Beth’s laughter stopped. “Really?”

Shade and all the men nodded.

“Spring break is right in the middle of tornado season,” Winter confirmed.

“I’ll have to tell them. Maybe a cruise would be better.”

Shade didn’t seem any happier.

“Perhaps you might convince them to stay a few days in Lexington. Spring meet will be on at Keeneland, then you could bring Lily back with you and we could have your bachelorette party on that Friday.”

Beth considered it for several minutes. “I think that’s a great idea. Thanks Winter.”

Winter smiled at Beth, ignoring the narrowed stare of Shade. The arm around her shoulders moved to cup her neck, his thumb sliding against her sensitive flesh. She looked at Viper to see him smiling in appreciation at her maneuvering.

“I’m looking forward to the bachelorette party. Evie talked to Mick, he said to let him know the date and we could have the bar for the night. It’s going to be nice just us, no men,” Jewell said.

“Well, us and a few of my other friends,” Beth clarified hesitantly.

“Like who?” Evie said suspiciously sitting down at the table with her food.

“Crazy Bitch, Sex Piston, Killyama…”

Evie raised her hand “You have got to be shitting me. Tell me you’re not seriously considering inviting them to your party.”

“I have to invite them. It will hurt their feelings if I don’t.”

“Those bitches don’t have any feelings. Not normal ones anyway,” Shade butted into the conversation.

Beth sent Shade a reproachful look.

“There is a problem with them coming,” Evie reminded Beth. All eyes turned to Bliss who was unashamedly listening from the kitchen counter.

Beth shook her head. “No, that is all forgotten. They will be cool, they promised.”

Everyone looked at her doubtfully.

Winter remembered the fight at the Pink Slipper and how the biker bitches wanted Bliss badly. She doubted those feelings had disappeared. Especially the crazy one, she didn’t seem like she would forget a thing.

“May I make a suggestion? Suppose we have the party at eight until two. Tell your biker friends it starts at eleven. If Bliss wouldn’t mind she could leave a few minutes earlier than when they would arrive.”

Bliss smiled in relief. “That works for me.”

Beth not so much. Winter loved Beth; she was a truly kind person who didn’t want to intentionally hurt anyone. Winter swallowed a lump in her throat when she saw Razer’s gaze fixed on Beth. It was obvious he loved her; he knew she wasn’t happy with the solution but didn’t have another solution.

“Okay, if that makes everyone more comfortable,” Beth conceded. The whole room nodded their heads.

Chapter 11

Winter borrowed Evie’s car to drive herself to the doctor on Monday. Satisfied with her progress, he agreed to sign her work release. Winter wanted to celebrate, but she was by herself, all the members were hard at work at the factory. A big order was due to go out on Thursday and many had to work overtime. She frowned, realizing suddenly that her world had narrowed down to The Last Riders. She had never had an overabundance of friends, but there were a few she could have called at a moment’s notice for lunch.

Winter decided to go to the diner for lunch by herself. The diner wasn’t very busy with only a few customers occupying the tables. Pastor Dean was sitting at one by himself.

“Mind if I join you?” Winter asked

He rose and pulled out a chair at the table. “Not at all.”

Pastor Dean sat back down as the waitress came to take her order. Winter appreciated his gentlemanly manners. He was an extremely good-looking man, who was also an excellent Pastor. Winter had sought his guidance several times after her mother’s death.

“You seem to be recovering well.”

“Other than the cane and that I move slow as a turtle, I am,” Winter agreed happily.

“Now that you’re better, I am hoping to see you in church again. The children in your class miss you.”

“I miss them.” Her class of preschoolers was small, but she was eager to see them again. “I’ll be back this Sunday.”

“I’ll count on it.” They discussed how several of the older church parishioners were doing until their food arrived. They were drinking coffee when Mrs. Langley came in from her beauty shop appointment to meet her friend.

Mrs. Langley was Winter’s aunt. Samantha was her granddaughter, who was as cruel as Mrs. Langley was kind. She sat down at their table to wait for her friend’s arrival.

After both assured each other that they were doing well. Mrs. Langley brought up the uncomfortable situation herself.

“Winter, I heard at the beauty shop what happened with Samantha. I am deeply ashamed at her actions.”

“Aunt Shay, you’re not responsible for her actions, you have nothing to be embarrassed about,” Winter reassured her there were no hard feelings.

“First Vincent, then Samantha. My daughter would be heartbroken if she were still alive.” Mrs. Langley’s daughter had died three years ago. Samantha, who had always stayed in trouble, had become even wilder without her mother’s guidance. A sudden thought struck Winter, she didn’t want to hurt the woman, but the truth needed to be brought out.

“Aunt Shay, has anyone told you that Samantha had a baby three years ago? It was right around the time of Samantha’s mother’s death.” Mrs. Langley’s expression became cautious. Winter knew then she was right, everyone had been so cautious of protecting the woman’s feelings, they were ignoring the only source of information they had. Even Pastor Dean was giving the older woman a concerned look.

“She told Loker James that it was his brother’s child. He is devastated, he loved his brother and the thought of his murdered brother’s child out there with no family caring for it is hard for him to accept,” Winter explained gently.

Mrs. Langley stared at Pastor Dean several minutes before answering in a quiet voice. “She told him it was Gavin’s?”

Winter heard Pastor Dean break into the conversation. “You knew Gavin?” Surprised at the familiarity of the name coming from Pastor Dean, it was only Mrs. Langley’s answer that made her forget to question him.

“He stayed at my home while they were building the factory. Vincent invested in the business and as my home was so large, he asked if Gavin could stay there. Of course I accepted. I didn’t know Vincent was planning on killing him.” Her frail hand shook as she sat her tea glass back on the table. “It probably made it easier to make him disappear.” A tear ran down her withered cheek. Pastor Dean handed her a handkerchief.

“You couldn’t have known, please don’t blame yourself.”

It took several minutes before the older woman could get herself back under control.

“I couldn’t help him, but at least I can help Loker. I knew Sam was pregnant. She came to me when she first found out because she wanted to have an abortion. She was too far along and she stayed with me until she had the baby. When she went into labor, she called Vincent and he came to the house to pick her up. Afterwards, when I asked about the baby they told me Samantha had given it up for adoption. I would have cared for the child, but they told me no. I have no idea where my great grandchild is and they won’t tell me.” Anguish filled the old woman’s eyes.