Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 36646 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36646 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
She gently rubbed her rounded belly again, as if soothing her child. Likely, it was to soothe herself just as much. The sheen of tears in her eyes made me wince. This woman was just a terrified kid. Same as Alex. Two kids together battling a world of hate. I thought Jo was about to force the issue when Gracie put her chin up. Her lower lip quivered but she stood her ground.
“OK. I’ll go with you. But I want to know what’s going on and what you intend to do with me.”
“We’re going to bring you with us to South Central Kentucky. It’s still Kentucky, but the area is a little more… friendly.” I could tell Jo was trying to be careful about her wording. She even winced slightly. Neither of us wanted to insult the woman or make her uncomfortable. Just the opposite. Josephine had a mothering instinct inside her she couldn’t seem to fight. I knew the feeling, only my instinct was protective. I wanted the right to protect Josephine and anyone else she brought into her family.
“Fine. I want to go see Alex now, please.”
Jo nodded once before showing Gracie to the car. When we were all in the car, I started it and took off. Jo explained what happened and about Alex’s legal issues. Silent tears flowed down Gracie’s cheeks, but she said nothing. Only clutched at her belly and rubbed small circles over it.
When Jo finished, Gracie silently wept but kept her head up. “Do you think I’ll ever see him again after today?”
Jo smiled but shook her head. “I don’t know, honey. But I promise you I will do everything in my power to help him. I’ve already got a good lawyer willing to take his case. He’ll have to do some time and he’ll get a dishonorable discharge, but hopefully he’ll be out in a few years.”
She shook her head slightly, denying what she was hearing but wanting with everything in her to believe my mama tiger. The hope on her face was plain for anyone to see. “I’ll figure it out.”
“We’ll be here to help you.” I added my support to Jo. “I’ve got a place where you can stay and be safe. Me and some of my buddies have a place we’re turning into clubhouse. It’s an old hotel and we’re hoping to make it into several rooms where we can have a place to crash. Jo and me are gonna live there until we decide what we want to do from there.”
“You mean, I could live there?”
“Yes. Absolutely.” I gave her a slight smile. “Jo and me’ll stay with you as long as you need. You can count on us.”
Chapter Six
Mama Jo
I managed to bully Colonel Gill into giving Gracie and Alex as much time as they needed. He scowled at me and bitched and moaned the whole entire time, but he didn’t try to break it up. The couple discussed everything for over an hour. Most of it was Gracie feeling out Alex’s trust of me and Mike. Some of it was Alex making sure Gracie knew she was to use the money he’d given her to take care of both herself and the baby.
Once they’d finally made their decisions and Gracie felt comfortable with Alex’s instructions, they held each other. Gracie cried and promised to keep in touch with him so he knew where she was and how to find her. I gave the colonel the information Mike had given me about where we were going.
“Yeah. I know that bunch of guys.” He grinned, chuckling to himself. “Good bunch.” He looked to Mike. “How close are you with them?”
Mike shrugged. “Close as any. Served with some of ‘em. Worked with others --”
“Good,” I interrupted. “Then you know how to find us if anything at all changes with Alex.”
“Relax, Jo. I’ll make sure the kid is treated fairly and is able to communicate with you and his woman. I’ve got all three of you listed as his next of kin. That satisfy you?”
I gave a crisp nod. “Perfectly.”
Gracie gave Alex a tearful goodbye but left with us willingly. Once we were all in the car, I turned to her. “Is there anything you need us to get before we get the hell outta Dodge? Anything from your place or your father’s house?”
“No. And I don’t want them to know where I’m going, either.”
“I can respect that.” I reached back and squeezed Gracie’s hand. “I swear to you, everything will be all right. We’ll protect you and your child. You’re family now.”
The second I uttered the words I realized two things. First, fucking Mike was right. I couldn’t help myself. I’d claimed those two kids and their unborn child as my own. Second, I knew they were absolutely true. As I figured he would, Mike chuckled.