her," answered Dutch.
Alyssa frowned, gave Marla Marie a hug, whispering something he couldn't hear, and then walked off with the other two boys who waited in the shadows. Dutch curled his arm, taking her into the circle of his embrace.
"Hell of a night." He rested his chin on the top of her head and closed his eyes.
"It's weird. I was excited to finally be able to do something, except sit at home and go to work."
"How's work going for you?" He let go of her and motioned with his chin for her to walk with him.
She caught up to him and grabbed his hand. "It's okay. Mr. Ferguson is nice. He makes the two boys who work in the back lift anything over forty pounds for me—even the dog food."
"You're too little."
She laughed. "I can lift forty-pound dog food bags."
"Yeah?" He reached across his chest and squeezed her bicep. "Huh."
"My favorite part is when the new rabbits come in." She skipped a step to keep up with him. "Sometimes, I think I want one for a pet since some people keep them in their house."
"It'll shit all over."
"No, seriously, they won't. Supposedly, they can go in a litter box like a cat." She paused. "But I never want to have a pet."
"Why not?"
"Animals don't live as long as people. No matter how much love and care I give one, it'll leave me when it dies."
He understood her reasons. She'd lost her mom, and since then, nothing was permanent.
"Besides, having you is better than any pet." She gazed up at him. "You'll never leave me."
At the edge of the field, he turned. The slight hill gave him an open sight to the clubhouse, and all the motorcycles, cars, and people milling around the building. Bringing Marla Marie in front of him, he pulled her back against his chest and looped his arms around her. Both of them standing on the outside, looking in at a life they lived but would never truly belong to.
She played with the linked bracelet around his wrist. The peace she always brought him when she wasn't trying to run away, argue, messing with other boys, or getting drunk washed over him.
He unlatched his bracelet and slipped it on her wrist, working several times to close the clasp with his thick fingers. She held her arm up to look at it, and the piece of jewelry slid almost to her elbow.
Before he could help her, she slid the chain off and crouched in front of him. When it became clear what she was doing, his balls tightened.
She'd put the bracelet around her slim ankle.
Chapter 14
THE RUMBLE OF A MOTORCYCLE approached the house. Knowing Skull was occupied at the clubhouse tonight, Marla tossed the cheese grater in the sink and ran to the front door. She stepped outside.
"Marla, shut the door before the flies come in," shouted Rachel.
She blindly grabbed for the handle and shut the door, then skipped off the step toward Dutch, excited to see him.
He shot her a grin and got off his Harley. She hurried forward and held out her hand, carrying his duffle for him. "You're really staying tonight?"
He looped his arm around her shoulders. "Skull's not getting back until morning, so I'll sleep here and leave for the clubhouse early."
She pretended it was about her, and not because Rachel wouldn't have her husband around to protect her. "I'm making tacos for you."
Out of all the food a person could eat, Dutch's favorite was tacos. Rachel always made it a point to make them if Dutch showed up on his birthday—or around his birthday.
Since the ingredients were bought ahead of time, she wanted to do most of the work herself. Plus, it helped her pass the time until Dutch arrived.
"Sounds good. I'm hungry." He stepped inside the house and pointed to the floor.
She dropped the duffle and then hugged his middle. "I'm so glad you're staying tonight."
It was different when Dutch was around. She'd rather spend time with him than with any of her friends. Alyssa couldn't understand why she would want to hang with someone old enough to be her parent, but Dutch never seemed old, like Rachel and Skull.
In the kitchen, Rachel set the last plate on the table. "Make sure you put all the dishes in the dishwasher when you're finished, and put any extra meat in the fridge. Skull can eat what's left when he gets home."
"I will."
Dutch sat down at the table. "Where are you going?"
"The girls and