Page 73 of Hawk
“It was nice,” Stella responded as Sadie approached.
Stella seemed unsure, so I started with an introduction, hoping to ease her mind. “Stella, this is Sadie. She’s married to the President, Gunner, and she’s Jacob’s older sister.”
Stella briefly glanced to the side before turning to face Sadie. “It’s nice to meet you.”
I wondered if she was thinking of Jacob’s story from earlier about why he designs his clothes, or if she was uncomfortable meeting so many members of the club in one day. I could only imagine how she must’ve been feeling. Reconnecting with her daughter and brother in one day must be overwhelming for her, and I wanted to take her aside to see how she was doing.
Sadie leaned in and gave her a hug as Hailey looked on with a smile. “Welcome to the Death Hounds. I hope you’ll be staying with us for a while. I got a cabin ready for you, just in case.”
“Thank you for the hospitality. I’m still unsure about where I’ll stay, but I appreciate the offer. And, of course, for making Hailey feel so welcome.”
“Hailey’s family, and now, so are you,” Sadie explained. “And you’re welcome to stay as long as you’d like.”
Sadie offered me a knowing smile as I took Stella’s hand in mine, explaining to everyone, “I wanted to give Stella a tour of the compound before the cookout gets started.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” Hailey interjected, and I knew she could see the look on Stella’s face.
“We’ll be inside getting everything ready to go on the grill, so take your time,” Sadie said as she reached down to pet the two dogs before turning and leaving us alone with Jacob and Hailey.
“Skid called and said they couldn’t make it tonight, but he’d be here in the morning for breakfast. Her uncle is coming into town for a few days, and they want to freshen up the house,” Jacob explained, and I gave him a subtle chin lift.
Turning, I looked at Stella and suggested, “Why don’t I show you around and then we can help with dinner?”
“Sounds good,” she responded.
“One of the prospects will be dropping off Matthew and Anna in about fifteen minutes. Can you keep an eye on them until we get back?” I asked Hailey.
“I’ll get started on their homework help until you get back,” she offered and stepped up to Stella to give her a big hug. Whispering something into her mother’s ear, she offered us both a smile before linking hands with Jacob.
Both dogs followed them into the clubhouse, and just before walking inside, Zeus looked back at Stella. She motioned with her hand for him to go, and he turned and walked inside. Lifting her eyes to me, she looked expectantly at me as I guided her away from the front of the clubhouse.
“So, how are you holding up, darlin’?” I asked as we walked beside the building and onto the large pathway behind it.
“It’s a lot to take in, but I’m okay,” she responded, and I slowed our walk as we turned onto the path headed toward the thick woods behind the cabins.
“You seem to be a little overwhelmed, and I thought you could use some fresh air and quiet before dinner.”
“You’re too good to me, Colton,” she reasoned in a soft voice as we got toward the edge of the tree line. Slowly, I guided her to the front steps of the cabin Sadie had gotten ready for her.
I took a seat and urged her to join me. When she sat down, I released her hand and saw she began to ring hers together. “Talk to me, darlin’. Something’s bothering you, and I need you to tell me what I can do to help.”
She began to speak, then closed her mouth before shaking her head and diverting her eyes to the side. Gently, I reached up and turned her face so she was looking at me. I could see her eyes were glassy and, on instinct, I softly brushed my hand down her cheek.
“Please talk to me,” I urged, and she briefly closed her eyes.
“I . . . I feel like I don’t belong here. Like I’m infringing on Hailey’s peaceful life.” Her tone got softer as she continued. “I feel like I’m disrupting everything.”
“How are you disrupting everything? We all want you here.”
“You couldn’t even pick your kids up from school today because of me. I’m already becoming a problem.”
I couldn’t let her continue to think she was anything but welcome and wanted, so I leaned my forehead against hers as I spoke. “I get prospects to pick them up all the time, and the last thing you are to me, Hailey, or anyone here is a problem.”
“But . . .” she began to say, and I knew one way to get her out of her head and back in the present.
Kissing her gently on the lips, I didn’t pull away from her when I usually would. It took a second, and I felt her softly lick the seam of my lips. The kiss was unlike anything I’d ever experienced, and I wished it could go on forever. Our tongues tangled in an unfrenzied manner, and when her hand touched my bearded face, I knew she was with me and out of her head.
The kiss slowly ended, and when I looked into her beautiful face, I knew I was looking at the person who made me whole. She was strong, resilient, beautiful, thoughtful, and unlike any woman I’d ever met. She could’ve let her past destroy her, but she took the broken pieces and built a foundation to stand on, refusing to allow anyone or anything hold her down again.
