Page 85 of Choosing My Happiness
60
Chapter 60: Jim
I heard the front door softly open and shifted Daisy out of my arms and into the middle of the bed. She rolled over with a soft moan into the spot I’d just vacated as I got up. I smiled and pulled up the blankets to cover her. I kept falling more and more in love with her with every minute I spent with her. She was toughness and softness in a perfect combination, and the way she moved with me.
I pulled the towel around my waist and quietly left the room to find Bear glaring at Daisy’s bag on the floor. He held a couple of shopping bags in each hand. I don’t know what he was struggling with, to glare at Daisy’s bag so hard.
He glanced over at me. “She sleeping?” he rumbled quietly, lifting his chin towards the room I’d just left. I gave a curt nod.
He nodded back thoughtfully. “Went and saw Horse,” he muttered, his eyes swinging back to Daisy’s bag. “Kid’s pretty banged up still. They’re going to keep him for a while.”
Ah, that was it. He was processing seeing Horse hurting. We stood in silence for a while. It was awkward, but I couldn’t move until Bear did, not while he was in this mood. He gave an audible swallow.
“The riders here got the footage from the dash cam. They got the driver,” he added, then looked at me again and lifted one of his hands that was holding a bag from a clothing store. “Got Daisy some supplies, and thought you might appreciate some clothes if you’re coming along.”
“You’re a good man, Bear,” I told him, taking the bags gratefully.
He grunted distractedly. “Tinker’s coming, bringing some spare bikes up. Taking ours back,” he reported hollowly. “But the boys are waiting outside to take us to meet the driver.”
I looked at him, putting all the disjointed sentences together, then nodded.
“Ok, I’ll get changed,” I agreed.
Bear frowned at me. “You’re wearing a towel,” he pointed out. “What are you changing out of? Your skin?”
I turned around and returned to the bedroom, giving Bear a well-deserved middle finger salute.
Daisy was propped up on her elbows, the bedding covering everything except her shoulders. My body started thickening up at the image that I knew was under there.
“That Bear?” she asked, her voice husky from sleep.
I nodded. “Yeah, he went shopping.” I lifted the bags. “Your fridge has food in it again.”
“And what do those bags contain?” She looked at my hand.
“Clothes. I’ve got a meeting to attend at the local clubhouse.”
Her eyes asked the question, but her mouth stayed closed. Eventually, she sighed.
“Are you going to get dressed?” She looked at me expectantly.
“That’s not what you want to know, is it?” I responded.
Daisy shook her head, closing her eyes briefly. “I figure you’ll tell me what you trust me to know.” Her eyes opened and drifted over my body as she lay back down.
I watched her settle down into the pillows, trustingme. Her faith settled comfortably on my shoulders. I pulled out the clothes and slowly dressed myself under Daisy’s watchful gaze.
“Please stay safe, Jim. That’s all I ask. I don’t want to go through last night again.”
I picked up my discarded shirt, the one she stole from me, and sat on the bed next to her.
“I don’t want to go through that either,” I said as I ran a finger down her cheek. I leaned forward and pressed my lips against her forehead. I didn’t want to leave her. I wanted to stay. I tried to communicate this all in that one tender moment.
“Sleep now. I’ll be back when I can.”
I pulled the covers over her shoulders and tucked her in. Bear knocked on the door. I glanced over my shoulder.
“Okay, be there soon.”
