Jake… was in prison for the arson of Carmen’s parents’ home and Winter’s attack, she wondered how Carmen was doing. She was straightening her kitchen when she heard the knock on the door. Confused, as no one knew she was there, she went to open the door. Surprise filled her when she saw the women from the club waiting to be asked in. Winter opened the door wider for them to come inside.
“Whew, you need to open a window,” Dawn was already moving as she talked.
“Why is everyone here?” Winter looked at Evie, as she was the one who usually spoke for the women.
“We got the big order out and was sitting around bored so we decided to come and see if there was anything to do here,” Evie answered her moving around the room.
“Oh.” They were probably so excited to get rid of her that they would probably build her a new house to move into.
Evie’s eyes narrowed at her hurt expression. Sighing she continued, “You and Beth have one thing in common. You’re emotional baggage. We’re trying to be nice to help you, not because we want to get rid of you. Beth called me and told me you got fired. We wanted to cheer you up. There, are we good now?”
Winter nodded relieved, she went to Evie giving her a hug. “There is something you need to know about me,” she said pulling away. “I don’t hug.”
Laughing Winter turned away to see the rest of the women smiling at her.
“I do,” Natasha said moving to put her arm around Winter’s shoulder.
“It sucks that asshole fired you,” Dawn said as she rolled her sleeves up.
“I should have seen it coming. Treepoint is a small town and they don’t want their children influenced by a bad example. My contract does have a clause about moral turpitude.”
“What in the fuck is that?” Ember asked.
“Basically my morals aren’t up to the community’s standards.”
“Why in the hell would you sign a contract with that in it?” Evie asked.
“Some professions require them,” Winter said in defense.
All the women were giving her pitying looks.
“Anyway, the teachers’ union will give me a lawyer, but it will take several months to look into the case which means I won’t be returning to school this year.” Winter was saddened by the thought.
“That means you can stay with us. No sense in moving back just to be by yourself,” Natasha said.
“I don’t think that’s what Winter wants.” Evie told Natasha, again the women turned to Winter. She looked around the house. If she was honest with herself, no, she didn’t want to come back to the empty house. The clubhouse had become a home to her. The thought of coming back here to live by herself had her blinking back tears. The only thing holding her back was the distance Viper had put between them the last few days.
“I told you she doesn’t want to be here,” Natasha whispered to the other women. Each of the women had been in Winter’s position when it had come time to make the decision to become a member of The Last Rider’s. It wasn’t easy and it required a soul searching within oneself to find the decision that would be life altering.
“Well, she doesn’t have to decide today, let’s get busy so we can get back to the club before the meeting,” Evie said matter of fact.
The women split up into groups. Winter and Evie did the kitchen, cleaning the refrigerator and freezer out, then began tackling the cabinets throwing away the items that had gone out of date. Winter made a box of food items to take to the church on Sunday for a food donation. The other women dusted and mopped the house for her. When Natasha was done vacuuming, the women packed the box of food and extra suitcase of clothes she had prepared to Winter’s car.
When she looked at the window that Jake had smashed her face into she paused for a second.
“You okay?” Evie asked.
“Yes.” Actually she was, the women’s camaraderie had made her feel better after the way Murphy had treated her. She didn’t deserve their help after the way she had put them down for the way they chose to live, especially since she was finally admitting to herself that she didn’t want to leave them.
“Let’s get back. I don’t want anyone thinking I’m dodging my punishment.” Winter’s car started with no problem, someone had taped up the driver’s window. She paused when she saw it, remembering the pain and fear of that night. Evie came to her side opening the car door.
“Let’s go.” Evie’s words dragged her from the nightmare of that night.
The women followed behind her, both cars pulling into the parking lot of the clubhouse at the same time. The women helped with her suitcase, putting it in her room for her while she waited tensely in the kitchen for the meeting to begin.