Page 5
“I really do,” Lovely’s voice says from behind me.
She’s beaming with pride at my boy, and hell, it almost brings a tear to my eye. It took him a long time to get to this point, and I couldn’t think of a better Ol Lady for him. Lovely softens his hard edges and gives him something to fight for.
“Can I just point out that it was my advice that got you to where you are?” Pops grumbles.
“And you’ll do the same for Mad Dog,” Lovely says, patting Pops on his shoulder.
Pops dips his chin before turning his shrewd gaze on me. “Lesson number one. You owe her more than fixing her door.”
“What do you suggest?” There’s a glint in Pops’ eye and I know I’m in trouble. “Two words. Honey. Do.”
I frown. “Honey do?”
“A honey do list, you old bastard.”
“You want me to do her chores?”
“No. I want you to notice what needs doing before she does.”
“I don’t know. She’s pretty independent.” I rub my scruff. Turning up at Willa’s and fixing shit could get me shot. Or even further from my goal.
“Sometimes independent people still need to know that they’re appreciated and that there are those they can rely on,” Lovely offers. “Take Blanche. Nobody thought she would ever let a man do anything for her after what she lived through. Then Tav burst into her life and showed her that she could trust him.”
Pops points at Lovely. “Exactly that. You’re not making yourself useful to score points. You’re making yourself useful because that’s what people do for the ones they care about.” He gives me the eye, “I know you know what I’m talking about. You’re a protector, Mad Dog. You’d do anything, including lay down your life for the ones you love. You can still do that with Willa, but you gotta show her you can do that in a way that makes her feel safe.”
“I’d die before I let anything happen to Willa!” I growl. Even the thought of her being hurt gets my back up.
“Not like that you damn bonehead! I mean, in here.” He thumps his chest.
Understanding dawns on me. Whoever the hell came before me left his mark. I ain’t gonna erase that. I don’t even want to. Everything she’s experienced has made Willa…Willa. The best I can do is make sure I don’t poke at old wounds. Which means doing something I’ve never been good at when it comes to women. Taking my time.
“Well, that's actually some damn good advice.” I nod in his direction. “Thank you, Pops.”
He clicks his tongue, “And if all else fails, learn to fold fitted sheets. Women love that shit.”
“No one loves that shit.”
“Exactly.”
Willa
“Miss Willa!” Kit yells, running directly at me.
“Miss Kit!” I yell back, arms spread wide waiting to catch the little munchkin.
Kit is a cute kid, and her mother Joy is one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. It’s funny, I was friendly with my old neighbors, but since Joy, Kit and now Switch have moved in beside me, I’ve been sucked into a large, noisy family. And I ain’t mad at it.
“Guess what happened at school today?” she asks, wide eyed, her grin showing off her missing front tooth.
“Hmmm.” I tap my bottom lip, trying to ignore the wiggly five year old in front of me. “Did that boy who’s been picking on you pee his pants?”
Kit bursts into a fit of giggles and it lights me up from the inside. I always thought I’d have children. Being an only child to a single mother I knew if given the chance I’d have a passel of kids. Unfortunately, Diesel always had an excuse as to why it wasn’t the right time. Turns out it wasn't about the timing, it was about control. Now, at 45 and damn sure perimenopausal, I know I’ll never get the chance to have any of my own. But I can totally rock the cool aunt vibe with Kit.
“Noooooo. Even better!”
I rear back, holding Kit at arms length. “Even better than peeing his pants? Oh you gotta tell me now. But inside. With cookies.” My gaze flicks to Joy. “If momma says it's OK.”
Kit spins, little hands clasped together as she gives her mother the big eyes. Joy rolls hers, trying to hide her grin. “Just one. I know how Miss Willa likes to make those giant cookies the size of your head.”
