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Mountain calledBounty and they decided to meet up with Cream and Bounty at the restaurant around noon. It was cute when Nightingale offered to give him a ride because the roads were snow covered. He assured her he was used to it and besides, the weatherman had said the sun would be out and most of it would melt away.
Some thought he was being a tough guy, riding in the snow, but it really was a comfort thing. Vehicles weren’t made for men like him. He had to adjust the seat outside the car or truck because his weight would burn out any motor on the damn thing. No matter how low to the ground or far back the seat, his legs rubbed on the steering wheel. His head practically brushed the roof and unless it was a bench seat, he was crammed into the damn thing like a sardine.
Besides, he needed to see his baby. Having lived the first few months of her life on the streets, Spot wasn’t needy. Well, being a cat in general made her independent, and anyone who dropped food off would be her friend, but he liked to believe she liked him. Plus, he prayed the prospect tasked to care for her did more than dump her litter box and pour out a bit of kitten chow.
“Spot,” he called as he entered the room to see she’d found a way onto his shelf of action figures. It was only a matter of time he supposed. The sweet cry as she ran from the bathroom out and jumped on the bed let him know he was loved. “Hey there little girl, sorry I couldn’t take you with this time.” He scratched at her neck and behind her ears, as she rubbed against his neck and on his chest. Making sure to cover any markings left by others and let the world know she was his. That was Kevin’s point this morning. Maybe he wouldn’t go to his lawyer and was blowing smoke as he strutted around the house that was Amber’s. What angered Mountain was the fact Nightingale told him the man hadn’t even made time for a soccer game, parent teacher conference or even seen the kids’ room before his pop up the night before.
A few pictures from Maisie about them having fun and seeing Nightingale hold his hand in the background had been enough to have him hit the road.
“Don’t worry little girl, daddy is gonna give you more room to roam soon,” he promised as he picked up the knocked over superheroes, now gnawed on a bit in the hands and head. Reaching for his laptop, he pulled up his portfolio. While he knew buying the land next to the ranch would barely be a blip to his holdings, he wanted to see how much his vote had changed it. The vote being one with longer term effects than short ones, but it had been over a month so there should be some growth.
While his grades in business school had been good, the tedium of it all had him caged in more than a hatchback. The walls closing in on him and being around people with only one goal. Themselves. Their profit. How to use people to fatten their bank accounts. Maybe it was the wrong time to go to school and listen to people trying to become what his family already was. He was part of the one percent. Like it or not and even without finishing his degree, he could step into an upper level management position, put on a suit and sit in a corner office overlooking the city.
But why? And to what end? The spring break road trip he took in college had yet to end. For some reason, earning his member patch had more importance than his Bachelors or Masters ever could. He wasn’t repeating over and over what he’d been told by professors and memorizing what they wanted to hear. Mountain was living. Waking each morning with a purpose of self and this morning in particular, rolling over the only bad thing was Nightingale wasn’t there, but the smell of her shampoo lingered on the pillow and that was better than Spot.
Callum playing with him at the table and even Maisie’s harsh side eye that relaxed once her father crossed a line. While he didn’t like that Kevin pulled shit in front of the kids, in a way it allowed the shine to come off her perfect father.
Just as the weatherman had predicted, the sun was blazing down and outside of a few shady spots and piles, the snow had melted away. Heading into town, he made his way to the restaurant and parked outside. Crossing the street, the clinic door opened right as Nightingale was stepping outside.
“Good timing,” she said and reached up to stroke his beard.
Her touch tender and inviting sending a jolt to a place he couldn’t deal with at the moment. All he could do was lean down to kiss her. “You nervous?”
“No, I met Cream and Bounty. I just want to know my rights. I don’t think Kevin has anything to say to take my kids away.” She hugged a file close to her chest.
“No, I don’t think he can do anything about that,” he replied. “But I do see him trying to annoy you, tangle you up in filings and wasting money.” Part of him wanted to make the two phone calls at most to activate a legal team that would crush Kevin like a bug in less than one legal brief. But at this point, his sister Linnea could fight this and send the man packing. Cream would be more than fine and although she was basically on the club’s payroll, he would make sure to compensate her fully.
Crossing the street to the Roadside, Mountain pulled open the door and directed Nightingale toward a table where Cream and Bounty were sitting.
“Nightingale, it’s good to see you.” Cream maneuvered to stand up and gave her a hug.
“Oh my goodness, you didn’t need to do that,” Nightingale replied and placed her hands on Cream’s belly. “I remember how hard it is to maneuver with these things.”
“I figure by Christmas, I’ll be in a wheelbarrow with Bounty moving me back and forth to the bathroom.”
Bounty smiled. “It’s good to see you. Mountain man, how are you doing?”
“I’m good. Thanks.” Bounty and Mountain shook hands and chest bumped.
“Well, I’m assuming this lunch isn’t to discuss the pending demon spawn I’m carrying, so what can I help you with?” Cream asked as she eased back into the booth with a sigh.
“Right to the point.” Nightingale laughed.
“Well, it is why you wanted to meet with me. Something happened with your ex-husband?”
“Yes. He threatened to take my kids from me because Mountain spent the night,” Amber explained. “And there was a bottle of unopened wine on my coffee table.”
“The horror,” Cream replied with a shake to her head. “Any other damming things from adult behavior?”
“My daughter had sent him pictures of the picnic to show how much fun she’d had,” Nightingale continued. “The puppies and kitten she played with.”
“Well, Bailey is a bad influence,” Bounty joked. “Being a mutt and all.”
Amber passed the file she’d been holding off to Cream. “I have a lawyer in Billings who warned me after everything was signed, it wouldn’t be the end, but for the last two years we’ve been good.”
“And then you met Mountain,” Cream said as she flipped through the divorce papers.
