So glad I got this out tonight! Merry Christmas to those celebrating, and thanks for reading!
Happy woke Josie with kisses and soft caresses three times that night. He was insatiable, and Josie reveled in his nearly constant need for her. Each round was gentler than the one before, until the fourth and last time they joined together was a soft shifting of hips and nearly silent moans. When he held her a little more tightly each time, winding his arms around her and settling protectively between her slumberous body and the door, she chose not to mention it.
Sliding from the bed an hour before Happy's alarm was set to wake him, Josie took a shower and got ready for her day. Knowing she would be going to the hospital and then looking at rental properties with Gemma in what promised to be a very hot afternoon, she decided to dress for comfort. Also wanting to look good for Happy, she went with a simple sundress in a pretty light green. Cotton with spaghetti straps and a band under the bust, the flared skirt ended just under her knees where it swirled with each step and flirted with the breeze. A pair of brown, strappy, wedge sandals and a wide brimmed, floppy sun hat in a sunshiney yellow completed the outfit.
She managed to make a quick run to the small grocery store down the street for basic supplies as well as a skillet and spatula. Returning to the clubhouse, she stepped over a naked Tig who had not managed to get the three blondes who were equally dressed to a room before they collapsed. Averting her eyes before she got to know him a little too well, she giggled as she saw Chibs cuddling with a nearly empty bottle of Jameson on top of the bar. Carrying her bags into the kitchen, she was pleased to see that it wasn't nearly as nasty as she had thought, and she set about making a full breakfast.
By the time Happy, Kozik, and Bowie walked into the main room, Chibs and Tig had woke up and slumped at the bar to watch as Josie carried a stack of paper plates and plastic utensils out to them and went back to the kitchen without saying a word. When she returned, it was to see that Half Sack had joined the others and was busy cleaning up the trash and empty bottles from around the room. Placing a huge bowl of scrambled eggs on the counter, she kissed Happy softly before going back for the platters of French toast, sausage, and bacon.
"This looks great." Happy was piling two plates with food. "Thanks."
Josie smiled softly as she sat syrup and a pitcher of sweet tea on the bar before filling coffee cups for the men. "Wasn't gonna let ya'll ride out on empty stomachs."
"Could get used to this." Chibs chuckled as he dug into his food.
"I would've made biscuits and gravy, but didn't want to lug the flour. And I wasn't sure about anyone's opinion on grits." Josie accepted her plate from Happy with a grin and then noticed that there was still plenty left. "Half Sack, come eat."
"Ma'am?" He looked around, obviously a bit confused by the invitation. "I'm supposed to get this cleaned up before I do anything else."
"It's an insult to turn down a girl's cookin'." From the corner of her eye, Josie watched as Happy, Tig, and Chibs all shifted to stare the younger man down. "You gonna insult me so early in the mornin'?"
Propping the broom against the side of a couch, he hurried to fill a plate and sit beside Chibs. "This all looks really good. Thank you."
"So what are you up to today? Gonna lay around while Happy's with us in Tacoma?" Kozik grinned at her around Happy's shoulder.
Shaking her head, Josie smiled as she took some more bacon off the platter. "Going to the hospital with Gemma to meet little Abel. Then, there are a few houses for rent that I'd like to look over. I'd like to log a some running time as well."
"Take someone with you to look at houses and when you run." Happy's rasp was quiet, but it carried in the stillness of the morning. "Two women poking around empty houses isn't safe."
"I'll go wi' the wee ladies to look a' houses." Chibs offered. "Least I can do for such a good breakfast."
"Thank you, Chibs. We'll stop back here after the hospital."
Half Sack cleared his throat quietly. "I can run with you if you want. Might not be able to do more than a few miles, though. Haven't run since I was discharged."
"We'll trade off or something." Tig shrugged at the others' confused looks. "Running isn't the worst thing ever, and this food is good."
"Thanks, guy. It really means a lot to me." Turning back to Happy, Josie frowned in thought. "I was going to check out one of the Baptist churches tomorrow. Should I make someone go with me to that as well?"
Happy shifted a bit in his seat, uncertain if he was being paranoid. She was in Charming, not miles outside its borders, and she had spent years out on her own. Making a decision, he shook his head.
"You don't need to drag someone to church."
Chuckles from the others were followed by some light teasing over the rest of breakfast. Josie was refilling their coffee cups for the third time when Gemma and Clay came through the front door of the clubhouse. Looking over the empty platters, the older woman raised an eyebrow until Josie explained that she wanted to feed Happy before he left. At that, Gemma winked and told Half Sack to wash the dishes after he finished with the usual cleaning.
