I tell River. He nods, dropping his backpack on the double bed.
“What do you think of the house?” I ask Calico and we unpack the dinner in the kitchen. River is reaching for a plate and grabbing brisket and cornbread, a growing boy.
“I think it’s a lot more normal than I expected.”
I snort. “What does that mean? Because I wear a leather jacket and have tattoos, I should have a run-down place?”
Her cheeks turn red. “Sorry, I just know the way the Outlaws lived… It wasn’t like this.” She looks at my leather couch and armchairs, a wall-mounted tv and a kitchen with new appliances.
“Yeah, they had this compound and it was scary,” River says. “My dad took me there a few times and Mom always got mad.”
“She was looking out for you. You’re lucky to have her,” I say.
River nods respectfully. “I know.”
“Well, that’s not how the Heartlands runs, at least not anymore. We’re cleaning up our act because lots of my guys have families now.”
“They’re lucky,” River says, “to have you as a leader.”
I don’t think this young kid knows how much his words mean. I’ve wondered if I am the right man to lead this club, especially when some people still think we should go back to some of our more nefarious money-making prospects — but the way River looks at me now makes me want to put any shady side hustles behind us. Maybe I have a family now too.
Damn, I sure as hell hope so.
As we’re dishing up dinner, there’s a knock on the door. It’s Bulldog.
“Hey, uh, sorry to interrupt,” he says as I hold the door for him. “But River forgot something.”
River walks to the foyer with Calico. Bulldog is holding a puppy.
“This one’s yours, right?” Bulldog asks. “She has the spot on her ear.”
River grins, taking her from the bouncer. “Yeah, she was my favorite.” He snuggles her against his chest.
Calico’s eyebrows lift, and then they meet mine. I shrug. “The kid wants a dog. Not the worst thing in the world.”
“But I don’t know where we are living next… I don’t know if they’ll allow dogs.”
I frown. “What do you mean, Cali? You thinking you’re leaving me?”
She swallows, pressing a hand to her throat. “I know we made declarations… but there wasn’t anything concrete. No plans. I don’t want to assume.”
Bulldog waves River to follow him outside. “I got your puppy some dog chow and chew toys,” he says. They leave through the front door, leaving me alone with Calico.
“Let me be clear, Calico, on what I intend to do,” I say, taking her hands and drawing her to me. “I plan on making you my wife and I plan on adopting River as my son. Do you understand me?”
“You mean all that?” she asks.
“Oh, that’s just the beginning, baby, of what I plan on doing to you.”
She licks her lips. “Tell me more.”
I shake my head. “No, first you answer me. Will you marry me?”
She covers her mouth, gasping. “Oh, Conley… you really mean it?”
“I mean it. I fucking love you, Calico. And I need you by my side. I don’t want to do any of this shit alone, not anymore. I want you.”
“Oh, I love you, Conley,” she says, burying her face in my chest. “Of course I will marry you.”
I squeeze her curvy ass. “Good, because I bought you that yellow farmhouse, and it would have been a hell of a waste for me alone.”
“You did not!” She shakes her head in bewilderment. “Conley, how?”
“I texted the agent after we fucked in the master suite. I knew it had to be our room. No one else’s.”
“You bought me a house?”
“So now there is no reason River can’t have his puppy.”
Just then, River walks back in. “I can keep her, really?” he asks, as if not quite believing he might be so lucky.
“Yes, River,” Calico says. “She is all yours. So long as you’re okay with moving with Conley.”
River grins, and I pat his shoulder. “I want to take good care of you and your mom, how does that sound?”
“It sounds like the best news I’ve ever heard.” Then he laughs, adding, “Scratch that. Second best thing. Getting my beagle is the number one best thing.”
“Can’t come between a boy and his dog,” Cali says with a laugh.
“How about we eat?” I suggest, and we all head to the kitchen, piling plates with food, and then sitting on the back patio, the sun beginning to set.
“Is this gonna be