Page 19 of Protecting His Woman

Ten Years Later

“Damion is going to kill me,” Tank said.

Vicki rolled her eyes. “He is not going to kill you. I’ve been working for you close to fifteen years, don’t start with me. I know this job.”

She grabbed the two plates and carried them out to the main dining area. Her hair was pinned back, and she wore a pair of maternity jeans and a bright pink tunic, which made her feel happy.

Helping Tank while he was short-staffed was what she enjoyed. Besides, Damion was coming to the diner, where they occasionally enjoyed a meal as a family. Glancing to their table, she saw Luke reading a book. He always had his head in a book. He was their oldest son, born nine months after their wedding.

Her wedding, finding out she was pregnant, Damion bringing Frank back—had been a whirlwind of a time.

Marrying Damion had also been shocking. She went from Vicki Reid to Vicki Archer. It surprised her that her family also asked Damion if they could take his name. They became one big, happy family.

None of them mourned their mother’s passing. They moved on, finding a future together.

Pete and Smithy finished high school, went to college in Old County, and were currently writing software and investing in games. They were a small company at the moment, but were making it a success with their ideas.

Dhalia finished high school, entered beauty school, and was now a working makeup artist, and all of Old County kept her busy.

Then there was Betsy. Her sister, now fifteen years old, still with three years of high school to go, knowing she was going to do great things with hair. Dhalia and Betsy planned to join forces and open their own beauty salon.

Vicki was Damion’s wife, the mother of three children—Luke, Natasha, and Charlie—with a fourth on the way, and it would also seem the local sounding board for all the town’s problems. She was who they came to if Damion did not respond fast enough.

As for Frank, well, he was working with Damion to keep Old County in line.

She finished serving the last of the customers just as Frank and Damion walked in. Her brother had certainly changed his life around.

The whole diner was fit to bursting. She couldn’t help but look, as her family fit on several tables. She had her three kids and husband, and he came right to her and kissed her cheek.

Just then, Tank came out and held his hands up to Damion. “Don’t worry, I’ll make it work.”

And with that, he was gone.

“You’ve got to stop scaring him,” she said.

“He’s got to start hiring people who will stick around. It’s not your job to make up for other people’s shortcomings.” He placed his hand on her stomach. “How is our little one today?”

“Fine. Kicking a lot, but she’s now hungry. Like, really hungry.”

He chuckled. “Good, it’s time to eat.” He took possession of her lips, kissing her hard, and then they made their way to their table where their family was waiting.

To Vicki, their family and their love was perfect.

She would not change a thing.

The End