Page 141 of Carson

“But you can …” I hold up my finger. “I’ll be right back.”

I quietly hurry upstairs, pulling the ten-dollar bill Carson gave me from under my pillow.

When I get back to my brother, I hand it to him. “When Carson found me, he knew I was hiding in the closet in my van. He slipped this under my door.”

Chance takes it from me, and it turns his normal scowl into a smile.

“Maybe you saved Carson and his brother from your rival club for me. What if it was already written by fate? You brought them to Wyoming. You shared our story. You told him how you comforted me while I hid … and then he did the same.”

“A few years ago, I would have told you that was some woo-woo shit right there. But now, after Serenity came into my life and helped me with Mila, I believe it.”

“And tonight, seeing Cole had hung them up for me …” I shake my head, still in disbelief. “Your tiny act of kindness all those years ago is still reminding me there are good men in this world.”

“You’re in for a wild ride with those two,” he warns, laughing and wiping his eyes.

It makes me laugh. “I’m sure I am, but the best adventures in life usually are.”

He reaches out and cups my face. “So, no more looking back. You, me, Mila, none of us are going that direction.”

I nod, tears spilling over my cheeks, because for the first time, I believe I might just be able to do that.

The good men in my life have quickly been writing new chapters in my story, leaving my father’s pages so far behind, the ink is slowly fading.

Chapter Forty-Seven

Carson

Cole, Carver, and I kick our boots up on the deck of the cabin. My brother and I have been working for a construction company since coming back here, but today was Carver’s first day.

“What did you think?” I ask, throwing him a beer out of our cooler.

“What do I think? I think fuck that bullshit. We should be working for ourselves. Did you see the kind of pickup the boss was driving? That fucker is rolling in dough, and on the backs of his underpaid employees. Yeah, I don’t think I want to be one of them. I’m not opposed to hard work, but it’s got to be worth my time.”

Cole looks at me. We’ve been thinking the same thing lately.

“That’s not a bad idea, brother,” he agrees, letting Carver think he’s the first one to come up with the idea. “In fact, Kelsie’s looking at building a house over on the south pasture. Maybe she can be our first client.”

“Shit, yeah, now we’re talking.”

“A lot of our guys start their own business with the club’s help. Maybe we should take our idea to the table,” I say, leaning back in my chair.

Carver perks up. “You know, I heard that pretty boy new prospect say he’s been looking for a job. Maybe there are a few others. Better to keep the money in the club with our own brothers, especially if the club is willing to front the cash for the startup.”

Cole rubs his hands together. He’s excited. We’ve been talking about doing this, but it’s never felt like the right time. Now that Carver’s here, it feels right.

“So what are we going to call ourselves?” I ask.

“How about Triple C Construction?” Cole suggests, hesitantly.

Carver laughs, but he likes it. “One and done. That’s perfect.”

I’m glad he’s smiling. He’s been a bit bummed that we haven’t found Nova and Nyx. I am too, but the Rebel Skulls won’t quit until we find them. Even though the trail has gone cold, we know anything can happen.

We finish our beers. “Well, I suppose I better get back to the warehouse,” Carver says.

“Why don’t you stay for supper? Wednesday is pizza night. Dad always makes more than enough.”

Carver lifts his nose in the air, sniffing. “Fuck, is that what I’ve been smelling? Maybe I will head over there with you guys.”