and tell everyone who asked Dad’s business during a club meeting what it was all about?”
“No, that’s between him and the members, and none of my business.”
“Same as this, and if you’re questioning Ava’s former military career because of Justin, just know that he’s a changed man since he’s met her.”
“I know,” Dottie grinned as she dished up the food, and before she set the plate before Ava, Morgan reached out and stole a piece of bacon. “I was talking to him this morning, and he’s changed so much. I have a feeling none of the boys will be coming back home anytime soon.”
Everyone was quiet, and Ava sensed a family problem coming to the fore, and remained silent and ate.
“Would that be a bad thing?” Morgan asked as she went around and helped herself to both a cup of coffee and a chocolate chip cookie. She settled in a seat and studied her mother. “I don’t mean to be rude, and if I’m coming across that way, then I’m sorry, but you saw the path they were going down when they were there, especially the time I announced I was coming to Sturgis by myself, and how they treated the women they were with, and how Alfie tried to boss me around. Since they’ve been here, they’ve been helping build this.” She spread her arm wide to take in the house they were currently sitting in. “And, from what I’ve seen, they’re not out on their bikes in bars picking up random chicks every night. Hell, I don’t think they’ve been riding since they arrived here. And you’ve seen how Alan’s been able to do his own craft more. I have no clue what Alfie’s working on, but he said we’ll all be surprised.” She drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly, then grabbed another cookie with a grin in her mother’s direction.
“I don’t know about Justin, but Johnny and Joshy have several offers for more jobs once they’re done here. I do know Justin is working on the plans for my new office, and Alex is loving working on the ranch with Wyatt. It’s like he’s been lost all his life, and has finally found his niche.”
“Okay, I won’t pry, but you have to make me one promise.”
“What’s that?”
