Lucky's Choice(17)

Walking down the long hallway with the gleaming wood floors, his eyes went to the stained glass doors. His hand shook when he reached out to open the door, going inside where he took a deep breath. Why was there always a distinct smell that seemed to belong to all churches?

He sat down in the last pew, staring at the pulpit where he’d stood and preached for so many years. The case had dragged on too long, trapping him in the profession he had walked away from in the military.

Lucky bowed his head, clearing his thoughts before he began.

“Lord God, forgive me, for I have sinned against you.”





Chapter 4



Willa brushed her hair back from her flushed cheek. Without a doubt, this was the worst idea she had ever had. Bringing all five children to the diner for lunch had been meant to give herself a welcome break from cooking and cleaning for the afternoon. Instead, it had become a visit to Hell.

Caroline was ready for her nap. Chrissy was grumpy, and nothing was making her happy. Then there were Leanne and Sissy who were arguing, and Charlie was still angry that she had made him leave his video game when he had reached a new level.

As if that wasn’t enough, The Last Riders came in to take a table not far from hers and were able to easily observe the pandemonium going on at her table.

Chrissy spilled her glass of milk then burst into tears as the cold liquid dripped onto the new dress that Willa had put on her.

She gratefully took the towel from the waitress hovering near The Last Riders’ table, cleaning the mess and trying to ignore being the center of everyone’s critical gazes.

Opening her purse, she took out the plastic bag of toys she kept for emergencies. She found a toy car and a small stuffed bunny she hoped would occupy the girls then gave each of them one to play with. They instantly began to fight each other for the toys, wanting what the other had, so Willa took the toys away, switching them then giving each girl the toy they wanted. Silence reigned for a short time until they became bored. Thankfully, the waitress was able to drag her attention away from the bikers long enough to serve their food, and Willa was given a few moments of peace as they ate.#p#分页标题#e#

Her food grew cold as she concentrated on the younger girls not making a mess. She was wiping Chrissy’s ketchup-filled fingers when she heard the sound of a chair scraping back.

Lucky dragged his chair closer, placing it between the girls and her chair, blocking her from them.

“Eat,” he ordered.

Willa didn’t know if he was commanding her or the girls, but all three of them obeyed. Chrissy and Caroline stared at Lucky while they chewed on an apple slice. She took a bite of her grilled chicken sandwich, trying not to choke on the nervous tension his hardened expression was raising. Even Sissy and Leann stopped arguing, picking up their forks.

He motioned to the waitress to bring his coffee, leaning back as she poured him a fresh cup. Razer, Viper, and Shade all watched from their table as Lucky calmly poured sugar into his black coffee.

Willa forced herself to swallow the bite she had taken before she told him quietly, “I have it under control.”

Lucky’s hazel eyes met hers directly. “Willa, you’ve not had control of your life since I’ve met you.” He reached over, taking Caroline’s cup away before she could take the lid off. “You need to get them some sippy cups.”

Willa raised her brow at his authoritative tone. “They need to learn to drink out of regular cups.”

“Doesn’t seem to be working.” He picked up the towel still lying on the table and cleaned the new mess Caroline had made.

Willa refused to sit still and let Lucky intimidate her. She opened her mouth to snap at him then changed her mind. Taking another bite of food, she instead stewed silently as the children suddenly seemed to remember how to behave appropriately in public.

When the waitress came back with his food, Willa, feeling self-conscious, tried not to stare as he ate his burger and fries while she continued to eat her own food.

She had no idea how to talk to men, much less one she battled her constant attraction to despite telling herself it was only his handsome face that drew her. His muscular body in suits had been a thing of fantasies, but Lucky in jeans and T-shirts with his tattoos showing on his arms was enough to make any woman speechless.

“You must have had a hard time keeping your tattoos covered.” Willa blushed, not able to believe she mentioned something personal about his body.

“It was hard during the summertime, but I was used to hotter temperatures overseas, so it wasn’t too bad.”

“Do you miss being a pastor?” Willa asked curiously. “You had the whole town believing that ministering was your calling in life.”