***Doll***

 

I wish I could have spent more time with that kid while he was awake. Now he’s sleeping in my arms. Ramrod asked me twice if he needed to take Arrow from me. He tried for a third, but the glare I shot him was enough for him not to voice the rest of his question.

There’s a knock on the door. Ramrod glances through the window before he tells me, “That’s my VP, you’re gonna have to hand him over now.” Ramrod chuckles as he opens the door.

There’s a guy standing there with a leather cut, a tight white T-shirt underneath, and dark jeans. He’s got some ink on his arms and wavy hair. There’s a little girl next to him with a tearstained face. The guy mutters something to Ramrod before his gaze lands on me.

His eyes widen for a bit before he asks, “And who’s the lady you got stashed away here, Ramrod? Have you been holding out on us, afraid one of your brothers is going to snatch this one away from you?”

“No one is going to snatch her away. Fuck off, VP. Take the kids to their parents and hurry back to your own ol’lady,” Ramrod growls.

“Figures,” the VP chuckles. “And Ramrod?”

“Yeah?” Ramrod snaps.

“You do realize you said your own ol’lady, right? Does that mean this one is yours?” Ramrod’s VP raises one of his eyebrows, waiting for Ramrod’s answer.

“Fuck. Off. VP,” Ramrod growls through his teeth.

I don’t know what’s going on but this is getting weird. “Okay, you two. Can someone grab this little boy, and what’s wrong with the little lady?”

I’m successful at breaking the conversation when the VP turns his attention to me. “She lost her giraffe.”

The little girl pulls at the guy’s sleeve and starts to wave her hands.

Ramrod chuckles and shoots me a wink before he adds, “This little girl is Depay’s daughter and Arrow’s sister. She’s deaf but still knows how to yell at people. Her giraffe’s named Boo. She takes offense at people calling it a giraffe because Boo is special.”

Aw, that breaks my heart. “Can you or your VP translate something for me?”

“No need, sugar. Just look at her directly because she can lip-read,” Ramrod tells me.

Ramrod gently takes Arrow from me, who’s still sleeping by the way, and hands him to his VP.

Squatting down, I ask the little girl, “You can’t find Boo?”

She shakes her head no and rubs her tiny nose.

That poor girl. “Do you know where you had him last?”

“Nah, Hadley and her dad were out for pancakes this morning, but somewhere in between they lost Boo. Depay backtracked every step and is still out looking, but no luck,” Ramrod’s VP tells me and sighs.

I bite my lip, thinking of a way to help but I don’t want to overstep. My gaze hits Ramrod and I see the man’s eyes turn warm and golden.

“What is it, Doll? What are you thinking? Because I can see you’re wrestling with something to say.” The corner of his mouth twitches and I decide to go for it.

Zeroing my attention back on the little girl in front of me, I ask her, “What do you say to making a Boo twin? Similar to Boo, except a little different.”

She gasps and looks at the VP who’s standing behind me. I hear him chuckle. “I dunno, Hadley, if she asks you…who knows. Can you? Ramrod’s Lady?”

Ramrod growls and everyone’s attention goes to him. “It’s Doll. Her name is Doll, and yes, she can. She makes bears and so on for a living.”

Before I know it, I catch the little girl who throws herself at me and hugs me tight. Then she pulls back and starts to sign.

“She’s asking when and if she can help.” Ramrod chuckles.

“You know sign language?” I ask him.

Ramrod nods. “Yeah, we all do. It’s a long process and if she’s too enthusiastic and rambles, I have difficulties keeping track.”

“We all do, not just you. She needs to speak slowly.” The guy behind me laughs before he steps toward the door and snaps, “Hey, Chopper, can you take Arrow, or the stroller for that matter? Your choice.”

Another guy steps inside and takes Arrow from the VP’s arms. “I’ll take this one, you take the stroller.”

The little girl is still looking at me, waiting for my answer. “Well, what do you say you talk to your mom and dad and then we’ll go shopping for some fabric so we can make Boo’s twin together, okay? I’ll be right here.”

I get another hug before she’s out the door and I’m alone again with Ramrod. I didn’t miss the eyebrow raise he gave after I told that little girl I’d be right here for her. It just slipped out because I know how kids are when it comes to their favorite toys.

“Are you sure about that, sugar?” Ramrod quips.

I sigh and give him a tight smile, thinking things over because my reply to that little girl was all natural without thinking things through, but I have to admit, “You were right,” I tell him.

A sly smile appears on his handsome face, making me want to trail my finger along his goatee. “Remind me, because I’m right about a lot of things. A little more detail would be appreciated.”

“I should have called my friends to let them know I was not okay, but I am okay now, or at least I’m getting there.” I rub my sweaty palms on my pants. His intense stare is making me nervous. “But I just don’t want them to worry, or put them in any danger. I could basically do my work from anywhere. I think that I’m going to catch my breath and then...”

“Pack up and leave?” Ramrod growls.

Okay, I should have fear gripping my heart right now with this huge biker standing in front of me, all inked up muscle, growling, and yet he’s been so sweet up until now…and I mean…he freaking babysits. He might be a tough one, but somehow there’s this feeling rooted deep in my bones that tells me this man is one of the good guys. This makes me feel safe and gives me a confidence boost.

“Yes. That’s exactly it, Muscleman.” I poke my finger against his chest. “But first I thought about taking you up on that offer. If it still stands, that is.”

His jaw ticks and his eyes swirl with intensity. They hold for a breath longer before they slide down where my finger is still very much pressing against one very firm chest. He tightens his muscles. No, that’s not the way to put it. He makes his freaking boobs dance, that’s what he does.

“Muscleman, huh? I like it.” His voice is all husky, sending a shiver through my whole body.

I do my best not to let it show because his ego is filling up more room than the heat we’re creating standing this close to one another.

I manage to roll my eyes and mutter to myself, “Figures. I should have said hugsy wugsy or cuddle bear. But no, I had to stroke his ego.”

Ramrod swallows and takes three steps away from me. In this tiny house, this action takes him across the room. And I swear he muttered something about stroking something else in the process.

He shrugs a hand through his pitch-black hair. “Any offer I gave you would stand for an eternity. I’m a man of my word.”

This type of man should grow on trees. I mean, he’s been a knight in sparkling armor ever since I met him. Yes, sparkling, that bright, not just shining but a full-blown, put your hands up to ward off the light, bright sparkling.

I swallow away the emotions he brings up inside me, and the ones that come with the things that haunt me. “Then I would like your help in getting my problems sorted out ever since my sister pulled me into her mess.”

“You have a sister?” Ramrod asks, curiosity lacing his words.

Sadness, fear, and despair hit me all at once, ripping a sob from my throat before I voice, “Had. I don’t think she’s alive anymore.”

Ramrod is across the room and pulling me into his arms before I take my next breath, giving me comfort after the first time I’ve voiced those dreadful words out loud.