Page 129 of Shadow's Surrender
“Hi,” she replied tentatively.
“Cara will be out in a minute. She’s looking forward to seeing you.” Hawk smiled, then brought the bottle of beer to his mouth.
Slowly her muscles loosened. “I can’t wait to see her either.”
Then Shadow and Hawk began talking about motorcycles, and she leaned against him and let her mind drift. Classic rock songs softly played on four speakers hooked up to the fence. Strings of unlit hanging lanterns swayed gently in the warm breeze, yellow and white checked oilcloths covered the tables, and a solid yellow one covered a long table against the fence.
The aroma of fried chicken and tangy barbecue wafted throughout the yard as several women walked toward the buffet table carrying large pots and platters.
Hawk glanced over his shoulder. “I’m gonna help the women,” he said then sauntered away.
“I should help too,” Scarlett said as she started to get up, but Shadow held her down.
“The old ladies’ men will help them. There’s a system to this, babe.” He nuzzled his face against her neck. “After dinner, we can go for a walk by the river.”
Goosebumps pebbled her skin at the touch of his scratchy face. “Just a walk?” She teased, squeezing his upper thigh.
“I do have something more in mind,” he whispered into her ear before nibbling her earlobe.
Scarlett wiggled, then pushed him gently away. “The kids,” she said, tipping her head in their direction.
He laughed, then stood up and held out his hand. “The food’s on. Let’s go eat.”
She took Shadow’s hand after she pulled down her skirt when she stood up. “Where are Smokey and your other friends?”
“They went on a bike ride. Sometimes the single brothers show up for family times and sometimes they don’t. It depends what they got going on.”
“And the women in the club?”
“The club girls? No fuckin’ way. Family times are for members and old ladies only.”
“Tsk, tsk,” Scarlett clucked her tongue and shook her head.
“It’s the way it goes, babe.” He brushed his lips across hers and led her to the buffet table.
Scarlett looked around for Cara, and when she saw her tying one of the bows in Isa’s hair, she smiled.Someday, I’d love to have a baby with Shadow.
As if sensing someone was looking at her, Cara straightened up and turned around. When she met Scarlett’s gaze, she smiled warmly and walked over to her.
“Hawk told me you were dating Shadow,” she said as she hugged Scarlett. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about it, but I missed the last two committee meetings.”
“I want to talk to you about it too, and about all ofthis.” Scarlett waved her hand in a circle. “Is it hard to be a part of this life?” she whispered.
“Sometimes, but the rewards of being with your man make it all worth it. Yeah … we need to talk.” Cara laughed. “How about lunch next Wednesday? We could meet somewhere downtown near where you work.”
“Wednesday’s my day off. How about at the club?”
“That’d be great. I haven’t been there all summer.” Cara stepped closer to Scarlett. “I’m so sorry about what happened to your mother. My heart goes out to you. My parents were saddened to hear the news as well,” she said close to her ear.
“I appreciate that. I’d be lying if I didn’t say it hasn’t been hard and heart wrenching, but I’ve got Shadow, and some great friends who haven’t abandoned me like some others did. And I still have my dad and brothers. We’ll manage to get through it.”
“If you need anything, just let me know.” Cara patted her hand.
“Mama, Daddy won’t let me sit by Harley,” a small boy with a mop of dark hair said.
Cara looked down and smiled. “If Daddy says no, then it’s no. He wants you to eat and not fool around during the meal.” She ran her fingers through the young boy’s hair and he scowled. “This is my son Braxton.”
“Hi.” Scarlett smiled. “I saw your daughter—she’s precious.”
