Hacking the Biker's Code (Dogs of Fire Savannah Chapter #6) - Piper Davenport Page 0,17
and my grandmother then lived in it with Grandad. They’d raised their children, passing the home onto my father who’d always loved it more than my auntie. My grandparents took care of her as well. She got the majority of the cash, but Daddy got the house and did a huge renovation before he and Mom moved in.
I parked and headed inside, calling, “Mama, you here?”
“Kitchen,” she replied, and I dropped my purse on the bench by the front door, then made my way to the kitchen.
She was sliding her roasting pan into the oven as I walked in. “You’re making a roast?”
“Just a small one,” she said with a grin. “Unless you plan on staying for dinner? I can add some veggies.”
“I promised I’d meet Rabbit at home by three.”
She pulled me in for a hug. “You know he’s always welcome to join us.”
“I know.” I smiled. “Is Daddy golfing?”
“Yes. He should be home soon, though. He got an early start.” She poured me a glass of sweet tea, then sat with me at the kitchen table. “So, what’s up?”
I shrugged.
“Is this about Rabbit asking you to marry him?”
“Partly,” I hedged.
Mom sat back in her seat and smiled. Waiting.
“What if I screw it up?” I whispered.
“Screw what up, honey?”
“Him. Me. Us. I love him so much it’s painful.”
She reached over and took my hand. “That’s because you’ve never met anyone who sees you for you. Not even Willow and Jazz, and they see you, baby girl.”
I met her eyes. “I know. It’s terrifying.”
“It’s also invigorating and something to cherish.”
“You’re not freaked out about me marrying a biker?”
“I was. At the beginning.” She smiled. “Well, Daddy was more than me, but we’ve gotten to know Rabbit, honey.”
“And Daddy did a full background check.”
“There is that,” she agreed. “But regardless, he’s your perfect match.”
“I know. It’s just that…”
“He’s young?”
“So young,” I breathed out.
“He’s not really, sweetness. You’re only a few years apart.” She sighed. “I have never been able to figure out why you’re so hung up on age, Parker.”
I shrugged. “Probably because the guys I’ve dated in the past have been totally immature asshats.”
“Yes, but not all of them were younger than you.”
“I know.” I pressed my hand to my chest. “Loving him hurts and I’ve never felt that way before.”
“He’s your first love, sweetheart.”
“It’s too much and sometimes I find I don’t know what to do.”
She gave me another gentle smile releasing my hand. “I think that, sometimes, when we love someone so much it’s painful, we tend to want to shut that part off because it protects us from being devastated. But we have to feel it, because when we do, we are reminded we’re alive.”
I blinked back tears. “How did you get so smart?”
“Netflix.”
I laughed. “You watch murder documentaries.”
“So? Murder documentaries can be educational.”
“Precious!” Daddy called, and I heard the side door close.
“In here, baby,” Mom called.
He strolled in with a huge grin. “I thought I saw your car, Parker. Did you come for dinner?”
I shook my head, raising my face for him to kiss me on the cheek. “I’m meeting Rabbit in a couple of hours. How was golf?”
“I beat Rick… he’s taking care of my filings next week.”
I chuckled. My dad was an attorney, and even though he’d been offered a judgeship, he said he wasn’t quite ready to give up litigating. He was the managing partner in a large firm in downtown Savannah, and Rick was one of his partners. They were constantly betting each other and pretty much won against each other as much as they lost.
“Do you want tea, honey?” Mom asked.
Dad nodded, stroking her cheek, then kissing her. “I’ll get it.”
“This,” I cried. “This is what I’m afraid of losing.”
Dad frowned. “What did I miss?”
“She’s afraid that she and Rabbit aren’t going to last,” Mom said.
Dad shook his head. “That boy knows what’s up, sweetheart. You’re going to last.”
“Are you sure?”
He poured a glass of tea and smiled. “I’m sure.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Did you threaten him?”
“I don’t threaten, baby girl. I simply explained that if he ever hurt my princess, he’d find out what it felt like to be a eunuch.”
“Daddy!” I groaned, dropping my face in my hands.
“It’s a father’s right and pleasure to take the measure of the man his daughter’s fallen in love with,” he said.
“And when Levi brings a girl home, will you do the same to her?” I challenged.
Dad laughed. “Your brother can’t keep it in his pants long enough to bring a girl home.”