I had sex it meant something with someone I care for, and it wouldn’t be taken from me.”
One thing’s for certain. I will never understand women. “Zorro. Really?”
“Don’t even start with me there, brother. I’m not in the mood. He isn’t as horrible as you think and maybe if you stopped acting like fucking children toward each other you both would see it.”
“Who attacked you?”
She shrugs, “I don’t know for certain. I do know that people talk a lot on campus, and I have my theories . . . but I’m not rushing to go back there Grim. I don’t even know if I want to go back. I’m sorry I need to go. This has all been . . . too much for tonight.” Ruby opens the door and leaves. I start to follow her and see her walk through the double doors to the clubhouse as well.
Fuck.
Just when I thought I’d get a break for a while, now I need to go put some fuckin’ idiots in the ground for touchin’ my baby sister.
Chapter Twelve
You don’t need to know all of the answers, you just need to be courageous enough to take the first step and see where it leads.
~ Bronnie Ware
Natalie
I came home from work to a fully cooked meal from my mum. The scent of haddock fills the air and I’m hopeful she’s whipped up one of my favorite meals. “Tell me that’s Cullen skink,” I beg, trying not to sound too desperate, but dang, I haven’t had this in ages.
“It hasn’t been that long since you’ve had it, has it, love?” Mum asks, laughing a bit.
She very well knows the last time I ate it was when I was back in Scotland. Sadly, I can’t find many of the ingredients I like out here, so cooking authentic Scottish food doesn’t happen too often. “I’m afraid at the local grocery they don’t have much.”
“Which is exactly why I purchase my herbs and ingredients from Scotland. Just get them shipped here and I can fix up your father whatever it is he’s in the mood for.” Ugh, if only I had the ability to get some things shipped here too. My mum puts her hand on my arm and rubs in a soothing manner, “You know, love, if you want, I can get some of my stuff sent to you here. It’s no problem at all.”
Immediately I shake my head. I’m not fond of receiving anyone else’s charity. “No, Mum. It’s fine. I . . .” I try to think of a way I can explain this without sounding ungrateful, so I dive right into it. “I love you and Dad for everything you’re doing for me . . . but I don’t need you both to keep coming to my rescue, you know? I’m so thankful to have you both in my life, and for what you did helping me with the rent and giving me enough cash to get by . . . but, I, I just . . .” No matter how hard I try, I can’t come up with the words.
Mum pulls me into a tight hug, wrapping her arms around my waist and sets her chin on my shoulder. “Oh my dear, you need not thank either of us. You hear? It’s what parents do for their children, and grandchildren. Your father and I are so grateful you’re here in Montana with us. We missed you all dearly for so long and when we left, we were terrified of what David would do to you . . . thank God your senses came about and you decided to leave him.” Mum releases me and goes over to the stove, fixing me a bowl. “Now, you sit your butt down at the table and eat yourself some food. You look so thin, my love. It’ll give you and I a chance to chat a bit, especially about that lovely young man we met earlier today. What a catch he is! And so well-mannered on top of it all.”
I take a bite of soup and nod, “Yes, he’s quite lovely.”
“Has he met the children yet?”
I about choke on my second bite. “Mum, we’ve barely known each other a week.”
“But he knows you have three girls?” Well, she’s becoming quite nosy.
I nod. “Yes, I told him I had three girls. Honestly, I did it as a way to dissuade him, though he didn’t care. Told me he loves kids.”
“Good on him. He’s a man who