Steele: Into Your Heart (Carolina Bad Boys #3 (25 page)

Scooting away, I cleared my throat quickly.

Nick’s father Ted approached me. “That was really nice of you, son.”

The older man bore Nick’s rugged looks while his mom, Letitia, was tall and stately and silver-blonde.

“Think nothing of it. She’s a good lady, that’s all.” I nodded to everyone then hit the hallway before my emotions surfaced.

In the elevator, going down again, my head went full tilt. Life hung from one moment to the next. Everything was in the balance. I thought about Ashe, our relationship, her job, and the MC. I thought about the baby being born and the woman about to die.

I wished I still smoked pot so I could toke up in the parking lot, but since I was now seriously involved with a cop, that was probably a no-go.

The maternity waiting room was in an uproar when I returned. “What?” I asked the mechanics.

“Baby Stone!”

“A girl.”

“Healthy as can be, with a set of lungs on her!”

“Momma and baby are doin’ fine. The nurse said so when she came out to tell us.”

“
¡Gracias a Dios!
”

Watching the big, badmouthed knuckle-draggers gush over their boss and his lady’s new baby brought a smile to my face. I should’ve brought cigars for everyone, screw the joint I’d wished for.

I sent off texts to Nick, Cat, and Boomer.

Josh barged into the room. Grinning from ear to ear, he looked ten years younger than he had an hour earlier. “Jolie Stone was born at four twenty-seven. She is fucking perfect. Leelee is amazing. I’m . . .” The big tall man pushed his fist against the wall, and his voice cracked. “Thank you for coming. You wanna see her?”

Everyone sounded off with loud shouts and whistles.

“I’ll hold her up to the window at the nursery because y’all can look but not touch.” He exited, his broad shoulders filling the doorway.

“Same rules as with Leelee,” Gerald muttered, following after his boss.

“Nah man. We ain’t even allowed to
look
at Leelee!” Ray joked.

Filing into the corridor, we lined up at the nursery.

Cat and Nick skidded into the hall, coming to a breathless stop beside me.

“We couldn’t miss this.” Cat sought my eyes.

Josh appeared, looming large. He held the blanket wrapped bundle against his chest, absolutely beaming with pride. After kissing baby Jolie on both cheeks, he turned her to us. She was beautiful. Scrunched up face and red-pursed lips and a tuft of strawberry blond hair peeking beneath her tiny knit hat.

Camera phones flashed one after the other before Josh cradled Jolie to his chest and turned away.

“And we shall call her Pebbles,” Ray said.

“Long as it’s not
Fruity
Pebbles.” Gerald leaned way down to knock his huge shoulder against Javier’s.

“
¡Ea diantre!
You know that’s discriminatory,
si
?”

“Hey, we’ll just leave Gerald to his Cocoa Pebbles.” Mick pointed the bill of his baseball cap at the black man.

“Besides, you know we don’t care if you prefer a bologna roll over pink taco.” Ray threw his arm around Javier’s neck.

Stone stuck his head out of the nursery. “Who the hell’s runnin’ the garage?”

“
Aww, jefe . . .
el bebé recién nacido
.
Una niña
preciosa
. . .”

“The scuds.” Mick interrupted Javier’s tirade.

“The grunts.” Ray shrugged.

“Rayce.” Gerald lifted his eyebrows.

They all chuckled. It was like watching
The Three Stooges plus one.

Josh sent us on our way with a scowl, and we piled out of the congested hallway.

Ashe all but ran into us as we exited the swinging doors. She hugged me hard, her face against my chest. “I came as fast as I could. Is Leelee okay? The baby? What about Nick’s grandmother?”

Instant calm descended over me with her presence, and I realized she was
it
for me. With her by my side, some semblance of sanity returned. I filled her in as Stone’s guys asked Nick about his mimi.

A couple minutes later, Nick held Cat’s hand, walking to Ashe and me. “Thanks for today. I’ve got one last favor to ask.”

“Anything. I already told you that.”

Special permission was asked. Special permission was granted. Josh and Leelee were on board. When I got the text from Nick, we flew into action because Miss Myra was awake.

Alone inside the elevator with Ashe, I held her against me because I needed to feel her. I needed her like the air filling my lungs and the hope still alive in my chest. There was something I had to tell her though.

“All this stuff about Nick’s grandmother and Leelee’s baby, it’s . . .
uh
. . . it’s been a weird day for me.” I smoothed my hands up and down her back.

“I know. And you’ve been here for everyone.”

