Chapter Seven
They arrived in town and found Harlow. It’d been easy to spot him—he’d been cruising around town protecting it. Damien, Lilly, Maggie, and Lacy, four of his siblings were together in the hospital parking lot.
“Pull up there, Caleb.” Junior nodded towards Lilly.
Damien was the first to reach him. “Junior, hey, how are you?”
“I’m good…still alive and kicking.”
Lilly and Lacy ran over leaning into the car giving him a hug.
“Gosh, it’s good to see you in town,” Lilly spoke first. “How do you feel?”
“I’m good, thanks for asking.” He hugged his twin sister. Then he turned. “Lacy, love, how are you?” He saw her eyes were red and puffy from tears. “Hey, girlie, what’s the matter?”
“I’m just happy to see you. When Mom and Dad told me about that bull…” She lunged into his arms and hugged him.
The pain in his lower back screeched but he wasn’t going to say anything to his little sister.
Lacy stepped away from him then touched his cheek with the back of her hand. “Junior, I’m so happy to have you home safe and sound.”
He nodded. “It’s good to be home. Love you both very much.”
They all hugged each other until Junior tickled the girls and they all started laughing.
“Stop, Junior!” Lacy screamed.
“Not until you stop crying.” He teased.
She nodded. “Okay, okay. I’ll stop.”
He didn’t want to horse around too much—his back was paying for the silliness. But it felt good to see all his siblings even if it was spread out throughout the day.
“Hey, you are coming home for dinner?” Lacy asked. “I guess Mom is cooking and wants everyone there.”
“Hell yeah, we’re in.” Harlow patted Junior’s back. He’d joined them near the car.
“You all got time to go over to Lucky Lucy’s? Damien here is about to go back on duty. He just stepped out for a break and to see Junior. What do you say? A few minutes?” Harlow turned his wrist, looking at his watch. “We still have a few hours before dinner?”
“I can’t, I have a few cases I’m preparing for. I’ll be here until at least four o’clock.” Lilly glanced at her watch as she held out her briefcase.
“Look at you, Sista…the big town lawyer.” Junior teased her unmercifully. His heart swelled from pride. She’d made a name for herself already.
“You know, we’re sure proud of you.” Damien hugged Lilly.
The boy had grown up. Junior noticed he was taller than he was.
“Thank you. I’m proud of my accomplishments but it sure is long days and a lot of BS. I’ll see you all later. I’ll be home for dinner.” Lilly took her leave and headed for her car sitting a few rows down from where they were.
Waving to Lilly, Junior almost missed another car driving past them. A Dodge Journey. “Harlow, was that Sarah?”
“I believe so. Junior, leave it be.” Damien tried to stop him by grabbing at his arms.
Junior felt surprised, as his brother seemed to be the first person to not want this. He stared down at his hand. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m just going to go and talk to her.”
“No, I don’t want you hurting her again. You’ve done enough damage to last a lifetime.”
Why would he say that? She broke it off with him. “Why, in the fuck is everyone in this town acting like I murdered someone? Sarah and I were done a long time ago.” Junior stomped his boot, sending a shooting pain through his lower back. He reached behind him and pressed against the muscles over his left hip. He leaned on his cane and tried to walk away from his family.
“Junior, don’t,” Lacy spoke firmly. Her voice steady and smooth.
“Not you too, Lacy?” Junior turned to his little sister. He raised his eyebrow at her.
His younger sister shook her head. “Do what you will, I’ll see you later.”
He reached for Lacy’s sleeve. “Hey, wait.” He hugged her to him. “You going to Lucy’s?”
She nodded.
“I’ll meet you there.” Junior left his siblings. He didn’t turn around because he didn’t want to see their disapproving expressions. “What the hell?” he mumbled. What was wrong with everyone?
Sarah needed to be the one to tell him what the hell happened over five years ago to have the entire town and its people still talking about it. Junior limped his way using his cane less than he would normally because it actually hindered his speed when he tried to catch up to Sarah. He found the now empty car in a reserved spot, marked Sarah Lee Moore, MD.
He looked around and found her, as she was just about to go inside the hospital. He yelled out, “Sarah!”
Sarah was absolutely gorgeous even though she was in scrubs with her hair pulled back. She couldn’t have been any more attractive to him if she’d been dressed in an evening gown and had her hair and makeup done up. Only now, she had a look of maturity. Still small and petite but she’d grown heavy in all the right places.
Sarah stopped walking but didn’t turn toward him.
He caught up to her and touched her arm.
