Page 19 of Crewe
Crewe nodded. “Well, Ms. Freya, where shall we play first?” he asked.
“I want Skeeball,” she said. He took her hand, waved bye to Ry and Wyatt, and went in search of Skeeball. The feel of her little hand in his did something to him. He hadn’t understood how much they could start chipping away at his heart.
Freya did a little dance, shaking her hips and shoulders when they found the Skeeball machine. War was holding his daughter while Bear’s daughter, Phoebe, and Roam’s daughter, Blake, were playing the game. He was pleased to see Phoebe and Blake say hi. Peck joined them with Sutton in his arms.
“Sutton thought it would be fun to play with the big girls,” Peck said, putting the coins in the machine.
He helped Freya if she needed it, but she was pretty self-sufficient, which gave him entirely too much time to think. Peck walked closer while keeping an eye on Sutton.
“You getting off your butt and sweeping that woman off her feet?” Peck asked.
War chuckled, swaying with Amelia. “Man, I’m happy to be out of that stage but happy for you, Crewe.”
“Well, he’s not in that stage yet if he doesn’t get a move on,” Peck said.
“Shhh,” Crewe said, motioning to the girls.
Freya turned around and motioned for Peck to bend down so she could whisper in his ear. He listened and nodded.
“Good job, Freya,” Peck said, standing up, cocking his eyebrow at Crewe.
Crewe rolled his eyes at his uncle. “I’ve got this.”
Peck rolled his eyes back, leaving War chuckling beside them. He had the proximity, and he had time this week for Ry to see how good they could be together.
Ry stood holding onto Wyatt’s hand while Crewe had Freya on his shoulders. A huge area on theparade route had been reserved for their family, with an area for Bluff Creek Brotherhood MC beside them and Saint’s Outlaws MC beside them. Baron and Regina, the patriarch and matriarch of Bluff Creek, had been so kind to Ry and her kids. Seeing them holding their newest grandbabies, War and Remi’s Amelia and Pit and Ariel’s Teddy, she wasn’t sure their grins could get any wider.
“It’s Père Noël!” Freya yelled, waving and calling his name. He smiled at her and waved.
Ry had to admit the town had taken a different idea of Santa Claus with Père Noël. He wasn’t fat, and there was no pillow. In fact, he was extraordinarily handsome and looked like he worked out frequently.
Vivi was standing with Whiskey by Ry. She leaned over close to Ry. “Hmm, who is Rose with over there?” Vivi asked.
Ry looked where Vivi was pointing. She recognized the guy with Rose but wasn’t sure where she’d seen him. She thought back over wherethey’d been today. He hadn’t been at the raceway or arcade. She stared longer.
“Was he one of the Mistletoe Canyon MC members who rode with us our first night here?” Ry asked.
Vivi snapped her fingers. “Yes, I knew I recognized him. Wonder what Rose has been doing this vacation?”
Ry hoped Rose was having fun. From all Ry had heard, she’d had a hard time. She’d finally gotten closure, but now her twin sister had decided to take a job outside the United States with an NGO helping children and families. Rose had spent an evening or two in the bar talking about how much she was missing her sister. Rose said that until Tasha had left this week, she’d never lived anyplace without Tasha being there too.
Ry smiled at all the people stopping to ask where they’d bought their shirts. Vivi had shared the information on the woman’s business she purchased them from in Dodge City and gave them her website.
The shirts were so soft, and Ry loved the festive feeling she had from wearing it. She wondered if they’d only get pictures as a large group. Maybe she could have someone take one of her and the kids. She’d love one of all four of them but wasn’t sure how to ask for it.
Sometimes she despised that part of her personality that made her want to do everything on her own and not ask for help. It was so hard to open yourself up to someone and ask for help, knowing they might say no. She wasn’t sure why it bothered her if they turned her down.
The parade had wrapped up. Crewe had switched out who was on his shoulders.
“Shall we get lunch before the picture? I’m surprised Vivi didn’t think about us possibly getting food all over ourselves,” Crewe said.
“Because she knew you were the only one she had to worry about,” McClure said, lifting Wyatt off Crewe’s shoulders and running down the sidewalk, yelling,Pizza for us!
Gaines bent down close to Freya, “Shall we chase them, my fairy princess?”
She giggled and nodded. Gaines had her on his shoulders and ran after McClure, yelling,Princess Freya wants some too!
“Shall we?” Crewe asked, holding out his hand to her.