“It’s not just that.”

“What?” She peered up at me.

“I got a girl pregnant a couple years ago.”

“You’re a father? Where’s the child? Who’s the mom?” Her brow puckered.

Shaking my head, I said, “The woman’s name was Grace. She moved away. In Virginia, the last time I heard.”

“But where’s your child, Brodie? What happened?”

I inhaled deeply and blew the breath out. “Grace had an abortion. She informed me she was pregnant, but she was too young to be tied down by a kid.” Craning my neck back, I closed my eyes. “I said I’d pay for everything—the OB, the prenatal tests, the hospital—the whole whack. Hell, I told Grace I’d raise it on my own if that was what she wanted.”

“Oh God, Brodie.” Ashe’s fingers skimmed along my arms to clutch my hands.

“She didn’t even tell me she was going to do it. All I got was a phone call from the clinic to pay the goddamn bill a few days afterward. And she disappeared just like that. Tuck hunted her down, but what did it matter?” I curled my hand into Ashe’s loose hair and pulled her face into my neck. I swallowed a couple times and shook my head. “I know it was Grace’s body and her decision, but I would’ve taken care of that baby. I would’ve loved it. I was in a dark place at the time, felt like I didn’t have anything after my folks died. I would’ve had something.”

“I’m sorry. I am so sorry, Brodie.” Ashe nestled further against me.

“So, I think you are very brave to have had Cara on your own.” I wiped the single tear that slid down my cheek while her head was tucked against me.

“And I think you are a very good man to her and me.”

We held each other in silence until the elevator doors swished open. Josh stood outside. He pushed Leelee in a wheelchair, and she held Jolie against her chest.

“I do not need a wheelchair. The nurse wants me up and walking,” Leelee complained as we fell in step.

“You can walk tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow I’ll be holding Jolie in one arm to nurse her and typing with the other.” Two hours after giving birth, Leelee already appeared to have everything in hand.

Josh stopped so fast the wheelchair tires squealed on the tiles. “You are doing no such thing. You’re takin’ three days of rest, two at the least, while I bring you anything you want, including our little sweetheart when she wants to feed.” Getting down on his knees in front of Leelee, he laid one palm on her cheek and the other lightly to rest on Jolie’s tiny face. “You’re gonna let me cherish you both, and honor you, treasure you, just like I promised when we got married.”

“You are so goddamn bossy,” Leelee said it like it was an endearment as she swept a tear away.

“You know it. And I can’t wait to get you home. The kid’s gonna be all over you two.” He leaned up to kiss her cheek and nuzzle Jolie’s.

I held the door to Miss Myra’s room open as Josh pushed Leelee through. Ushering Ashe in front of me, we entered the brightly lit space. Since I’d last visited, flowers occupied all the tabletops. Not fancy hothouse blooms, but radiant lowcountry lilies, snapdragons, and other fresh from the garden blossoms.

“Miss Myra, we heard you wanted to see someone?” Leelee smiled, cradling Jolie in her arms.

“Oh my sakes alive.” Myra lifted a shaky hand to her lips. “Is that Little Miss Jolie? Let me hold her.”

“Cat? Can you take her? I don’t think I can get close enough in this damn chair,” Leelee huffed.

“Try bein’ tied to a bed, dawlin’. At least roll close enough to touch my arm. You are purely glowin’, and I want me some of that at the end.”

I watched Cat squeeze then release Nick’s hand. She tucked Jolie against her, snuggling the small cargo for a moment. Sitting on the side of the bed, she passed Jolie into Myra’s waiting arms.

Jolie yawned with a smack of her rosebud lips and then gave a little squall as her eyes fluttered open.

“Oh you precious thing. Now your momma is just about the prettiest gal in the room, but look at you, sweet girl.” She cooed. Jolie wrapped her fingers around the old woman’s thumb. “Good grip, she’s strong. She is gonna break some hearts, Josh, you hear me?”

It was an image I’d remember forever. A woman at the end of her life, and a newborn at the beginning of hers.

“Yes, ma’am. I hear ya. Always did. You are one of the best people in my life.”

“Oh, son. Hush now. You speak those words when I’m gone. Come take my hand, Josh.” With every word, Myra’s voice grew weaker.

Josh clasped her hand in his big grip, gentle as could be.

“Look at all you young’uns with babies born and chirrun to be. Nothin’ finer in life. You do me proud, yes you do.” Her hand spasmed and she frowned. “You there, Ashe.”

Beside me, Ashe’s lips popped open.