Walking Happy out to his bike, Josie was glad when Kozik and Bowie excused themselves to say a second goodbye to a grinning Clay and Chibs. Happy slung his saddlebags over his bike and made the necessary adjustments while Josie stood quietly beside the front fender. That finished, he mounted the seat and motioned her forward. At this angle, she had to lean down to give him a long, slow kiss goodbye. The brim of her hat hid them from view.
"You be careful." Josie held his gaze meaningfully.
"Don't worry," Happy chuckled. "I got this."
"I know you do, but I'm gonna worry anyway." Josie shrugged. "Let me know if there are problems, okay?"
"You want details?" Happy was aware that Kozik and Bowie were moving toward them now.
Josie grinned. "I'm thinking that we both know where this is heading, and that I'll be getting all the details at some point soon. 'Til then, I just want to know if you're heading into something dangerous. Lets me prepare."
Happy nodded, deciding to think about what she had said over the next few hours on the road. "Could be hairy, but I don't think it'll be too bad."
"Okay then," Josie gave a firm nod and then a wink. "I'll see you when you get back, big guy."
"You call me if anyone gives you shit, little girl."
With another quick kiss and a smile, Josie waved the three bikers on their way and turned to see Gemma giving her an appraising look. "What?"
"Night of sex, a great breakfast for him and the guys, and a cute little goodbye." Gemma smirked as she counted off on her fingers. "Trying to give him something to remember when he gets to Tacoma?"
"We have an understanding about runs, and he isn't the sort to go back on his word. Just lettin' him know he ain't findin' anything better than me." Josie shrugged and straightened her hat. "Are we ready to head to the hospital?"
Gemma nodded and gestured to the building. "Get your purse."
O:O:O:O:O:O:
The hospital visit had been quiet and uneventful, though Josie had to contain a gasp of dismay upon seeing the tiny baby boy in the little warming bed. When Gemma informed her that he was looking much healthier now then he had upon his birth, she had to hold herself very still until the urge to find his mother and beat her passed. How could a woman do this to such a precious little being?
After sitting with the unusually quiet boy for a few hours and reading him the books they had stopped to buy, the two women stopped by the clubhouse to collect Chibs. As it turned out, Tig decided that riding his bike on 'bitch duty' wasn't the worst idea he had ever heard, and he joined their little band. Josie thought it was cute that the older men were feeling so protective of her.
"It's because you're a good woman, and you take care of them." Gemma smirked at the younger girl's puzzled look. "They think of you as family already."
"I do like them very much, though I think Tig might have been a little scary as an uncle."
The two shared a laugh as they pulled up in front of the first house on their list. One look at the falling gutters and overgrown front yard had them frowning at each other and pulling away without comment. The second house looked in better repair, but Gemma nixed it on account of there being a white hate leader living half a block away. Josie decided to trust her on that one, and they went from house to house for another hour until they pulled into the driveway of a mid-sized home set on a partially wooded lot a few minutes outside of town.
There was a bank sign in the front yard with a phone number for interested parties to call, and Gemma began dialing as soon as they were out of the car.
The house was classic white with light brown shingles, a porch wrapping three whole side of the structure with space for a swing just left of the front door and a whole set table and chairs at the corner. It was two stories, with bay windows forming a turret that had Josie's inner Disney princess doing a little excited dance. Two chimneys bespoke of fireplaces somewhere within.
"It's a bank foreclosure. I went to high school with the agent in charge of the property, and he's willing to come out to see us here even though it's Saturday." Gemma pointed to a little rock garden at the bottom of the porch steps. "You boys see if you can find one of those little fake rocks with a key inside."
Chibs was soon victorious, and they let themselves into what would prove to be a beautiful house. A dining room with a fireplace was to the right, a very large living room to the left, dominated by a double-sided fireplace on the far wall. The room behind the fireplace would make a lovely den. A breakfast nook lay across from the front door, separated by a set of stairs leading up to the second floor. The kitchen sat between the nook and the formal dining room, its open shelves waiting for dishes and a walk in pantry calling out for jars and bags. A door off the kitchen opened into a mud room that would house a washer and dryer along with some storage space and a spot for boots or coats and opened into a two car garage.
"Good lord, this is amazing!" Josie was already picturing her small kitchen table in the breakfast nook, her dishes in the kitchen shelves. The garage was large enough for two bikes and a truck. "I'm gonna head upstairs."
"Bitch, I'm coming too!" Gemma giggled and ran for the steps a second after Josie made a break for them.
There were three bedrooms upstairs, and Josie was in love with them all. The first laid to the right of the top of the stairs, and featured a small walk-in closet. The second lay at the front of the house, a bit larger and with a bigger closet. The two shared a bathroom with a Jack and Jill sink between them.
