Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 60268 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60268 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
Baker had lost his wife and his unborn child because of a drunk driver.
“I’m fine with it. I’ve not got a problem with the kids being born, and my brothers finding happiness.”
“Speaking of happiness, you’re now a patched in member, and you’re babysitting me, why?”
“I care, and I’ve got nothing else to do.”
“You’re not stalking Millie today?” she asked.
Millie was the toy shop owner in Fort Wills. Baker had been smitten with her since Christmas, and found any excuse to visit the shop.
“She’s, erm, she’s a little skittish around me. I think I scare her, and scaring her has never been my intention.”
“You’ve not even asked her out on a date?”
“I don’t date.”
“Then you’ve got a problem. You need to learn how to date.” Rose made her way back into the kitchen, grabbing a skillet. She was hungry now, and she could handle a nice stack of pancakes with maple syrup, and lots of bacon. “Are you hungry?”
“Starved. I came straight here from the clubhouse. Angel wasn’t even up cooking yet.”
Angel was one of the best cooks in the clubhouse. Her food could win awards if she entered herself into the competitions.
“So, dating? When was the last time you did it?” she asked.
“My wife. I courted her during high school, and we were married the moment we graduated.” Baker smiled. “We got our graduation certificate, and we went to the church. It was fucking awesome. Our parents were there for us, and we spent the afternoon in a hotel room, paid for by our parents. We were both so happy.”
“It sounds romantic.”
“It was. We decided that we were going to wait for kids, go to college. I went to culinary school, took over from my dad at the bakery, and we made a go of it. We were so happy. I used to date her, and take her to the movies, bake for her, and I used to plan these elaborate dinners.”
Rose smiled. “You sound so romantic.”
“I don’t know if I was so romantic, but I tried for her. I loved her, and I wanted to give her the best in life.”
She wondered what it would have been like to have Hardy use similar dating techniques. He’d been the kind of guy to wink, hook his arm through hers, and take her for a burger. There was no love or sweet, darling words from Hardy.
Was that what she wanted?
“So, dating? Millie?”
“I like her.”
“You’re going to scare her if you keep going into the shop buying toys.”
“I don’t just buy toys. I pick up purchases for the rest of the boys.”
Rose chuckled. “She’s going to think you’ve got issues.”
“I really need some advice on what to do?”
“Ask her for coffee, Baker. Or better yet, take her one of your baked goods. She’d fall for you there and then.”
Baker chuckled. “Do women really love having a guy who can bake?”
“Do you really need me to answer that?” she asked, chuckling, too.
“No.”
****
Hardy drove across town and came to a stop outside of Millie’s toy shop. There wasn’t a shop that stored baby stuff, and he’d heard the old ladies talking about Millie ordering shit in.
Climbing off his bike, he pushed his sunglasses up onto his head and entered the shop.
“Two seconds,” Millie said, shouting from the back of the room.
This had to be fucking dangerous. No one was in the shop, and he could easily kill her, taking what he wanted. Hardy grabbed his cell phone sending a text to Tiny. He then cursed, remembering that Tiny no longer dealt with this craziness, and sent the same message to Lash.
Hardy glanced around the decorative toy shop. It was light, beautiful, and every single kid who came through the door would love it.
Tiny: Not the leader anymore. Txt Lash!!!!!!!!
Lash: We’ll handle it at church!
Pocketing his cell phone, he looked up as Millie came from the back. She took one look at him and his leather jacket, and smiled. “Erm, Nash, Gash, no, you’re not Fighter. Crap, I’m really bad with names.”
“We’ve not officially met. I’m Hardy.”
“It’s lovely to meet you.” She shook his hand, and Hardy knew she needed to have some protection. Millie wasn’t even aware of the danger she could be in. Fort Wills was a protected town, but even then, someone passing through could cause damage.
“And you, what’s your security on this place?”
“I have a, erm, a camera thing in the back, and locks on the doors for when it’s closed.”
“That it?”
“Yeah, what can I get you, Hardy?”
Some peace of mind that you’re protected in some way.
“Rose and I are expecting.”
“That is so fantastic. Congratulations. I’m so happy for you.” She leaned down and grabbed a couple of books. “I take it you want to order some things for the baby?”
“That’s right. I don’t want Rose to find out. She’s a little superstitious.”