“Excuse me.” Willa opened the back door, letting Ria inside.
The dog sniffed the air and began growling.
“Halt.”
Ria sat down on her haunches without taking her eyes off her.
“Did you just call her off?” Douglas’s eyes narrowed on the dog.
“Yes. Isn’t she smart?”
He stared at the dog warily, taking a seat at her counter. “I’ll take that coffee.”
“I’m glad.” Willa placed the coffee in front of him.
“When did you get a dog? You didn’t have one the last time I stopped by and picked up Angus’s and Myrtle’s anniversary cake.”
“I’ve only had her a few weeks.” Willa poured herself a cup of coffee then, standing on the opposite side of the counter, facing Douglas.
“Pretty dog,” he stated, taking a drink of his coffee.
Tears blurred her vision, but Willa blinked to get rid of them.
“Are you all right?” The man sat stupefied as she burst into tears.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to start crying. I have to give Ria back to Lucky, and my kids are going out to dinner tonight with their uncle.” Willa began to cry harder. “They really like him.”
“That isn’t a good thing?” He set his cup down on the counter.
“It is.” Willa nodded her head, crying harder. “I want them to like him, but I don’t want to lose them, either. He’s going to take them back to Tyler, Texas with him next week. I thought it would take longer, like maybe six months.” Willa brushed the tears away from her cheeks.
“Where are they now?” Douglas glanced around the kitchen, as if hoping someone would rescue him.
“Travis, their uncle, took Caroline and Chrissy to the park.” The tears began again. “I tried to get him to stay here with them and play, but he thought it would be a good idea to spend some alone time with them.”
“I bet he did,” Douglas muttered. “Your upcoming wedding will give you something—” His coffee cup paused halfway to his mouth when a sob escaped Willa’s mouth.
She waved her empty ring finger in front of his face. “I’m not engaged anymore.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Don’t be. He’s a jerk…” Willa began hiccupping while tearing a paper towel off the roll. Then she wiped her face, finally catching her breath.
Seeing the expression on his face, she began laughing.
“I’m so sorry, Douglas. I didn’t mean to fall apart in front of you. Here.” Willa turned to the side of her counter, easily putting together a cupcake box and slipping a cupcake inside. “I hope this makes up for all the crying.” She gave him a sweet smile that had him pausing as he stood.
“Depends on what flavor it is…”
“S’more.” Willa set the smaller box on top of the larger one.
“That’ll do it.” He lifted the boxes, going to the front door. “See you around, Willa, and you can tell that ex-fiancé of yours for me that he’s an idiot.”
She smiled up at him. Then, before she could change her mind, placed a brief kiss on his cheek. “Thanks. I needed that.”
He gave her a stunned look before smiling back. “I did, too.”
Chapter 19
The time for Travis and the children to leave came much sooner than Willa anticipated. They were loading the children’s suitcase into the van when Curt Dawkins pulled up at Jenna’s house, which was now his since the sale had gone through the week before. He didn’t look in their direction as he went inside his new home.
“Be careful of him,” Travis warned. “I don’t like the way he looks at you when you’re in your backyard.”
“I know exactly what kind of man Curt is, and I’m as close to him as I want to be.”
Willa climbed into the van, trying hard not to cry on the ride to the airport. It was going to be gut-wrenching to let the children go, but deep inside, Willa acknowledged that the children would be happier. They could leave Treepoint behind and all the gossip they would have to face about their parents. With them gone, maybe Georgia and Lewis would become a part of the past.
“Do you think you’ll ever come back to Treepoint?” Willa just had to ask.
“Doubtful. I would be willing to send you a plane ticket any time you want to visit, though.”
His bluntness was hard, but she would rather have it then promises that wouldn’t be kept.
“I may take you up on that.”
“I hope so. If you come, try to talk Lily into coming with you. Tell her I’ll teach her how to ride a horse.”
“I can’t.” Willa leaned her head back on the headrest. “I don’t want to make the kids orphans again.”
* * *
Lucky entered the crowded diner. Searching the tables, he saw Viper and Shade sitting at one of the back ones. He strode forward, sitting down at the table across from Shade.
“You’re late.”
Lucky’s mouth twisted at Shade’s impatience. “What’s the hurry? Lily’s still at the church store.”
“Had to leave John with Raci.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“Last time I let her babysit, she lost his paci and his blanket. I’m worried she’ll lose my kid.”
He waved the waitress away. “What did you need?” He glanced at Viper.
“I’m sending Moon back to Ohio. It’s either bring Train back or kill the fucker.”
“I’m looking for someone to take my place at the church, but no one’s biting. It’s taking longer than I anticipated.”
“If you weren’t being so picky, it would have been done and you gone. What the fuck is taking so long?”
“I don’t know. It could be the fact that there’s only a little over a hundred attending church or the fact that the pastor salary we can offer is for shit. Or it could be that the only mall is a three-hour drive away,” Lucky said sarcastically.
“What does a mall matter to a pastor?” Viper asked.
“It doesn’t, but it usually does to his wife. I’ll make some more calls when I get back to the church, schedule a few more on-calls.”
