Page 23 of Outlaw Xmas
The Crazed Grinch couldn’t wait to return home and start planning his next break-ins.
Chapter Eight
Cara
Cara waved atEvan Christiansen when she entered the Brighter Lives building. Evan was the vice president of marketing and development with Brighter Lives charitable organization. Cara had been volunteering with the charity for the past five years. The Insurgents worked in conjunction with the organization for their annual Toys for Tots fundraiser. Some of the board members weren’t too keen on Brighter Lives being associated with an outlaw biker group, but the amount of money they raised and the smiles on the children’s faces at the event made them turn a blind eye to the club’s sketchy lifestyle.
“Is everyone waiting for me?” Cara asked, unwrapping the scarf around her neck.
“Yes. Here, let me take that,” Evan said, picking up the tray of sweet rolls she’d put on the receptionist’s desk.
They rode up the elevator together, chatting about the upcoming fundraiser. Cara had worked with three vice presidents in the past five years, and Evan had been with Brighter Lives longer than the last two. She loved that the charity’s sole purpose was to make children’s lives better in any way they could. She was active with the food drives, back-to-school barbecues, and the many clothes drives they hosted throughout the year.
“Here she is,” Addie said as Cara entered the conference room. Gathered around the large oval table were Belle, Addie, Clotille, and Kylie. Baylee had called Cara the day before saying she had to go to Aspen for a project, and she’d mentioned she was still feeling pretty lousy.
Doris, Marlena, and Bernie should’ve been at the meeting since all the old ladies were involved in the Insurgents’ fundraiser, but they rarely got involved, especially with helping out. All they really did was show up at the event and drink a lot of beer. Cara had noticed they did that at the bike rallies as well. It seemed that the minute Cara became an old lady, they turned over a lot of the work to her, and once Belle and Banger married, they dropped out entirely. Belle told Cara she didn’t care because she couldn’t stand the way the women gossiped and acted like they were her friend. The truth was the three women resented Belle and Cara because they were in charge since Banger was president and Hawk was vice president. It seemed so silly to Cara, but it was the way they were.
“Where’s Cherri?” Kylie asked as she stood up.
Belle took the platter of sweet rolls from Evan and placed them on a long table against the wall. “She had to help out at Paisley’s school today,” she said over her shoulder.
Scattered around the table were small red and white poinsettia plants. Trays of croissants, sliced fruit, and mini bagels along with tubs of cream cheese, apple butter, and various jams spread across the table. Kylie picked up a plate and speared a slice of cantaloupe.
“So sweet,” she murmured as she popped a bite into her mouth.
“I’ll have to try a slice,” Cara said, picking up a plate.
“Kimber wanted to come, but Hawk told her she had to watch the shop because he had some club stuff to do.” Kylie nabbed a blueberry sweet roll.
“Those are my favorites too. I love blueberry. And what can I say? Hawk does what Hawk wants,” Cara replied.
“It’s the same with all these guys,” Clotille added.
“But we love them that way, don’t we?” Addie placed a couple of bagels on her dish. “Did you make the apple butter, Belle?”
“I did. And you don’t know the meaning of stubborn, rough, and independent until you’ve married a president of the club.” Belle shook her head. “Sometimes I want to kill him, but then he does something so sweet and gentle and I turn into putty.”
“I don’t think you have to be a biker to be stubborn as all heck. You need to meet my husband,” Torey said, pouring a glass of orange juice. “Mitch’s head is made out of steel. He won’t budge at all.”
The women laughed, and Evan cleared his throat as if to remind the women that a man was in the room.
Torey Sinton was the Director of Children and Teen Services and had been working with Brighter Lives for the past ten years. She and Cara had gone to the same high school, and even though they hadn’t been best friends, they stayed in contact through their social connections. Cara had dragged Hawk to Torey’s wedding two years before. Her husband, Mitch, came off as a grumpy cynic, and from Torey’s comment, it seemed like he wasn’t improving with age. Each time Cara saw him at the social events he’d attend, he usually had a frown on his face and rarely spoke to anyone.
“Hello, ladies,” a cheerful voice boomed.
Putting her plate down on the conference table, Cara looked up and smiled widely at Joseph Ross. At forty-seven years old, Joseph was CEO and President of Brighter Lives. He’d taken over the position when Dianna Wheaton, who’d been with the organization for over two decades, retired. He was a hands-on CEO and not only attended the fundraising events but put in hours at Brandon House, the residential program for homeless and runaway teens. Cara admired his dedication in helping minors have safe and better lives.
After Joseph called the meeting to order, Lindi Dixon, Vice President of Program Operations, confirmed that the community center would be decorated by the city for the charity event that was coming up in a couple of Saturdays. As they discussed the logistics of passing out the toys, setting up the tables, and where Santa would sit, among other things, Cara felt the flutter of excitement she normally did when all the hard work she and her committee had done was finally going to come to fruition.
She noticed how tired Lindi looked. She was only thirty-five years old but looked fifteen years older.I’m being so catty.But it was the truth. Lindi worked more than full time, had three little ones at home, and a husband who worked insane hours for a realtor. Dale was always at work, even at night. Cara couldn’t help but wonder how many buyers really wanted to see homes in the late evening. He always seemed distant, rarely offering any gestures of intimacy with Lindi when she’d see them at functions together.
Maybe he’s having an affair.She mentally chastised herself.Stop being this way. Focus on the meeting.
“Who’s going to play Santa this year?” Cara asked, looking at Evan and Joseph.
Joseph shook his head. “I’ve done it for the past several years. I’d like a break. What about Dale doing it?”
“I’m not even sure he can be at the fundraiser,” Lindi replied.