She spun on her heel and those green eyes snapped at him. If they were daggers, he would be dead. “Well, if it isn’t the great Matheau Mullin.”
Her angry glare told him she was still pissed off and it had been five years. “Look, I have no excuse for what I did a long time ago. Why are you still mad at me?”
She crossed her arms over her breasts. “I’m not. Actually, I haven’t thought about you in over five years now.”
“I’m sorry, Sarah. Look can I just talk to you for a minute, please?” Junior touched her arm.
She shrugged him away. “It’s good to see your home, Junior, how long this time? A week, a few days, oh maybe a little more?” She left him standing there as she started for the doors of the hospital.
He wanted to catch up to her but his legs weren’t cooperating well and he almost tripped. When he tried to catch himself, his left foot caught on the pavement. He moaned, “Fuck!” Embarrassment sent blood rushing to his face. Junior pulled his cowboy hat over his eyes to shade his face. He didn’t want her to witness the pain on his face. He wasn’t going to chase her anymore. He would have years ago, now he was a washed up old cowboy that had no business trying to hook up with an ex-girlfriend as vital and vibrant as Sarah.
“Look, Junior, I’m already late.” She provided the perfect excuse. “I’ll see you around town, I’m sure?”
“Yeah, I’ll see you.” He waved over his head, walking away from her was hard but necessary. He didn’t want to make a total fool of himself, not around this beautiful woman. When his feet stumbled slightly, he tried to straighten out his limp but it was impossible. He’d already done too much. The chase to catch Sarah hadn’t helped either. Working his way back to the car, Junior decided to slow down and take his time.
“Hey, Junior, wait up!”
He turned slightly to find Sarah almost behind him and he didn’t miss the pained look of sympathy on her face. He didn’t want her to feel sorry for him. He’d overdone it for sure and wanted a beer now to cover up the pain. Hell with a beer, he needed a bottle of whiskey. “Look, Sarah—”
Her intake of breath told him she hadn’t paid attention to his crippled body before but now she’d seen all of it. “Junior, oh my God. What happened to you?”
“Nobody told you?” He leaned forward on his cane and waited for the dizziness and nausea to subside. When it didn’t immediately dissipate, he closed his eyes and inhaled, then slowly exhaled. He opened his eyes.
She shook her head, her eyes glossy as she frowned. “I just can’t believe it,” she whispered.
“I’m okay.” He gave her his million-dollar smile that had won him thousands of fans. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll get my sorry ass back over to my car.”
“Junior?”
He held up his hand holding the cane. “Don’t, Sarah, I just wanted to say, Hi. Look, I know you’re busy, stop out sometime if you have time. It was good seeing you.”
“I honestly, didn’t want to believe it.” She held her hand over her mouth.
He didn’t need her pity. “Sarah, fuck off. Look, I don’t need your sympathy. I’ll see you around!”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
He stopped, but couldn’t turn around and face her. “For?”
“I don’t know.”
“Because I’m a cripple?”
“Why would you say that to me? Why won’t you tell me what h-happened?” Her voice broke.
“It’s…” He tried but couldn’t continue.
“What happened?” She touched his hand that held the cane.
“I lost the last fight with Big Red.”
Her intake of breath told him exactly why she’d warned him many times not to ride him. “You promised me you would stay away from him. Why would you do this to yourself? He’s known all over the United States as the meanest bull in the world.”
He touched her cheek with the back of his callused hand. “Oh God, Sarah. I’m sorry, I lied to you. I promised you, didn’t I?”
She nodded. “It doesn’t surprise me. You broke all your promises you ever made to me.”
“I know. All I can say is I’m sorry. But I’m going to say one thing to you and you better run.”
She shook her head and smiled. “Junior, do you ever change?”
“Matter of fact, I do.” He nodded. “But, I’m going to say it. If I stay here any longer―”
She held her finger over his mouth and shook her head. “Don’t say it. I don’t want to be angry anymore at you.”
“You angry?” He teased. He knew he’d pissed her off, especially the last time he was home.
“Ugh, I’m over it.” She waved her had. “I don’t want you to treat me like you did the last time around.” She gazed down at her watch. “And, now I’m late. I got to go.”
“Sarah, I just want a few minutes with you, please.” He tugged on her hand.
She stopped. “You know what Junior? It was a long time ago. Leave it alone. I’ll see you around?”
“Yeah, next time.” He kissed her cheek.
She looked up at him, shook her head. “I’ll call you, maybe we can get together like old times?”
“Sarah?” Junior stopped her.
“Yeah?”
