Page 131 of The Clover Chapel (Jamison Valley 2)
It was the Saturday after Nick had asked me to move in and we were having a moving party. We’d spent the morning packing up my house with help from Beau, Silas, Maisy and the Clearys, and now we were back at the cabin to unload.
“I think you might have to build me a larger closet one of these days,” I told Nick. He was standing in the living room, rummaging through one of six boxes filled with coffee mugs.
“Done.”
“I was kidding, Nick.”
“I’m not. I just spent an hour packing your clothes. Closet space is priority one.”
“Funny,” I said. “That box goes to the garage for storage.”
He gave me a quick kiss and turned to the door, then froze. “What the fuck are they doing here?”
I followed his gaze to see two motorcycles approaching. One carried Dash, the other Draven.
Shit.
Nick’s hands fisted at his sides and his jaw clenched tight. It was too soon. He wasn’t ready to see his dad yet.
“You can always ask them to leave,” I said. “I’m sure they’d understand.”
He shrugged. “I’m not sure what to do. Dad’s been trying. He’s called me every day to check on you and apologize for getting you wrapped up in his shit.”
That was news and it softened my feelings toward Draven. “Well, whatever you decide, I’ll support you.”
He pulled me into his arms. “I know,” he whispered into my hair. “Let’s go out and see what they want. Take it from there.”
Hand in hand, we strolled out to meet Nick’s family and our friends all congregated by the trucks packed full of my boxed belongings.
“Dash,” Nick greeted. “Dad.”
“Hey, man,” Dash said, giving his brother a quick hug. After they did their manly back-slapping thing, Dash walked right up to me for a hug. His arms pinned mine to my sides as he wrapped them tight and then picked me a foot up off the ground.
“Hey, Sis,” he said.
“Put her down, Dash. Her ribs are still sore,” Nick ordered.
“Shit. Sorry, Emmeline,” Dash said, immediately setting me down.
“I’m fine.” I smiled.
“Nick,” Draven said, extending his hand.
Nick eyed it for a minute but finally shook with his dad.
Just like Dash, when Draven was done with greeting Nick, he came right into my space. His hug was less exuberant than his son’s but just as warm.
“Emmeline. Glad to see you up and around,” Draven said.
“Thanks.”
“What are you guys doing here?” Nick asked.
“We wanted to come see how Emmeline was feeling,” Draven said.
Nick nodded. He was obviously struggling with what to do. With our friends all standing around us, he wouldn’t ask his family to leave.
“Are you moving?” Dash asked, scanning all of the boxes.
