Page 56 of Maverick
33
Epilogue
Kat
AFew Weeks Later…
“You think he’ll like it?”
I sat at Dad’s kitchen table, holding a sleeping bundle of not quite joy, but something along those lines. Noodle came by for sniff, but walked away unimpressed.
Dad snorted, pulling out a chair to sit next to me. “He’ll be surprised, that’s for sure. But that man would love anything you give him.”
I sighed like a lovesick teenager. “Yeah.”
“I’m happy for you, Katie. Really.” Dad’s voice turned serious. “I’ve been so proud of you over the years, graduating from college and getting that highfalutin job. To think someone with half my DNA could be so smart.” He smiled. “But I’ve been worried, too. I know your mama and me didn’t give you the best examples. Not with her running through husbands like free samples at Costco—”
“Dad!”
“—and me who’d rather get another dog than ever date again. But you deserve better than that, and I’m glad I got to see you find it.”
Tears welled in my eyes. “And you’re going to be seeing it for a long time.” We’d finally gotten that appointment with the neurologist, and he’d been on his medication for about three weeks. I could already see a difference. He wasn’t cured, but he was less confused. I’d been gone for a full week to pack up my condo and get it on the market, and he’d known exactly who I was when I’d arrived fifteen minutes ago.
I’d decided to open my own business, basically accounting for small businesses and nonprofits, just like I’d envisioned in school. Mav was renovating the second floor (another reason I’d been happy to leave for a week). We were making it into an entire apartment suite, complete with a small office for me so I could work from home and keep an eye on Dad. And if I couldn’t be around, or needed some time away, we had plenty of friends in the MC willing to help out.
I cleared my throat. “Are you ready to head over?”
Lexie was hosting a welcome back cook out. I told her it wasn’t necessary, but she insisted. And I’d learned never to resist her food.
****
“SHUT UP!” Pixie squealed as I entered the back yard of the clubhouse. “That is the cutest thing I have ever seen in my life!”
“Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god. Stitch!” Ivy shouted as both women raced toward me; Dad shook his head and walked off. “I want one!”
I gazed down at the tiny little pig at the end of the blue rhinestone encrusted leash. I’d worn a pair of tight black pants and a cropped Ravens jersey, just in case my gift didn’t go over as well as I’d hoped.
“Kitty Kat!”
A smile broke over my face as Mav stalked toward me, carrying a box under one arm.
“What the fuck is that?”
I bent over to pick up Pinkie, making sure to dip low enough that he got a clear shot of my tits through the v neck of my jersey.
“I brought you a present.”
“That thing is for me?” He tried to look stern, but I saw the way his eyes softened when he looked down at the little guy.
“Pinkie can stay with Miss Patsy and Leroy. I thought we could add another one to, uh, help with your work.”
“My work?” he repeated.
I shrugged. “Or whoever’s work. I don’t need the details.”
A knowing look passed over Mav’s face. “I see.”
“This is my attempt to show you, in case it wasn’t obvious when I quit my job and listed my condo, that I’m here with you, with your club, one hundred percent.
