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I turned my attention back to Tina and Mickey sitting on either side of me. “Gosh, it’s so good to see you all.” I fanned my hand out in front of me. “Look at all these beautiful people and children.”
“We are a blessed club,” Tina said.
“I honestly never thought a motorcycle club could be so dang close and committed to each other the way the Knights are. I remember being so angry at you when you moved in with Matt and married him shortly after Johnny’s death.”
I inhaled a heavy breath. I still missed my brother dearly. “We’ve all been through a lot together. Bonds are formed and strengthened through tough times. We’ve had our fair share of scary and sad times, but we’ve also had lots of happy moments and lots of love.”
“A whole lotta love.” Tina leaned into me. “Here come the original old ladies and their daughters bearing gifts.”
“Oh, my heart.” I pressed my hand to my chest.
Angel led the pack with Birdie by her side. Roja and Ember carried trays of tequila shots.
Snow and Laurel, Emilee and her girls, Demi and Dezi, were on the right side. Jaynee and her girls, Sadie and Lexi, were on the left.
“Look at all these gorgeous women.” I clapped as they crowded around the picnic table. “Where’s Ava and the triplets?”
“Right here, behind you.” Ava surprised me with a gentle hug. “Sugar, you’re a stunning beauty. Happy birthday.”
“I’m gonna cry.” I wiped tears away. “Maybe we should wait for the men.”
Tina waved me off. “Nah. They don’t care about presents. This is only for the old ladies club.”
“That’s right. We’re here to honor the original queen.” Angel sat across from me and took my hand. “We love you so much, Sugar. I don’t think there’s a single one of us you haven’t left your mark on. You’ll always be the queen of the old ladies.”
Severalyeseswere shouted, and lots of nodding circulated around me.
I covered my mouth. “Aww, that means so much to me. I love you all.” I blew kisses to everyone. “I will always stick by you through thick and thin, just as you stuck by me.” I blew another kiss to my girls Angel, Roja, Snow, Emilee, Jaynee, and Ava, who had supported me back when I fell in love with Art.
They each kissed my cheek and gave me a gift, then the chatter began. Getting a large group of women together like this meant lots of giggles, and gossiping was about to unfold. And I was here for it.
Later that night in bed, Art snuggled me after we’d made love to each other. He’d made good on his promise and didn’t fall asleep before nine as he did most nights.
“Did you have a good birthday, sweetness?”
“It was the best I’d ever had.”
“Well, you deserved it and so much more.” He pressed his lips to my temple.
“Thank you for enlisting Alex and Angel to head it up. Those two know how to get stuff done.”
Art cleared his throat. “Speaking of our baby girl. I played nice with Knox for you. Even let him win one round.”
I snorted. “Art, honey. Don’t you be lying to me. Raul told me Knox kicked your butt today.”
“That damn Raul. He just can’t keep his mouth shut. It was only one game Knox beat me at.” Art growled low. “Raul’s just a grumpy old fart and likes to knock us,young guys, down a few notches.”
I stroked his cheek and smiled. “I’m sure you’re right. He’s probably envious you haven’t hit sixty yet, and he’s eighty-two.” I threw my leg over Art’s thigh, feeling a little amorous even though we’d just finished not long ago. “I love you, Art. I’m the luckiest woman in all of Minnesota, with the hottest hubby.”
And that was no lie. My inked-up man looked damn good for fifty-eight. The twelve years between us had narrowed. We both had wrinkles and had slowed down some. But we were still hot for each other and incredibly happy.
He rolled me onto my back and covered me with his body. Our eyes locked. We just gazed at each other adoringly for a long second. We did need to say anything. I knew what he was thinking just as he knew what I was thinking—I exist for you.
