Page 15 of Crewe (Nelson’s Honkytonk Saloon & Bar #3)

Chapter Fifteen

C rewe laughed as he and Wyatt zoomed past Ry and Freya in their go-kart and were coming up fast on Whiskey and Ezra. He loved that the racecars were sized so adults could ride with their kids. There was another smaller track with smaller racecars so the kids could ride alone.

Before he and Wyatt could pass, Roam and his daughter Georgia sped by them, then passed Whiskey and Ezra. As they crossed the starting line, the light switched to white, meaning it was their last lap.

His dad and uncles couldn’t have paid for a better outing. They’d bought everyone the all-inclusive wristbands. It included the arcade, outdoor carnival rides, and the raceways. They could visit as many times this week as they wanted. Crewe was positive that they would be here every day.

Of course, his business mind was wondering if a business like this could work in Dodge City.

As the brothers and cousins had kids, Crewe could see a need for places to provide safe, fun, age-appropriate activities.

He thought he’d seen on the schedule tonight that the adults were invited to an evening at the MC’s clubhouse.

Maybe he could ask one of the members since the raceway, arcade, and rides were run by the MC.

“Yes,” Wyatt yelled. “I beat Freya and Mom.”

Crewe chuckled as he let Wyatt drive them and stop the go-kart.

He unbuckled and waited to see if Wyatt needed help.

He did fine on his own, so Crewe stepped out and then waited on Wyatt.

Crewe remembered that young age when he first started wanting to do everything on his own and not have help.

He wanted to make sure he didn’t make Wyatt feel as if Crewe were treating him like a baby.

Ry and Freya pulled in a little after them and made their way to where he and Wyatt were waiting outside the fencing.

“Where to next?” he asked.

“Could we try the arcade for a little bit?” Freya asked.

Crewe checked the time. The parade was at eleven, so they had a little bit of time.

“We can. I think we’ll need to head for the parade route in an hour,” Crewe said, placing his hand on Ry’s waist as they walked over to the arcade area. He showed the attendant their wristbands. The attendant handed them each a bag.

“Just come back when you need more. Have fun,” he said.

“Shall we switch?” Ry asked, indicating the kids.

Crewe nodded. “Well, Ms. Freya, where shall we play first?” he asked .

“I want Skeeball,” she said. He took her hand, waved bye to Ry and Wyatt, and went in search of Skeeball. The feel of her little hand in his did something to him. He hadn’t understood how much they could start chipping away at his heart.

Freya did a little dance, shaking her hips and shoulders when they found the Skeeball machine. War was holding his daughter while Bear’s daughter, Phoebe, and Roam’s daughter, Blake, were playing the game. He was pleased to see Phoebe and Blake say hi. Peck joined them with Sutton in his arms.

“Sutton thought it would be fun to play with the big girls,” Peck said, putting the coins in the machine.

He helped Freya if she needed it, but she was pretty self-sufficient, which gave him entirely too much time to think. Peck walked closer while keeping an eye on Sutton.

“You getting off your butt and sweeping that woman off her feet?” Peck asked .

War chuckled, swaying with Amelia. “Man, I’m happy to be out of that stage but happy for you, Crewe.”

“Well, he’s not in that stage yet if he doesn’t get a move on,” Peck said.

“Shhh,” Crewe said, motioning to the girls.

Freya turned around and motioned for Peck to bend down so she could whisper in his ear. He listened and nodded.

“Good job, Freya,” Peck said, standing up, cocking his eyebrow at Crewe.

Crewe rolled his eyes at his uncle. “I’ve got this.”

Peck rolled his eyes back, leaving War chuckling beside them. He had the proximity, and he had time this week for Ry to see how good they could be together.

Ry stood holding onto Wyatt’s hand while Crewe had Freya on his shoulders.

A huge area on the parade route had been reserved for their family, with an area for Bluff Creek Brotherhood MC beside them and Saint’s Outlaws MC beside them.

Baron and Regina, the patriarch and matriarch of Bluff Creek, had been so kind to Ry and her kids.

Seeing them holding their newest grandbabies, War and Remi’s Amelia and Pit and Ariel’s Teddy, she wasn’t sure their grins could get any wider.

“It’s Père Noel!” Freya yelled, waving and calling his name. He smiled at her and waved.

Ry had to admit the town had taken a different idea of Santa Claus with Père Noel. He wasn’t fat, and there was no pillow. In fact, he was extraordinarily handsome and looked like he worked out frequently.

Vivi was standing with Whiskey by Ry. She leaned over close to Ry. “Hmm, who is Rose with over there?” Vivi asked.

Ry looked where Vivi was pointing. She recognized the guy with Rose but wasn’t sure where she’d seen him. She thought back over where they’d been today. He hadn’t been at the raceway or arcade. She stared longer.

“Was he one of the Mistletoe Canyon MC members who rode with us our first night here?” Ry asked.

Vivi snapped her fingers. “Yes, I knew I recognized him. Wonder what Rose has been doing this vacation?”

Ry hoped Rose was having fun. From all Ry had heard, she’d had a hard time.