“The women are missing having you around with Train gone.”
“I miss the club, too.”
“How’s that vow of chastity going?” Shade sneered.
“Shut up, Shade.”
“You could sneak out to the clubhouse every now and then. No one would know.”
“I would,” Lucky stated. As long as he was the church pastor, he would not break the vow he had retaken when he had returned to the church to help Willa.
“I’ve always been curious about something.” Shade leaned across the table. “Does your vow mean no hand jobs?” The bastard’s snicker was the last straw.
Lucky came out of his chair and Viper rose, pushing him back down.
“Cut it out, Shade.”
Shade shrugged. “He’s too sensitive. Must be those blue balls of his.”
Lucky gave Shade a saccharine smile. “Lily made my lunch for me today.”
Shade’s blue eyes darkened, his relaxed air disappearing.
“Lucky…” Viper warned.
“She even put extra sugar in my coffee, just the way I like it.”
Lucky’s chair fell backward as he escaped before Shade could punch him, nearly knocking Knox over as he was coming into the diner.
“What the fuck?”
“Sorry, Knox. Glad to see you, brother.” He slapped Knox on the back then placed his arm over the brother’s shoulder, which wasn’t easy. Lucky gave Shade a shit-eating grin as he came outside with Viper trying to hold him back.
“One of these days, you’re going to push me too far, and I’ll catch your ass before you can get away.”
“Ain’t gonna happen,” Lucky gloated, his expression turning serious once he saw Willa walking from the church parking lot and crossing the street toward him with Ria following next to her.
/> The expression on Willa’s face was neutral, but the wounded pain in her eyes had him stiffening, his arm dropping from Knox’s shoulder.
“I was about to go inside the church when I saw you.”
Lucky remained silent.
“Hello, Willa,” the other three men greeted.
She nodded her head in their direction.
“Did Travis and the children’s plane get off all right?” Knox questioned.
Willa’s face broke into a pain-filled mask. “Yes, thank you. I just got back.” Her hand holding Ria’s leash thrust toward Lucky. “Here.”
Lucky refused to take the leash from her hand. “She’s your dog.”
Willa dropped the leash. “I told you that it wasn’t your choice. Stay, Ria.” A lone tear slid down her cheek as she began to cross the street.
Lucky started to go after her, but Shade pulled him back. “She’ll come back. Wait.”
Lucky held his breath as Willa stepped up onto the curb on the other side of the road. When she reached her van, her hand was on the door handle before she turned around, coming back toward them.
“I told you I knew Willa,” Shade said softly, his hand dropping from his arm.
She had just stepped off the sidewalk, brushing her tears away, when the sound of a loud motor resonated through the air. Everyone froze except Ria as Lyle’s tow truck came flying down the street.
Lucky and Shade began running but he knew they wouldn’t be able to reach Willa in time. Willa screamed in terror as the tow truck headed straight for her.
“Willa!” Lucky screamed in agony, desperately trying to reach her in time.
Ria ran out in the street her four legs easily out distancing the men racing to save Willa.
Willa screamed out the command for the dog to stop but Ria kept running, jumping up she knocked Willa backwards onto the sidewalk. The tow truck struck the brave dog before hitting the pole coming to a crashing stop.
“God, please let her be okay … please…” Lucky was unaware of the agony in the prayers falling from his lips as he and Shade ran to the other side of the tow truck. Seeing Willa laying on the ground took twenty years off his life, as he fell to his knees beside her.
Lyle began moving inside the truck, trying to open the truck door.
“Don’t move, Lyle!” Viper shouted to no avail.
The door came open and the town drunk fell out onto the road.
“Go take care of him, before I decide to kill him myself.” Lucky ordered Shade.
Willa’s frightened eyes opened, staring up into his.
“Is Lyle alright?” She asked shakily.
“For now.” Lucky gritted out helping Willa to her feet.
“Ria!” Willa screamed, trying to get to the dog laying pinned underneath the tow truck.
He swept her up, backing away as fast as he could. “Don’t look, I’ve got you.”
Willa wound her arms tightly around his neck, screaming out Ria’s name. Her hysterical cries brought tears to his own eyes, seeing the dog couldn’t be helped.
Sirens filled the air as the ambulance arrived. Lucky ignored the pandemonium, carrying Willa inside the church while she sobbed, each one like a lash against his soul.
He talked softly to her as he walked through the church, carrying her to the part that was his home. Lucky laid her down on the bed then lay next to her, pulling her into his arms. He rocked her as she cried, his hands smoothing over her body to soothe her while checking to make sure she was all right.
“Sh … You’re going to make yourself sick,” Lucky whispered.
“Is … Ria dead?”
He knew Willa already knew the answer, but when you loved something, any chance was worth the pain of the answer.
“Yes, Willa, she’s gone. I’m so sorry, baby.”
She lay against his side, crying until she gradually quieted, falling asleep. Lucky continued to hold her as he stared up at the ceiling.
