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

Gavin took three steps to the side; kneeling down he a laid of bouquet of flowers on the small grave with a pink headstone. “Leah, my name is Gavin. I’m in love with your sister. She talks about you at least three or four times a day. How you loved to count the stars, and play make-believe, and dreamed of living next to each other. I’m sorry your hopes and dreams were never fulfilled in this lifetime.”

Reaper stared at the two graves in the graveyard. Some of the markers so old, the inspiration so faded with time, they couldn’t be read anymore. The small gravestone marking Ginny’s sister tore at his heart.

Bending forward he plucked a clump of dead grass from the mound of Leah’s grave. His jaw clenched at the strength of emotions he was feeling.

“Little Angel, I hope you find the joy and happiness in your next lifetime, like I found in mine.”

Rising to his feet, Gavin turned toward the gate to see Silas standing with one foot on the bottom rail.

“I heard what you said to them. It was nice. Dad and Leah were crazy over Ginny. They would both be happy you found her.”

“We found each other.” Gavin came through the gate, making sure to latch it closed.

“I have to correct you about one thing, though. You did meet my father.” Silas patted Suki’s head as they walked.

“I would have remembered if I had.” Gavin frowned, racking his memory from when he first came to Treepoint.

“It was right before he died. You even have his signature.” Silas bent down to pick up a stick, throwing it for Suki.

Gavin stopped, looking at Silas. “He was the silent investor who put up the money to build the factory and the club.”

Silas took the stick from Suki, then threw it farther. “Yes.” Silas reached into his back pocket and pulled out an old envelope. “There is a reason you couldn’t find where Ginny’s deed to her part of the mountain was. It was because it had never been put in her name.”

Gavin tore the envelope open. Reading the document, he began laughing. If he hadn’t believed that Freddy could foretell the future before, he did now.

The deed had been made out to Gavin and Evangeline James.

Dalton opened the door with a surprised look on his face.

“May I speak with Trudy?”

Dalton looked down at the bouquet of flowers in his hands. “Are you sure you want to come in? They’re all in there.”

“I’m … sure.” Gavin lied, preferring to do another tour in Afghanistan than face the group of women in the living room.

They stopped talking when he walked in.

Making a beeline for Trudy, he handed her the roses. “Trudy, I love Evangeline. I promise to love and cherish her every day. I promise she will never feel invisible again. I also promise to let her have one slumber party a month.

“Viper and I were never blessed with a sister, but if Evangeline consents to marry me, Viper and I both welcome you into our family as our sister with open hearts and arms. May I have your blessing to marry your sister?”

Trudy motioned to the side table. “Killyama, hand me a tissue. I give you my bless—”

“Not so fast, hot shot.” Sex Piston picked up the tissue box, tossing the whole box at Trudy. “What do we get out of you marrying Ginny? She’s like a sister to us; where’re our fucking flowers?”

Gavin reached into his suit pocket and pulled out an envelope. “In the envelope are four gift certificates to King’s restaurant. Each certificate has enough money to take your whole family out for steak dinners and dessert. Ginny told me how much you like eating out. I thought you might like a steak versus flowers.”

“You thought right.” Crazy Bitch jerked the envelope out of Sex Piston’s hand, dividing the certificates among them.

“Ladies, may I have your blessing?”

Sex Piston opened her arms wide. “Come to mama!”

Gavin stepped forward to be hugged by Sex Piston, Crazy Bitch, Fat Louise, and lastly by Killyama. Trudy stood up when it was her turn, her eyes twinkling in merriment. Placing a kiss on his cheek, she hugged him before releasing him.

“Make her happy, Gavin. Evangeline has never wanted roses or champagne. From the moment Evangeline drew her first breath, she’s only wanted one thing—to be loved.”

“I can do that.”

Escaping, Gavin hurried past Dalton.

“Ginny called and told them I was coming, didn’t she?”

“About five minutes before you got here,” Dalton confirmed. “Show off,” Dalton muttered, holding his hand out. “I thought I’d never see the day that those she-cats could be tamed.”

Gavin reached into his pocket, taking out four pieces of paper and giving them to Dalton.

Dalton laughed, looking through the cell phone numbers scrawled under their names that the bitches have given him. “At least Trudy—”

“Forgot one.” Gavin reached into his pocket and took another slip of paper.

Gavin knocked on the heavy wooden door.

“Gavin, come in. You’re right on time.”

Gavin waited until Pastor Dean was seated behind his desk. “I came to ask for your permission to marry Ginny. I understand where I went wrong when I spoke to you before. You’re not only Ginny’s pastor and friend, but the man who mentored her and gave her peace and a kind ear when she needed it most in her life. As her pastor, I am asking you to consent to our marriage. And as a friend, I’m asking you to perform our wedding ceremony, if I get your permission.”

Gavin held his breath, waiting for Pastor Dean’s verdict.

Coming out from behind the desk, the pastor held out his hand. “As Ginny’s pastor, she has my permission to marry you. As your friend, I would be proud to marry you and Ginny.” Then his smile widened. “And as a brother, I want to say you finally got it fucking right.”

Reaper smoothed the sleeves of his suit before he knocked on the door. Nervously, he ran a