“Things have changed, haven’t they?” She stares off. “I’ve done a lot of thinking in here. God knows there’s nothing but time for it. I’ve judged people on all the wrong merits; how much money they made, how prestigious their career was, silly things, unimportant things in the long run. What’s important is character. Judge a person by their actions, not their words. The truth is in how they treat you. Honesty is everything, isn’t it?”
I swallow because right this minute I’m lying to her, well at least not telling her everything, and that’s as good as lying, isn’t it? If she knew about the whole MC thing, she’d worry herself sick. “Yes, I suppose so.”
“I saw the way he looked at you as he took his vows. He cares for you. Give him a chance, Kami. He may be what you need.”
“Mom, stop.”
“Okay, fine. If not Santos, then, when this is over, you find a man who is good to you, and who loves you for who you are on the inside, not because of your looks or what they think they can get from you. You do that; you’ll have a happy life, baby girl.”
I nod, too choked up for words, bowing my head so she doesn’t see how her words affect me.
“Don’t search for a man that will solve all your problems, he won’t. Find one that won’t let you face them alone.”
All I can think about is the fact that Saint bent over backwards to make sure he could come with me today, making sure I didn’t face this alone. And he’d have come inside with me, too, if they hadn’t dragged their feet about approving him as a visitor. “All right, Mama. I will.”
The hour flies by, and before I know it, I’m hugging her goodbye, clinging to her neck, and not wanting to let go. But I know I must, and it kills me to let my grip relax and drop my arms.
“I love you, Kami,” she whispers.
“I love you, too, Mama.” My eyes fill as she steps back, then turns and walks away as the guards call all the inmates to line up. I watch until she disappears out of the door, and then I sag with the overwhelming grief that she’s being led to a cell, and I won’t get to see her again for days, if not weeks. It’s a long drive to this prison, and I can’t expect Saint to be able to bring me every week, or that I’ll have endless use of his truck. I hate the loss of control of my own life. Then I remind myself that my mother has lost control of every facet of her life, from when she eats to when she sleeps. I take a deep breath, wipe my eyes and follow the rest of the visitors toward the door.
Just like he promised, Saint is parked at the curb when I walk out. I climb in the truck and slam the door. He doesn’t hesitate to hit the gas, knowing somehow, that I just need to be away from this depressing place that sucks the very life out of you.
We drive several miles in silence, until we stop at a light, and I can see out of the corner of my eye Saint looking over at me.
“Hey.” He reaches over and tucks my hair behind my ear. When I still won’t look at him, he gently takes my chin and turns my head. “You okay?”
His warm brown eyes search mine, and there’s worry in the way his brows slash down. I nod and drop my gaze, my eyes stinging. “It’s just so sad.”
Before I know what he’s about to do, he pulls me into his arms, cradling the back of my head, and I find myself bursting into tears, pressing into his neck.
“Ah, shortcake, I’m sorry. I wish I could have gone in with you.”
The light turns and someone behind us honks. Saint reluctantly releases me, and pulls away.
On the long drive home, I can’t help glancing over at him, my mother’s words running through my head. I saw the way he looked at you as he took his vows. He cares for you. Give him a chance, Kami. He may be what you need.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Saint—
Over the next couple of weeks, the club keeps me pretty busy, and I’m gone from the house a lot. Whenever I do make it home, usually in the late hours or early dawn, I notice the small changes taking place at my house. Little by little, Kami is turning the place from a rundown dump into a cozy home.
The other night I walked in to find the fridge scrubbed clean and the food all organized, my beer in neat rows on the top shelf.
I’ve noticed other changes, too. Like the fact that the garden is weeded, the loose fence pickets are nailed back in place, and the whole thing has been painted a bright white.
I’ve told her to stop, but she insists it keeps her busy when I’m gone. Who am I to take away anything that keeps her mind off the fact her mother sits in a prison cell? I just haven’t got the heart. So I let her make this place look like a woman lives here, something that could have blowback if the club ever shows up.
I’m beginning to wonder if my little wife is a neat freak. I have to admit, I like it.
Things with the club have been crazy, but I’ve finally got a whole day to myself, and as I pull in the driveway, all I can think about is stretching out on the couch with a beer and watching a ballgame. I’m in the truck, so my rolling in doesn’t make the noise of the Harley arriving.
I spot Kami in the front yard, her back to me, yanking on the starter cord to the lawn mower. I park and walk over to her, guilt flooding me that I haven’t taken care of this already.
She doesn’t turn, so I tap her on the shoulder.
She whirls, yanking her headphones from her ears. “Jesus, you scared the crap out of me.”
“Sorry.” I point at the mower. “Move aside.” When she does, I grab the cord and yank, firing it right up.
Her hands land on her hips. “What did you do different? I did the same thing and it wouldn’t start for me.”
“I put some muscle into it.” I grin.
“Stupid lawnmower. I’ve been trying for twenty minutes.”
“Go inside and cool off. I’ll do this.”
“I didn’t ask you to do this.”
“Didn’t say you did.”
She stares me down a minute, and then flounces off with a huff.
I mow the damn lawn that I never should have let get this long, cursing up a blue streak, and feeling guilty for letting Kami do all this work around the place. I’m hot and thirsty by the time I finish, and trudge in the front door, wanting nothing more than a beer and a shower. I grab an ice-cold bottle from the fridge and press the wet glass to my forehead, sighing in relief.
Kami is nowhere to be seen, so I glance out the back screen door. She’s got a mat spread out on the pavers, and she’s doing yoga. The way her slender body twists into the positions, stretching her muscles to their max, has my dick jerking to attention. I’m hypnotized. Her movements are elegant and graceful and I can’t tear my eyes away. The cold bottle of beer stays full in my hand. After a few more minutes, she breaks into a couple of ballet movements. She pirouettes and jumps, kicking her legs out, and then spinning. Obviously, she’s had years of training, and I wonder what other hidden talents she possesses.
When she stops and wipes off with a small towel, I retreat to the living room, drop to the couch and click on the ballgame, not wanting to be caught watching her.
She comes through and goes into the bedroom, then comes out in a pair of shorts and a tee, carrying a pair of garden gloves in her hand. The screen door bangs as she goes out back.