She’d finally gotten closure, but now her twin sister had decided to take a job outside the United States with an NGO helping children and families.

Rose had spent an evening or two in the bar talking about how much she was missing her sister.

Rose said that until Tasha had left this week, she’d never lived anyplace without Tasha being there too.

Ry smiled at all the people stopping to ask where they’d bought their shirts. Vivi had shared the information on the woman’s business she purchased them from in Dodge City and gave them her website .

The shirts were so soft, and Ry loved the festive feeling she had from wearing it. She wondered if they’d only get pictures as a large group. Maybe she could have someone take one of her and the kids. She’d love one of all four of them but wasn’t sure how to ask for it.

Sometimes she despised that part of her personality that made her want to do everything on her own and not ask for help. It was so hard to open yourself up to someone and ask for help, knowing they might say no. She wasn’t sure why it bothered her if they turned her down.

The parade had wrapped up. Crewe had switched out who was on his shoulders.

“Shall we get lunch before the picture? I’m surprised Vivi didn’t think about us possibly getting food all over ourselves,” Crewe said.

“Because she knew you were the only one she had to worry about,” McClure said, lifting Wyatt off Crewe’s shoulders and running down the sidewalk, yelling, Pizza for us!

Gaines bent down close to Freya, “Shall we chase them, my fairy princess? ”

She giggled and nodded. Gaines had her on his shoulders and ran after McClure, yelling, Princess Freya wants some too!

“Shall we?” Crewe asked, holding out his hand to her.

Ry took his hand, holding back the shiver just the simple touch of his hand sent through her.

She walked with him down the sidewalk. The pizza place was on the corner.

There were cute little areas along the street for pictures.

No one was standing by the one they passed with a large Christmas tree painted on the brick wall with the words Dreams Become Real in Mistletoe Canyon painted above it.

Crewe pulled her into the alcove and slid his arm around her.

“Smile at the camera,” he said, snapping their picture. He stared at the picture on his phone and showed it to her.

“I love it,” she said.

He turned back to the sign. “Do you think it’s true?”

“Is what true?” she asked .

“Can dreams really become real in Mistletoe Canyon?” he asked.

She wasn’t sure why she had a feeling in her chest that her answer mattered to Crewe.

Over the months she’d worked at the bar, she’d gotten to know Crewe well.

He was fiercely protective of his family and those he adopted into his family.

He was a fixer but not in the mafia sort of way.

If someone needed something or had an issue, he could figure out how to fix it, just like with Mavis this morning.

He adored kids, and kids adored him, especially Wyatt and Freya.

He was a master in the kitchen, but it was more than that. Crewe got a deep satisfaction from feeding people and having them enjoy his food. It was one of the ways he showed love. He was, at his heart, a dreamer, and maybe it was time for her to be one too.

“I think dreams can become real anywhere, so I think in a place devoted to bringing joy to children and adults, it’s almost guaranteed to happen here,” she said .

He stared into her eyes. She wasn’t sure what he was looking for, but he must have found it. He cupped her face with his hands, his fingers warm against her skin.

“I’m going to hope it’s true and kiss the woman that I want to have as more than a friend more than I want my next breath,” Crewe said softly, then Ry closed her eyes.

His lips against hers. His scent enveloping her as he showed her with each touch and taste what she meant to him.

She leaned closer, wanting more. She opened her lips and allowed Crewe’s tongue to tangle with hers.

How could one kiss change so much for her?

His lips were gentle against hers, inviting her to come along on this journey with him.

His mouth wasn’t taking anything but seducing her into forgetting where they were.

“Get a room,” yelled a passerby, causing Crewe to slowly pull back and Ry to remember they were on the main street where everyone could see. She didn’t care who saw them, but she didn’t want any parents being uncomfortable.

“What do you think?” he asked .

She thought she wanted to punch the person who had yelled at them. She wanted more of Crewe’s taste and his hands cupping her face.

“About what?” she asked.

He smirked at her answer. “About you becoming more than a friend?” he asked.

“Friends with benefits?” she asked skeptically.

Crewe shook his head. “No, I don’t want a sneaking-around booty call for a couple hours of closeness. I want it all, but let’s start with our friendship laying the foundation for the rest of our lives.”

Ry blinked. The rest of their lives? She was barely to the point of saying yes to a date, and he was talking about forever.

“But I can see that might scare you. So let’s just say, friendship laying the foundation for our first date,” Crewe said, leading her out of the alcove and down to the pizza place.

Ry was glad Crewe was leading her because his words had stunned her. First date—no problem. But it was impossible to unhear what he’d said about forever.

He leaned close, his arm around her, his lips near her ear. “Relax, Ry. You’re in charge. Let’s get lunch with the family, then it will be on to Nelson’s Forced Family Pictures,” he said, chuckling because Vivi was on the sidewalk and heard him.

“Maybe I’ll buy T-shirts for every holiday if it means I get my way,” Vivi said, sticking her tongue out at Crewe.

Ry giggled, took a deep breath, and followed Vivi in. Right, lunch, then pictures. No thinking about anything else.