Moving to You, page 25
part #1 of Rolling Thunder Series
"That ass can do just about anything." His groggy sleep tinged voice drifted her way and she had to admit, the man was always sexy, even now. His hair was messed, though she had to admit she'd done that to him before they fell asleep. The covers were pulled to his navel, his broad bare chest exposed for her viewing pleasure. He had one arm resting above his head and one laying alongside his body, but his eyes were drinking her in. Nice.
"Well, at least it can close doors." Sliding her knee across the bed to support her and hopefully keep her from spilling hot java on his chest, she slowly sank to the mattress and held the cups aloft as he sat up and scooted to the headboard to relax.
Taking his cup from her hands, he responded, "And it keeps me a very happy man."
"Well, that's all that matters then, so happy to oblige."
Sipping the hot liquid from his cup a sigh escaped his lips and he closed his eyes. "So, Blaze?" Capturing her eyes in his he continued, "I want to find a way to help him Kayd. Without him I wouldn't have you back."
"No JT. Please don't get mixed up with that whole mess with the Club."
"I wouldn't be getting mixed up with it, but I could be his back up. Or at a minimum, we could be outside and only run in if we hear something bad happening."
"We?"
"Ryder and Gunnar and I."
"Something bad happening?" Stunned that he'd want to run into a building where gun fire and who knew what else might be going on, she was almost speechless.
"Look hon, it doesn't look like he has a ton of support. Or at least he isn't sure of the amount of support he has. The fact that one of the other guys called him and asked for a meeting at their house is concerning to him. Duncan said last night he sounded worried."
Twisting to set her coffee on the night stand, she turned back to him. "Honey, I don't mean this to sound bad or as if you're stupid, but do you know how things work with a club?"
"Of course I do."
His offended tone brought a small smile to her lips. "Baby. If you go there with Blaze or he has you sitting in the parking lot, someone is going to notice. He wants to be President, that means he needs to handle this and look tough and as if he's got this. He can't bring 'back up' or anything that looks like he's scared."
"Right, but what if they kill him?"
Sucking in a deep breath she let it out slowly, looking into his eyes. So green and bright and worried. Even with his own problems he wanted to help someone else. She was a lucky woman.
"What if they don't? What if he marches in there and takes charge and lays down the law that the club is now legit and that's that. Like it or leave it. What about that? That will give him what he wants, he'll have the respect he needs to run that club and maybe this town won't be torn apart by a war between both sides."
His long silence made her nervous, but she decided to wait it out. He thought he was being a help and hopefully he'd see he couldn't go marching in there and fixing things for Blaze. Besides, he needed to worry about getting cleared of Destry's shooting.
"Okay." He sipped his coffee but continued to stare at the wall across from them.
"Okay?" Laying her hand on his jaw and pulling his handsome face toward hers she kissed the tip of his nose, then his soft warm lips. The coffee taste flowed between them and her nipples actually puckered. She was such a lost cause where JT was concerned.
"Yeah. I won't do anything. I don't like it, but I guess you're right and I'm a big man and can admit my woman is right when she's right."
"Your woman? What are you a cave man?"
Setting his cup on the nightstand on his side of the bed, he twisted quickly and pulled her down, capturing her lips. He stifled the squeal that whooshed out by kissing it from her.
"Mommy?" Crap.
She rolled to her side as JT pulled the covers farther up his chest. Her pink tee had scrunched up around her waist and she struggled to pull it down as Dakota pushed the door open and stepped into the room.
"Yes baby? Did you sleep good?"
Her messy blonde curls bobbed as he nodded her head vigorously, her smile wide across her adorable little face.
"I did but Chance farted a lot last night and the room stinks."
She burst out laughing and JT followed along laughing too. She patted the bed and Dakota eagerly climbed up and scooted between them, facing them both. "Are we staying here today again?"
"Yes honey. We have to wait for the police to tell us we can go home before we can leave and we don't know how long that will be."
