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Just as she was about to turn the ignition, her phone alerted her to an incoe

Maverick: Any chance you can swing by the clubhouse for a few hours? Steph would be happy to watch Beth for you

Shell glanced in the rearview mirror Beth was already out cold

Shell: She’s passed out in the car I can put her to sleep in a spare roo okay?

A horde of elephant-sized butterflies flitted through her sto happened today?

Oh, God…

An icy wave of fear washed over her

Did Rusty say so to Copper…

Maverick: Yourwith his head Could use soht

Air she hadn’t realized she’d been holding rushed fros

Okay, club business Chances were, Rusty hadn’t spilled his guts about Beth Thank God Once the grip of fear left her, concern for Copper took its place He’d never ask her to come himself, always ready to shoulder the club’s loads on his own Hopefully, he wouldn’t turn her away If she could offer even an ounce of support and peace, it would be time well spent

Shell: On my way

A string of eggplant and kissy-face emojis was his response

Glad for the levity, Shell pulled onto the road and tried not to let her laughter wake Beth

Twenty ates of the clubhouse and parked her car near the door Not two seconds after she’d killed the engine, Beth’s door opened, and Mav appeared

“Hey, sweet stuff, I’ll carry this monkey in for you”

“Thanks, Mav You’re the best Theheavier every day”

Mav expertly unbuckled her sleeping daughter and gathered her into his arood with Beth and willing to help Shell at a rateful for her family, unconventional as they may be