Page 50 of Hawk
Gunner took his shot and swallowed it down quickly before he asked, “And now?”
“Now, I remember how beautiful and strong she is. How she fought and won against the demons who wanted to drag her into their own personal hell.”
“I don’t see what the problem is. It’s been years, you’re . . . unattached, and if you like her, you have to tell her.”
“Last night . . . fuck, man. She woke up screaming and thrashing against an enemy she killed years ago, and I’m afraid I was the cause of it. How do you move past what I witnessed, what she experienced in front of me? How do you put that behind you and move forward with rebuilding your family?”
Gunner looked me in the eyes as he said, “One day, one moment at a time. What are you going to tell Hailey?”
“The truth. That I saw her mom, and she’s going to come for a visit. Stella told me she thinks moving closer is a good thing, and I agree. I just worry she’s going to break and I’m not strong enough to put her back together.”
“Then the old ladies can help. Between all of them, they’ve lived through some of the worst things imaginable. Let her come here and let them wrap her in the blanket of understanding that only they have. Give it time, brother. Things will work out the way they’re supposed to,” Gunner reasoned.
“I need to let her know I’ve gotten here, then I need to check on Matthew and Anna,” I said, and he gave me a clap on the back as he stood and walked back to the bar with our empty glasses.
I tried to call Stella’s phone, only for it to ring until the voicemail picked up. I hung up and called again with the same outcome, and I started to worry. Quickly, I sent her a text.
Me:I’m home and wanted to hear your beautiful voice. I guess you’re busy packing. Please call me when you get this.
I stood from my seat and raised my hand to Gunner as I walked out the back door to the path behind the clubhouse. His and Sadie’s cabin was at the end of the long path, and as I got closer to it, I checked my phone for a response. Not seeing one, I tucked my phone into my cut and climbed the stairs. Knocking, I waited for Sadie to answer the door, only to be surprised by Anna.
“Daddy,” she exclaimed and hugged me.
I lifted her up, and she wrapped her tiny arms around my neck. I hugged her deeply and walked into the house. Matthew was resting on the couch, and he lifted his head when he saw me walk in. I carried Anna with me and sat down on the edge of the couch to check on him.
“How are you feeling, buddy?” I asked him, and he sat up, hugging my other side.
“I’m better now,” he said as he released his intense hold on me.
“Were you two good for Ms. Sadie?” I inquired, and they both nodded their little heads at me. “Is she around?”
Matthew replied, “She’s in the kitchen.”
I placed Anna on her feet and looked at both of them. “Why don’t you pack your stuff up and we can go home? I need to talk to Ms. Sadie really quick.”
“Okay,” Matthew responded and took Anna’s hand into his as they walked down the hallway.
“Sadie,” I called as I moved closer to the kitchen.
I didn’t want to scare her without announcing my presence. Out of respect and caution. Sadie’s trauma happened years ago, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t still on guard. All the women who’d experienced the horrors of life were, and I’d hoped Sadie could give me some insight into Stella.
“I’m in here, Hawk,” she said through the open doorway, and I walked into the kitchen to see she was baking some delicious treats.
Her bakery was popular in town, but she hardly worked there anymore. She had a great staff who ran the day-to-day, so she only baked when she wanted to.
“I wanted to thank you for taking such good care of the kids while I was gone.”
“They and you are welcome.” She picked up a towel and wiped off her hands before turning to face me. Her eyes darted around me before she spoke. “How did it go?”
“She’ll be here tomorrow. It’s just—”
“Was she hurt?” Sadie asked without actually voicing the tough question.
“Really badly, and she’s extremely fragile, I’m afraid. I don’t want her to feel overwhelmed when she gets here. I offered her a cabin or told her she could stay with me, whatever she felt more comfortable.”
“I’ll have the cabin next to Hatchet and Hailey cleaned up and stocked this afternoon, just in case. And we’ll do everything to make her feel welcome, so she knows she’s got family and a home here with us.”
“I appreciate that. I’ve got to let Hatchet and Hailey know she’ll be here tomorrow, and I worry the madman and his lunatic brother are gonna try and disrupt their reunion.”