“Why you lookin’ at me like that? ’Course I remember your name. You and Brodie gonna be so happy, I just know it.” She patted Jolie’s cheek one last time and whispered something in her ear. “See now? The brain still sparks even if the heart is done. Only reason for that is ’cause I loved too much all these years. My heart is too full. Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Momma?” Myra’s son Ted approached.

“I’m just makin’ some room for you and Letitia and our boy Nicky. Ashe, come on over here and take this little bundle of joy back to her momma. Just breathe in that baby scent.”

Ashe accepted Jolie into her arms. Her hair fell over them both as she rocked back and forth as only a mother knew how to do.

The sweet scent of baby powder filled my nose. Ashe with the newborn girl swam in my vision. I had to turn away for a second. When I faced the room again, I was undone by the hugeness of love. Nick, Cat, and his folks huddled over Myra. Boomer stood against the wall, his face a mask, one I saw straight through. Ashe curled over little Jolie as she delivered her back to her momma and daddy. I imagined Jolie’s milk-warm hiccups, her baby-soft skin. My pulse raced when Ashe’s gaze locked onto mine.

A smile tilted her lips.

This was life. This was love. This was everything.

Family.

Then the sudden shrill alarm from Myra’s monitors shattered us all to pieces.

A Wake

IN A TWIST OF FATE, Jolie Myra Stone was born the same day Miss Myra Loveland died. Myra blessed Jolie with one of her last touches, and they were forever bound together by the people who loved them.

After the alarms went off, nurses and doctors rushed into Myra’s room. They ushered out all but Nick and Cat, Ted and Letitia. The rest of us stood in the corridor, forming a tight circle around Leelee and Jolie.

Years seemed to pass as I held onto Ashe’s hand, but in reality it was over all too quickly.

Nick came out minutes later. “She’s gone.” His hoarse sobs echoed through the hallway.

Josh grabbed his best friend to his chest as the doctors and nurses filed out, removing surgical gloves and masks.

After composing himself, Nick stepped back from Josh. “Thanks for waiting with us, y’all. There’s nothing else we can do tonight, so I think it would be best if everyone went home now. And Leelee, get back in bed already with that gorgeous little lady.”

“Are you and Cat going soon?” Boomer asked.

“Yeah. We need to say goodbye first.” His voice broke, but he kept all other emotion inside.

“Send Cat out for a second?” Boomer clasped him on the shoulder.

“Will do.”

“I’m sorry, man.” I hugged Nick hard before letting him go.

When Cat exited the room, she looked waxy and pale. “We thought we’d have more time.”

“We always do.” Holding her tight, I whispered, “We always do.”

****

Two evenings later, Ashe, Cara, and I were in my old house with Boomer . . . and Shitlock. We’d taken it upon ourselves to host a wake for Miss Myra, although it would be a celebration of life more than anything else. I imagined she wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

Cara snooped around the first and second floors, shouting every time she found Shitlock, which only spurred him to run faster—a flashing furball of motion. Boomer cooked like he was about to appear on a Food Network competition, and Ashe and I readied utensils, dinnerware, and drinks in the dining room that hadn’t been used since my folks had died.

All the lights were on, the doors wide open. We’d considered placing a framed photo of Nick’s grandmother in the entryway, then decided that would be too funeral-parlor-morbid. Instead, we’d filled the house with what Cat had told us were Myra’s favorite South Carolina flowers.

Everything was ready when Nick and Cat arrived with his parents, and a very curious Viper who quickly caught the scent of cat—meow-meow cat. I wondered if Shitlock had a chance of surviving the night.

Drinks were poured, appetizers set out, and hugs exchanged all around. The four of them seemed to be handling Myra’s death better than expected. I’d only had one teary phone call from Cat and one SOS from Nick. Neither of our families was new to bereavement, but we’d never had other people to rely on before.

Josh came in with Jolie held in the crook of one arm and Leelee escorted on the other. JJ settled on Leelee’s lap as soon as she’d taken a seat, but he quickly clambered down when he caught sight of Shitlock, the electric-orange flash of fur hightailing it away from long-legged Cara and an even faster Rottweiler.

“Hey, kid! You catch that cat I ain’t takin’ it home. Mews and Leelee are more than enough pussycat to have in one household,” Josh called after his son.

Hitting Josh on the shoulder, Leelee hissed, “I cannot believe you just said that. And me in my condition and all.”

