Page 85 of Savage Ends

Ava laughed.“Oh, believe me, it was, I love my sewing machine.Apart from when the bobbin runs out, and especially when I’m near the end of a seam.”Talking about sewing made life easier.

She couldn’t tell her sister what she had seen.She was not going to do that to Pat.A lot of women might consider her a fool, but she trusted Pat.

“I hear you on that one.I think that has to be one of the top five irritations of sewing.The dreaded empty bobbin thread.”Violet gave a sigh.“So, you’re worried about what Dad would have thought?”

“Wouldn’t you be?”

“Nah, because I’m not getting married, nor am I leaving Mom.”

“You’re twenty-nine years old, Violet.”

“So?”

“You can still find someone and get married.”

“Yeah, well, it is going to be impossible to find a guy that doesn’t cheat.No offense, but it would seem you, Maddie, and that other woman, Aria, have found good men.It’s just a shock that they’re part of a motorcycle gang.”Violet sighed.“Don’t worry about me.I’m happy.”

She knew her sister was happy, but she had a feeling her sister wasn’t quite whole.Growing up, they had a couple of things in common.The primary one being they both loved to sew.They both dreamed of having large families.They both loved it in those Christmas movies where there was a large dining room table, and they had to prepare two turkeys just to feed everyone, and not know a moment’s peace.It sounded amazing to both of them.

Ava didn’t pursue it any further, and instead got back to cleaning the shelves, which didn’t help to take her mind off what was going on.What was Pat doing?Was he safe?Was the club safe?She felt a little sick to her stomach.Each time the door opened, she turned to wonder if he was going to come to her.Time slowly ticked on by.

Ava forced herself to stop thinking about it and to just focus on work.

It was around two in the afternoon when she had stopped listening to the door’s every sound, and Pat eventually turned up.She didn’t even realize he had, until Violet threw a ball of fabric at her face as she was securing a customer’s order.

“Hey, what did you do that for?”she asked, feeling like nine years old again.

“Ava,” Pat said.

She turned toward him and behind her she could hear her sister mumbling something like, “You’re welcome.”

“You’re here,” Ava said.

“Have you had lunch?”

“Yes,” she said.

Pat looked disappointed.

“But I didn’t drink any coffee ...did I, Violet?”Ava said, without looking at her sister.

“No, I can imagine she is parched.No drink for the sis, she has been working her ass off.It would probably be best if you take her for a drink.”

Ava looked toward her sister this time, and mouthed the words,thank you.

Their mother was out in the back again, and she didn’t want to leave Violet on the main floor, but she also knew her sister could handle everything.

Stepping out of the shop into the freezing cold, she became aware of two things.First, Pat had brought his car, not his bike.Second, not too far from the fabric shop, there were two bikers.She didn’t recognize who they were, but the leather cut was unmistakable.

“What’s going on?”

“They’re here for your and your family’s protection,” Pat said.

“Oh.”

“Look, I’ve got one of the guys getting us some coffee.It’s cold as fuck.Do you want to get into my car?”

Ava frowned.He was asking her.