Page 103 of Smitty

“I really hope so.”

Laken smiled. “You know, we all love Smitty around here. He’s one of the good ones.”

“Thanks. I think a lot of him, too.”

“It’s really great you two found each other again.”

“It is. I just wish it hadn’t taken us so long.” I glanced over at Brayden, and my chest tightened when I found him looking at Anslee and me, checking to make sure we were okay. “But we’re doing what we can to make up for lost time.”

I looked around the clubhouse, and I couldn’t help but feel like I’d stepped into something wonderful. Brothers were talking and laughing, children were running around, and the women were talking and supporting one another in a way that only family could.

Brayden walked over and sat down on the arm of the sofa next to me. Anslee immediately reached both arms toward him and demanded, “Up.”

“Hey there, Peanut.” He scooped her into his arms, kissing the top of her head before settling her on his lap. She rested her head on his shoulder and started toying with one of her curls. His entire face softened as he whispered, “I think missing her nap is catching up with her.”

“Maybe a little.”

“Guess that means we need to get to eating.”

“Is that your way of saying you’re hungry?”

“Hell, yeah. I’m starving.” He rubbed his hand over his stomach. “All that packing has worked up an appetite.”

The reminder settled over me like a dark cloud. I still had so much packing to do, and it was all so daunting. We were moving from the only home Anslee has ever known and starting over. It was a lot to take on, especially when we had no idea where we were going.

Before I could respond, a man’s voice said, “About that…”

We all turned to find Preacher, the Fury president, standing there with a beer in his hand and a warm smile on his face. He looked from Brayden and Anslee over to me. “Heard you two are still looking for a place.”

“We are,” Brayden answered. “We have some leads on a couple of places, but nothing’s really checking all the boxes.”

“I might have something for you.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“My place is just sitting there.”

“Your house?” Brayden asked. “Out by the lake?”

“Yeah, that’s the one.” He motioned his head toward Antonia as he said, “I’d hoped that Wes would take it and make it his own, but they had other plans.”

“Okay?”

“You should go check it out,” Preacher suggested. “If you like, buy it.”

“Prez, I appreciate the offer. I really do,” Brayden scoffed. “I’m just starting out here, and we aren’t exactly bringing in the big bucks. There’s no way we can afford it.”

Preacher shook his head. “I’m not worried about the money… I’d rather sell it to a brother for pennies on the dollar than stick a sign in the damn yard.”

“I don’t know.”

“I do.” Preach turned to Anslee. “That house deserves somebody to make it a home again. Never really was for me, but it can be for you two.”

I’d never seen his house. I had no idea what shape it was in or whether it was something we would even want. It didn’t matter. The mere thought of a man giving his home to us made my throat tighten.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a keyring. He handed Brayden the key as he said, “Go look at it and see what you think. If you like it, we’ll work something out.”

“You sure?”