The Biker Needs A Nanny (Thirteen Bikers for Christmas)

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Lucky—

It’s the girls’ bedtime when I roll in. I’m exhausted, but I try to never miss story time. When I have a bad day, it always grounds me and washes all the bad away. Snuggling with them while they sit in rapt attention to some fairytale is precious to me.

Shrugging out of my cut, I hang it on a hook in the entryway, then take in the candle on the small table. There’s a ceramic Santa sitting next to it. I recognize it from when Ella was born. I think my mother gave it to us. It’s been buried in a box all this time. I suppose Grace found it when she decorated the tree with the girls.

I gaze around my house. It’s become a home again, and that’s all thanks to her. So much has changed. When she first arrived, I couldn’t stand anything she tried to change. Now, I can’t imagine going back to the way things were before she came to us. I’m no longer just counting down the days until my aunt can come and replace her. I don’t want anyone to replace Grace.

I go up the stairs and hear happy chatter coming from my daughters’ room. Walking in, I find Grace again braiding Poppy’s hair. She wraps the end in a hair tie and stands.

“Daddy’s home, girls.”

I hug them both when they run to me. “What story should we read tonight?”

“This one,” Poppy says, climbing up on Ella’s bed with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer tucked under her arm.

Grace smiles, then exits, quietly closing the door.

“This was one of my favorites when I was your age,” I say.

“It was?” Poppy asks, wide-eyed.

“Yep. Now snuggle close and let’s start.”

I’ve got Ella cuddled on one side, and Poppy on the other. Heaven couldn’t be any better than this.

When I finish the story, Ella looks at me.

“Daddy?”

“Yes, baby girl?”

“Something scared Grace today.”

“What do you mean?” She instantly has my full attention.

“In town. She made us run to the truck and leave.”

“Maybe she was just late and in a hurry,” I say, wondering if she misinterpreted the situation.

Ella shakes her head. “She drove off before we even got buckled. And she kept looking in the mirrors.”

That has my muscles tensing. “Wait. She drove off before your car seats were buckled?”

“Uh huh.” Ella nods. “What do you think scared her, Daddy?”

“I don’t know, angel. But I’ll find out.”

“Will you fix it, Daddy?” she asks.

“Absolutely. Thanks for telling me, honey. I’ll take care of it, okay? I don’t want you to worry anymore about it.”

“You promise, Daddy?”

“I promise. Now go to sleep.” I kiss them both and tuck them in. “Goodnight, girls.”

When I return downstairs, I find Grace in the kitchen, wiping down the counters. I wrap my arms around her, kissing her neck. “You okay?”

“Yes, just cleaning up.”

“Ella told me what happened today.”

“She did?”

“You want to tell me about it?”

She stares at the counter, her motions slowing.

“Grace?” I turn her around, take the cloth from her hand, and toss it in the sink.

She rubs her upper arms. “There was a man following us. I didn’t like the way he looked.”

I search her eyes, and something tells me I’m not getting the full story. “That’s all there was to it?”

“Yes.”

“This have anything to do with that guy from the other day?”

She won’t meet my eyes. “It may have been the same man.”

I study her, then glance to toward the stairs that lead to the girls’ room. I hesitate to suggest what I’m about to suggest, but I want them to be safe. “Do you know how to fire a gun, Grace?”

“A gun? No. Of course not.”

“I don’t like the idea of having them anywhere the girls can get to them, but if you’re really concerned, I could get one for you to carry in your purse.”

“I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

“Then I could get a prospect to escort you when you go out.”

“That’s a little excessive, isn’t it?”

“You tell me. I don’t want you to be afraid, Grace.”

She looks away, and God, I wish she trusted me enough to tell me everything.

I sigh. “Just think about it. You can let me know in the morning.”

She nods and moves to put a mug in the dishwasher.

I squeeze the back of her neck, massaging the tense muscles. It’s obvious she wants me to drop the subject, but I’m hesitant to let it go. I wish I knew what was holding her back. “You know you can tell me anything, right?”

She nods again but won’t turn to look at me.

I want more than anything for her to feel safe, but I also want her to trust me, and I’m not sure we’re quite there yet. Eventually, she’ll learn that my actions always back up my words. Right now, it’s just hyperbole, but soon I hope she comes to learn the truth of my promises.

I can tell her to trust me, but I can’t make it happen. She’s got to learn that for herself.

“Lucky, like I said, I probably overreacted.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. But I think you should stick close to home for a while. Maybe I can track this guy down and find out who the hell he is.”

“You don’t have to do that. I was probably worrying for nothing.”

“I don’t want you worrying at all.”

“I know that.” She steps away. “I’m tired. I’m going to bed. Goodnight.”

I watch her head upstairs, and I know one thing for certain. I’ve got to find this motherfucker.