“I’m really sorry, James.”
“I don’t need to hear you say sorry. What the fuck is going on?”
“I don’t know. Ryan’s been acting up and different in the past couple of months. Dane not coming home has hit him hard. He really thought Dane would come back.”
“It has been over a year.”
“I know. I know. I’ve tried to tell him, but at the same time, what do I say? I don’t know what to say. Is Dane coming back?” Lucy pressed a hand to her face. “I can’t do anything right now.”
“Jerry stopped by your place. Your lawn needs mowing, and you’re running out of food. Why haven’t you asked for help?” James asked. He reached over putting a hand on her shoulder. She was shaking with her sobs. There was only so much the club could do. Unless they were asked for help, he didn’t like the club to invade people’s lives, even if that person was an old lady. They were a big club, and Lucy hadn’t been around much. Dane was a fucking asshole for leaving her.
“Dane was part of the club, not me and the kids. I know he loved us in his own way, and with him settling down, and moving us to Greater Falls, it was supposed to be a new start. I just didn’t think I could ask you for anything.”
“Honey,” James said. “You’re Dane’s old lady. I don’t give a fuck if Dane’s gone walkabout. He’ll turn up, and when he does, he’ll get the fucking hiding of a life, believe me. We’re your family. You’ve never turned your back on us. Whenever we needed a place to crash before we came here, you were there, Lucy. Food, shelter, you were always there, and you never once turned a brother away. We wouldn’t turn you away now.”
“I’m really sorry.”
“Ryan needs guidance. He needs the club, and so do you. This weekend, we’re coming to clean your place up, mow the lawn.” James pulled out several notes. “Here’s some cash to tide you over. Cut your hours at the bank. Kids need you more than the bank.”
“I can’t take this.”
“You’re taking it or you can insult the club.”
“James, I’d never insult the club.”
“Then put it in your purse, take Ryan shopping, go home, make a cooked meal before getting your kids. You’re always welcome at the club. Don’t die inside because Dane has gone.”
“I can’t move on, not yet.”
“I’m not asking you to move on. I’m asking you to live.” He patted her on the shoulder, herding her back toward the club. Several brothers took in her red face. Ryan looked embarrassed, and he hugged his mother. James saw them both out, checking over Lucy’s car before she drove off. “I’ll get Pixie to have a look over the car at the weekend.”
“Thank you, James.” She hugged him close then climbed behind her wheel.
“I feel for her,” Teri said when he walked back in.
“Yeah, I do as well.” Dane leaving had upset the whole of the club when he left. He’d turn up eventually.
He joined his brothers getting an update on the latest business ventures he had in place. James wanted to open a business within the center of town. They had the diner, the bar, the club, and the investments they made in the stock markets, but he wanted to continue building Greater Falls, not just for the club, but for the people. The town was going to become their whole family. He wanted to give back to the community, and find a place for families like Lucy.
There were three buildings up for sale, one next to the large mall, the other by the supermarket, and then a small place near the library. None of the locations were ideal, but he didn’t know exactly what to do.
“We’ll keep looking and thinking. The town already has a gym,” James said, leaving the diner at five. He’d kept himself busy so he wouldn’t just turn up at her apartment looking like he was desperate.
He climbed into his car and drove toward her house. The sun was setting, and there was a slight chill in the air. When he pulled up outside of her house, he saw she was in the garden, talking over the fence with a man in his late sixties.
James joined her, nodding his head at the neighbor.
“Bill, I’d like you to meet James. James, this is my neighbor and flower expert, Bill. He keeps me on my toes with his advice, and my flowers look amazing.”
Leaning over he shook Bill’s hand to find he had a strong grip.
“Are you going to be taking care of this petal here?” Bill asked.
“Bill, seriously?” Cora asked, going a little red.
“I certainly will, sir.”
“Sir, I like that,” Bill said.