“It wasn’t really, but when I pulled into Yonkers and my bike tire blew right in front of the clubhouse, I took it as a sign, as stupid as that sounds.
I came here and everyone was so nice and offered to help me out, I couldn’t bring myself to just keep riding out of town.
Hurricane invited me to a few parties here and well; the rest is history. ”
His mother took off when he was just a baby and his father raised him.
His dad had to play both parents’ roles in life, and he did a hell of a job.
Even in the end, his father wanted to make sure that he was taken care of, leaving him a small nest egg to ensure that it would happen.
But now, his nest egg was almost gone, and he really needed a phone call about the job down at the docks.
That job could solve a lot of problems for him.
“Yeah, Yonkers and I go way back,” Ryder said. “We were in the same club down in Huntsville before you all snatched him away.”
“I’m just calling it how I see it,” Ryder joked.
Yonkers rolled his eyes and sat down next to Reacher. “How long you in town for, Ryder?” Yonkers asked.
“Just a few days,” he said, “I’m doing a favor for Hurricane, but I’m not allowed to talk about it, so don’t ask.”
Reacher wanted to ask, but if his club’s Prez was keeping a secret, that was his business, and sticking his nose in where it wasn’t welcome would only end up getting him into trouble.
“Well, whatever it is, Hurricane is lucky to have your help,” Yonkers said.
“Thanks, man,” Ryder said, “and I was sorry to hear about your mother. I haven’t had the chance to talk to you since you left Huntsville.
How is she doing?” The Huntsville guys all sent his mother flowers, and Reacher thought that was such a kind gesture.
He really loved seeing Gloria light up when the flowers were delivered.
“Yeah, Mom got the flowers that you guys sent. They really brightened her day,” Yonkers said.
“I’ll let Savage, and the guys know. But you still haven’t answered my question. How is she holding up?” Yeah, that was always a question that Yonkers tried to avoid.
“She’s doing well,” Yonkers said. “She has her good and bad days. She’s on her last round of chemo, and then, she’ll have her scans done again. We’re just hoping that she’s cancer-free again this time. She already beat cancer once,” Yonkers said.
“And she’ll beat it again,” Reacher insisted.
“Well, keep us informed down south,” Ryder said. “I’m heading out in the morning, but I’ll be back in a few weeks. You want me to bring you anything from Huntsville?” he asked Yonkers.
“Nope,” Yonkers said, “I’m planning on going home soon to see the family.”
“Great, well, stop by Savage Hell when you’re down there. Savage will have your ass if you don’t,” Ryder said.
Yonkers nodded, “Will do. See you guys later,” Ryder said, tossing down some cash for his beers.
They watched as Ryder left, and Reacher looked around the bar.
Things were winding down for the night, and he knew that he needed to get home and catch some shut eye if he was going to get to Gloria’s in time to take her to her appointment in the morning.
She asked him to fill in for Brandi since she needed the day off.
He didn’t mind, really. Hanging out with Gloria gave him purpose and he loved catching up with her.
“I guess I’m going to head out too,” Reacher said. He started to stand from his barstool and Yonkers grabbed his arm.
“Hold up,” Yonkers said, “I need to talk to you for a minute.” Reacher knew that Yonkers wasn’t much of a talker, so if he wanted to talk to Reacher, then something had to be up.
“Sure,” Reacher said, sitting back down on the barstool. “What’s up?” Reacher asked.
“Mom told me that you met her new home care nurse,” Yonkers started.
“Yep,” Reacher said, “Gloria insisted that I go to my job interview, and she called her new nurse to come sit with her, so she was covered.” He worried that Yonkers might not be too happy that he left Gloria, but she insisted.
“Yeah, she told me that part too. Why didn’t you tell me that you had an important job interview?” Yonkers asked.
“I thought about it, but then, I remembered that you and Wren have been my friends since I moved into town. Plus, I love your mom. Hell, she’s more of a mother to me than my own ever was. You and Wren deserved a night out and hanging out with Gloria wasn’t a hardship,” Reacher insisted.
“I appreciate all of that, but next time, just be honest with me. I can find someone else to help with Mom. Hell, with her new nurse, you’ll have a lot more free time,” Yonkers said.
Reacher wanted to tell Yonkers that he didn’t need free time, that he needed a purpose, and helping to take care of Gloria gave that to him.
“I don’t mind helping out with your mother, Yonkers,” he said.
“And I appreciate that, but I hired a nurse for her so that you don’t have to cart Mom all over town,” Yonkers said.
He knew that fighting with his friend was useless.
Yonkers seemed to have made up his mind, and if Reacher was lucky enough to get the job at the docks, he would need some extra free time.
“Well, I’ll be around if Gloria needs me or gets sick of her new nurse.” Reacher worried that Brandi wouldn’t do a good job taking care of Gloria, as ridiculous as that sounded. He had just become very protective of Yonkers’ mother, and letting her go now didn’t feel right.
“Thanks, man,” Yonkers said. “Um, how was the new nurse?” he asked. Reacher felt as though he might be walking into a trap because that was a loaded question. He wasn’t sure if Yonkers wanted to know if she was hot, capable, a bitch—the list could go on and on.
“I’m not sure what you’re asking,” Reacher admitted.
Yonkers smiled at him, “She’s hot, right,” he asked.
“You didn’t meet with her before hiring her to take care of Gloria?” Reacher knew that questioning his friend over who he hired to take care of his mother wasn’t his best idea, but he couldn’t stop the words before they left his mouth.
“I interviewed the agency that sent her over, and they matched her and Mom up. I’m sure that they were capable of selecting someone who’d be a good fit for her,” Yonkers said.
Brandi seemed like a good fit for Gloria.
She was nice and they seemed to get along.
And yeah, Yonkers was right—she was hot, but he didn’t know if that was something that he should admit to his friend.
“Well, she seemed fine,” Reacher said. “Gloria asked me this afternoon if I could take her to her treatment tomorrow. She said that Brandi had plans that she couldn’t get out of.”
Yonkers looked him over as though he hadn’t heard a word that Reacher had just said. He was sure that he could see right through him. “Just fine?” he asked.
“I don’t know what you want me to tell you, man,” Reacher said. “She’s hot, and when Wren sees her, she’s going to be pissed that you hired her.”
“Shit,” Yonkers grumbled, “I’ll just have to keep Wren from going over there when the nurse is there.”
Reacher barked out his laugh, “Good luck with that, man.” He tossed down some cash onto the bar top and stood from the stool. “I’m heading out now. I have to be over at your mom’s place bright and early in the morning.”
“Thanks for agreeing to take her for her treatment, man,” Yonkers said.
“No problem,” Reacher said back over his shoulder on his way out of the bar.
“Oh, and Reacher,” Yonkers said, stopping him at the door, “Keep your hands off of my mother’s hot nurse.
” Reacher sighed, making sure that Yonkers didn’t hear him.
His friend would take some sick pleasure in being right.
He knew that Reacher would want to take his chance with Brandi—what red-blooded American man wouldn’t want her?
He didn’t bother to answer Yonkers—he wasn’t really asking him a question, and Reacher wasn’t sure if he’d be able to follow the order that he had given because yeah, she was that hot.