Rason & Eliza - Cee Bowerman Page 0,49
Morris tried to lay across my face. I think he was trying to smother me with his fat rolls.”
“He’s not fat,” I argued.
“He’s fat.”
“How was the store today?”
“Busy! I guess one of the high school teachers gave out a Shakespeare assignment because we had about 15 kids come in and buy his books. I can’t see them randomly doing that unless their grade hinged on them reading his work.”
“True. Should we order more or is there still some stock?”
“They cleared out the shelf and I took orders from several kids. I told them I’d put a rush on it and told them I’d call in a few days when the shipment comes in from the publisher.”
“Thank you, Mom. For everything.”
“Are you okay, Eliza? I’m worried.”
“I’m fine. I told you, Hank’s taking care of me.”
“His friends have been in and out of the store. One of them rode his motorcycle behind me all the way home and then sat at the curb until I had my door unlocked. He waved and hollered that he’d see me in the morning.”
“That was nice.”
“I felt like the president or a Hollywood celebrity,” Mom said almost bashfully. “I’ve never had an escort before.”
I grinned, knowing my mom really was thrilled about it. She was so funny about some things. I knew that she’d be reading about bikers and motorcycle clubs soon, if she wasn’t already.”
“I’ve been reading this book about the history of motorcycle clubs. Did you know that they began when soldiers got back from Vietnam and were disillusioned with life back home?”
“I did not know that,” I told her with a smile, laughing to myself because I’d been right. She was already delving into the wide world of bikers.
“I wonder if Hank knows? I’ll have to ask him next time I come over for dinner. He called and invited me over for brunch on Sunday. He said Nicole loves his breakfasts the most.”
“I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too.”
“I’m so lucky that you and Dad adopted me. Hank has mentioned some things about his childhood and told me about when I came home from the hospital with my birth mother. I want you to know how much I appreciate the life you and Dad gave me. I am so grateful to have you as my parents.”
“Being your mother is better than I ever dreamed it could be, baby.” Mom sounded teary, and I knew talking about when I came home with them made her emotional. “Someday, when you have a baby of your own you’ll understand that happiness.”
“Someday.”
“I hope you and your handsome man get through this, honey.”
“We will. I have faith. I’ve talked to him twice already today. I know he’s going to love the books you sent.”
“You’ll call me if either of you need anything else?”
“Of course. I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, Eliza. Take care, sweetheart, and keep your chin up. ”
We said our goodbyes and I hung up the phone and dropped it into my lap.
“Was that your mom?” Nicole asked as she walked into the living room carrying my niece. “I like her. She’s so sweet. Mesha and Jayla are coming over for dinner in a little bit. Hank’s grilling.”
“That sounds good.” I leaned forward and put my arms out. Nicole just shook her head and handed me the baby. “I’m going to hang out with Janis for a bit and ponder the meaning of life.”
“You do that. I’m going to flirt with my husband.”
◆◆◆
“I need to break the law and I was wondering if either of you could help me.” I dropped down into the chair across the patio table from Hank with a sigh. I’d been thinking of how to broach the subject all evening and had tried to mention it during dinner. I was running out of time now. “Or if one of you might know someone who could pick a lock. I mean, I’ll break a window if I have to, but I really need to get into Rason’s house.”
“Aww, Hank,” Mesha said with a funny smile. “She really is our sister.”
“What makes you think we’d know the type of person who could pick a lock?” Hank asked me, his head tilted.
“You mentioned that you’d been in jail.”
“Prison. Twice.”
“Yeah, jail.”
“The two are not the same. I’ve been in the pokey too. It was a little building in a one-horse town on the way home from Sturgiss. It had one cell that had a door that still required one of those big ass skeleton