Ready For Love?

Chapter 5

They left 2 days ago and have been having a ball. Every phone call I get is my kids talking my ears off with excitement.

“As if! I am getting the adoption papers ready… or trying to find you a husband over here. I have a couple of weeks to work it all out.”

I can’t help but laugh.

“I’m putting you on facetime because we have an issue.”

I hold in my laugh because I can practically hear my sisters eye roll and can’t wait to see what the issue is now. The last issue was a small rip in Addie’s favorite top. I reminded her it was easy to fix, and I would do it as soon as they got back and not let it destroy her time.

Crap! The blood! I accepted the face time and had my face so close that, unfortunately, they could see every pore and wrinkle. Attractive!!

“MUUUUMMMMM!” Red came onto the screen. Oh, and he was Red right now. Not Ethan, not Eth, Red is in da house.

“Yes, little man. What’s wrong?”

“Adelaide….” And he’s off!

I patiently listened and nodded my head and frowned in the right places, trying not to smile at how adorable he is when he’s mad. I haven’t seen him this mad in a long time… serious face!

Don’t smile. Serious face!

And you know what it’s about? Addie had opened his drink and his food, not letting him do it, and now he was in melt down mode. I knew it was because he was in a new place doing all new things, and he’s already outside his comfort zone.

It’s all too much for my poor little man.

“Well, you’re right. She should have listened to you even though she was trying to help. Did you talk to her and tell her you weren’t happy about her trying to do it since you’re more than capable?”

“Yes! She wouldn’t listen.” He growled in his gorgeous little angry voice.

“Oh dear. OK, I’ll talk to her. Remember she does this because she loves you, and she is trying to be a good big sister.” He huffs and nods, but only because he knows he has to, or I’ll keep going. “ADDIE! Mum wants you.” He grits out. I quickly say I love you and get a very huffed, “Love you too.” before I see the phone scenery move and Addie’s face comes onto the screen.

I talked to her, staying calm and just reminding her that Ethan was growing up, and you have to let him try and just offer to help. I still praised her for being a great big sister and just to go easy on him.

We spoke for a bit longer before my sister came back onto the screen and thanked me while trying to hold back her giggle.

“Damn they are so cute when they are arguing.” She whispered into the phone.

We hung up not long after and I couldn’t help but laugh and shake my head.

“Everything alright?” I heard Fire behind me and I turned to see her changed and cleaned up as much as she could be, an ice pack held to her face.

“Yep. Just the normal sibling drama. You OK?”

Doc and her dad were beside her as I heard a car pulling up beside mine. I looked over and, of course, it was one of those enormous American Utes or Trucks, as they call them.

The two guys were out of my car now and the doors were closed. They must have finished.

“Yeah. Anne, this is my dad Trigger and, Doc.” She motioned carefully to each man.

I gave them both a polite smile and a head nod. “Nice to meet you both. And thanks for having the car seat cleaned.”

“Least we could do. We’re headed to get her some X-Rays. Get in.” Trigger motioned to the car… sorry truck. Don’t want to offend.

“Wait!” I looked over to WOW!

A large, at least, six-foot-four, gorgeous specimen of a man striding towards us. I had to swallow all the saliva suddenly in my mouth as I took in his short brown hair with gray wisps at the side, and short clipped beard.

Oh, he was definitely built, but what had captivated me and had me biting my lip, was his grey-blue guarded eyes.

They looked cold, but I still couldn’t stop from staring. He was definitely handsome and, for the first time, I swear the cobwebs from between my legs started to break free as my lady parts took notice.

I quickly looked back at Trigger and Fire, breaking eye contact and getting myself under control.

My emotions… everywhere. Not sure how to process being so instantly attracted to someone. Is that normal? Is it just that I hadn't seen anyone this attractive in five years or my lady parts are that over my toys they are taking action?

And seriously, the temperature had just increased by at least 50 degrees.

“Good idea. Here.” I looked back at Trigger, who handed me something. “You can change your top back in the medic room and clean up a bit too.”

Oh! Yes. The blood. “Oh, thank you! Good idea!” I looked back at the other man who was rounding the corner of the building. “Thank you.” I called out.

He gave a wave over his head before disappearing.

I was both relieved and disappointed as I quickly went and got changed and put my destroyed top in the medical bin where Doc instructed me to. There was no saving it anyway.

It was just a large black plain t-shirt but was perfect compared to my bloody one, and I have to admit I loved the woodsy scent on it.

I sat in the back with Fire.

“Everything OK with ya kids?” She asked as we settled in the car.

I laughed and nodded and told her about what had happened. “So my sister officially met Red. He was in full rage mode, ready to start punching, I could tell.”

“Does he do that often?” She asked, relaxing on the seat, drinking in everything I was telling her.

“No. Normally, I can defuse the situation before it gets to that. It’s been a good year since he went full Red and hit her. It was only a couple of slaps to the arm so she wasn’t hurt, and we were able to discuss it all with the rights and wrongs. The good old mummy talk.”

She nodded with a small smile.

“So what do you do, Fire? Do you work? Study? Read bad romances?”

She let out a small chuckle as she shook her head. “I’m still working that out. I finished school 2 years ago and just do all the cooking at the clubhouse.”

“Well... cooking is good. I find it relaxing. Have you done any courses? Or thinking about doing any courses?”

“Yes and no.” She shrugs and sighs.

“Well, maybe you should. I’m sure there would even be some short courses in a big city like Washington. You will never know unless you try.” I coaxed.

I could see she was interested, very interested, but was holding back. I could understand that. Confidence issues, fear of failure or even fear of change are very normal and all things I've felt in the past.

“You know, that’s a great idea. I’ll get Keys to get some deets.” Her dad piped up, and I could see Fire's eyes light up.

“OK!”

“There you go! That way, you can see if you want to go further with it or specialize in something. Do you prefer baking or meals?” Wow... I really have gone straight into mother mode with her, haven't I?

“I’ve not really baked, so I would have to say meals...”

“Well, since you will not be able to cook tonight. How about I help you, and we do some of both?” See full mother mode.

“That’d be awesome, but… you don’t have plans?” She looked nervous.

“My plans tonight were just sitting on the couch eating take away and watching a bad movie, so this sounds much better.”

“We’ll stop past the store on the way home.” Doc added with a nod as he pulled into a car park.

We got out, and walked into a pretty modern two-story medical centre.

Doc nodded and greeted everyone before speaking to the receptionist quickly, then guiding us towards the back. Then Trigger and I sat in the little waiting room while Doc and Fire went into the X-Ray room with a lovely smiley nurse.

“Thanks again.” Trigger rubbed his hand down his face, the worry clear as... what's that saying? Clear as the full moon?

“No problems at all. I'm just glad I was in the right location at the right time.”

“No, it is." He shook his head. "So many fuckers would have driven straight past.”