The Four Stages of Loving Dutch Owen - Debra Kayn Page 0,13

He squatted in front of her. "She did drugs, and the cops caught her. Your mom isn't coming back until you're older."

"You're lying."

"I don't have a reason to lie this time." He lifted her chin and met her gaze. "I can take you back, hand you over to the police, and they could put you in a home with other kids or send you to live with strangers, or you can go back and live with my sister and her man. They'll take good care of you. They won't hurt you. You'll have food, clothes, friends, and can go to school."

" I don't want to live with them. I want to go home."

"Clean your ears out. You're not going back home. Your mom isn't coming back for you. The sooner you accept that, the easier you'll have it." He paused, letting that sink in. "Nobody is going to hurt you. If they do, I'll kill them. You'll have a bed, food, probably more hugs than you need."

"Why can't I go back to Moses Lake with you?"

"I don't live in Moses Lake." He looked up the road. "I don't live here."

"Where do you live?"

"Nowhere." He motioned for her to move. "Scoot up and straddle the motorcycle."

"No."

"Move your fucking ass, Marla Marie." He growled, stepping forward. "I'm done talking."

She scurried. He threw his leg over the bike and pinned her against the gas tank in front of him before she could get another idea to take off. He placed her hands in front of her, letting her hold on to the gas cap.

Keeping her tight against his stomach, he started the Harley and made a U-turn in the road. Then, he headed back to the clubhouse.

Before he got there, he needed to make sure she stayed put when he left.

"If you run off again, I'll never come back and see you." He kept his head dipped so she could hear him over the Harley. "I'm the only one who knows where you are. Be a good girl and stay with Rachel and Skull, and you'll see me in three weeks."

The clubhouse came into view, and he slowed.

He pulled in front of the building. Rachel hurried toward him. He shook his head, warning his sister off. The last thing Marla Marie needed was coddling. She needed some rules and consequences if his sister planned to keep her around—and knowing Rachel, she would.

He stopped and put his feet on the ground, holding up the Harley. Lifting the girl off his motorcycle, he set her feet on the ground.

She turned and grabbed his arm. "Don't leave me."

"Remember what I said and go with Rachel." He motioned with his chin.

"You'll be back in three weeks?" She frowned, skeptical of him. "You'll take me to my mom if I stay?"

Glancing at his sister and Skull, waiting a few feet away, he nodded. "Yeah, someday, I will."

"Promise?"

He leaned down, and without raising her hopes with useless words that wouldn't mean anything to her by the time her mom got released from prison, and Marla Marie was all grown up, he pushed her away. "Go to Rachel."

She walked backward, never taking her eyes off him. Dutch looked at his sister, assuring her that everything was okay, and then rode away.

The road called his name.

Part Two

He knew where she came from.

He knew her as Marla Marie Smith.

Chapter 7

MARLA RAN BESIDE HER friend, Alyssa. "Did you get some?"

"Of course, silly." Alyssa burst out laughing. "It was easy."

Marla grabbed Alyssa, pulled her around the corner of the clubhouse and out of the adults' sight.

"Ow. You're hurting my arm." Alyssa giggled. "Calm down. No one can see us."

There were hundreds of WAKOM members hanging around. The women were always snooping to see what the kids were doing when there were more people at the clubhouse than normal. Anyone could've seen Alyssa.

Marla faced her. "Well?"

"I told you I could do it." Alyssa produced a container of eyeshadow and mascara from her pocket. "Amber won't even know I took it if we can hurry."

They both admired Alyssa's older sister. She looked like a model. The boys were always grabbing Amber and making her laugh.

"Let's put it on before anyone comes this way." Marla pulled her to the ground.

Alyssa sat crossed legged in front of her and handed her the shadow container. "What're your parents going to say when they see you wearing makeup?"

"They're not my real parents." She shrugged, tired of telling Alyssa that.

Everyone always acted like she belonged to Rachel and Skull. None of