He reached out and cupped her head pulling her to him. He crushed her lips with his own. The kiss was almost violent with pent-up passion they both felt, Junior knew it. Their tongues danced together as only they knew how to do. He hadn’t had any other women. Sarah had been the only one he’d ever had sex with and he wanted her more now, than ever before.
He had to literally force himself away from her. When he did, he licked his lips. “You still taste good. I’m glad to be home, Sarah. Let’s for sure get together and I’ll give you something you’ll never forget.” He raised his brow at her.
“Matheau Mullin, you never change, do you? Been there done that, baby. Try again. I’ll have to let you know.” She ran her tongue along her bottom lip and smiled.
Her sexy, beautiful, and completely siren look teased him. His cock hardened and he had to limp backward to separate them. Junior watched her run into the hospital. Her retreating figure drove him crazy.
He turned around finding Lucas behind him with their father’s car. “Get in…stupid.”
Junior laughed and took his offer. They drove to the Lucky Lucy’s in silence. Junior appreciated Lucas not questioning him about what happened between him and Sarah. He needed a minute to calm his erratic heart and racing thoughts.
He knew it was too damn late for him and Sarah. He was busted up and couldn’t give her squat. Or could he? Maybe once his house was built he could bring her out there…
Why in the hell was he even thinking about her? Their relationship had been over for a long time. When he’d left the last time, he knew they were done. He’d hurt Sarah and disappointed his family by not applying to college as they’d planned for him. Was it too late for him now?
With his body busted up, just walking with his cane hurt like hell. How could he build a house with his own two hands? There was probably no way for him to do that now.
He saw Harlow’s squad car parked near the entrance. The pain in his lower back escalated to excruciating. The pain pill had worn off and it was too early to take more. Suddenly, he didn’t want to hang out in the bar anymore. He needed to go home and forget this day ever happened.
Lucas waited for him to limp his way to the front door. “Come on hop-a-long.”
“Shut up, Richard.” Junior teased back with a quote, from the movie ‘Tommy Boy.’
Lucas threw his head back and laughed. He tapped Junior on the shoulder. “Get your ass moving, boy.”
Before they’d reached two feet into the darkened establishment, he heard everyone yell together, “WELCOME HOME!”
Lucy ran over to him and threw her arms around him.
He dropped the cane to try and catch her before she knocked him over with her strength. “Whoa, girl! Hello to you too, Lucy. Easy does it.” Junior set her away then grabbed the back of a chair next to a table. He swung his six foot four frame down into the chair.
Lucy straddled the other chair after facing it towards him. “How are you, Junior? When did you get into town? Today?” Lucy hadn’t changed any. She fired one question after another towards him. She’d always been a favorite among his sisters’ friends.
His brother, Damien walked up and placed a familiar hand on Lucy’s back.
Her frown showed something wasn’t right between them. Lucy shrugged off the hand and stood up. She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Welcome home. It’s good seeing you and I’m glad you’re alive.”
“Thanks, Lucy. Damien, sit.” Junior pointed towards the chair Lucy vacated.
“Here.” She motioned to Damien. “I’ll take your place at the bar, stay and visit with your family.”
Junior chuckled and watched Lucy walk away. “I see Lucy hasn’t changed, Damien. You still trying to run from her?”
Damien coughed. “Junior, you’re terrible. You know we’re just friends.”
“Uh huh.” Junior looked around. “I see several things changed around here.”
“Yeah, we’ve been trying to update a little. How’s the back?”
Junior frowned. “It hurts like hell. I should probably head home and get some rest.”
“Not until you drink a beer with us.” Harlow walked over. He patted his back and pulled out a chair to sit down.
“You off duty or something?” Junior asked Harlow. It was obvious though that he was off duty because his uniform had been replaced by jeans and T-shirt.
A waitress carried a tray of beers over then set them down on the table. “Got your order, Harlow. Here’s two beers a piece. Where’s the rest of the family?”
“Oh, they’ll be coming along shortly. Anyone in particular you looking for, Darcy?” Harlow teased the waitress.
She looked up and smiled. “No, no one in particular, just wondering.”
After she walked away, Junior chuckled. “You sweet on that girl, Harlow?”
“Hell yeah, everyone wants Darcy. Not sure though, she doesn’t date men.” Harlow laughed.
“What do you mean?” Junior asked.
“Just what he said. Nobody has ever seen her on a date.” Damien joined in the conversation.
“Well, just because she doesn’t look at your ugly mugs, doesn’t mean she doesn’t like men.” Junior teased.
