His Other Half (Patches Tarkio MC, #3) - Debra Kayn Page 0,61
ways she tried to change the circumstances, nothing changed for the better.
"You're not eating." Cami pouted. "Did I upset you?"
"No, of course not." She took a bite of potato. "Just wondering what Paco is doing right now."
"Well, I can tell you that he's missing out on a great dinner." Cami sighed. "This is really hitting the spot. It seems lately, I can eat all day. I'm always hungry."
"You're going to have a big boy."
"A boy." Cami laughed. "I still can't believe it."
"You'll need to think up names and decide what you're going to call him."
"That blows my mind." She pointed her fork at Josie. "It's hard to choose a name for a baby when he's going to grow up into a man. What if his name doesn't fit? Calling him Bobby is cute, but what about when he gets older? Bob isn't a cool name."
"Who says?"
"Cosmo magazine." Cami laughed.
"Well, if he grows up and doesn't like it, he can change it." She paused under Cami's scrutiny. "Josie's not my childhood name."
"You have a different name?"
She nodded. "I was named Sokanon at my birth."
"Sokanon," repeated Cami. "It's pretty. What does it mean?"
"Rain." She put her fork down and cleared her throat. "Like most kids on the Rez, we changed our names as we got older."
She kept to herself how she regretted naming herself after her father, who at the time, she wanted to honor. He'd raised her alone after her mom had died. She hadn't known his involvement with the council or that he'd sell her to Askook six short years later and destroy all the love she had for him.
"I guess a nickname would work until he could grow into a name more fitting for a man." Cami blew out her breath. "Oh, God. I overate."
"I'll send more food home with you. The roast was big. It was on sale, and I couldn't pass it up." She stood and found an empty margarine tub to use to store food in, so Cami could take it with her.
Cami yawned. "I'll make dinner for both of us the next time you have a night alone."
She smiled. They had a good friendship.
Cami never pried, asking questions about her life on the reservation. She was thankful for that. In return, she tried to support her friend and not ask questions about the baby's father. It was none of her business. She was proud of Cami for how strong she became when it was needed.
A knock came at the door. She looked at Cami, who widened her eyes. No one ever came to the door. Even the Tarkio members who stayed when Paco wasn't around always kept their distance.
"I'll see where Whip is?" she whispered.
She went to the window and looked outside. Whip's motorcycle was still parked at the curb, but the biker wasn't in view.
"I don't see him." She turned to Cami. "Do you think it's him?"
Cami got up and joined her by the door. "Maybe he has to use the bathroom."
"Maybe." She grabbed the knife off of the arm of the couch and caught Cami's look of surprise. "Just being safe."
She put her ear to the door. "Who is it?"
"It's Whip."
She exhaled in a rush and unlocked the door. Glad it was one of the bikers, she motioned him in.
Whip stayed outside. "Has Paco called you?"
"No, I haven't heard from him." Concerned, she stepped closer. "I figured he was working for Tarkio, and that's why he hasn't come here."
Whip looked out to the street. "Just checking. Priest stopped and wanted me to ask."
She glanced at Cami and frowned. The president of the motorcycle club hadn't heard from Paco?
"If you hear from him, flash your porch light," said Whip.
She nodded. "Okay."
Closing the door, she stayed standing in the same spot. Sick to her stomach, she was afraid to voice her fear.
"That was strange," said Cami.
Considering that was the first time a Tarkio member asked her where Paco was, she worried. There were many times she'd asked whoever was outside guarding the apartments if they'd heard from Paco, and the member usually knew he was busy. It never answered her question, but it comforted her knowing others were aware of what he was doing.
"Maybe he's riding and got stuck behind traffic." She walked to the kitchen and started cleaning up from dinner.
Cami passed her the dirty dishes. They worked in silence, cleaning, and putting away the dishes.
"I'm sorry he didn't come for dinner." Cami hugged her. "But I'm glad you invited me."