Some choices in life you made for yourself, and some choices were made for you. Seeing Willa nearly killed in the split-second before Ria had saved her had helped him finally make the choice he had been struggling with since the day he had stared down from the pulpit and seen Willa.
That day, the sunlight had made a halo over her, and he had imagined for a moment one of the angels from the paintings on the walls had become real and was sitting a few feet away. Although she had glanced away when her shy gaze had been caught by his, Lucky had felt as if her soul was calling to him, trying to capture his soul without words.
“Thank you.” Lucky closed his eyes, giving thanks for the life saved and for the soul that had returned from the dead.
Chapter 20
Willa blinked her swollen eyes as she woke, finding Lucky’s hand cupping her cheek, his thumb caressing the smooth flesh.
“You okay?”
She nodded her head against his hand before sitting up on the mattress, looking around the room.
“Where am I?” Her throat felt raw.
“My bedroom.” He sat up on the side of the bed.
Her eyes turned to the side as he stood and stretched. He glanced over his shoulder. He had taken off his suit jacket and was wearing only his pants and white shirt. He had unbuttoned the top buttons, exposing his gleaming skin. At the base of his throat was a tattoo that she couldn’t make out.
She slid across the bed. “I need to go home.”
He slid his feet into his shoes before holding his hand out to her. “I’ll take you.”
Willa slipped her hand into his, and he helped her rise to her feet. He steadied her while she slipped her shoes on. Then she followed him from his bedroom, down the hallway, and to the door that led outside.
She pulled back when he would have opened the door. He placed his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close to his side.
“The wreck has been cleaned up,” he said, letting the words silently tell her Ria’s body had been removed.
“Where is she…?” Willa’s voice broke, but she managed to keep from shedding any more tears. Her aching heart felt as though she didn’t have any more to give.
“Knox buried her in Cash’s family cemetery.”
Willa liked the thought of her dog not being alone. She saw the sun in the sky. “What time is it?” Her voice broke despite her best efforts.
“It’s morning. You slept through the night. Do you want to go to the diner and get some breakfast?”
“No.” The thought of food made her stomach heave.
Lucky led her to his SUV.
“I can take my van,” Willa protested as Lucky opened the passenger door.
“Get in. I’ll see that your van’s at your house by lunch.”
She sat down, letting him shut the door. When Lucky had gotten behind the steering wheel and pulled out onto the main street, Willa closed her eyes tightly.
His hand took hers in a tight clasp. “We’re past the spot.” His low voice gave her the courage to open her eyes.
“I saw Lily and Rachel at the church store yesterday before…”
Lucky’s mouth tightened. “They heard the crash. Thank God Rachel was there. She wouldn’t let Lily out the door. Rachel had to push her back. She said they didn’t see anything.
“I’m glad. I wouldn’t want Lily and Rachel to have that in their head.”
Lucky pulled into her driveway, bringing the Yukon to a stop. “Like it’s in yours?”
“I keep seeing Ria, she saved my life.” She was wrong; she did have more tears left. As another one found its way down her cheek, Lucky wiped it away with a tender smile.
“Yes, she did.”
“Do you think she knew I was coming back for her?” Willa’s voice broke.
“Yes, I do.”
“What do I tell the kids when they call and ask about her?”
“Tell them she found a better home.”
Willa agreed it would be kinder to not tell the
m. Besides, the dog would eventually slip from their memories as they made new ones.
“She was the only dog I ever had.”
“I can get you another—”
Willa vehemently shook her head. “I don’t ever want another one. She can’t be replaced.”
Lucky stared down at her with a look she didn’t understand. “No, she can’t.”
Willa didn’t think he was talking about Ria anymore. Taking a deep breath, she reached for the door handle.
“Willa?” She turned back to him. “Will you go out with me tonight? We can go to dinner at King’s.”
Willa’s heart gave a lurch before she made herself calm down. “I’ll be fine, Lucky. I don’t need you to take me out to dinner to make me feel better.”
“Ria isn’t the reason I’m asking you out. I want to go out like a normal couple.”
“I don’t know…”
“Willa, you almost died yesterday, and there wasn’t a fucking thing I could do to prevent it. Please just give me a chance. That’s all I’m asking for now. Can you do that?”
“I can do that,” she said softly, unable to resist his husky entreaty.
“Good. I’ll pick you up at six.”
“Okay.” Willa slid out of the SUV then watched as he pulled out until he turned the corner back to the church.
She might be making a mistake by going out with Lucky, but she was done running. This time, she was going to stand still and see what happened.
* * *
Lucky walked through the front of the clubhouse. He had called Viper after he had dropped Willa off to ask for the club meeting, and now the members were waiting for him in the packed kitchen.
Viper was standing in the TV area with the other six original members as Lucky walked up to them, coming to a stop. He reached into his pant pocket, pulling out two sets of bike keys, handing one set to his president.
“Lucky…” Viper’s eyes went to his hand.
“My cut is in the saddlebag.”
“Brother, don’t.”
“I can’t be a brother and have Willa, too. I love her, Viper. I always have.”
The club members were silent, listening to every word.
“It doesn’t have to be either. You could choose both,” Shade spoke up.