Three days after mine and Easton's fair date, I'm standing in the kitchen making fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans for dinner when my grandfather comes walking in from outside.
"Smells good, baby girl."
"Thanks, Daideò. Dinner will be ready in about an hour. Have you seen Easton?"
"He's helping Steve round-up Hank. The bastard got out again."
I let out a heavy sigh. "I don't know what I'm going to do about him. At this point, I'm convinced a ten-foot concrete wall couldn't keep him contained."
Daideò chuckles. "You might be right." Moving around the kitchen, he goes about fixing himself a glass of cold sweet tea then sits down at the table. "You got a minute for an old man?"
I pause from chopping potatoes to peer over my shoulder at my grandfather. "Sure." Setting the knife down, I wipe my hands on a dishtowel and sit down at the table across from him. "What's up?"
"You've been spending a lot of time with Easton."
"I have." I nod.
"I don't have to ask if what's going on between you is serious because from the way that young man looks at you, I know it is. I just wanted to see where your head was at. What are your feelings toward him?"
I chew on my bottom lip while contemplating how I want to answer. Finally, I decide to go with the truth. "I think it's serious. I've never felt this way about anyone before, Daideò. I can't explain it, but something tells me Easton is the one. I know it sounds crazy."
My grandfather cuts me off by placing his hand over the top of mine. "It's not crazy, baby girl. I knew your grandmother was the one for me the second she walked into my life. And you already know how it was for your mom and dad. Some people wait a lifetime for that special someone, so when you are lucky enough to have found yours, you grab hold of them and don't let go."
"Are you saying you're okay with Easton and I being together? Even though it happened so fast?"
"Cat, I married your grandmother three weeks after we met. What do you think? And your parents were married within two months of meeting. So what can I say? It's the Callaghan way." We both laugh at his statement. "Go with your heart, baby girl. The rest will fall into place."
About an hour later, I'm getting ready to set the table when I spot Easton through the window as he climbs the steps where he stops to talk to my grandfather, who is sitting on the porch. Turning the gravy down on low, I make my way out to them. "Hey," I say when I open the screen door. "Supper is done, and I'm just about to set the table.
"Hey, baby." Easton kisses me. "Mind if I jump in the shower first?"
It's then I notice Easton is covered in dirt. "I…" I go to say, but I'm cut off when the rumble of rolling thunder sounds in the distance. And it sounds like it's getting closer. "What in the world is that?" I ask.
"Fuck," Easton growls.
I look over at him to see he has his head hung while shaking it. It can't be too bad of a thing because he's also smiling.
"I should have known."
"Should have known what?"
My question goes unanswered by Easton but is answered when I follow his gaze. Coming up the long dirt road leading to the house are nine motorcycles. And I swear I can feel the ground beneath my feet vibrate as they approach.
Grandpa comes to stand beside Easton. "I'm assuming you know who these people are, son."
Easton nods. "Yes, sir." He then turns to me. "Well, Red, time to meet my family."
Easton grabs my hand, forcing me to follow him down the steps. "Wait! What are you talking about?"
"My family, baby."
Holy crap. This is the MC family he was telling me about.
Easton and I stop at the edge of the yard in front of the house, and I watch as all nine bikes park in front of us. I pay close attention to Easton and notice how his face lights up when he spots one person in particular. A woman climbs off the back of one of the motorcycles, removes her helmet, and the moment she turns toward us, I know she is Easton's sister. Though she has blonde hair, the features are similar. The woman doesn't waste a second before she's throwing herself at Easton. Refusing to let go of my hand, Easton embraces her with the other. "I should have known your nosy ass would show up like this."
The woman laughs.
The two break apart, and when they do, I'm suddenly the focus of her attention. "From the way my brother refuses to let you go, I'm going to assume you're Cat."
