“It’s good, isn’t it?”
“It is.” He presses a kiss to my forehead. “You want apple cider or that pumpkin spice shit?”
“That’s blasphemy. All hail the pumpkin spice latte.” I grin up at him.
He rolls his eyes but moves off to order me one.
“Tess, can you believe the crowd?” Hayley dashes over excitement glowing on her face.
I burst into a giggle. “I know!”
It’s October first, and the place is packed with families, including my MC family. Jammer is standing over by the ring toss with one of his kids, eating cotton candy. Reno and Kara have their one-year-old over by the pumpkins, picking one out that’s almost as big as he is.
Rusty and Ashlyn approach, his arm around his pretty wife.
Hayley holds her hands out for my son. “Here, let me have him. I want to show him to my mom. She takes him and walks off.
“So, how’s the happy little family?” Rusty asks, watching her go.
“Fantastic,” I reply. “When are you two going to start one?”
He gives Ashlyn a squeeze. “Give us another year. I like having this one all to myself.”
“I guess Ryder can wait a year for another playmate.”
He lifts his chin to his surroundings. “You did a great job. Really, I’m impressed.”
“Thank you.”
Ashlynn squeezes my hand. “It’s fabulous, Tess. The town needed something like this.”
“Well, I hope as word spreads it takes off.”
“Everyone is loving this place, are you kidding? It’s going to be a huge hit.”
“Thanks. I’ve got dreams to maybe add a mini-golf to that back section next year.”
“And Gypsy was telling me you’ll be open at Christmas with trees and hot chocolate and decorations?”
“Yes, November first we’ll flip it over. I’ve got this whole European style Christmas Market planned. We’ve already rented out three-dozen spots to local artists and crafters. And we’ll do a decorated walk of lights that will be stroller friendly.”
“Oh, that sounds fabulous.” She looks around, then back at me. “How’s your mother doing?”
“Really well.” I point across the way. “She’s in charge of the Cider and Coffee stand. Since she’s found flavored coffees, she’s hooked. She’s become a pumpkin spice addict now.”
“She looks good.”
“She’s like a different person with Ryder. Being a grandmother has really helped her. She adores that boy.”
“That’s fantastic. Really.”
I nod, watching my mother. Being welcomed back into the MC fold after we’d heard of Growler’s unfortunate accident in prison has been good for her. She’s finally been able to put everything behind her and look to the future. When she first held little Ryder, she looked up at me with tears in her eyes and said, “I didn’t get this right the first time around. I’m so sorry, baby. I hope you’ll give me a chance to make up for it with my grandson.”
When she got out of rehab, she threw herself into helping me start up this place as well as prepare for Ryder. She’d taken up some crafts during her treatment and is now a pretty decent painter as well as doing some pottery.
It was her idea to bring in crafters for the Christmas market.
It’s exciting to see her so enthused about something. And I’m finding she’s good at it.
I run my hand over my grandfather’s watch on my wrist. I hope you’re proud of me, Grandpa.
My skin tingles as a breeze blows over me, and I smile, knowing he and grandma are here in spirit, watching down over us. I love and miss you both so much.
Gypsy returns with our drinks and we head to the picnic table where Aunt Hayley is cuddling Ryder in her arms and cooing to him.
I hold my hands out to take him. “Here, give him to me. I think he needs a diaper change.”
“I’ll do it.” Hayley says, standing.
“You sure?”
“Of course. He loves his Aunt Hayley. Don’t you, peanut?”
“Watch out,” Gypsy warns, “he’s a squirter. He can arc that pee stream up pretty far.”
“Come on, little guy. You wouldn’t dare pee on your favorite aunt, would you? Of course not.” She walks him over to a blanket we’d spread out on the grass by the stroller, and begins to change him.
A moment later, the sound of a stream of water hitting fabric carries to us.
“Tess!” Hayley shrieks.
Gypsy and I look at each other and burst out laughing. He wraps his arm around me, and I press to his side, taking in our MC family and friends.
Life is good. Life is very, very good.
***
If you enjoyed DIRTY DESIRES, please post a review on Amazon HERE.
CLUB PRINCESS by Nicole James
Lola—
I hate keeping secrets from my father, but I know he’ll be furious if he finds out where I’m going. That’s a risk I’m willing to take, because I know what I’m doing is right.
I expected my father to send someone to find me. He always does.
But this guy?
I’ve never laid eyes on him before. Trust me, I’d remember this man.
He’s damn fine. Unfortunately, he won’t let me seduce him into keeping my secret.
Memphis—
Trouble in a tank top, that’s what this beauty is.
She thinks she can sweet-talk me into getting involved in her deception.
I may want to get wrapped up in her arms, but getting wrapped up in her scheme is a whole other ball game.
Guess again, sweet cheeks.
I don’t care how fine your strut is; it won’t work on me.
I’m immune where the hot-as-hell Club Princess is involved.
My loyalty belongs to my club first, but I’m a nomad for a reason, and letting Lola get her hooks in me is not in my plan.
GET CLUB PRINCESS
ALSO BY NICOLE JAMES
DEVIL KINGS MC:
Dirty Deeds
Dirty Deals
Dirty Desires
SLY: Kings of Carnage MC
EVIL DEAD MC:
Outlaw
Crash
Shades
Wolf
Ghost
Red Dog
Blood
Undertaker
Joker
Hammer
BROTHERS INK TATTOO:
Jameson
Maxwell
Liam
Rory
RUBY FALLS
Coming December 1st:
CLUB PRINCESS: Royal Bastards MC Durango, Colorado
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nicole James is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author who loves to write about hot alpha men who’ll do anything for the women they love. She is the author of the Evil Dead MC series, the Brothers Ink Tattoo series, the Devil Kings MC series and more. You can connect with her on her website.