“Mom texted. She wants to know how many of us were going to try and make it for dinner.” Harlow looked at his phone.
“I’ll be there. It’s been a long time since I had Mom’s home cooked meals. Is the whole family coming?” He’d missed his entire family and wanted to see everyone. He enjoyed this time with his brothers.
Harlow nodded. “Everyone except Kalvin.”
“That’s cool.” Junior took a long drink from his beer.
While they visited, the place was getting busier as the evening rolled in, their dinnertime had always been busy at Lucky’s. A lot of lone cowboys frequented the town for food.
“If you want, you could catch a ride from me out to the ranch?” Harlow offered.
“Nah, we have Dad’s car.” Junior winked. “I need to unhook my horse trailer, then I’ll have my pickup back.”
“Oh, got you.” Harlow took a sip of his beer.
Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Lacy and Maggie walk into the bar. He held up his hand. “Girls.” Junior tried to stand up. His back didn’t cooperate, he quickly planted his ass back in the chair but not before he caught Maggie’s frown. “Hey, how are you love?” He reached up and took Maggie’s offered hand.
She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “It’s just good to have you home.”
“Sit, come on drink one of these beers for me.” Junior pushed the beer towards Lacy. He didn’t know if Maggie was old enough, yet. “How old are you, Maggie?”
“Nineteen.” She giggled. Maggie leaned in whispering, “Did you find what you were looking for at the hospital?”
“I suppose, I did.” Junior teased pinching her cheek.
Maggie swatted his hand. “You never change, do you?”
“You didn’t, did you?” Damien asked him. Insinuating if he got anywhere with Sarah.
He shrugged. “No, she basically told me to go to hell.” Junior took a long pull off his bottle.
“Damn, you didn’t make a move on her did you?” Damien slugged his arm.
“What the fuck?” Junior rubbed the spot on his arm.
“Don’t you think you’ve done enough damage?” Damien stood up but his chair tipped over hitting the floor, hard.
The place seemed to grow quiet waiting for the brothers to respond.
Junior wasn’t sure why Damien seemed pissed off at him. He didn’t confirm or deny anything. “Damien, sit the fuck down. I’m not sure why you’re getting yourself all worked up.”
“Did Sarah tell you anything?” Lacy asked him.
“Yeah, she told me she doesn’t want me in her life. That’s it. Leave her and my stupidity alone. I’m heading home.” Junior got up and tried to reach for his cane but it had fallen onto the floor.
Harlow had tipped back his chair leaning on the two back legs. “Junior, my brother, I’m going to tell you something, but you have to promise to do something about it, and don’t just run out to the ranch and cry like the bitch I know you can be.”
“Harlow, you better watch your dammed mouth. I will not hesitate to hit you. Remember, you’re my younger brother first, and Sheriff second.” Junior words sliced through the thick emotion traveling around his siblings.
“You’ve come and gone out of Sarah’s life, Junior. She’s been through hell and back. First, losing her father, then staying here in the town to take care of our sorry asses. Sarah worked her ass off getting through college then med school. You do know she has a little girl, right?” Harlow’s voice was harsh.
Junior’s heart clenched in his chest. Did his brother say she had a kid? He looked around, everyone sitting with him was family. “When? I mean a kid—really?”
“Yeah, Emmy is absolutely adorable,” Lacy added.
“How old?” Junior asked.
“I think she’s four,” Lacy answered.
Changing the subject. “I need to talk to Lucy for a few minutes. Damien, look let’s leave this shit in the past. I have new problems I need to address?”
“Sure, what’s up?”
“It’s about the bar, can I speak with you and Lucy together, please?”
“Let’s go up to the bar. She’ll talk to you. I can’t help you unless you tell me what the hell you have up your sleeve.” Damien seemed to accept that he needed his help. They walked up to the bar and each took a stool.
Damien yelled down the bar, “Lucy, when you have a minute?”
“What’s up, boss?” She smiled but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. Junior had seen that look in some of the men of the club. They seemed dead on the inside from seeing too much heartache or pain.
This woman had seen far too much as young as she was. He knew the death of her father haunted her. Maybe by giving back it would bring some light to her eyes again.
“I didn’t realize you bought this bar, Damien? But, I stopped by Hardbodies, a friend of mine, Isaac McCoy, has changed it around and made it a happening place. You two should go and have a look-see. But, I have to open an establishment up here in Winslow and I don’t want to take away from your business here. I need a place to set up for the Steel MC and a place to have some of the women working. I have three to four strippers coming up and they need jobs?”