The door to the master bedroom opened into a small sitting area formed by the bay windows at the front of the house. A fireplace took up half of the far wall. A private bathroom sat next to an L-shaped walk-in closet that looked like it wrapped around the wall at the head of the stairs. Josie's gun safe would fit perfectly in the corner of the room, though she thought she would need a bigger bed.
"Jesus, this place is huge." Gemma was looking out the bay windows, the early afternoon light just beginning to peak through the windows.
Josie nodded and went to stand with her. "Isn't it just prettiest thing?"
"Don't know that they'll rent it." Gemma gave the smirk that Josie was beginning to recognize meant she was trying to figure out how to work a situation in her favor.
Josie grinned. "Hell, I may just buy it."
"I'm happy to hear that!" The man belonging to the puffing weeze reminded Josie of Homer Simpson, though with a bit more hair greying along the peripheral. "Hello, Gemma. How are we doing this fine summer afternoon?"
"We are doing just fine." Gemma smiled and nodded at Josie. "Jason Andrews, this is my friend, Miss Josephine Allaway."
Josie drew herself up to her full stature, grateful for the wedges that made her a much more normal height, and extended a hand to the still puffing and slightly pink man. "Very pleased to meet you, Mr. Andrews."
"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Allaway."
He gave her the sort of soft smile she had been receiving from older men since she was sixteen. They always saw her as soft and sweet, and she was not above using their obvious paternal instincts to get what she wanted. It was, in Josie's mind, their own fault for underestimating her.
"What can you tell me about the house and property?" Josie caught sight of Tig, who had followed the other man up the stairs and was lounging against the railing.
Pulling himself together as he shuffled through some papers in a folder, he began listing off the attributes of the house. "It sits on 3 ½ acres, some of it quite wooded, and butts up against the national forest. The house has the three bedrooms and three full baths and is 2,406 square feet total. The ceilings are all 9 feet high, except for the sunken family room, which has a 10 foot ceiling. There is a 2 car, attached garage, a wine cellar in the basement, and an attic for storage."
"When were the last inspections completed?"
"Just last month, though we took possession of it five months ago." Handing her the findings, the portly man chuckled. "Absolutely nothing wrong with the house or property."
"Are you willing to rent? And, if not, what sort of price am I looking at?" Josie continued to look over the papers in her hand, tilting them to catch the sunlight streaming through the windows.
"We are not currently interested in becoming landlords." Referring to the papers in his hand once more, Mr. Andrews sniffed. "The bank is asking $248,000 for the house and land collectively."
Chibs whistled quietly from his spot beside Tig.
Josie smiled. This wasn't her first rodeo. "And what was the bank's original loan?"
"$112,000," mopping at his brow in the stagnant heat of the house, the property manager had begun to look a little worse for wear.
"I'm willing to go $117,600." Josie ignored the gasps and stares of the others, focusing instead on her current opponent. "That's what you paid out plus five percent. We both know you're losing money with it just sitting here, and you won't get much more if you take it to auction."
Mr. Andrews sighed heavily, his shoulders heaving under the weight. "Let me talk to my manager on Monday and see if that would be satisfactory."
"If you're willing to talk with him now, I can have a cashier's check or cash to you by this time Monday." When he began to dial his phone, Josie turned to the others while motioning toward the stairs. "Let's all retreat to the front porch where we can get some air while he talks, shall we?"
Gemma waited until they were standing on the wide, covered porch before she turned to the younger woman. "What the hell was that?"
"I want this house. It's lovely, in a good spot, and I just adore it." Josie shrugged and leveled a smirk back at the older woman. "I'm not in the habit of not getting whatever it is that I want."
Throwing her head back, Gemma laughed. "Oh, I think the two of us are going to get along just fine, darlin'."
"What if you end up not wanting to stay?" Tig lit up a cigarette while they waited.
Josie shrugged. "The house and property are worth far more than I offered. I could always resell it after the market straightens itself out."
By the time Mr. Andrews thudded back down the stairs, Josie had explained to Gemma and the others about her parents and the money she wielded. Tig had grinned as asked how happy she was with the Nomad enforcer. Chibs wondered if he could make use of the spare room from time to time. Gemma had nodded slowly and smiled knowingly.
"Well, it looks like we have a deal." Thrusting out his hand, the round man looked more like a cartoon character than an actual person. "Come by the bank on Monday, as we'll have the deed and all appropriate papers for you to sign."
Containing her reaction to the bank's easy acceptance, Josie graciously shook his hand and allowed him to lock up the house, even though she desperately wanted to start moving in right away. Wishing him a good afternoon, they saw him off before deciding a late lunch was in order. After all, Josie and Gemma had decorating and a housewarming to discuss.
Happy
Happy spent the long hours of uninterrupted riding to think. The nearly twelve hour trip was made slightly longer by their need for gas and the occasional meal. Neither of the other two were used to the hours Happy put in, and so he was forced to make concessions for their lack of stamina. He did smirk and let them know that his longevity was greater than theirs, as one couldn't be expected to let that sort of thing go.