“Woman. Your condition? You are cock of the walk, high queen of the roost.” He leaned down, stealing a quick kiss that made her cheeks as bright as her hair. “You are the love of my life, and momma to our children. Also, I don’t need anymore clawing kittens in the family. My back still hurts from the last time you scratched me when we—”

“
Oohhh!
” She took Jolie from him and walked off. “You need to learn to stop when you’re ahead, mister. You almost had me there.”

“I done had you everywhere, Leelee. Don’t you forget it. And I’m going to again.” He watched her glide away. “As soon as she’s off the doc-watch and ready to get back into action,” he quietly grumbled.

She blew him a kiss from her Cupid’s bow lips as she joined Boomer in the kitchen.

“And the gang’s all here,” Nick muttered.

“Not yet! Nicky, my boy, you’ve already written me off? Shame on you.” Gigi pushed past her six-foot giant son as he blocked the entryway. She kissed Josh on the cheek, pinched both of Nick’s cheeks, and made a beeline for his folks.

“I’m Gigi Stone. Pleasure to meet you, Teddy, Letty. Now I know you’re all proper people, but we ain’t got time for that. Myra was one of my very closest friends and dear to my heart.” She stopped to catch her breath and fluff her silver hair. “You know, we were in a book club together.
Mm hmm.
We pretend it’s all Christian material to the outsiders, but really we read those smutty books, the kind Nicky writes.”

Letitia’s face crinkled as she smiled, finally cracking the smooth elegant planes. “I signed up to his newsletter under a fake name.”

Nick, Josh, and I exchanged
might as well leave ’em to it
glances.

Tonight was all about family—the crazy, extended, been to hell and back a few times kind. The rest of Miss Myra’s mourners—her friends, the garage guys, church folk—would show their respects at the funeral tomorrow.

We joined Boomer in the kitchen, Josh bringing up the rear. Cat, Ashe, and Leelee lounged on the back porch as JJ and Cara tried to corral Shitlock in the backyard.

“Looks like I’ve got a new built-in babysitter.” Josh cracked open a beer and tilted it toward Cara.

“Fuck that. Looks like you got a close shave.” Nick tapped Josh’s bare cheek.

I couldn’t recall ever seeing the man without his regulation stubble.

“Fuck
you
, douche-canoe.” Josh rubbed a hand along his jaw as if irritated by the smoothness.

“Canoe? I’m more of a douche-party barge at least,” Nick countered.

Boomer and I frowned at each other.

“Don’t think that’s anything to brag about, and don’t you even get started on my weak chin.” Ducking his face, Josh continued, “Didn’t wanna scratch Jolie’s skin. She was fussin’ last night when I rocked her. Never shaved for a female in my life. Haven’t been bald-faced since puberty. The things I do for my women . . .”

“Fucking hell. That’s sweet.” Boomer spoke up from stoveside, tasting the sauce for one of his dishes.

And we stood around the kitchen looking like a bunch of whupped-ass bitches.

Nobody was complaining too hard about it though.

“What about the chest hair?” Nick asked.

“Now that’s just going too far, ya fuck. I didn’t goddamn manscape or turn into a twink, not that there’s anything wrong with Javier.”

“But you sure as hell didn’t have a problem getting all oiled up with the Coverdales for the Guys with Balls competition at LitLuv, did you?”

“Eat me,” Josh slung his retort at his best bud.

“I would, but Boomer’s food smells way better than you, hoss.”

Josh slugged Nick on the shoulder then started laughing, and the rest of us joined in.

With the question of the big man’s weak chin and shaved face cleared up, his masculinity restored, he nodded toward the back porch. “You think they’re talkin’ about us out there?”

Ashe, Cat, and Leelee sat on the teak deckchairs, the riverfront beyond them black and glassy, reflecting the stars and moon on the small white-capped waves.

“Sure bet,” Nick said.

“The real question is, who’s talkin’ about Boomer?” Pushing my brother away from the stove, Josh stirred the pots, literally and figuratively.

“Speaking of . . .” I crossed my arms over my chest. “Why don’t you give us the lowdown on Rayce, Josh? Your new mechanic?”

“Oh, hell no.” He spun around, inspecting Boomer as a blush slammed across my brother’s face.

“I might find her interesting. And way too young.” Boomer shuffled his feet and stared at the floor.

Josh grinned. “Rayce Lafayette. Got a gutter for a mouth. Doesn’t take shit from no one. Probably one of the most talented mechanics I’ve ever met. She has a big stiffie for dirt bikes, a dirty mind, and races motocross in her spare time. No one at the garage has the balls required to tap that, hit that, or pat that because she’ll bite a hand off, maybe a cock too. I approve of her wholeheartedly.”

