Series: Silver Spoon MC Series by Nichole Rose
Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33590 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33590 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Epilogue
Scarlett
Five Years Later
"The nursing home just called," Maddie says, poking her head into my office.
I glance up from the baby in my arms and groan. "What did she do this time?"
"Apparently, she's absconded."
"She's what?"
Maxim startles, letting loose a loud wail.
"I'm sorry, sweet boy," I croon, patting his back. Our two-month-old does not like loud noises. Unfortunately for him, with three older sisters, Finn's MC brothers, a bookstore full of people, Aunt Ophelia, and the rest of our crazy world, our life is always full of noise.
"She's absconded," Maddie whispers. "The nurse went to check on her, but she was MIA. They locked the place down and searched from top to bottom but couldn't find her anywhere. The last time anyone saw her was at breakfast."
"Great," I groan. My eighty-seven-year-old aunt has run away from the nursing home. And God only knows what hell she's raising. She's as wild now as she's ever been, though she's starting to slow down.
Four years ago, the entire town got together and held a big drive to find a kidney donor for her. They were successful. Three months later, Aunt Ophelia had a new kidney, thanks to one of the lawyers at Jude Despora's law firm. She's been thriving ever since, but her age is finally catching up with her. Not that she ever lets that stop her or anything.
At least once a month, the nursing home calls in an uproar over something. Finn basically bribes them to let her stay since that's where she wants to be. She went into the nursing home for rehab after her transplant and decided she wanted to stay. There was no talking her out of it. Truthfully, I think she wanted to give us space, but we miss her like crazy.
Finn and I visit every other day, and she comes home with us on Sundays for the day. But it's just not the same.
"I'll call Finn," I say. "Can you hold Maxim?"
"Uh, yes!" Maddie rushes forward, eager for sweet baby snuggles.
As soon as she takes him from me, I pull my phone out and dial Finn's number.
"Hey, pretty baby," he answers on the first ring, a smile in his voice. "Do you miss me already?"
He only left here an hour ago to run by his office. Most of the time, he works from my office here. I've tried to kick him out a million times over the years, but he never listens. Maddie eventually had fancy internet installed for him so he could do his super-spy things.
He likes being close to keep an eye on me. Truthfully, I like having him close. My favorite days are the ones when he's here with me. Even if we're both too busy to talk, just having him close makes me happy, and I know he feels the same way.
Plus, he's great to have around when I need someone to watch Maxim while I work.
I run special programs at the bookstore now. We have poetry readings and visits from authors and book clubs and all sorts of fun things to bring in customers and unite readers. The bookstore is thriving, and I'm doing something with my degree beyond helping customers locate books. This place has become a home to me. I don't have to answer to a school board or parents. Maddie and Allie trust my decisions and support me one hundred percent.
"Aunt Ophelia ran away from the nursing home."
"What the fuck?"
"They haven't seen her since this morning," I say, worrying my bottom lip between my teeth.
"How the hell do you lose an eighty-seven-year-old lady?" Finn asks, genuinely mystified.
"It's Aunt Ophelia."
He sighs. "You head over there. I'll rally my brothers and start looking for her."
"Okay," I whisper.
"We'll find her, pretty baby."
"Promise?"
"I won't stop looking until we do," he vows.
Halfway to the nursing home, Finn calls.
"She's at the police department."
"Please tell me she isn't in jail," I groan.
"Not exactly." He sighs. "I'm on my way over there now. Meet me there."
"Okay." I turn my blinker on and get into the right lane so I can turn around. My mind races, running through a million different possibilities. The truth is though, there's no telling what she's done this time or why. I'm a little relieved our oldest daughter, Honor, isn't related to her by blood. If she were, I'd be seriously worried that she's going to be just like her. She's way too smart for her own good, and she's never met a rule she isn't willing to break. I'm pretty sure she gets that from Finn because she doesn't get it from me!
Finn swears it's all my side of the family. He likes to remind me that I'm the one who came from a long line of Made men. I pretend I can't hear him when he says that though. It's totally his fault our daughter is a little rebel without a cause. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Besides, my brother may be a criminal, but he's not a bad man.