The Four Stages of Loving Dutch Owen - Debra Kayn Page 0,64

feistiness outside and bite her back.

"Damn, man." Falcon leaned back in his chair. "She's a whole other woman when you're here."

He lit a cigarette and tongued his bottom lip for damage. "I'll be leaving soon."

"Figured." Falcon lowered his voice. "I'll watch out for her."

"'Preciate it." He looked the president in the eyes. "How secure is the club, right now?"

"Security gets pumped up when Allman arrives." Falcon looked around the room. "To keep up appearances, we keep the pool hall open, but the men take shifts, keeping an eye on the bitches that spend time here. Our reputation keeps the riffraff out, most days."

"It's the other days I worry about. Not being here, I don't want Marla Marie put in a dangerous situation."

"She can handle herself."

He looked over at her. It was a risk he wouldn't take. If something happened to him, he needed to know she was safe.

"You've got nothing to worry about," said Falcon.

He stood, needing some fresh air. "'Preciate it all the same if you watch out for her."

Falcon dipped his chin, giving Dutch his word. That's all he could ask for without taking himself off the road and watching her every second of the day.

He stepped around the table, headed for the back hallway, and Falcon called his name, stopping him. "Yeah?"

"How old are you anyway?"

He counted, having not kept track in years. For the last five years, the remaining days of his sentence were the only numbers he'd kept in his head.

It was June. He grunted, never realizing his birthday and come and gone while in prison. Marla Marie hadn't been there to make a big deal out of it like she usually had.

"Forty-two."

"Motherfucker." Falcon laughed. "You've got three years on me."

He walked away from the table, feeling his age. Before he made it halfway across the room, a familiar squeal reached him. He stiffened, turning around, keying in on Marla Marie.

She jumped up and down, then rushed to the door. Dutch relaxed, enjoying the sight of Marla Marie's happiness over his surprise.

Alyssa hugged her, both girls beaming and talking a mile a minute. He changed his mind about going outside and sat down near the back wall. That smile on Marla Marie's face put him in a better mood.

His girl was happy.

It hadn't taken him long to convince Alyssa over the phone that Marla Marie needed her and he'd pay for her gas if she came to visit.

Standing behind the two girls, King threw up two fingers at him. He lifted his chin in thanks for helping bring Alyssa to Marla Marie.

Satisfied that his woman's mood had shifted, he walked outside, leaving them to catch up. Behind the building, he walked around the picnic table. Being back in Moses Lake reminded him of the first time he caught sight of Marla Marie as a scrawny girl with wild, dirty hair, half-starved, and eating scraps like a stray dog.

Now she was working at the pool hall, all grown up and beautiful.

But it was taking longer than he'd hoped to erase the hurt he'd caused her.

He was running out of time. He had to be on the road in three days.

The back door of the pool hall burst open. Marla Marie and Alyssa, followed by King, spilled out.

"Your boss, what's his name? Rubble? He seems nice." Alyssa reached for King and cuddled against his side.

"It's been great working here. Everyone is laidback. We try and take our breaks when there's a lull."

"There are some familiar faces hanging around tonight." Alyssa reached for Marla Marie. "Oh, I haven't had a chance to tell you about the rally. Guess who is pregnant?"

"I have no idea."

"Cheryl." Alyssa flapped her arm. "You know, the woman I told you was always hanging around Tony."

"Is he going to settle down with this one?"

Alyssa blew a raspberry. "I doubt it."

Dutch stood outside their circle, taking in the lively talk. After walking out of prison, the only thing that had made him feel connected to his own club was his desire to get back to Marla Marie.

Club members had gone on with their life, changed women, changed jobs. Guys his age were settling down. The younger men were proving their worth.

All he had was the open road. And that road could take him to Marla Marie.

"Hey." Alyssa motioned in Dutch's direction. "I didn't know you were out here. Come join us."

Marla Marie turned and lost her smile at the sight of him. Fuck.

He walked over to the picnic table, preferring that Marla Marie had her