At the sight of Annabel, both Deacon’s and Alexandra’s brows rose in surprise. Then they both looked from Annabel over to me.
Swinging Annabel’s arm back and forth, Willow said, “This is my mommy and daddy. This is Belle.”
“Actually, that’s Annabel,” I corrected her.
Both Deacon and Alexandra continued to stare at Annabel and me. Finally, Alexandra shook her head slightly like she was shaking herself awake or out of a stupor. “Hello,” she said as she took a step forward.
She offered her hand to Annabel. After Annabel shook it, Deacon came over. “I’m Rev’s brother, Deacon.”
Annabel smiled. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Deacon’s lips curved in his signature smirk. “I hope it was all good.”
“Yes. It was. Your daughter is delightful. She’s been so sweet to show me around.”
Like the proud father he was, Deacon beamed at Annabel’s praise of Willow. “I see she was showing you her good side.”
“Daddy!” Willow protested with a pout.
He reached over and ruffled her hair affectionately. “Just teasing you.”
“Why don’t we all sit down?” Mama Beth suggested.
“Bishop not coming?” I asked as I steered Annabel over to the table.
“Nah, he’s getting shitfaced up at the roadhouse,” Deacon replied.
“David, honestly,” Mama Beth chided.
Unlike with the rest of us, he didn’t dare argue with Mama Beth. Instead, he took a seat next to Alexandra. After we had all gathered around the table, Mama Beth asked Deacon to say the blessing. During dinner, the conversation remained light. Deacon and Alexandra told us about their honeymoon in Hawaii—or at least they shared the G-rated details with us. Willow filled us in on all we had missed while we were gone. Luckily, no one pressed Annabel with any questions that were too personal.
When we finished dinner, Deacon and I went outside for him to have a smoke. I could tell there was something he wanted to say to me in private. I figured it had to do with potential blowback from what had happened with Mendoza. Of course, I should have known Deacon would never cease to surprise me.
“What do you say we go up to the roadhouse and see the boys?” Deacon asked.
“I would, but I really need to get Annabel settled in.”
“My phone was blowing up during dinner with texts. They’re itching to see you, Prez. You’ve been gone almost ten days,” Deacon argued.
I snorted. “You act like the brothers have been pining away for me like some lovesick teenagers.”
He laughed. “They have been deprived of the Malloy brothers all at the same time for the first time ever.”
“What a tragedy.”
“Come on, man.” He glanced over his shoulder back into the house where we had left the girls. “Not that I would want her to know, but I’ve missed being with the guys while I was off honeymooning.”
“Your reputation as the ultimate lover is waning in my opinion if you were missing the guys while with a beautiful and sexy woman on your honeymoon.”
“Cocksucker,” he muttered as he smacked my arm. “Spending all that time just with Alexandra has made me miss having beers and shooting the shit with the guys.”
“I really don’t think it’s a good idea for me to leave Annabel tonight. She’s in a new place with a bunch of strangers.”
“I think I’ll survive a few hours for you to go just up the hill,” Annabel said.
I whirled around to see her propped against the doorframe. “You weren’t supposed to hear that.”
“And according to your mother, you boys weren’t supposed to duck out on drying the dishes,” she replied with a smile.
Deacon grunted. “I’m a grown fucking man who is still being bossed around by his mother.”
“And now by your wife,” Alexandra said from the doorway as she crooked her finger at him.
“Fuck me,” he muttered before he went into the house.
Annabel came out on the deck to join me.
“Would you really be all right staying here for an hour or two?”
“Of course I would.”
“You’re not just saying that, are you? I know how women will say one thing when they totally mean another.”
Annabel laughed. “Rev, I’m a politician’s daughter. I’ve been raised to work a crowd of strangers. Regardless of what I’ve recently been through, I think I can handle a few hours with the girls.”
“Don’t speak too soon. Willow can wear anyone out in a matter of minutes.”
At the mention of Willow, Annabel’s eyes lit up. “She’s adorable, and I love how she has all the men around here wrapped around her little finger.”
“Yes, I can see where you would find it amusing that three hardened bikers are totally owned by a little six-year-old girl.”
“Exactly.”
Deacon appeared in the doorway. “I did your part, too, brother. So are we on?”
Annabel threw a look at Deacon over her shoulder. “Yes, he’s on.” Before I could argue with her, she added, “Make sure he has a good time. He deserves to unwind and cut loose.”
Deacon grinned at Annabel. “It will be my pleasure.” He came over and grabbed my arm. “Come on.”
Although I was still a little reluctant, I allowed Deacon to drag me off the porch. As I got to the bottom of the steps, I glanced back at Annabel. She smiled and waved.
Our boots crunched along the gravel road. Deacon lit up a cigarette, and when he offered one to me, I decided to take one. I needed to settle my nerves a bit for what I was about to do.