"When can I get my clothes? I wanted to show Ruby the cool shirt Emma bought me in town."
JT smoothed a curl away from her left eye and tucked it behind her tiny ear. "I'm going to ask Ryder and Gunnar to go and get the motor home today, so we'll have it back here tonight."
She nodded eagerly then scrambled off the bed. "I have to go and tell Ruby."
Skipping out of the bedroom Kayden smiled. Her little girl was accepting of all of the drama and changes in their lives without whining and misbehaving. She'd done something right with her. Now they just needed to get the rest of their lives in order.
A knock sounded on the door even though it was ajar. Ryder poked his head in, "JT, there's a cop here for you."
65
His lips pressed together forming a straight line as Dakota jumped up and wrapped her tiny arms around his neck. "They aren't taking you away are they?"
As he cupped her head, his eyes sought Kayden's. The worry lines that had grown around her gorgeous hazel eyes worried him and, if truth be told, it pissed him off that this was happening to these two. His new little family was being tested big time. Kissing the side of Dakota's head he nodded slightly to Kayden, who pulled her daughter away, but cradled her close as he sat up and pulled on his T-shirt. Grateful he'd pulled on the jogging pants Duncan had loaned him after he'd made love to Kayden last night. He didn't want to, but she'd giggled and whispered that there were any number of people, Dakota especially, who could come in at any time. Reluctantly, he'd done as she asked.
As he walked around the bed, his eyes never left Kayden's. "I'll be right back." He winked and ran the backs of his fingers along her jaw as he walked past. Ryder had already gone back to the living room and he could hear his brothers questioning the officer.
Entering the room he nodded at both of his brothers before greeting the officer. Deciding to take the friendly approach, he held out his hand to shake the officer's and was happy when the officer took his and shook.
"Morning." He greeted.
"Good morning Mr. Sheppard. I'm here to tell you that you're free to go if you like. The ballistics came back on your gun and we've confirmed it hadn't been shot."
Surprised at the dampness that instantly flooded his eyes, he blinked rapidly, swallowed a few times, then managed a smile at the officer. His brothers were on him in a heartbeat, slapping him on the back and hugging him. He'd never needed their support more than he did this week and they'd been there for him, just like he'd always be there for them.
Kayden's sob floated in the air and he turned quickly to see her standing at the mouth of the hall, Dakota's hand in hers, tears rolling down her cheeks. Lifting his arms she ran to him and squeezed him with all her might. He felt Dakota's little arms wrap around his legs and his heart felt full. Breathing in Kayden's scent, he closed his eyes and just hung on to this moment for a bit longer. His heart felt as though it would beat out of his chest, his breathing came in spurts as he willed himself to calm the fuck down. He didn't want to scare Dakota with his crying, but God almighty, he felt like he'd break down any moment. The stress he'd been carrying was about to consume him.
"I'll be leaving you now Mr. Sheppard. You can stop down at the station anytime to retrieve your weapon."
The officer stepped back to leave, "Wait." He left go of Kayden and turned to the officer. "Who shot Destry?"
"We don't have that information yet. The investigation is on going."
"Okay. And we can leave town and go home?"
"Yes sir." The officer played with the brim of his hat, still held in front of his belly, almost as though he were nervous coming here.
JT stepped forward again and looked him in the eye. "Thank you so much for coming out here."
A pink tint flushed the officers cheeks. "You're welcome. You all have a good day."
He stepped out of the door, donned his hat, and strode to his squad car. But the house erupted in squeals and laughter before he opened the driver's door.
"Are we going home now?" Dakota tugged the pant leg of his or actually, Duncan's, jogging pants.
Bending down to scoop her up in his arms he said, "Yes. We're going home. Are you ready?"
She giggled, her cute little girl giggle. "Yes." Looking back at her friends she said, "Chance and Ruby are coming with us."
Payton laughed. "No, we're not coming with them, but we'll be close behind." She looked first to Kayden and then to JT. "I hope you don't mind."
