A week later…
Rowen was entirely healed and she had to have gained 5 pounds. The cooking at the farm was not diet food, she recalled Joker telling her when she had first arrived.
She now wore a yellow sundress as she stood in front of the mirror, Charli had put in Joker’s room, telling him, “A woman needs a full length.”
Joker had shamelessly grinned. “She’s got one of those.”
Charli had smacked his arm and said, “You Bridges are full of yourselves for sure.”
“Well, now that you are a Bridges, I wouldn’t be saying tha—”
Charli had literally pushed him as he’d laughed.
Tonight Rowen’s grandpa was coming over and they were all celebrating the coming of the first Bridges baby. Charli had been steady throughout early pregnancy so far. Joker had told her that Charli could be cantankerous at best, so hormones wouldn’t make a difference really. Rowen threatened to tattle about his little joke to Charli. Then Joker had to entice her in his own way to keep her quiet. Although, her screaming his name was hardly quiet.
Rowen now headed down the stairs and stopped. The laughter and teasing voices rose up to where she stood. How can this be her life now? After she had thought, she would die at the hands of Grinder, then to come here and live what seemed to be a charmed life? The stairway suddenly grew brighter and she paused to look around. She felt warmth.
The house was about love and now, she was entirely convinced.
A knocking sounded on the front the door.
Rowen took a few steps down to head over to it.
Joker came in from the dining room and held a hand up to her. Then he took his gun out and peeked through the curtained window next to the door. Shoving his gun back into his jeans, he opened the door.
There stood Austin. He raised a brow at Joker.
Joker gave him his best smile.
Austin cocked his head at him. “You gonna marry my granddaughter?”
Joker blinked at him.
Rowen came rushing over, her face pink with embarrassment. “Grandfather! You should not be asking that!”
Joker turned to her gave her a once over with his beautiful green and blue eyes, then he raised a brow. “You look beautiful sweet girl. Have I told you that lately?”
Her mouth popped open.
“Well damn,” Austin chuckled. “You got her to shut the hell up!” He patted Joker heavily on the back. “Good job!” He came in and handed Joker a bottle of champagne.
Joker looked down at it, then his eyes widened.
“Grandfather, you did not!” Rowen exclaimed as she too stared at the bottle.
He nodded. “The wine cellar was the only thing left and the heirlooms of your family were down there too.”
“But that is your 5,000 dollar vintage!” she exclaimed.
Joker jumped and almost dropped the bottle. “Whoa!” He nervously struggled to keep a hold of it, then held it tight to his chest in relief as he let out a long relieved breath. “This is worth 5k?”
Rowen sighed.
“Damn straight, son! Only the best for my Rowen.” Austin laughed. “Now, where is that little Annabelle, I have a present for her too.”
Joker stepped aside. “In the dining room.”
Austin stopped to kiss Rowen’s cheek. “I loves ya, little Rowen.” Then he moved on by.
Joker gingerly sat the bottle down on the side table by the door.
Rowen laughed as he treated it like a breakable vase.
He then came over and scooped her up. He crushed her mouth with his.
After kissing her for a full minute or two, he broke it. “I know I will keep you and I think that I love you.”
Batting her lashes in shock, Rowen stared at him. “Well Tanner, I will keep you too and…”
Joker cocked his head at her.
She continued, “…I know that I love you.”
He looked elated as he beamed at her. Then he scooped her up and slung over his shoulder.
She spluttered in surprised laughter as she hung over his shoulder.
“Hey!” Ace called to them. “We got dinner, man!”
“Dinner can wait!” Joker called back as he carried her up the steps. “I got a bunny to see!”
Rowen busted out laughing, as he took her down the hallway.
