Reaper's Salvation: A Last Riders Trilogy by Jamie Begley (reading e books .txt) 📕

late. Ginny didn’t see that happening any time in the near future, unless he was willing to ask Pastor Dean to marry her. All of the women who went to their church received his permission before the vows were spoken.

The Pastor would determine the man’s commitment to the woman, and unless the male was able to prove he would be a dedicated, faithful, and ready to be both, Pastor Dean withheld his permission. It allowed the man time to make sure marriage was what he really wanted. Ginny had faith in Pastor Dean and knew he was holding this power to help the couple from making an egregious mistake. If Gavin received Pastor’s Dean permission, she would trust he really wanted to marry her.

The ride back to the club was chilly.

Turning the radio on, Ginny tried to rock out to her favorite song. Gavin turned it off. “I was listening to that,” she protested.

“The radio is off limits until you admit we’re already married.”

“You’re joking?”

“No. No more music.”

She was still gaping at him when they pulled into the club parking lot.

“You’re such a jerk.” Unbuckling her seat belt, she started to reach for the door handle.

“Maybe so, but you love me, anyway.”

The big jerk knew she would cut her tongue out before she would deny her feelings for him.

“Yes, I do.” Leaning across the console, Ginny pressed a kiss to the corner of his lips. “I’ll call you when I get back to the club. Do you want me to bring you a bag of burgers?”

“No. Your brothers and I will grab something while we’re out.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll get the door.” Gavin gave her a hard look when she would have reached for the door handle.

Waiting for him to open the door, she gave him another kiss once she was outside.

“Toot a loo,” she wisecracked to Gavin. She waved to Dalton and Trudy as they pulled into the parking lot, giving a low whistle when she got a better look at the gorgeous car.

“I like.” Ginny admired the sleek car appreciably. “What kind of car is that?” she asked Gavin.

“A Bugatti.”

“How much you want to bet Dalton doesn’t let Trudy drive that bad boy?”

“I bet he does,” Gavin contradicted her.

“You think so?”

“Oh yeah. No car, regardless of how expensive it is, compares to what they have in their possession.”

Ginny started to get angry. “Do you mean, because she’s pregnant with his baby?”

“No.”

“Then what does she have?”

“His balls.”

Chapter Forty

Sitting on the bed, Ginny listened to the news on the television as she painted her toenails. Satisfied with the color, she began painting the other foot. Lifting her gaze, she saw Gavin and Suki coming into the bedroom.

“How did the doctor appointment go?”

“Fine.” Continuing polishing her toenails, Ginny noticed Gavin limping. Suki didn’t seem to be in any better shape, plopping down on the huge, pink dog bed that Gavin had bought for her. “You get everything bought?”

Sitting down on the bed, Gavin removed his boots.

“A heads-up that you bought the shed Isaac wanted, as well, would have been nice.”

“Was he happy?”

Gavin laid back on his elbow to watch what she was doing.

“Happy doesn’t come close. Ecstatic was more like it. So were Silas and Matthew when theirs were brought out to the loading dock.”

“How did you like the one I picked out for us?”

“I learned something new today.”

“You did?” Ginny’s lips curled in a smile as she placed the nail brush in the bottle and twisted it closed.

“Yes, I learned they sell kits where you can make sheds that have two-car garages out of bricks.”

“Go figure.” Shoving a pillow behind her, Ginny met Gavin’s eyes. “Are you angry? My brothers will build it.”

“We had to rent a big truck for everything you bought, load the trucks, then drive to Silas’s. We just finished unloading it. I’ll drive the truck back in morning.” Yawning, Gavin straightened from the bed.

“You’re not angry?”

“No, I’ve had more exercise today than I’ve had in a month. You want to take a shower with me?”

“No.” She wiggled her toes at him. “They’re still wet.”

Ginny pulled out a decorating magazine as Gavin took his shower. She was looking at a kitchen layout when breaking news flashed across the screen.

She was still watching it when Gavin came back in the room, drying his hair with a towel. He must have heard the newscast from the bathroom because he was already focused on the television.

When the reporter cut to another story, Gavin flicked the television off.

“It took longer to hit the news than I expected.” Slinging the towel around his neck, he moved his boots out of the way.

“The report said that he’s going in front of a judge in the morning for a bond hearing.” Ginny closed the magazine. The glow she had been feeling faded as the dark fear she had lived with most of her life returned with a vengeance. “They’re going to let him go,” she said numbly.

Gavin pulled on a pair of pajama bottoms, then hung his damp towel in the bathroom before laying down on the bed beside her. “I talked to Agent Collins this morning. Allerton won’t get out. He’s too much of a flight risk. There were three vehicles filled with men who were trying to take you yesterday, and you didn’t bat an eyelash. Why are you so worried tonight?”

Her eyes flew to his. “I’ve lost every home I’ve lived in. I’m jinxed.”

“I see, you’re worried because you bought the lumber for the house.”

“Yes. Leah and I planned what our houses would look like when we were playing in the playhouse Silas built for us. We would take turns playing mommy. Leah was never able to live out her dream, and I’m terrified Allerton won’t let me either.”

“You’re not jinxed.”

“I am.”

“Nymph, you’re not jinxed. In fact, you’re the exact opposite.”

Her heart lightened. “I am?”

“For real.” He laughed, turning the light off. “I have proof.” Pulling her into his arms, he rested his chin on top of her head.