Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 72156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
“No.”
“Then please stop worrying. You have nothing to worry about, I promise.”
****
Preacher pulled Robin onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. “Do you want to tell me what’s bothering you?”
Robin spent a great deal of time with him at the clubhouse lately. It helped that Bethany loved to play in his office, and he hadn’t admitted his feelings to Robin yet, but he was totally loving the kid.
“I spoke to Bishop today,” she said.
“Yeah, he’s working hard, or at least that’s what I’ve heard,” he said.
“Yeah, he certainly seems to be. I guess it was a bit of a shock seeing him like that, you know? Carrying stuff. Being the big, strong guy. I think I’m used to him using his reputation with you.” Robin leaned her head back. “He said he’s waiting to know what it is you’re going to do with him.”
“Me?”
“Yeah. After everything that happened. He’s waiting for you to either judge him or let him go.”
“What did you say to him?”
“I didn’t know what to say to him,” she said. “There’s a lot I don’t know and I’m not privy to club business. I’m just a woman.”
He cupped her face and tilted her head back, staring into her eyes. “I love you and whatever you have to say to me, even about the club, say it to me.”
“Really? You won’t be mad?”
“No, I won’t be.”
“Have you made a decision yet about Bishop?”
“Not as of yet, but that doesn’t mean I won’t make one. It can happen any time.”
She took a deep breath. “Okay.”
“Should I be worried?”
“I don’t think you should kill him.”
“You don’t?”
“No. I think he needs to be able to live a long and happy life. One where he’s not plagued by us, or what we do. I know it’s asking a lot.”
“It is asking a lot.”
“And I’m sorry. I’m not sorry. I know this is a club decision but we need to allow him to breathe.”
“Is that what you want?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Then that’s what I’ll do, no questions asked. I’ll talk to the club.” He already knew the boys wanted to settle the problem with Bishop and he’d been putting it off as he had other dealings that took priority.
“I also want us to get married,” Robin said. “Sooner rather than later. “I know you wanted to wait but I don’t want to wait anymore. I think it’s time we start to live our lives, don’t you think?”
“You’re all for the demands today. I don’t get it. What changed?”
“Don’t you think life is incredibly short?” she asked. “Look what has happened to us in the past couple of years. We’ve found each other, lost one another, and found each other again. I don’t want to waste another moment. The only time my life makes any kind of sense is when I’m with you. I love you. No one else. Just you. You mean everything to me.”
He stared into her eyes, and he saw the real worry, the real concern, and he couldn’t bear for her to ever feel that way, not with him.
“Then I’ll arrange it. You and me, we’ll get married and I’ll deal with Bishop. You have nothing to worry about.”
“You’re not mad?”
“No, why would I be mad?”
“I feel like I’m ruining all of your plans.”
“Not a chance.” He tilted her head back, kissed her lips. “I love you. I promise, I love you more than anything else in the world.” Bethany began to giggle as she played with one of her toys. “In fact, there was something I wanted to talk to you about.” He turned Robin so she was facing him and he smiled up at her.
“What is it?”
“I want to adopt Bethany. I want her to be my child.”
“You would do that?” she asked.
“For you, I would do anything and I know that now. Don’t go telling anyone just what a great guy I am. I’ve got to keep my reputation intact, you know.”
“I’m speechless. I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes, and make me really happy.”
“Yes.”
“Good.” He gripped the back of her head and kissed her hard. “I love you.”
“And I love you.”
****
A couple of days later, Preacher went to Bishop’s apartment. He’d known where the kid was living for some time now. Not only had Bishop gotten a job but he’d been getting on his own two feet, and he was proud.
Lifting his hand, he knocked on the door and waited. He’d gone to the feed and DIY store to discover his son spent a great deal of his time here.
He waited.
Bishop flicked the catch of the lock and opened the door.
“Preacher,” he said.
“Son.”
“What brings you here?”
“You know what brings me here and I think it’s time you and I had a talk.”
He watched his son visibly swallow but stepped back, giving him plenty of room to enter. Glancing around the place, he was surprised to see it was tidy. “You know the women at the club were afraid to clean your room. Lots of dirty dishes and unwashed clothes.”