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“Sweets, are you ready to go?” Hawkeye asks, that knowing smirk locked in place.
“Yeah. I’ve just gotta put on my shoes, but they’re by the door. I need to talk to Paige really quick. I’ll meet you outside when you’re ready,” I tell him, needing to get away from the man before I let him have his way with me instead of opening my shop.
“Okay. I’ll meet you down there,” he responds, sitting down to put his socks and boots on.
Making my way down to the second floor, I knock on the door and wait for someone to open it. I’m not about to just barge in on my friends. Ricochet opens the door and gives me a smile.
“Ready for your big day?” he asks, standing back and letting me come in his house.
“Yeah. I’m excited,” I tell him, looking around the space I called home just a week ago. “Is Paige here?”
“No. She had to run out really quick. Not sure what she’s doin’. My mom went with her and I think Dad is gonna be with them so they’re not alone,” he tells me, grabbing some bottles of water out of the refrigerator and handing me one. “You need somethin’? Is everythin’ okay?”
“Everything is good. I just wanted to talk to her about me living with Hawkeye instead of you since I’m pregnant now. I know it’s in the contract that I stay with the two of you once I got pregnant and I don’t wanna do anything to upset you or fuck this up for you. I’d hate either one of you to feel as if I’m not doing what I should be. What I signed the contract to do,” I tell him as he leans against the refrigerator and listens to me.
“Tara, you’re okay. You’re still in the house I know my brother isn’t gonna let anythin’ happen. I’m not about to make either one of you upset or feel some kind of way because you’re with my brother. I’m honestly fuckin’ happy for the two of you. I still didn’t think he was gonna claim you when it was brought to the table. He waited so fuckin’ long to speak up. When he did, it was like everythin’ in him lined up and he was doin’ exactly what he wanted to be doin’. Hawkeye is stubborn as fuck, but once he lets you in, you’ll never question his loyalty or the love he has for you. He’ll make you his fuckin’ queen and the center of his world,” Ricochet says as the door opens and Hawkeye enters the house.
“Okay. I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t doing anything wrong,” I tell him as Hawkeye steps up behind me and wraps his arms around the middle of me. He holds me close and leans down to press a kiss against my neck.
“You’re good, Tara. I promise,” Ricochet says, smiling at Hawkeye and me. “Now, it’s about time for us to head out. Do you need help once we get to the shop?”
“No. Lyric and I worked yesterday on setting everything up. Kevlar helped too. I’ve got all the candy ready to put out and there’s more than enough coffee and everything anyone could want to make the perfect cup,” I answer him as Hawkeye grabs my hand and laces our fingers together.
We’ve been at the shop for close to an hour now. I’ve got all the shelves filled, coffee brewed, and have gone over everything for the last time. Now, it’s time to open the doors and let the public in. A nervous flutter goes through me as Hawkeye nods at the door. He knows it’s time and I’m just stalling.
“Want me to unlock the door, sweets?” he questions, his voice a whisper as I continue looking around the shop.
“No. I can do this,” I state, my voice strong as I take a deep breath and make my way to the door.
Walking over, I unlock the door and pull it open. There’s already a line of people waiting to come in the shop. Stepping forward, I take another deep breath and prepare to say a few words to the crowd. A large portion of the men and women here today are the Wild Kings members and ol’ ladies. There’s also a group from the Phantom Bastards MC mixed in the crowd. Everyone else is here from Cedar Bay and the surrounding towns. It’s larger than I anticipated and I hope I’ve made enough of everything to sell. Especially the samples that I made and placed around the shop on various tables and counters.
“Welcome to Tara’s Treats. I’d like to thank you all for coming today in support of my new shop. I’ve got all kinds of coffee brewed and ready to go for cups of coffee and specialty drinks. There’s display cases filled with various candies and baked goods. Around the shop are samples of things from the case. Have a seat, some coffee, and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask me,” I say, the crowd clapping and cheering as I finish speaking and step aside to let everyone in the shop.
I don’t honestly know how I’m going to fit everyone here today inside. This turnout is more than I ever dreamed. I know the Prospects have gone around putting up flyers around Cedar Bay and the surrounding areas for the grand opening today. Still, I thought I’d get a few people besides those from the club and that’s it. A slow trickle of people coming in to check out the shop. I can’t make the smile leave my face as I watch everyone enter and greet them on their way inside.
“Girl, I’m so proud of you,” Maddie says as Tank leads her up to me. “You’ve done amazing here at the shop and have brought our boy back to us. Brax hasn’t been himself for a long time. When he’s with you, I see the old him shining through. Thank you, Tara.”
Maddie pulls me into a hug and I hug her back. Tank blocks us so we don’t get jostled around by people heading inside. I’m not sure what Maddie’s talking about right now. I haven’t done anything with Hawkeye. He claimed me and we’ve just been getting through one day at a time without adding sex back into the mix to complicate matters. It’s kind of been a dance of sorts. We’re both testing the other's limits to see what we can and can’t tolerate. So far, there haven’t been any problems. But, the words from Maddie make me realize I might need to have another conversation with Brax. He’s still got demons he’s fighting and I don’t believe anyone knows what they are. Including his dad who sees and knows everything.
“I really didn’t do anything, Maddie. I knew I needed to be claimed and Brax stepped up. He told me what was going on and assured me this is what he wants,” I tell her when we pull back from the hug.
“You bein’ there for him and not pushin’ him away when you should’ve is showin’ him that you’re not gonna fuck with his heart. You’re gonna be loyal to him and give him the love he deserves to have. That’s all our boy has ever wanted. No, he’s not like his brothers in the need to have an ol’ lady or kids. With you, I can see that shit changin’. I see him wantin’ to have a family with you. Brax will make an amazin’ dad and he needs a strong woman by his side. You’re that woman, Tara. Just be there for him and you’ll be just fine,” Tank says, his voice washing over me as Hawkeye steps up behind me and pulls me into his arms once again.
“What’s goin’ on out here?” he asks, looking from his parents to me and back again.
“Just congratulating your ol’ lady, Brax. This shop is great and I can’t wait to taste some of that coffee. The smell is coming out here making my mouth water. I’m gonna head in and get in line before it’s all gone,” Maddie answers, resting her palm against Brax’ cheek.
Maddie disappears into the shop and I follow her, leaving Tank and Brax outside to talk as more people continue to enter. There’s small groups standing around with cups of coffee and samples in their hands as they talk and laugh together. I’m greeted by several people as I weave my way around the crowd to help Lyric and Skylar behind the counter. Skylar just kind of stepped up last night when I was here putting the finishing touches on the candy I was making. She followed all of my recipes and it made the work fly by. We were done long before I thought I would be. Now, she’s helping Lyric behind the counter as the triplets are with Quinn, Ricochet, and Paige. I told Lyric she didn’t have to work today, but she brushed me off and got here just after we did this morning to open up and make sure everything was ready to go.
“These chocolates are so good,” a woman says, stopping me from going behind the counter. “Do you make all of these by hand?”
“I do. I make the centers, the shell, and then put them all together. Everything is made in the kitchen here,” I answer her as I turn to give her my full attention.
“Are you going to take calls for large orders? Like if I wanted to have some of this at a party I was throwing, I could call in an order,” she asks me, looking at the display case.
“Of course. As long as I’m given enough time to prepare everything, I will be more than happy to take large orders. Do you have a date in mind already?”
“Not yet. I’m in the process of putting together a retirement party for my husband. I’d like to have some of these delicious treats there. Do you have a card?” she questions, keeping one eye on the case as I reach up to grab a card and hand it over to her.