Shaking his head he watched as Kayden wrapped her arms around Payton's shoulders. "No, we don't mind." Glancing at him she smiled, "Besides, I'll need a matron of honor at my wedding and I can't think of anyone I'd rather have standing with me as I make JT marry me."
"Oh, I don't think that's going to be a hard task at all." She clapped her hands together then and hustled the kids to the kitchen for breakfast as they began cleaning up the blankets and airbed.
Following Kayden to the bedroom to get dressed he grabbed her arms as soon as the door was closed, Pulled her tightly to his chest. Damn but he loved the way her breasts felt smashed against him. Capturing her mouth he kissed her deeply, excited at the response he got in return. Her arms snaked around his shoulders and dug into his hair, kneading his scalp and tugging gently on his locks.
Needing air, he pulled back slightly, his forehead to hers and said, "Let's get the fuck out of this town for good."
She giggled, her hands on either side of his face, she kissed his soundly, then replied, "I'm right there with you."
66
Twenty hours later JT maneuvered the motor home down a tree lined street in a quiet neighborhood. Though the trees weren't as mature as she was used to back home. Or actually, back in Shady Pines, this was now home. The homes were all built within the past twenty years, neat and orderly, each looked well cared for and friendly. Most of the homes were ranch style, there was a two story here and there to break up the monotony and she silently took it all in and played a game with herself to see if she could tell which was JT's - theirs, before he turned into the driveway.
She saw him glance over at her and smile, "You're trying to guess which is ours aren't you?"
She nodded, smiled, then continued looking through the windshield as the houses floated past the window. White, green, blue, tan, half-brick, full brick, red, the colors ran together. Seeing a home toward the middle of the street come into view, she noticed a mailbox at the end of the driveway with a motorcycle painted on the outside. Her smile grew across her face, "That one." She pointed. He laughed out loud, the sound like music, they'd had so little time to come down from their ordeal and actually relax and laugh.
"Nope." He glanced at her then back to the road. "Come on babe, too obvious."
Her eyes scanned the street again, looking for any sign that might give her an idea of which was their home. She saw a white ranch home with a car on blocks in the driveway. Slowly turning her head to him he laughed, "I'm not a hillbilly either."
She shrugged and continued the game. JT slowed the motor home's progress, letting her have this time. "Give me a hint." She giggled.
He smiled and it was sexy. He was sexy but when he smiled, his straight perfect teeth gleaming in the sunlight, his blond hair, pulled back in a band at his nape shined as well. He turned his eyes to her and she felt like the most beautiful woman in the world as his eyes softened. She could feel his love just by the way he looked at her.
He sat straighter and cleared his throat, "Okay. We have a three car garage."
Her eyes quickly scanned the homes before them, easily weeding out the homes without a three-car garage. That left around 8 homes. He pulled to the curb, a grin on his face.
"Hmm, okay." She spied a half brick house two doors down and across the street. The upper part of the house had white siding. It looked neat and tidy and her tummy lightened as she stared at it. This was looking better and better all the time. After all, she'd moved her daughter and herself with utter faith in JT and his family. Just looking at this street made her feel happy.
"Look!" Dakota squealed from the back. "That girl has a pink bike."
Turning to glance out the side window, a little girl a bit older than Dakota scooted past the motor home on her bicycle, her helmet had My Little Pony sparkly decals on it.
"Wow, Dakota, you'll have a friend on the street to play with."
Looking back at Dakota he said, "Her name is Sally. She has a little brother, Sam."
"You know them?" Dakota unbuckled her seat belt and scooted to stand between their seats at the front of the vehicle.
"I sure do. Their dad and mom are very nice people."
"Mom, can I get a bike too?"
It was hard to deny Dakota anything that would make her happy, she'd been through so much in her short life. "I think we can manage that Kota."
"Where do we live dad?"
The softness that fell over his face when he turned his head to look first at her, one side of his lips tilted up, then back at Dakota made her heart skip. His smile grew as he teased Dakota. "We can't go in until your mom guesses which is our house. Wanna help her?"
