“Not really.” She laughs sadly. “But the fact I know Lily is there waiting for me helps. Dan said she’s going through a bit of a rough patch. I hope I can help in some way.”
“I’m sure just seeing you will be a relief to her. It was for me.”
A flash of regret pulls at her features, but it passes quickly as she stares out the window. “It’s so pretty here. Dan showed me around the downtown area last night. It was a good time to go. The streets were quiet.”
“It’s not always quiet at the warehouse,” I tell her. “So remember you have your room, or there are some nice walking trails out back in the forest.”
I point out Billie Rose’s cabin as we pass. “Petey and Katie live a little ways down, but you can’t see their cabin from here.”
When the warehouse comes into view, she scoots to the edge of her seat, her eyes wide. “I’ve always wanted to see this place.”
“Dammit. Everyone knew you were coming today. I don’t know why there are so many people here. I asked them to give you some space.”
She giggles, looking at all the activity. JD has his damn smoker going, there’s at least ten guys working in the shop, and Dan is standing at the front door with his arms crossed over his chest.
“He looks pissed we’re late,” she says, but she doesn’t look worried about it.
“Yeah, he is.” I reach over and tap her knee. “You don’t seem as overwhelmed by all of this as I thought you would.”
“It’s just like I pictured it,” she says, her gaze following a couple of guys pulling out with their old ladies on the back of their bikes.
Dan starts toward us when he sees we’re not getting out of the truck.
“He’s perfect for Lily, isn’t he?” She watches him storm across the lot, not the least bit intimidated by his glowering form as it approaches.
“He waited a long time for the right girl to come around.”
I hop out of my truck to head him off. “It’s my fault,” I tell him as I round the truck to open Jenny’s door.
“I know it is.” He pushes around me and places his arm across Jenny’s shoulders. “Remind me to buy you a watch,” he says, guiding her toward the front of the building.
She laughs, not taking offense. I also like that she doesn’t blame me, even though we all know itismy fault. But it’s nice to know she has my back.
He keeps her laughing all the way to and through the front door. It doesn’t leave her any time to back out.
The minute we step inside, her mouth falls open. Dan brings them to a stop, letting her take a minute to soak in the warehouse. It’s hard to explain, but the warehouse is the heart of the club. This is where we all come together.
She spins in a slow circle, swiping tears from her face. When her gaze stops on the bar, she rushes over to it and runs her hand over the smooth polished wood. Her eyes trail over the bottles on the shelf, pausing on the ashtray that still holds the cigar Bill smoked on before going to pick Billie Rose up from her school dance.
“It’s one of many little memorials you’ll find around here,” I tell her, hugging her from behind.
“He made this,” she says, her voice cracking.
Dan and I both laugh. “I’m not surprised he told you about it. He told everyone who walked through those doors he built this bar.”
She bites her lip and takes a step back. “Bill made all of this so familiar for me.”
Jesse and Dirk walk in the door along with Jackson. Their conversation stops, and Jackson rushes forward. “Are you okay?” He tosses Dan and me with an accusatory glance.
“Oh, Jackson, this is just so wonderful. I know I keep saying this, but it’s exactly as Bill described.”
Jesse looks at me. She hears it too. Jenny loved Bill. I wait for the jealousy to rise, but it doesn’t. He was the first good man she’d been around since we were trafficked. I can’t blame her for loving him. Fuck, I loved Bill.
Suddenly, Lily appears from the balcony. The two women stare at each other for a long moment before Jenny is running up the stairs two at a time. She stops a few feet away, and again they just take each other in.
“Oh my god,” Jenny cries. Then she drops to her knees in front of Lily and wraps her arms around her waist. “You’re pregnant.”
Jesse slaps me in the chest. “What the fuck did she just say?”
