Stryker pulled into a tree-lined neighborhood with neatly kept two-story houses, and parked in the driveway of a brick-front home. He cut the engine and she hopped off, then removed her helmet. He disembarked, pushed off his helmet, and handed her the brownies. Together, they made their way toward the house.
As soon as they entered, a pack of happy children ran in their direction. A toddler yelled, “Uncle Syker Tooman is here!”
Stryker’s smile stole her breath. His face lit up, his laugh contagious. After hugging the three older children, he lifted the two smallest tykes into his arms. “Graham and Aaron, this is myspecialfriend, Emerson. This is Graham and this is Aaron.”
“Do you play tickle monster?” Aaron asked.
“Absolutely,” Emerson replied with a smile.
“Ready for mayhem?” Stryker asked.
She nodded. In truth, she couldn’t wait. The kitchen was packed with so many people, the overflow spilled into the family room. Stryker set the little ones down as Heather made her way over. “I’m delighted to see you.” She gave Emerson a warm hug.
“I baked some brownies. If you’ve got a plate…”
“That was so nice of you. Let’s put them out and watch them vanish in seconds.” After hugging Stryker, Heather smiled. “I’m happy to see you two together.”
A tall, sturdy man with dark hair and bright blue eyes wandered over. “You must be Emerson. I’m Dakota Luck.”
One by one, Emerson met Stryker’s family. Emerson couldn’t remember the last time she smiled for that long. Everyone took their proverbial punches with Stryker and he loved it.
She met Dakota’s wife, Providence, and their daughter Sammy. She met Stryker’s sister, Trudy, her husband and their children. And she said hello to Stryker’s uncle, Gordon.
“We’ll be back,” Stryker said, pulling Emerson out of the room. “If we don’t get outta these leathers, we’re gonna melt.”
He brought her into the living room, where they removed their leather riding wear to reveal their summer shirts and shorts beneath.
“My vest is driving me crazy,” Emerson said. “Plus, it’s so obvious we’re wearing them.”
“We keep ‘em on,” Stryker said.
When they returned to the kitchen, Heather and Emerson plated the brownies, which were devoured as predicted. Everyone made their way onto the screened porch, while some ventured into the fenced backyard. But what intrigued Emerson the most was Stryker. She couldn’t get over how much he smiled, and how attentive he was with the kids, especially the little ones. The tension and anger he carried around with him like dead weight vanished. And she did not expect that he would be such a hugger. He hugged everyone hello. She’d been talking to Heather when she heard his belly laugh.
Dakota had said something to him and he could not stop laughing. The joy on his face was breathtaking.
“See something you like?” Heather whispered.
“I do,” Emerson said with a smile. “He’s so different here. Relaxed and happy. We’ve been working together and he’s very intense and driven. It’s nice to see he has a lighter side.”
“Did you and Justice ever get together?”
Emerson laughed. “Not yet, but I’m pretty sure I know who he is.”
Stryker moseyed over. “What’s the word, ladies?”
“We’re talking about our favorite subject,” Emerson replied.
“Must be me,” he said with a grin. “I’m going to help Gordon with the grilling.” He kissed Emerson and took off.
“I’m so happy for you both,” Heather said. “I’m glad he took his time finding his person. And I’m thrilled that person is you, Emerson.”
“Thank you, Heather. I’m pretty crazy about him.”
Providence ambled over, her daughter by her side. Providence was tall with short, dark hair and pretty gray eyes. Sammy was a mini Dakota with dark hair and bright blue eyes. Mother and daughter had worn matching sundresses with a pretty floral design.
“We’re excited to see Stryker brought someone with him today,” Providence said.
Heather excused herself to check the grilling status.