AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Why is that?”
I grinned at him. “I don’t think I could ever get too far away from that woman. I never knew what love felt like until I almost lost her.”
“Does she know that?”
“Not yet. I needed to find out what was up with you.”
“Aren’t you pissed that I’m a cop?”
I shrugged. “Nah, not really. You had a job to do, and you did it well. When I think about it now, I can remember times when you hesitated or paid more attention than anyone else would have. It makes sense.” I paused. “You were a good friend, Bryan. I have missed you like crazy.”
He grinned. “Believe it or not, you are the only guy from the club I have missed.”
We tapped our beer bottles, sat back and watched the women and kids. A sense of peace slipped over me, and I inhaled long and slow as I realized how much my life had changed since Candy stepped into the tavern a few weeks back.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
CANDY
When Mike got in my face and demanded to know where Cara and Bryan were, I saw a man I had never seen before—one who was ruthless and cruel. However, something in his eyes told me he wouldn’t hurt me. He might be trying to intimidate me, but hurt me? I didn’t think so.
Was I scared of him? Yes, but not for myself. I was afraid of what he would do to Bryan and Cara. I knew there was nothing I could do but escort him to Texas and try to talk Mike out of saying anything to the club.
Mike was forcing me to go, but he hadn’t threatened me with anything. It wasn’t like he had put a gun to my head, and I was kicking and screaming. I could have put up a fight. I could have found a way to escape him, but I didn’t.
Why? Because something deep inside of me said that Mike would not hurt Bryan. Seeing his friend alive was a shock; he just needed to make sure it was real before he could believe it. At least, that is what I prayed.
So, as I stood beside Cara in the driveway of their home in Texas and watched Mike and Bryan plowing toward one another, I grabbed Cara’s hand and held my breath. She clung to me, just as afraid as I was to see what would happen. I don’t think either of us expected Mike to throw his arms around Bryan.
“Oh, my god!” Cara’s hand flew to her mouth as she stifled a sob.
I felt peace slip over me as the two men stood talking for a moment, smiling and standing more relaxedly.
“Who is Dad talking to?” Harley asked as he tugged on my hand.
“A friend,” I replied. “Harley, this is my sister, Cara. Cara, this is Mike’s son, Harley.”
She grinned at Harley. “I bet I know where you got your name.”
“Where?” he asked with a scrunched-up face.
“I bet you got your name because your mommy knew that your daddy loved to ride Harley motorcycles.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because your daddy and I were friends. I was even on his motorcycle one time.”
“Wow! I hope I get to go on one.” He turned and looked at the field. “Is that a horse?”
“Yep.”
“Are you rich?” he asked.
I chuckled as I winked at Cara and replied, “Not as rich as Laney and Evan.”
Just then, the men returned to us, and both Cara and I relaxed slightly, but until I had the chance to speak to Mike and confirm that he wasn’t going to say anything to the club, I couldn’t let my guard down.
We sat on the back deck for a while talking, but the conversation soon turned to the club. Neither Cara nor I was interested in that part, so we gathered the kids and walked down to the barn.