"Yeah." She clapped her little hands together and jumped up and down. Looking down both sides of the street she giggled and pointed to the house they had stopped in front of. "I think we live there. Because I see Grandpa in the window."
Whipping her head around to look out the side window on her side she indeed saw Jeremiah standing at the window, his massive arms crossed over his chest. Then Joci's petite form appeared next to him and his big arms wrapped around her.
Laughing she nudged his shoulder, "Very funny JT."
They unbuckled their seat belts and stood, taking just a moment to stretch. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she stood on her toes and kissed his lips. "I love you."
He chuckled and she felt the rumble through her body. "I love you to. Welcome home."
Opening the door, he hopped out and pulled the steps down from the outside. Reaching up, he lifted Dakota out of the camper and held her in his arm as he reached in and took Kayden’s hand, helping her out of the camper. The Sheppards left the window and the garage door opened as they crossed the yard. The tumbled brick ranch was light tan in color and masculine in appearance but very welcoming. The arched entry with the oak front door was rich and impressive. The landscaping along the curved sidewalk from the driveway was bright with flowers and rich red mulch.
The garage was drywalled and finished, the cement floor clean and JT's bike, not the one he built for Sturgis, was parked on the far side of the garage, her Jeep in the first stall closest to the door and his big black RAM in the center. A tingle ran the length of her body at the sight of her Jeep in the garage. She lived here now. They lived here. As the door to the house opened and Joci poked her head out, Dakota squirmed and JT set her down. Her little one, full of love ran to Joci's open arms and snuggled into her. She immediately began chattering and Joci laughed, "Slow down Kota, I can't catch all your words."
Standing Joci reached out and hugged her. Kayden's eyes welled with tears at the over whelming emotions. She wasn't a cryer normally, but she was hard pressed to stop herself now. She squeezed Joci hard, and Joci whispered, "It's all okay now baby. I'm so happy you're all okay."
Jeremiah exited the house and wrapped his son in a warm embrace. Watching the two of them together their similarities were easy to see. She was a lucky woman. JT was going to grown older and still be smoking hot. Nice.
Joci hugged JT and Jeremiah hugged her and whispered his wife's sentiments.
"Okay, well, do you want us to stick around for a few minutes or get out of here while you all see your new home?"
"Oh, please stay." She responded, then glanced at JT, her brows raised in question.
"We'd love it if you could visit a bit. We've got a lot to fill you in on."
The senior Sheppards ushered Dakota into the house and as JT bent and scooped her up into his arms, she squealed. "I intend to carry you over the threshold."
His lips pecked hers and he easily carried her into her new kitchen.
The oak cabinets gleamed and the granite counters sparkled as the over head lights reflected off the sparkles embedded within. The neutral tile floors flowed into the living room where the shiny hardwoods greeted her. Dakota was quiet as she looked around taking everything in and Kayden understood her silence. Neither of them had ever lived in a home this nice. Dakota's entire life had been spent living above a garage. She tried making it as nice as possible, but then the Devils began to screw with the bar business and money was always tight if not non-existent. This home was gorgeous. Gooseflesh raised on her arms as her eyes continued to scan the room. The walls didn't hold many pictures but the massive brick fireplace in the living room was adorned with framed pictures of the many Sheppards and motorcycles. She smiled as she glanced at them, then jumped when JT cleared his throat.
"Your silence is beginning to weird me out Kayd."
She shook her head, more to clear her thoughts than reassure him. "I'm speechless. This is...this is beautiful. I've never lived in a home so...perfect."
"You can paint or change whatever you like. I haven't done much, I bought it this way mostly, and I've only been here a few months. So, we'll make it our home together."
She turned to face him, her big strong biker. His shoulders looked broader now, the black T-shirt he wore hugged his body much like she'd like to do right now. His parents stood in her peripheral sight and she reminded herself to be good. But later...
