Reaper's Fire - Joanna Wylde Page 0,150

the room. I followed, touching Janelle’s shoulder as I passed. She caught my hand, giving it a squeeze.

“I’ll take good care of her,” she said. “And you take good care of my grandbaby.”

“That’s a promise,” I said. Then I walked across the hallway to the other room, wondering how the hell a man as bad as me could’ve gotten so damned lucky.

Tinker looked up as I walked in, a smile wreathing her face.

“I think we should name her Joy,” she said. “Because that’s how I feel right now.”

Joy.

I liked the sound of it.

Liked the sound of it a lot.

TWENTY-TWO YEARS LATER

TINKER

“Are you ready for this?” Gage asked, looking me over as I walked into living room. “You look gorgeous.”

I swirled, showing off the dark blue gown I’d chosen. Thankfully, our girl had let me pick my own dress, one that flattered me, which wasn’t a surprise. All she’d wanted was a simple wedding surrounded by the people she loved. We’d decorated the courtyard gazebo my father had built, and while I’d lost him nearly ten years ago, whenever I saw it, I felt his presence.

When Joy told us she wanted to get married under it, I swear, I heard him laughing all the way from heaven.

Outside, the guests were already sitting in neat rows of folding chairs, and we’d hired a string quartet to play during the ceremony. I’d considered catering it myself, but Carrie convinced me to hire it out instead. She told me I should be worrying about Joy that day, not food, and as usual she was right.

Now Joy was upstairs, putting the final touches on her makeup. Gage would walk her out through the front door of the house, across the lawn and then up to the gazebo through the narrow aisle we’d created with the chairs. There he’d be giving her away to Enrique Saldivar—quite possibly the bravest young man who’d ever lived, because even when Gage and his Reaper brothers growled at him, he still kept coming around.

They were so in love.

Carrie walked in from the kitchen, looking me over.

“You look good,” she said. “But don’t let Gage kiss you. That’ll ruin your makeup. Sadie is here, along with Janelle. They’re in the kitchen. She asked if she could see Joy before she goes out.”

Gage raised one scarred brow, a souvenir of a brutal attack he’d survived seventeen years ago, but he didn’t comment. It’d been an open adoption. Strained at times, but we’d done our best to give Joy a good life, and part of that had been realizing that Sadie had a role to play, even if she couldn’t be her mother.

“I’ll go check with her,” I said, heading up the stairs.

Joy was in our bedroom, surrounded by her bridesmaids as she twirled, showing off her gown in the standing mirror I kept in the corner.

“Hey Mom,” she said happily as I walked in. “I can’t believe it! Is it time yet?”

“Almost,” I said, smiling. “But I need to talk to you first. Girls, can you give us a minute?”

The gaggle scattered, giddy with excitement. Joy turned to me.

“If you want to talk about sex, Enrique and I have been sleeping together for three years,” she said dryly. I rolled my eyes.

“No. I wanted to let you know that Sadie Baxter is downstairs. Along with her mother, Janelle. They were hoping to see you before the wedding. I said I’d ask.”

Joy grew thoughtful, and she cocked her head at me. “You know that you’re my mother, right?”

“Of course,” I said, smiling. “I also know she gave birth to you, and she still loves you. But it’s your wedding day and you should get to make your own choices. Just tell me what you want and I’ll make it happen.”

Joy nodded slowly.

“I think it’d be okay,” she said. “But I’d like you to stay in the room. Is that all right?”

“Of course, baby. Whatever you need.”

With that, I left to find Carrie waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs.

“Send them up,” I told her. Minutes later, Sadie and Janelle climbed up the stairs, meeting me in the hallway. Sadie looked good—she’d really made something of herself over the years. It’d taken a while, but once she got away from Hallies Falls things had started to come together. We’d helped her through college and now she had a good job as an accountant in Wenatchee.

“Thanks for this, Tinker,” she said. “I don’t want to horn in on your special day, but I really wanted to see her.”

I nodded, then knocked on the door.

“Come in!” Joy called, and I pushed it open. Sadie walked in and stopped, staring at the vision that was my daughter.

“You’re beautiful,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

“Thank you,” Joy said, smiling. “It’s almost time. Was there something in particular you wanted to talk about, or did you just want to say hello?”

Sadie laughed. “I was hoping you’d let me give you a present. Something old, unless you’ve already got that covered.”

“There’s always room for more good luck,” Joy replied, and Sadie held out a jewelry box. Joy opened it, pulling out a small pin with a pretty, polished rock on it. It wasn’t anything special, and from the look on her face I could tell she was confused. So was I.

“I found that outside the hospital,” Sadie said, blinking rapidly. “The day after you were born. It was in the parking lot. I don’t think it’s worth anything, but I liked it. For a long time I kept it in my pocket. Sort of my way of remembering you. I’d rub it when I was feeling tired or sad, and think about all the amazing things you’d be able to do when you grew up. A few years back I took a jewelry making class and turned it into a pin. I realize it doesn’t go with your dress, but it’s just small. I was hoping that maybe you’d pin it under your skirts somewhere—just so a little piece of me could be with you when you walk down the aisle. You’re not my daughter, but I’ve never stopped loving you and I never will.”

Tears welled up in her eyes, and Joy shot me a look. I nodded, letting her know that it wouldn’t bother me.

“Would you like to help me pin it on, Sadie?” Joy asked, and Sadie nodded. Joy lifted her skirts, and Sadie knelt down next to her, fastening it to the petticoat underneath.

Then someone knocked on the door.

“It’s time,” Carrie said. “They’re all waiting for you.”

Joy gave me a sudden, panicked look and I laughed.

“You’ve been sleeping with him for three years,” I reminded her, my voice echoing hers earlier. “I think you’ll be okay. Now let’s get downstairs before your father gets bored and decides to go for a ride or something.”

• • •

The look on Gage’s face as Joy came down the stairs would stay with me for the rest of my life.

He’d seen the dress before, of course—he’d paid for it, after all—but still . . . it was different this time.

“You look beautiful, little girl,” he said, holding out his arm for her. “Are you sure you want to marry that kid? I don’t think he’s good enough for you.”

“He’s the only man I’ve ever met who will put up with you,” she said sharply. “You better take what you can get or you’ll be stuck with me forever.”

From the lawn, I heard the music start, and the bridesmaids began lining up.

“Time to get our asses outside,” Carrie told me. Usually the mother of the bride would be escorted by an usher or family member, but Carrie had insisted on walking me down herself, and who was I to argue? Together we held hands, offering each other a tight squeeze, and then I gave my husband and daughter one last look.

My perfect family. Today everything changed, but I could handle that. Enrique was a good boy, and she loved him.

Joy winked at me, then glanced toward the window.

“It’s time, Mom. They’re all waiting. You lead the way.”