“Calm down, Jethro, you’re scaring her.” Lil is trying to comfort Katie, but she isn’t having it.
“I’m not ashamed of it. I had no money, but I was working. I would go to the shelter and shower and then I would sleep in my truck. Went to the laundry mat to wash my clothes. I broke no laws. I had to save money to get a place to live. Grammy had burial insurance, but there were other expenses and I couldn’t stay in the government apartment we had. They gave me a little time, but I could never save enough, so I slept in my truck. It is why it is important for me to work so I won’t be homeless anymore.” That’s all I could take. It’s like every word out of her mouth was a dagger to my heart. I reach down to her and lift her. I took her in my arms and whispered to her.
“You will never be alone again. I promise you, I will be there for you. You are mine from this day forward.” She was stiff at first, but then she relaxed some, although she was wiggling to get down, so I set her down again. I can’t believe the things Katie has been through.
“Darlin’, I didn’t mean to scare you. I just can’t believe you slept in your truck for almost year.” Cap has calmed down.
“I didn’t trust the shelters. I mean, I know there are good people there, but I have heard some bad stories, too. I had rather be in my truck with locked doors. Now, when I have time I volunteer at the shelters to help people like myself who just need a little help. I wasn’t asking for a hand out, just a hand up.” She thinks we are judging her.
“Babe, we’re not judging you. We just hate it for you. Con and I didn’t have a home until Cap and Lil took us in and we aren’t the only ones. We have a motorcycle club full of brothers who didn’t fit anywhere and we came together and we are a family now. Do you know anything about motorcycle clubs?” Katie actually has a genuine smile on her face.
“You mean the kind like in the romance books?” My baby reads trashy romance books.
“No. You like trashy romance books?” I swear Katie turns three shades of red. “We are real men.”
“They are not trashy. They are sexy and interesting.” She still won’t look at me.
“Well, I am sexy.” I shoot Con a go to hell look.
“We are a brotherhood. Family. We have each other’s backs and we love to ride and we love the freedom of the road.” Cap tells her.
“We are each other’s family.” My girl is smiling big at me and I have to let her know I know my brothers are my family.
“My Grammy always said there are rules in life. Rule one is your family is always related by heart but not necessarily by blood.” I think Katie’s Grammy was smart woman.
“That’s it exactly, babe. I am claiming you and you are mine and I am yours. You will learn what this means. I will give you the time to adjust, but it is a fact. That means we are all family now. You have a family now.” I take her hand and kiss it.
“Shine, I think you are moving a little fast for Katie. Give her some time.” Lil is afraid Katie is going to run. It’s okay, because if she runs, I will catch her.
“Lil, Shine and I have already spoken. Not your business. Katie, you have a family now, so let’s see if we can get this nurse to turn you lose so we can get you home and settled.” Cap gives Lil the look that always shuts her down. Lil has free rein most of the time, but when Cap has that look she shuts her shit down. The nurse comes in and we are out of there.
Chapter 7
Katie
All the way back to Tyler I have been inside my head trying to figure out what I should do. It’s all happening so fast. Lil has tried to draw me into her and Cap’s conversation, but I just need to think. I cannot afford to make mistakes. It seems I have always been one paycheck away from living in my truck again and I don’t want to go back. One of Grammy’s rules in life is keep moving forward and don’t look back. I never quite understood it until I was all alone. If you look back, it’s always right there trying to pull you back.
I never had a mother to miss. I always wanted one. Grammy tried, but I’ve always felt like I missed something everyone else has. I vaguely remember my dad, but I can never be sure if it is actual memories or because Grammy always spoke of things we did. Grammy, bless her heart, was always just tired. I learned early to take care of myself as best I could just to give her a break. She worked so hard. I guess that is where I got my work ethic. First one there and last one to leave.