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“Tell me about her. What do you like about her?”
“She’s strong, capable and isn’t a pushover. She’s gorgeous, of course, and I can’t get her out of my mind. Loyal. She’d do anything for her family and those she considers family.”
Regina nodded with a little grin on her face. Until he spouted the words, he hadn’t realized he was going to share so much. His mama had always been an excellent interrogator. So many times, he, Matt, and Bear had thought they were getting away with something and boom—one of them would spill because they couldn’t withstand her interrogation. It was done in a sweet, unassuming way until she pulled the words from you.
“She sounds special, so you don’t want any run of the mill date.”
He nodded and shoved another bite of cinnamon roll in. He’d had to up his workout routine for the number of sweets he’d added to his diet. He wasn’t complaining because he’d missed his mama’s food and her calm demeanor when he wasn’t sure what to do.
He swallowed, sipped his coffee, and thought through what he wanted for her.
“She is and unfortunately, I was an ass when I came back so I also might have some apologizing to do.”
“It sounds like you have a start. You want something unusual, something she likes to do. Maybe you need to think of something fun she’d like to do and couple it with something you think she wouldn’t do for herself but might secretly want.”
He knew by the smirk on her face she’d cottoned on to who he was talking about. What he never wanted to do was hurt his mama, but their date was about them. To see if what he wanted could be, but he didn’t want his mama hurt if it didn’t. He could be making the best decision of his life or the worst. He’d tried to think through all the scenarios but despite all the ways it could go wrong, he was compelled to try with Remington. The risk was worth the reward. He couldn’t stand the thought of being twenty years down the road and by himself at the club and wonder what if.
Baron walked in, poured a cup of coffee, and nodded back toward the door. “Let’s take a walk, son.”
His mama patted his hand, leaning over to kiss his cheek. “Everything will be all right, War. The road to true love isn’t a smooth path but if it was easy, we wouldn’t cherish it as much.”
Being away from home and especially once he’d started investigating his chief, he’d had to keep his guard up. With his family, he could relax and know they only wanted whatever was best for him. Baron had shown him over the years that being the MC president didn’t mean you had to be unfeeling. If anything, it meant you were looking out for all your brothers and family.
Baron wouldn’t think he was less than because his mama’s words brought tears to his eyes. He stood up, wrapped his arms around her and picked her up. He kissed her forehead and let her down. “If I haven’t told you lately, you are the best mother I ever could have asked for. Your strength taking a job at an MC clubhouse when we were little gave us the best family I could have dreamed of. Because of you, we got Baron for a dad and uncles who taught us how to be men. I love you, Mama.”
Regina pushed him toward Baron. “Love you, too, son. Now go listen to Baron’s advice.”
Baron pulled Regina close, nuzzling her neck and then kissing her goodbye. He’d gotten used to knowing his parents had a very active sex life. Baron and Regina had no problem going off by themselves when they needed. He craved that connection with a woman—knowing what she wanted and providing it for her. Maybe Baron could give him some insight into a good relationship, though his mama was different from Remington. Baron protected his mama from everything. Remington wouldn’t want to be protected. She’d be strong in her own right. He’d been judging Remington through the lens of the rookie he’d lost. His guilt over her death had skewed how he’d viewed Remington in her job. He wanted a clean slate with Remington and he hoped this date could be it.
Baron let him be quiet with his thoughts as they walked past a couple of new buildings toward the orchard and garden. He’d been home for a while and was a little ashamed he hadn’t checked it out. When he left, his mom had a garden which helped the MC with fresh food. It had been small enough she could tend it by herself with one of the prospect’s help.
They passed the last two buildings blocking the area. He paused and then looked over at what he had thought was a small garden. He wasn’t sure it could still be classified as that. The orchard, which he last remembered as five trees, stretched in rows to the crest of the hill. He couldn’t tell if it went farther. Rows of vegetables and fruits were laid out with enough room for pickers to take care of the plants. He followed Baron as he walked toward another area. Workers were already out tending areas. An irrigation system had been installed, which he considered a blessing. He remembered helping his mom drag hoses when they were still in high school, and that plot had been big by his standards. This area was big enough he’d call it a farm. How had Baron and the guys done all this?
“How?”
“Over the years with your mom’s head for business, we’ve expanded. Not only does this provide all our produce, but she has also set us up as an organic farm and distributes to specialty stores within the state. Over the hill is where we raise our own beef. Currently, we don’t have plans to expand because the area we have suits the needs of our family. It supplies the clubhouse, members who have houses, the diner in town and all the Franks family and employees. Everyone pays a fee and depending on what they’ve selected, they can either have it at their house or can pay to store it at our locker and processing plant. All of this is because of your mother.”
He almost couldn’t comprehend what she’d helped the MC build. He’d been seeing her through the eyes of a child. Maybe it was time he saw her for the amazing, strong woman she was.
“I have no words. It’s astonishing.”
Baron’s arm pulled him close. “Son, it takes a strong man to recognize the strength in his woman. The hardest thing I’ve ever done is stand by and not solve things I perceive as issues for your mom. She is fully capable of handling just about anything she needs to. I think the woman you’re interested in is a lot like your mom.”
“I wouldn’t have thought that before, but I do now.” He shook his head at all he’d misunderstood over the years.
“The only time I stand in your mother’s way is when the bullets are flying. Otherwise, I support her in whatever way she needs and watch her triumph.”
Baron’s arm and words reminded him of all he’d gained when Baron had adopted them and become his dad. “I hope I can be half the man for her that you are for Mom.”
Baron’s arm tightened. “I know you can, but strong women need a man who lets them know how special they are. Let’s go figure out what you need to do. We’re meeting Locks at the diner. If you’re taking out a daughter of an MC member, you better get his blessing.”
He grinned and followed his dad. Hopefully Locks would have some insight into how he could make tomorrow night special for Remington.
~**~
WAR LOOKED BACK INat the diner at his dad and Locks enjoying the last of their coffee. He was glad they’d met, though Locks grilling him on his intentions when he really hadn’t identified them himself had been hard. His questions had forced War to examine what he wanted out of the date. He wanted more—more information on if he’d imagined their connection and more time getting to know the woman Remington had become.
He created a group text with the numbers Locks had given him. He took a deep breath, wondering if he was really ready for their opinions.