By the time they pulled into the lot for the Tacoma clubhouse, he was ready for a few drinks and to feel the joy of a seat that wasn't vibrating. Kozik had a blonde under each arm before he took three steps off his bike, and Bowie wrapped an arm around a giggling brunette. Happy allowed a tall blonde to loop her arm around his waist, but shrugged her off to go fetch him a whiskey while he talked over the situation he had been called in for with Lee.
"These assholes think they can come into our city and start dealing to little fuckin' kids." The Tacoma chapter president shook his head and sipped his beer lightly. "I ain't putting up with that shit, and none of the guys here have the experience that you do in dealing with these pieces of shit."
Happy nodded and then accepted the glass of whiskey the blonde handed him. "Need to show force. Put them in their place. Not so hard that they think they need to retaliate, but hard enough that they get the message."
"Exactly!" Lee agreed and grasped his shoulder firmly. "I know it's been a long day for you guys. Take a load or two off, relax, and then hit it tomorrow. We've got a lot of intel on where they hang and deal."
When the blonde slid into his lap, Happy barely noticed. He had been thinking hard on what Josie had said before he left, and knew that she had a point. They were headed toward Old Lady-ville at breakneck speed and without a thought of hitting the breaks. He knew he didn't want anyone else to touch her, and that he would torture and kill anyone who tried. He realized that he wanted more than just to be the only one to have sex with her, however. Happy wanted to make Josie . . . happy. He loved her smile and the soft, joyful tinkle of her laughter, and wanted to do everything he could to bring that out more.
A movement on his lap barely registered until a small hand began to rub and caress him through his pants. Happy groaned and let himself relax, just barely hanging on to the top of his whiskey glass as it dangled from a loose hand over the arm of the stuffed leather chair. A nice rub down and a good session of some premium grind would do wonders after such a long day of riding.
Sliding his hand up the arm attached to that rubbing, teasing hand, Happy slid his hand along hair that barely grazed the woman's shoulders. Jerking upright, Happy nearly spilled the Croweater onto the floor as his semi-erect penis deflated faster than a blown tire. Staring at the woman for a moment, he tried to decide what it was about the all-too-common situation that had bothered him so greatly.
Her hair was too short, and the wrong color. Her hands were too soft with no calluses from weight bars and pushups. Her arms were slim, but completely without tone.
He didn't want any of that.
He wanted strawberry blonde hair that fell to creamy white thighs. He needed the hands that touched and caressed him to be roughened in some spots from hard work. He wanted a girl who could laugh at Tig's dirty jokes and then blush when someone called her pretty. He wanted rough sex against doors and long, sweet kisses tangled in sheets. He wanted breakfast for his brothers before they rode out with him and someone to be there to wash the blood off his cut when he got home. He wanted joyous laughter and quiet chuckles.
He wanted Josie.
Without a word to the woman now standing before him, he finished his drink and headed to the room he had been given during his stay. His phone was in his hand before he had unlocked the door, and it was ringing by the time he sunk down on the bed. When Josie's sweet voice tickled down the line, he couldn't help but smile.
"Hey, Sugah." Josie giggled and shut herself in their room. She had been cleaning the clubhouse kitchen when he called, in need of something to occupy her mind. "How was the trip? Did you make it in okay? Are they treating you good up there?"
The obvious concern in her voice had Happy hard and aching before he registered the tingling in his abdomen. Letting himself fall back on the bed with a groan, he toed his boot off. "Trip was fine. No bad weather or Mayans to fuck it up. Really just got in about half an hour ago. Talked to Lee, the Prez here, and had a drink."
"Thought you'd be too busy to call me." Josie fought hard to keep the hurt and uncertainty out of her voice, and was mostly successful. "I was gonna text you goodnight when I was ready to turn in, but didn't want to bother you otherwise."
"Nah, never too busy for you unless bullets are flying." Happy chuckled darkly. "What are you wearin' to bed?"
Josie giggled and began slipping off her sandals and sundress. "Well, I was gonna wear one of your huge t-shirts."
"There are clean ones in my drawer."
Josie snorted. "What's the point in wearing your shirt if it doesn't even smell like you?"
Something about the thought of Josie wearing nothing but a pair of her tiny panties and his shirt to bed had him breathing heavy and shucking his pants. "Want my smell all over you?"
"Well, of course. I love the way you smell." Josie giggled, not remembering the last time she had had so much fun on the phone. "First, though, I'll have to finish getting this bra off…"
Happy groaned and proceeded to tell her how she should take it off, and then what she should do with her hands.
By the time Happy hung up, it was hours later and to the sounds of Josie's gentle snores.