“Whoa, wait a minute. I don’t want Lucky’s to be a strip joint. That wouldn’t be a cool thing in this town?” Lucy seemed determined.
“Well I want to open Dug Out 2 and we can put the girls up on the stage there. I don’t want to compete with you though.” Junior knew he would have a hard time convincing Lucy but his brother had yet to say anything.
“Damien, what do you think?”
“I’m going to have to go with Lucy’s decision on this. We can both have bars in this town. Yours will have the girls and the MC, we’ll stick to the family setting here at Lucky’s.”
“Lucy? You okay with that?” She nodded.
“I’m going to be working with Ben. We’ll investigate the murder of your father. If that’s okay with you?”
“What happened to him just wasn’t right. When are you all going to open up shop?”
“We’re setting up starting tomorrow in the strip mall. We’ll be open by the end of the week or perhaps the beginning of next week. Stop on over and give us all the details of the case. If you can get a copy of the police file that will be best.”
“I can do that.” Lucy wiped down the bar. Junior knew their conversation wasn’t what he’d hoped for but he understood their point of view. A strip club was a lot to ask for when you’re use to a family business bar and grill.
“Okay then, I appreciate the support of the club you’ll both be giving me.” Junior stepped away from the bar and tipped his cowboy hat. “I’ll be seeing you, Lucy. Make sure you come on out to the picnic we’re going to put on for the club. Meet the men and women of the MC?”
“I’ll be there I promise.” Lucy smiled and grabbed ahold of his hand. “It was good to see you walking again. I’m proud of you and glad you’re home safe.”
Junior walked away from Lucy and left Damien at the bar. They seemed to be discussing business and he needed to gather his siblings and head for home. His back was hurting again and he was getting hungry. “Hey, you guys I’m going to head home. I need to rest a bit before dinner. Lucas?”
His brother nodded, drank the rest of his beer and twirled the keys. “Ready, when you are.”
Lacy handed him his cane. She held his hand. “Come on, Junior, I’ll walk you to the car. Can Maggie, and I get a ride home?”
“Sure, come on. I’ll see you out at the house.” He nodded to Harlow and Damien who’d just joined them again. His brothers nodded, they both picked up their beers and downed them.
“So, Sarah has a little girl. When did she have time to do all that?” Junior asked, looking down at Maggie and Lacy.
“I guess in college. Yep, she came home for her father’s funeral and had the baby with her,” Lacy said.
“That’s crazy. Who’s the father?”
“I’m not sure. She doesn’t talk with me or anyone about it. The only thing she’s said to us is Emmy was hers, that’s all.” Lacy had been friends with Sarah all through high school.
“Maybe, I should go see her before I go out to the house. I shouldn’t have left her like I did all those years ago. We had a really big fight.” Junior pulled the car door open.
Lacy touched his arm. “Junior, don’t. Please? She has her thirty-six hours at the emergency room this weekend.”
He nodded, his sister was right. “How did you get so smart, Lacy?”
She giggled, then sat in the front while Maggie took to the backseat.
Before they pulled out of the parking lot, a vehicle pulled in. When it stopped and the window rolled down, they saw it was Sarah. “Junior, can I see you for a second?”
“Yeah, hang on girls.” He slowly got out of the car then walked to hers. He leaned in the window. “Everything okay?”
“I’m sorry for the way I treated you, earlier. It was unfair. I guess seeing you again…” Her bottom lip trembled slightly.
“I understand. Hey, no worries, let’s just chock it up to another one of our many mistakes.” He frowned. “How did you get a break after just starting your shift.”
She twisted her wrist and looked down at her watch. “I shouldn’t have left the hospital, but told them I needed to take care of something quick. Look maybe we can meet tomorrow morning for breakfast?”
“Sure, is there anything you might need to tell me?” Junior held his breath.
“Yeah, I guess there is.” Sarah blew him a kiss.
He caught it but before she could roll up the window, he reached in and grabbed her neck. He crushed her lips to his and kissed her hard. When he pulled away this time, he was in control. He growled out, “You’re mine, Sarah.”
She smiled, ran her tongue along her lips and waved as she drove away.
He felt more than flushed and told himself it was still hot out from the day’s heat. Junior got into the car.
His sisters stared at him but didn’t say a word.
“You don’t have anything to say?”
“Nope, just drive, Junior.” Lacy seemed angry but Maggie didn’t speak.
He wondered why his sisters were so upset. All he did was kiss her. Oh well, he had made so many mistakes already…what’s a few more?
Driving home to the family dinner, he had no desire to even eat now. All he wanted was Sarah.