Once she finished, she rotated the arrangement. "What do you think?"
"Gah," shouted Jenna. "It makes me want to have a baby."
"Well, you have to go see your hairdresser and host a shower first. Then, you can look for the father of your child." She picked up the pot. "I'll carry this out to your car. You look so nice today. I don't want to take a chance at getting your dress dirty."
"I really appreciate you doing this for me." Jenna hurried forward to open the door for her. "How much do I owe you?"
"It's on me." She shook her head when Jenna opened her mouth to argue with her. "Honestly, I have plants to spare. I went crazy with the seeds this year in my plans for the sale on Mother's Day."
Jenna half hugged her at the car. "I owe you a night out."
"I'll take you up on that, but not until we get a job." She put the flower pot in the backseat, making sure it wouldn't tip on the corners, and shut the door.
"Thanks again." Jenna slid into the driver's seat. "See you in the morning for our job-hunting extravaganza."
"I'm feeling positive." She held up two crossed fingers and backed out of the way of the car.
Jenna, Stephanie, Angela, and her were going job hunting tomorrow in Missoula. She hoped to come home with employment lined up for all of them, considering they all quit working at the lounge at the same time. She could never repay them for the support they showed her by walking out.
She strolled across the front yard, heading around the house to go to the greenhouse in the backyard and noticed a white envelope taped to the front door. She jumped over the flowerbed onto the porch.
The envelope had her name on the front. Taking it with her to the greenhouse, she opened the letter as she walked.
Please, come back. I'll give you a dollar an hour raise, and we can talk. —Cal
She groaned, stepping into the greenhouse. The guy wouldn't stop.
Not once had she ever given Cal the idea that she was interested in him. In fact, she loved working for his ex-wife and really had nothing to do with Cal for years because he remained behind the scenes up until Celia left him. She wished Celia had kept the business, and given Cal the house, then she would still have a job.
Tossing the letter in the trashcan, she went back to the rows of plants and started deadheading the hanging baskets. Each time she plucked a dried, shriveled bloom off the plants, she pretended they were her former boss's head.
Chapter 4
Curley
Rocky jetted away from Tracy. Curley snagged the two-year-old boy and picked him up, amongst squeals and kicks.
Flipping the kid upside down, Curley held Rocky by the ankles in the air and blew raspberries on his round tummy.
Giggles erupted. He chuckled, righting the kid and holding him in the crook of his arm.
"You're going to get your butt beat if your mom or dad catches you running off." He walked toward the group in front of the door at the same time Tracy's head swiveled, and stark fear flittered over her face before she caught sight of him holding her son.
Tracy lugged the baby, Elizabeth, on her hip and reached with one hand for Rocky. He handed her son to her.
"Thanks, Curley." Tracy shook her head. "I think that's our sign to go home. This guy needs a nap."
"Hand him off to someone. We're not taking off for another hour." Curley took a pack of smokes out of his vest pocket. "Where's your old man?"
"Inside with Paco." She hitched Rocky up higher on her hip without waking the baby cradled on her other side.
Curley glanced down, wondering what she was going to do if she got knocked up again. "You're running out of arms."
She laughed. "I told Rick that. He wants to try for another boy, and I keep telling him I need to have at least one of the kids out of diapers before we even think about that."
"Your dad would be proud to see you now." He lit the cigarette. "You're doing a good job raising your family within the club, honey."
Tracy's eyes softened, and she mouthed, "Thank you."
"Do you need help getting them in the truck?"
No, I've got it down to science now." She walked toward the pickup. "Have a safe ride, Curley."
"Will do." He raised his hand. "Stay out of trouble while we're gone."
"I can't promise that." She laughed. "Faye's coming to spend the night tomorrow. We probably won't sleep with all the catching up we're going to be doing."
He lowered his arm to his side. The cigarette slipped from between his fingers to the ground. He stomped his boot against the asphalt, extinguishing the coal.
"Why is she hanging out with you?" he asked.
"Why not?" Tracy's head disappeared inside the cab of the truck. "We used to be friends when we were young, remember?"
He gritted his teeth. He remembered too much.
Like Tracy, Faye had been one of the kids belonging to Tarkio. Innocent and childlike, until life had changed her.
"Frank and Aaron will be around with the younger members if you or Faye need anything this week," he said.
"We'll be fine." She popped back out of the truck. "I don't plan on being alone. Even Chrischris is coming over on Wednesday. I promised to sew a patch on his vest if he hung around in the yard and played with Rocky."
Acid burned his throat. He wanted Faye away from Missoula. He knew enough people in Superior that he felt better about her staying at the house.
He couldn't keep track of her here when he was going to be gone.
The baby cried, protesting the car seat. She grinned and motioned her chin toward the vehicle. "That's my signal to go. See you later."
He nodded. Not wasting time, he went over to the group of bikers and pulled Hammer away.
"What's up?" Hammer gave Curley all of his attention.
He took his wallet out of his back pocket and pulled out a picture. "See this woman?"
"Yeah."
"Her name's Faye Walker. She's got longer hair now and a bit older. Twenty-four years old." He looked at Hammer, trying to gauge his age. "How old are you?"
"Twenty-eight." Hammer thrust his fingers in his hair, pushing the strands back.
"Forget it." Curley walked away and went into the clubhouse. Spotting Aaron, he went to his MC brother.
He wasn't going to set some young punk up watching Faye, giving him ideas. Aaron was closer to his age than Faye's, and he was used to hanging out at Tracy's place. Having him there wouldn't look out of the ordinary.
"Faye's coming into town tomorrow. She's got the idea to spend the night with Tracy. I need you to watch her." He put the picture he carried in his wallet away.
"At Tracy's place?" Aaron rubbed the back of his neck. "Is she in trouble?"
"No."
"Danger?"
"Nope." He ran his hand over his head. "I just want you watching her."
"For what?" Aaron smacked Curley on the shoulder. "She's a grown-ass woman. Let her have her night with Tracy."
He cleared his throat. "You'll watch her?"