Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 35194 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35194 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
Chapter Ten
Calista
The next week represented the happiest I’d been since before my mother died. Ringo and I barely left the little house the first two days. It wasn’t until Dom came pounding on the front door with a scowl and threats of unmanning Ringo if he didn’t bring me out to be with him and the rest of the Grim Road.
Not only had I gotten to know Ringo better, but I’d started forming a bond with Dom. He told me stories about my mother. When he did, he’d get this distant, soft look on his face. Her memory was obviously something he cherished. It made me feel better about running to him. He loved my mother. It was easy to tell. He was trying to love me the same as I was trying to love him.
“Ringo!” Dom bellowed from across the yard as he marched toward the house. I was sitting on the porch with Ringo, holding hands and talking. The man loved to touch me. In fact, the second I moved to go greet my father, Ringo growled and pulled me into his lap.
“Mine,” he growled up at Dom. “Go away.”
Dom gave him an impatient look. “She might be yours, but she was mine first.”
“Was not.” Ringo lifted his chin stubbornly. “I’d argue she was mine long before she was yours.”
“What? A whole minute and a half? She came here for me.”
“And she found me.”
“I’m not a bone for you two junkyard dogs to fight over.” I tried to sound put out, but I snuggled into Ringo, soaking up the attention. I loved his touch. I hadn’t had much positive affection since my mother died.
“Of course, you’re not,” Dom said hastily. He knelt in front of us, taking my hand in both of his before kissing my fingers. “You’re my daughter and this lout is taking up all your time.”
“I’ve got all the time you want, Dad.” I smiled up at him. “I’ll always have time for you.”
The smile he gave me was genuine and happy. He reached for me, and I would have happily gone to him for the big bear hug he always gave me, but Ringo tightened his hold.
“Mine.”
Dom rolled his eyes. “Let an old man have some time with his only daughter.”
“Old man?” Ringo snorted. “I’ll remember that.”
“Give me. My daughter.” Dom’s voice was stern, but he winked at me. I got the feeling he and Ringo loved bickering back and forth. They were definitely close friends. From what I could tell, they worked closely together. What one knew, the other did. What enemy one fought, so did the other.
“Go fuck yourself.” Ringo’s hold tightened on me, and he bared his teeth at Dom.
“Christ, Ringo.” Dom scowled. “I want my daughter.”
“Jesus, old man,” Ringo grumbled. “Fine. Whine a little more, why don’t you?”
“Pretty sure it’s you who’s whinin’.” Dom stood, reaching for me. When I got to my feet, he gave me the big, tight hug I’d come to crave from the older man. “It’s good to see you, honey.”
I signed contentedly. “It’s good to see you too.”
“You two are comin’ to the picnic, right?”
“No,” Ringo said at the same time I said, “Yes.”
“When did you turn into such a party pooper, Ringo?” Dom chuckled, obviously enjoying the banter. I’d never admit it to Ringo, but I was loving it too. It felt good to be fussed over by people who had my well-being at heart.
“Since you came over and tried to take my girl.” Ringo stood and pulled me back into his arms. “Gimme.”
I couldn’t help myself. I laughed as I wrapped my arms around Ringo, burying my face in his chest. “You two are horrible. But I love you both.” The confession slipped out before I realized it. When both men stilled, I stiffened in Ringo’s arms.
“Oh, no, baby girl.” Ringo said, tightening his grip on me. “No takesie backsies.”
That really got a laugh out of me. “Honestly, where do you come up with this shit?”
I heard Dom snort. “You have met Lemon. Right?”
“Point taken.” I turned in Ringo’s arms. He grunted but didn’t try to stop me. “And yes. We’re going to the picnic.”
“Good. If Lemon had to come after you, she said she was moving you in with her and Rocket so she could get to know her new sister.”
I gave a happy sigh. “God, I love it here.”
Both men smiled. “Good. This is your home now.” Dom winked at me. “Come on then. Let’s get to the clubhouse before Lemon goes on a rampage.”
Laughing, we all made our way toward the clubhouse, a sturdy building set back from the main house, surrounded by giant, leafy trees. The path was littered with fallen leaves that crunched satisfyingly under our feet. The afternoon sun cast long shadows that danced on the ground as we walked.