Boomer cupped his hands over his crotch. “Not. Interested.”

Leaving his station at the stove, Josh knocked his knuckles against Boomer’s shoulder. “
Uh huh.
Now I’ve heard those very same words from all y’all Steeles. Give it a month, then come talk to me.”

“Not happenin’,” Boomer repeated.

Leelee brushed inside. “I need to breastfeed Jolie. Is it okay if I go upstairs, Boomer?”

“Yes, you better go upstairs before your boobs pop out,” Josh answered before Boomer had a chance to get a word out.

Then Josh’s eyes
bugged
out when Viper loped up to Leelee. The dog gave one big long canine sniff to Leelee’s hand, the hand gently toying with Jolie’s pink-socked feet.

Leelee giggled.

Josh glowered. “It’s not funny. Viper’s about to eat our brand new baby.”

We howled with laughter as Viper sat back on her haunches, seeming to grin as if she knew how much she annoyed Josh.

Ashe swept in and squatted in front of the dog. “Oh, you precious girl. Yes, you are, yes, you are!”

Viper’s tail
thwapped
on the floor.

Josh ran a hand over his face. “She’s talkin’ about the mutt, not Jolie?”

“Viper! I missed you!” JJ trailed a superhero cape, a tangle of old Christmas lights he’d found who knew where, and a laughing Cara in his wake. He latched onto the Rottie’s neck.

“Y’all are killin’ me,” Josh groaned.

“Josh?” Leelee said.

His ears perked up.

“Boobs. Bursting. Now.”

“Right. Yeah. Don’t let the hound eat my kid’s face, okay? Damn.” I heard him as he followed his woman out of the room, “I’ll grab the diaper bag and be right there, babe.”

While Leelee nursed, we let JJ, Cara, Shitlock, and Viper tear the house up. The rooms filled with brightest laughter instead of the tears we’d shed the other day.

When we settled at the big oak table, everyone joined hands. For once even the kids were quiet as Nick stood from his spot between Cat and his mom.

“There are no better people I’d rather be with tonight. Thank you for staying at the hospital for my mimi and helping us let her go. Myra Loveland, my grandmother, loved every single minute of her life until her last breath. Thank you, Leelee and Josh, for letting her hold Jolie. It was the perfect moment.” He lifted his wineglass. “For Myra Loveland, who will be missed, and Jolie Myra Stone, who will be so loved. To life and love.”

A moment of silence followed the clinking of our glasses after which Nick asked his father, “Dad, you want to add anything?”

“I think you said it all perfectly, son.” The tall man rose, pulling Nick against his chest.

Twin tears tracked down Gigi’s face as she said, “Make every minute count, like Myra did.” She swiped her cheeks with a napkin and blinked around the table. “Now, let’s not let Boomer’s hard work go to waste. Tuck in.”

With a last squeeze of hands, we passed platters around the table. All that was heard afterward was the sound of cutlery, the noise of small talk as stories were traded, and later a squall from Jolie looking for her momma and daddy when she woke up in her fancypants stroller, which was parked in the living room. Gigi, the doting grandmother, went to the rescue.

After dessert, Nick pulled out his iPad and tapped it a few times. “This song always reminded me of the old gal, and I thought it’d be fitting to play tonight. It’s called ‘Mimi’s Song’.” Suddenly the strains of a harmonica filled the room. “I’d ask Josh to sing it, but he’s got a crap voice.”

“That ain’t true. Leelee loves it when I croon to her, and Jolie’s partial to my lullabies already.”

“Me, too, Daddy, me too!” JJ jumped onto his lap. “I wuv it when you sing to me.”

Our laughter died away as the low-voiced lyrics swept over us.

Capturing Ashe against me, I swayed in time to the music. Every word about living life to the fullest and remembering the best in someone echoed in my heart. I nuzzled the side of Ashe’s neck, and she leaned against me, resting her hands on my forearms.

As the song finished, I brushed her hair to the side and kissed up to her ear. “Love you.”

“
Ew
. Mom, you know I’m pro-Brodie, but enough already. You’re in public!” Cara rolled her eyes.

“This isn’t public, young lady, it’s Brodie’s old house. We might just stand here and cuddle for the rest of the evening.”

“
Ugh
.” Swishing her ponytail, Cara left the dining room, a trail of JJ, dog, and cat trekking after her.