Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“I know.”
Her gaze shifted to Memphis then, and I watched as something flickered between them. Something heavy. Something unspoken. He sighed, then reached out and gave her a hug. “I’m gonna miss having you around.”
“I’m going to miss being around, but you have my number. Just give me a call whenever you want some of my motherly advice.”
“I’ll do that, and you call me any time you need me to set you straight.”
She nodded against his chest, then stepped back as she answered, “I will.”
“Love you, Mom.”
“Love you, too.”
She looked back over at Preacher, and then, without another word, she climbed into her car and started the engine. Seconds later, she was pulling through the gates, but none of us moved. We just stayed put, watching as she disappeared down the road.
After a few moments, I walked over to them and asked, “So, where’s she running off to?”
“She’s going to stay with her sister for a couple of weeks, and then, she’s headed back home to Memphis.”
“What about her house? I thought it was torched?”
“Insurance came through, and they’re rebuilding.”
“Don’t see why she couldn’t just wait here until it was done.”
Prez exhaled, glancing at Memphis before looking back at me. “She needed to go.”
That was all he said.
Memphis’s fists were clenched at his sides, which told me he wasn’t pleased about how things had played out, but he knew better than to go against his father. So, he shook it off and did his best to accept what had to be done. Figuring he could use a change of subject, I asked, “How’d the drop go with the driver and guard?”
“As good as could be expected,” Prez answered. “We cleaned them up and sent them on their way. Haven’t heard anything more, so I’d say that’s the end of that. What about Tallie? How’s she making it?”
“She’s still coming to grips with some things, but she’ll be okay.”
“She know about her brother?”
“Yeah, that was a tough one.” I shook my head. “Had to be hard to hear that your brother was a lying, cheating, murdering asshole.”
“It was, but it is what it is.” I shrugged. “At least, now she can move on and put all this behind her.”
“So, you really think Rooks is done for?”
“No way to know for sure, but it certainly sounded that way.”
“So, what happens now?”
“Tallie and Ford are gonna be staying with me. I’ll get a couple of the prospects to help me move her stuff over from her apartment, and then, we’ll figure out something with her shop.”
“Sounds like you got it all figured out.”
“No, but we’re trying.”
“So, when are you gonna be ready to take back control of the Vault?” Memphis asked, sounding overly hopeful. “Cause that shit’s about to drive me up the fucking wall. I don’t know how you do it. If it’s not the girls bitching about the schedule, it’s some asshat starting shit and causing a fucking brawl. And then, you gotta deal with all the broken chairs and glasses.”
“I was thinking about passing the reins to you.”
“Fuck no,” Memphis groaned. “I don’t mind helping out here and there, but no way I’m stepping into those shoes.”
“Ah, I’m just fucking with ya. Just give me a few more days to get things settled, and then, I’ll be back.”
“You got it.”
I turned my attention to Prez as I said, “I appreciate your help with all this mess with Tallie. I know it was asking a lot.”
“That’s what we’re here for.” Prez gave me one of his nods, and that was that. He was ready to put it behind us. “You gonna be up to put together next week’s run?”
“Absolutely.”
“Good deal. Then, go home to your woman, and we’ll start putting a plan together at the end of the week.”
“Sounds good.” I gave him a pat on the shoulder. “Thanks, Prez.”
With that, I got back on my bike and headed straight back to the house. When I pulled up in the drive, I couldn’t help but notice that Mable and Percy were waiting for me at the barn. I hadn’t gotten around to feeding them, and they both let me know as soon as I got off my bike.
Mable started baahing and Percy started barking, and they put on quite a show. You would’ve thought they hadn’t been fed in days, and they kept at it until I made my way into the barn. I started over to the feed, and Mable almost knocked me off my feet.
“Hold on a damn minute, Mable!” I fussed. “I’ll get to you in a minute.”
I poured Percy some food, then grabbed her bag of pellets and started pouring them into her trough. I was about to get them both some fresh water when I spotted Ford standing in the doorway. He was just standing there, staring at me with this strange expression on his face. When he didn’t say anything, I started towards him and asked, “You alright, kid?”