The girls in the bar called Conroy a silver fox, because he looked like a movie star, with a long, straight nose, dimples, wavy, collar-length silver hair, and bright blue eyes. He was a tough biker, like his sons, but he had a playful side, like Gunner, and he was warm, like Baz. Tank was such a master at keeping his emotions in check, she’d thought Conroy’s dimples and height were the only traits he’d inherited. She’d seen him go hours without saying more than a few words, his watchful eyes keeping tabs on the people around him. But now she knew that beneath his intimidating exterior, he possessed his father’s warmth and his mother’s caring nature.
“Mama!” Rosie ran to her as she approached. “Dey bwing dinner!”
Tank looked over as she lifted Rosie into her arms, and those devastating dimples appeared, softening his hard edges. Her stomach fluttered in a way that she hadn’t felt in so long, she almost didn’t recognize it for what it was, and it made her a little self-conscious.
Rosie wriggled out of her arms and ran to Ginger, reaching for her hand. Junie hadn’t moved from Tank’s side.
“Leah, sweetheart.” Conroy embraced her. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
He held her longer than she expected, like her father used to, and she choked up. “Thank you.”
“I hope you don’t mind that I came with Ginger. I wanted to see how you and the girls were doing.”
“I don’t mind. But I feel bad for taking up your family’s time.”
His brow wrinkles. “Darlin’, nothing is more important than family, and you’re family to us. Starr and the others send their love and condolences, as do our other boys and the rest of the Dark Knights. Whatever you need, we’re here.”
“Thank you. I know I need to get back to work, but if I could just have next week off to—”
“Honey, we’re giving you six weeks of paid full-time leave,” Ginger said. “You and the girls need time to heal.”
Leah was at a loss for words. “But…I can’t…That’s too long.”
“We insist,” Conroy said. “Now, I want to know if someone let our secret out about me and Ging spoiling kids. Is that why you’ve been hiding these cutie pies from us?” He ruffled the girls’ hair.
“Oh no, it wasn’t like that. I didn’t mean to make you feel that way.”
“He’s just kidding, Lee,” Tank reassured her. “At least about hiding them. They do have a reputation for spoiling kids.”
“There’s nothing wrong with a little spoiling. You turned out pretty well.” Conroy clapped a hand on Tank’s shoulder. “Now, how about we serve up some dinner?”
They carried everything inside and emptied the cooler they’d brought onto the counters. The girls climbed onto the chairs by the bar, and as each dish was unpacked, Junie and Rosie cheered. “Woni ’n’ cheese! Tatoes! Jell-O!…”
“That’s a lot of food,” Leah said with awe, taking in the dishes of homemade macaroni and cheese, an entire roasted chicken, stuffing, mashed potatoes, vegetables, salad, biscuits, celery with peanut butter and raisins, a bowl of cut fruit, Jell-O, and a tray of cookies.
Tank came up behind her, and his chest brushed her shoulder. “This is what happens when the Wicked women cook.”
“Ginger, you made all of this?”
Ginger laughed. “Me and my sister-in-law Reba and her daughter, Madigan. You know them from the restaurant.”
“Yes, of course. But you didn’t need to go to all this trouble. Please thank them for me.” She’d had a hard time keeping all the Wickeds straight when she’d first started working there. Especially since they acted like one big family. But eventually she’d learned that Conroy and Preacher were brothers, and Ginger and Conroy were Tank, Baz, and Gunner’s parents, while Reba and Preacher were the parents of Blaine, Justin—who went by the road name Maverick—Zeke, Zander, and Madigan.
“It wasn’t any trouble at all. We made an afternoon out of it,” Ginger explained. “We weren’t sure what you and the girls liked, and we figured that whatever you didn’t finish, you could eat another day.”
“That’s so nice of you. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this much food in one kitchen,” Leah said.
“Not even on holidays?” Conroy asked.
Leah shook her head. “I never really learned to cook like that.”
“Maybe one day you and the girls can come over and cook with us,” Ginger suggested.
“Can we, Mama?” Junie asked excitedly.
Before Leah could answer, Rosie exclaimed, “I cook pincakes! Tank a piggy!”
Ohmygod. Leah was mortified, but everyone else laughed, even Tank, whose laugh was deep and rumbling.
“I heard you made delicious pancakes.” Conroy tapped the tips of Rosie’s and Junie’s noses, earning giggles from both of them.
It was good to hear Junie laugh. Leah imagined if her father had lived, he might act like Conroy was with the girls, too.
“I meant what I said about you and the girls coming over to cook with us,” Ginger said. “I’d really enjoy it. I used to cook with Ashley all the time. I started when she was about Rosie’s age.”
She talked so easily about her late daughter, Leah wondered if she’d ever be able to talk that easily about River again.
“Please!” Junie and Rosie begged.
They were so excited, Leah couldn’t say no, and even though she felt weird about it, she was kind of excited about it, too. “Okay, one day.”
The girls cheered.
Tank touched Leah’s back. “Do you have any more chairs?”
“No. Just these. I can eat on the floor with the girls.”
“A picnic!” Junie exclaimed, and ran into her bedroom.
Rosie toddled after her. They returned a minute later with their bucket of plastic picnicware and a red-and-white checked picnic blanket.
As the girls set up their picnic, Ginger said, “They’re so cute. I miss having little ones around.”
“Our kids loved picnics when they were little, too,” Conroy said.
“It’s hard to imagine Tank as a little boy,” Leah said, surprising herself that she’d said it out loud.
“He was a big little guy,” Conroy said. “Always watching out for the other kids. Especially Ash. He gave the guys hell when she was in high school.” His expression turned thoughtful. “She was lucky to have him.”
Tank’s jaw tightened. He went into the kitchen and began gathering plates. Leah wanted to go to him and ask if he was okay, but Ginger nudged her and said, “Someone’s up to something.”
Junie was whispering to Rosie, and Rosie was grinning from ear to ear, nodding. Rosie ran to Tank, taking his hand as Junie took Conroy’s, and they led them into the living room. Rosie pointed to the picnic blanket. “Sit.”
“Rosie, be nice.” Leah shook her head. “I’m sorry.”
Ginger laughed. “Are you kidding? Your girls are wonderful.”
Junie looked up at Conroy and Tank with a hopeful expression and said, “Will you have a picnic with us?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Conroy lowered himself to the floor.