Page 42 of Property of Doc

“I know the bloodwork and also the at-home pregnancy test told me I was expecting, but actually hearing the baby’s heartbeat seems to make it more real. Realer? Is that a word?” Gretchen asks. Shaking her head, she adds, “Doesn’t matter, this plus the pictures she printed off have me so excited, I want to start shopping. That’s silly, I know, I’m barely showing, but I wanteveryoneto know I’m having a baby.”

The tech laughs a little then she says, “Then I say go for it. Life’s too short to worry about what anyone else thinks. Do you, plain and simple. Now, at your next appointment, we should be able to determine the gender of the baby in case you want to know.”

“I don’t, but I think doing a gender reveal might be kind of fun,” Gretchen replies. “I’m sure Constance and Maria would love to be in charge of handling that, at least the cake part. I suspect Issy and the other ol’ ladies will take over the rest of the planning.”

“Sweetheart, any excuse we can get to have a party works for us. We’re simple men, after all,” I tease.

She giggles as she rolls her eyes at the tech. “Only in your minds, Doc. I mean, y’all have superstitions concerning your bikes,where you park,howyou park, but you’re simple? I don’t think so.”

Leaning down, I take the paper towel the tech hands me and I gently wipe off Gretchen’s abdomen before I kiss her. “We are, Gretchen. Now, once we’re done here, we’ll go shopping.”

“Yay!” Gretchen exclaims, making me chuckle.

I swear, it’s not like my life was colorless before she came into it, but there’s far more vibrancy and joy than I’ve ever had before. The best thing I’ve done, aside from joining the Kings, was making her mine.

The prospect stops me at the gate and says, “There was a courier who stopped by to deliver a letter to someone named Cameron Shepherd. I didn’t know anyone by that name, but he insisted it was to be left here.”

“I’ll take it, Monkey, and give it to Rio,” I reply.

“Thanks, Doc,” he says, handing over the official-looking envelope.

On closer inspection, I see it’s from a local attorney’s office and my curiosity is roused. Gretchen looks at me and I just shrug; I know who Cameron Shepherd is, all of the officers are aware of everyone’s legal name since background checks are performed on anyone who wants to prospect with the club.

It’s a system Paps put into place. Like he used to say, we can deal with folks having skeletons as long as we know who or what those skeletons are, so we’re not caught unaware down the road.

After parking, I help Gretchen out then say, “I’ll send a prospect out to get our bags.”

Because my woman shopped. Not just for some maternity clothes, but also some baby onesies, baby-themed chocolate molds, more cake mix, and almond bark. It’s definitely an eclectic haul and I wonder how much of it is pregnancy brain and how much is just Gretchen. Then I decide I don’t care, since there are more pressing matters to be concerned about.

Specifically, we need to find out what’s going on with Mongrel, the letter’s recipient.

The End… for now

Stay tuned for Mongrel’s book

EPILOGUE

Mongrel

I stare at the envelope that Rio has placed in front of me. It seems my past has come calling, only I no longer have any desire to answer.

“Pres, there’s nothing good in that letter,” I state. “I have my family and it’s one of my choosing who don’t care about my background.”

“Could be important, Mongrel,” Rio replies. “I know your folks are gone, maybe there’s an inheritance or something like that?”

I’m already shaking my head in denial. “My parents had a life insurance policy that will pay out when I turn twenty-five,” I say. “This right here? This isthose peopletrying to lay guilt on me, so I’ll come back and take over the family business.”

Rio looks confused for a minute, then he states, “I need you to break it down for me, Mongrel, because I’m not following.”

“My dad was the oldest son and when my paternal grandfather hit sixty-five, my dad was to take over the family business inhis place. I’m my dad’s only child, so with him dying, that responsibility would fall on my shoulders,” I tell him.

“What happens if you don’t?” he asks.

“If I choose not to do it, the business will be sold and because of some legalities that I don’t fully understand, the proceeds would go to my dad’s estate.”

“So, you would get that money,” Rio surmises.

“Yeah.”