Reaper's Salvation: A Last Riders Trilogy by Jamie Begley (read a book TXT) 📗

“It’s not that she’s tired of being the manager; she decided to go to work for Arin. Jewell is originally from Ohio, so she’s ready to move back,” Willa explained.

“Shade hasn’t decided,” Lily volunteered the information. “He will go back to doing it full-time until he decides.”

“When is she leaving?” Ginny asked casually.

“Not for a couple months. I’m dreading her leaving. I’m going to miss her.”

Willa poured the batter into the cake pan. “Me, too.”

The frosting ready, Ginny placed a lid over the bowl for Willa to use when the cake cooled. “Is there anything else I can help with?”

“No, thanks. I think we have it under control.” Willa smiled.

“I think I’ll visit Winter and Aisha before it gets dark.”

Going into the main room, Ginny took her coat out of the closet, then retraced her steps back to the kitchen.

“Ginny …”

Putting on her coat, Ginny caught Lily and Beth sharing a quick glance before Lily spoke.

“I have a thicker jacket that would be … warmer, if you want it?”

“No, thanks. This one is fine. I won’t be gone long if Gavin asks where I am.”

Leaving through the back door, Ginny held the front of her jacket closed. She had busted the zipper out of it yesterday when she went to the new house to be there when granite installers arrived.

The side path beside the club was free of snow and ice, as well as all the paths that led to the various houses within steps of the club. Viper was fanatical about them being cleared in case Winter came to the club or wanted to visit one of the other wives.

Reaching the parking lot, Ginny changed direction, heading toward the factory instead of Winter and Viper’s house. Ginny hadn’t been in the factory that often, usually when she was dropping lunch off to whoever was working in the office.

Entering the side of the building, Ginny looked around, seeing Jewell sitting behind the desk in the office. She gave a small knock on the doorframe to get Jewell’s attention.

“I’m sorry to disturb you. If you have a few minutes, I’d like to talk.”

Jewell gave her a preoccupied frown. “I’m busy, if it could wait.”

Ginny came inside and shut the door. “I won’t be long.”

Jewell crossed her hands on her desk. “Go ahead.”

“Don’t go, Jewell,” Ginny said softly. “This is your home.”

“Ohio is my home. It’s time to go back.” Jewell got up from the desk, going to the filing cabinet to take a folder out before returning to her desk, her eyes remained lowered.

“I know, Jewell.”

The deadpan look on Jewell’s face didn’t fool her for a second. “What do you know? Look, Ginny, I really am busy.”

“I know you’re in love with Gavin.”

“Then you think wrong.”

“I’m not wrong. Please don’t go.”

Jewell’s face twisted in agony before she covered her face with her hands and burst into sobs. “Does he know?”

“No. I promise Gavin has no idea.”

Jewell lowered her hands, getting her emotions under control. “I’m not surprised. He never did.”

“You’ve loved him for a long time.”

“I fell in love when we were at the club in Ohio, I kept hoping Gavin would eventually fall in love with me, but then he met Taylor and got engaged. I knew it would never last—she’s a spoiled bitch and I could see Gavin was getting tired of her always wanting him at her beck and call. He never gave in to her demands unless he wanted to. I think he was tired of dealing with them.”

“Stay, Jewell, he doesn’t have to know, and I promise I’ll never mention it to him.”

“Ginny, I like you, which makes this hard to say, but if I could steal him away from you, I would in a heartbeat. With there being no chance of that, I also have to admit it’s going to kill a part of me when you have his child.”

“Well, there’s no need to rush off. I don’t plan to have any children for a while. I’ll tell Shade when he comes in for lunch that you’re taking back your notice.”

Jewell looked at her like she’d lost her mind. “If you’re not pregnant, what is that?”

Ginny stretched the material tighter around her. “I’ve gained a few pounds, I have to admit. I’ll lose it when the weather warms.”

“Yes, you will,” Jewell said sarcastically. “Ignore that. It doesn’t matter. I’m not staying.”

Ginny moved closer to Jewell’s desk. “Stay, Jewell. I promise you won’t regret it, but you will if you go. Give it another six months; feelings change, and you might find out your feelings for Gavin weren’t what you thought they were.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Stay and find out.” Ginny gave Jewell grin. “In another month our house will be done, so you won’t see me as often, and despite that, how can you steal my man if you’re not here? I’ll see you at dinner.”

Leaving Jewell’s door open as she left, Ginny went outside and headed back to the club house. Seeing Gavin standing on the front porch talking to Puck as Suki ran around the yard, Ginny decided to head that way. Gavin’s back was turned to the parking lot, so he didn’t see her coming up the steps.

Mischievously, she shoved her hand in the snow and made a snowball. Aiming, she hit Gavin in his upper arm. When Gavin and Puck turned, startled, she burst out laughing, which sent an exuberant Suki running toward her. Knowing the dog wouldn’t jump on her, she still unconsciously took a step to the side and felt herself falling. Keeping calm, Ginny threw her left shoulder back, sending her falling to the side rather than down the steep steps.

“Ginny … are you okay?”

Her clothes didn’t have time to get wet before Gavin was picking her up.

“What are you doing out here? You’re supposed to be in the kitchen.”

“I went to visit Winter,” Ginny explained, brushing her pants down.

“Dammit, I told you not to come up these steps when it’s snowing! Why did