Page 73 of Race or Ruin

One side of Derrick’s mouth kicked up. “Yeah, Mom keeps saying something similar.”

Race slung his arm around his son’s shoulder and gave him a quick hug. “Let’s get to Bling so I can see how much money your sisters are going to try and con me out of.”

* * *

“Bellamy!”

The sound of Race’s daughters calling out her name in greeting had her turning from the display she’d been setting up to see them heading straight for her. The girls were absolutely beautiful with their beaming smiles, one dark-haired, one blonde. Ever since Race told her they were going to have two babies, she’d been dreaming about what they might look like. Bellamy crossed her fingers that she and Race would be blessed with children just at beautiful as these two and Derrick. With Race as the father, she doubted the man could make an unattractive baby if he tried.

“Hello, ladies! What are you two up to today?” She accepted their hugs thinking this was a first. She wondered what brought that on. Not that she was complaining. She’d take any signs of affection they wanted to give her.

“We were down the street getting ice cream when Dad told us the great news! He said you were his old lady and you were moving in. We’re so excited!” Liza’s exuberance was infectious.

“Yes, I am and I’m excited, too.” She brushed a strand of hair that had come loose behind Shannon’s ear. “I take it you guys are good with this?”

“Yes!” Shannon cheered.

“Is Derrick good with it, too?”

“Yes. We told Dad it was about time. Anyone with eyes could see the man was gone for you. I’ve been telling him forever he should ask you out,” Liza informed her.

Bellamy wasn’t so sure Race drilling her into the mattress was actually asking her out or considered a date. She wasn’t even sure he dated. She’d have to find out. She wouldn’t mind seeing what the sexy biker considered a real date. It could be fun.

“Oh, since we’re with Dad the rest of the week and Mom won’t be back until Sunday, we can help you move your stuff into Dad’s.” Liza clapped her hands together in excitement.

She wasn’t sure moving in this weekend would be a good idea if he had the kids. Maybe they should wait so he could spend quality time with them and they could do it after they returned home to their mom.

Liza glanced around the store, “Did you get any new earrings?”

“Yes, I did. They’re over here.” She led the way toward a display near the front register. “These came in today.” She waved her hand toward the earrings. There were small hoops, several different post style earrings and some new sparkly, dangling variety.

“Oh, these are so pretty,” Shannon was mesmerized by a small pair of gold earrings with tiny hearts dangling from the underside. “I wish Mom would let me get my ears pierced already. I’m tired of waiting.”

“Mom made me wait until I was twelve, so you have another three years.” Liza picked up a pair of silver and sapphire drop earrings. She held them up to the light, watching the way it twinkled along the faceted surface.

“Uh. I don’t want to have to wait that long.” Shannon picked up a pair of gold chandelier earrings. There was no way Race or Eve would let their daughter wear something like that until she was a lot older. Bellamy doubted they’d let Liza get away with it at fourteen.

“I also got in some new handbags and some really cute knit caps with matching gloves and scarves, if you want to look at those.” She steered the girls toward the wall opposite the cash register. She picked up a crossbody bag and showed it to the girls. “What do you think of this one?” It looked like a small saddle bag with a flap and whip stitching. It also had a tassel on the flap, giving it a more western appearance. The one Liza was looking at was a beautiful camel color and was super soft to the touch. The next one she picked up was a handmade crocheted bag in a dull gold color.

Shannon quickly lost interest and moved closer to the front window to inspect the new knit caps, gloves and scarves. She picked up and tried on a slouchy navy blue cap, checking out her image in the mirror provided on the display. She smiled at the mirror, removed the hat, then tried on a dark chocolate chunky cable knit cap. She must have liked that style better because she took it off and pulled on a winter white color. It looked fabulous with her raven black hair. Would any children she and Race had be blessed with his amazing hair color?

She turned back around at something Liza said. “What do you think of these?” She was holding an ear cuff to her ear. It was silver with seven cubic zirconia, graduating from larger to smaller.

“They’re very pretty. They would look really good with an up do.”

“Oh, these are pretty, too.” Liza replaced the ear cuffs and picked up a pair of pure silver double trinity Celtic design earrings. That particular design was one of Bellamy’s favorite.

The bell above the door tinkled announcing a new customer. “I’m looking for Bellamy.” A man’s booming voice was harsh in the otherwise quiet room. She didn’t recognize the voice, but something about his tone left her on edge. Before she could go see what he wanted, her grandmother’s sweet voice spoke up.

“What do you want with Bellamy?” Apparently, Grandma Martha got a funky vibe off the man as well.

She edged closer to get a better look at the man. Before she could figure out what the man might want with her, Grandma Martha came from behind the counter where she’d been working on putting price tags on merchandise with Cathy. She stood maybe six feet from the man, not the least bit intimidated by him.

He wasn’t a very tall man, maybe five feet eleven inches, but he was stocky. He wore a long black coat and shiny black shoes. His hair was dark, but thinning on top. He had beady little eyes and his mouth was screwed up into a snarl as he focused on her grandmother.

“None of your fucking business. Where is she?” he barked.

“She’s busy. Maybe I can help you.” What was her grandmother doing? Was she purposely trying to provoke him? Even from where Bellamy was standing she could feel the menace wafting off the man. Her heart dropped to the floor when he pulled a gun from his coat pocket, aiming it directly at her grandmother. She needed to stop this before things had a chance to go down hill.

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