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“Raider, I may not have very much experience with men, but I don’t play stupid games with words or my intentions. You said yesterday you wanted to get to know me better, and I was going to be your woman. If this isn’t what you meant and you’re just stringing me along, then leave. You can send one of your other members to pick up the vegetables when they’re ready for transport for the market. I’m not a toy you can pull toward you when you feel like it and then push me away when you’re tired of me. I won’t accept that kind of relationship now or ever. You decide now. I don’t chase men or let them run over me, are we clear?” Billie looks amazing. standing her ground like she should. I’m a fool. I hear the back door of their house open and I know we have company listening to this unfold now. “Mom and Ryan, this is Raider and Buzz. This is my mom, Frannie, and Buzz this is my brother, Ryan.” Both of their eyes are on me.
“It’s nice to meet you both,” Buzz says.
“I said what I meant but we need to take this slow,” I address Billie. I take my eyes away from Billie and look at the other two. “It’s nice to meet you ma’am and you too, Ryan.”
“I can do slow. It’s the best way to go, with us being from diverse backgrounds, but I won’t change my mind about what I said.” Billie relaxes a little and my heart starts beating a steady beat again. “My mom also wants to have a talk with you.” I look at Billie’s mom and I see her sizing me up.
“The time is now. Are you up for that?” I know this woman loves her daughter. I also know she’s left Billie to run this huge-ass farm and help with her siblings. Billie is too young for all these responsibilities, no matter how many times Billie says she’s fine.
“Yes, ma’am,” I answer her.
“I’m going to get myself a glass of iced tea. Would either of you like one?” Frannie asks us.
“Yes, ma’am. That would be nice,” I answer her.
“No, ma’am. I’m good for now,” Buzz answers. I’m surprised that Buzz hasn’t started flirting with Frannie.
“Raider, meet me in the backyard. We can sit on the lawn furniture so we can have some privacy. Billie, will you help Ms. Thelma in the kitchen? Your hummingbird cake is ready for the glaze to be put on it. Ryan, go and find Maggie for me. There’s no telling what that girl has gotten up to. She’s been too quiet for too long. Buzz, make yourself at home. There’s coffee and cinnamon rolls in the kitchen if you’re hungry or if you’re brave enough, go with Ryan. I warn you that Maggie is a pistol and there’s no telling what will come out of her mouth.” Frannie smiles at all of us and then she turns and walks back to the house.
“Buzz, you want to come with me? Mom’s back is up and Billie is pissed, so today, Maggie may be the best bet. When the females in this house are in a snit, Dad taught me to hide and hope when you decide to come out, they’re in a better mood. It’s the only thing that works.” Buzz is a laughing fool as always.
“That sounds like excellent advice, and I’m with you.” Ryan and Buzz leave and go toward the barn. I turn to look at Billie.
“I’m not playing games with you. You are going to be my woman. It’s just a troubled time for the club right now. I don’t want you to get caught in the crossfire. I don’t want you to be in danger.” I tell Billie a short version of the truth. Billie surprises me and walks up to me. She strokes my face with her hand.
“Raider, everyone in this county knows about the trouble with that gang. That’s no secret. The thing is, this has been going on for a while and may go on indefinitely. No one wants this, but it just may be a fact. Are you saying we need to wait until this gang is dealt with by someone? I’m not good with that. I’m a grown woman and I don’t need you to take care of me. I’m capable of taking measures to protect my family and myself. We would be stronger together than apart. Have you thought about that? I will never be your weakness.” Billie lifts herself up on her toes and gives me a soft kiss on my lips.
I bring her to me and I deepen the kiss. She tastes like honey. I’ve become addicted with one kiss. What is this woman doing to me? Billie pulls herself from me and goes back toward the house. Damn, I need this woman in my life. I make myself come out of my trance over that damn kiss and walk around the house. Frannie is sitting there, waiting on me.
7
Frannie…
I watch Raider walk up beside the table and then sit down across from me. Billie is right, Raider is a handsome man with enough swagger to demand respect. He walked up to the table with his back straight and his shoulders pulled back. He’s ready for this talk.
“Raider, tell me about yourself and don’t leave anything out.” I give him my sweetest smile.
“This sounds more like an interrogation, Frannie.” I laugh at him.
“Oh my, straight to the point just like Billie. It is an interrogation and an application. You can title it,is this man worth dating my oldest daughter? I have to be thorough because it’s for her dad and me together.” Raider is sizing me up and then he smiles.
“What do you want to know?” Raider asks me.
“Like I said, everything. But give me the short, straight-to-the-point version. We don’t have time for the longer version right now, but don’t think I won’t get that too.” I’m being an ass, but Billie is my child, and I won’t take any chances of this guy fooling me.
“My name is Raider Miller and I was raised by a single mom who worked her butt off to make sure we had what we needed. She worked several jobs to do that but she was always at all my school functions and any extracurricular activities that I had. I love her dearly.” Raider looks at me.
“Are still close to your mom?” I ask him. We are family-oriented. I hope Raider is the same way.
“Yes. She’s an author now. She’s away sometimes, but she still makes time for me and my club brothers.” Interesting.
“What is your mom’s name? You know Billie loves indie authors,” I tell him.
“I saw Billie reading yesterday at the lake but I didn’t know she was that much of a reader. I don’t know that much about Billie yet, but I want to know everything. My mom’s name is Honey Miller, but her pen name is Penny Anglene. Her writing partners are Hope Trask and Vera Quinn.” Raider is in for trouble now.
“You do know that Penny Anglene is one of Billie’s favorite authors and she will be going to see her soon at a book signing in Conroe. I like all those authors myself,” I tell Raider with a smile on my face. “Have you told Billie that yet? If you two haven’t discussed the signing yet, please, let her share with you. It’s important to her. I shouldn’t have spilled the beans.”
“Good, maybe it will get me some brownie points. I would never say anything you told me if it’s to be just between us,” Raider assures me. He may not need brownie points with Billie but he does with me, and he just earned some. Time will only tell if he’s telling the truth.
