Page 89 of Hawk
Raising my eyebrows, I smiled at him before taking off my shorts and shirt. He adjusted the front of his pants as I tested the water and then climbed inside. While I showered, I could see through the clear curtain as Colton leaned against the cabinet and watched me wash my hair and body.
When I turned off the water, he was standing in front of me with a towel and, without a word, he began to dry me. I felt pampered, cherished, and above all else, loved. After I pulled my hair into a ponytail, I got dressed and slipped on a pair of shoes.
Colton walked across the room and dipped me backward, kissing me until my heart soared. When he placed me back on my feet, I brushed the back of my hand across his cheek and whispered, “Thank you.”
“My pleasure, darlin’. Let’s get moving.”
We walked outside with Zeus in tow, and a minute later, Hailey and Jacob emerged from their cabin with Jasmine following behind them. The two men bumped fists, and Hailey linked her arm with mine as we walked the path back to the clubhouse.
“Who all will be here?” I asked as we got closer.
“I know Sadie, Rose, and Violet, but I’m not sure who else can make it,” Hailey explained, and I gave a silent nod.
The ladies were welcoming, and it seemed that we’d all lived through things that changed us. Maybe I would be able to talk about some of the things I lived through without divulging too much to Hailey. I just didn’t know how I would react if she began to tell her secrets.
It was bad enough I knew some of the things Melody forced upon her, but if I had to hear too much, I was afraid I would blame myself again. Even though I knew it wasn’t my fault. I had no control over what happened all those years ago, but now, I could stop someone who wanted to hurt my daughter.
If anyone thought they could harm Hailey and live, they had another thing coming to them. And they would meet the barrel of my gun with a vengeance.
We walked into the clubhouse, and I saw Sadie and the twins, Rose and Violet, setting up a table full of delicious smelling food. As we approached, I saw eggs, sausage, bacon, fresh fruit, and some biscuits already in the center of the table. A gigantic urn of coffee was on a separate table with orange juice and a couple bottles of champagne.
Sadie saw us walking across the room and smiled. “I wasn’t sure what you liked, so we made a little of everything. The fresh pastries will be here in a little bit, and I thought some mimosas would be nice.”
“It all looks wonderful. Thank you,” I returned as Hailey released her arm from mine.
“There’s some for you guys in the kitchen,” Sadie said to Colton and Jacob. “Help yourselves. Gunner is down at the armory if you want to hang out while us ladies visit.”
I took that as a silent command for the men to vacate the room, so I turned to Colton. “I guess I’ll see you in a little while.”
He leaned over and kissed me deeply before releasing me. “Have fun, darlin’. I’ll be around if you need anything.”
I tried not to blush as he sauntered away, and as I turned to the other ladies, I was met with a wall of smiles. Glancing at Hailey, I saw Jacob give her a kiss before he joined Colton in the kitchen.
“It looks like you’re settling in,” Violet remarked, and I shrugged as I took a seat.
“Hawk’s good people,” Rose added as she took a seat across from me.
“He’s the best,” I explained and got a few chuckles from the group.
A noise came from the front of the clubhouse, and I turned in my chair to see what was happening. A handsome man with black hair and bright blue eyes entered the room carrying two boxes in his arms.
“That’s my brother, Skid,” Sadie explained. “His old lady should be with him.”
She began to look around, and I turned back to the table. Skid placed the two boxes on the end of the table and kissed his sister on the cheek. She patted his cheek and shook her head before ruffling his hair and messing it up.
“Where is she?” Sadie asked, and he smiled at her.
“She’s bringing the last box in but got stopped by Basher outside. She’ll be right here.”
A giggle sounded into the room a moment later as Hailey introduced me to Skid. “This is my mom, Stella.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Stella. Welcome to the family.”
“Thank you,” I replied as the giggling grew closer.
When I saw someone approaching from the side, I turned to greet them and my eyes grew wide. I never thought in a million years I would see her again, but here she was, standing in front of me, looking happier than I’d ever seen her.
“Grace, this is Hailey’s mom, Stella. Stella, this is my old lady, Grace,” Skid said as she placed a box on top of the others.
