The Davenport Christmas Chronicles
the fuck?” Hatch said.“Weren’t you listening?” Crow asked, smiling. “I’m retiring as the club’s president. I’m handing the patch to you.”
“Why?” Hatch asked. “It should go to Booker.”
Booker spoke up. “Crow and I have talked about this in private, and both agree that I’m better suited to continue to serve as V.P.”
“What the fuck are you both talking about?” Hatch yelled. “Crow, you even thinking about retiring is crazy enough as it is, but if it happens, the vice president has to move up.”
“This isn’t the United States government, Hatch.” Crow laughed. “We can do whatever the fuck we want.”
“I’m glad this is a joke to you, cause I’m sure as shit not laughing,” Hatch said.
“If you really think retiring from a club that I started almost thirty years ago is a joke, then maybe I’ve made the wrong choice after all,” Crow said.
“Choice about what?” Hatch asked.
“The choice to promote you to President of the Dogs of Fire.”
Hatch sat in stunned silence.
“Congratulations, brother,” Booker said, patting him on the back as the room filled with applause.
Hatch rose to his feet, his expression still one of utter shock. “No, no wait. This belongs to Booker.”
Crow rose and placed a hand on Hatch’s shoulder. “Booker and I have been talking this over for months and you’re the one.”
“But, I—”
“There isn’t a Dog that doesn’t respect you or that would disagree with my decision,” Crow said to nods all around.
Hell, even I had to admit that Cricket’s brother was gonna make a great president, even if it did complicate my life further.
“I’m gonna make the official announcement of my retirement and Hatch’s promotion tonight at dinner but wanted to meet with you all in private first. I thought it important to include the Saints because I believe our two clubs may have some rough roads ahead of us.”
“All the more reason we need you at the helm,” Hatch said.
“I’ll still be available to you as a counselor whenever you need me, but it’s time for you to lead this club. I know it in my bones the same way Cutter knew it was Minus’s time.
Hatch looked at me, but his facial expression gave nothing away.
He turned back to Crow. “What about you?”
“It’s time for me and Suzy to get knee deep in moonshine and alpaca shit.”
“What?”
“A few months ago, an old friend of mine in Georgia let me know about an alpaca farm that went up for sale next to his ranch.”
“Duke?” I asked in shock.
“Oh, that’s right. You used to work that ranch didn’t you, Minus?” Crow asked with a wink. He knew damned well that when I was sent away to Savannah, that it was to Duke’s farm. Fortunately for me, life on that farm was exactly what I needed, and Duke and his wife, Pearl, treated me like a son.
“You’re gonna move to Georgia and become a farmer?” Hatch asked.
“Alpacas mostly and some goats,” Crow smiled. “Hatch, you are the right man to lead this club, and more importantly, your old lady is strong enough to handle the position.”
Hatch’s facial expression changed from shock to terror. “Oh, shit. Maisie.”
“You afraid of how she’s gonna take the news?” Booker asked.
“Close,” Hatch said, “I’m afraid we don’t have enough red wine.”
The group laughed, then Crow hit the gavel on the table and the meeting was dismissed.
* * *
Maisie
“Darling, why do you look like you swallowed vinegar?” I asked as Hatch guided me back to his office, closing the door behind us.
“I just got promoted.”
“You did?”
He nodded, looking stunned. “To president.”
“What?” I rasped.
“Crow’s retirin’.”
“Holy shit on a cracker.”
Hatch dragged his hands through his hair. “Yeah.”
“Is this a good thing?”
“I have no fuckin’ clue, Sunshine,” he admitted. “I can’t wrap my mind around it yet.”
I closed the distance between us, reaching up to stroke his beard. “I’m so bloody proud of you.”
His eyes softened and he smiled. “Yeah?”
I nodded. “You are the perfect choice, darling. You must see that.”
“It should be Booker.”
“No, it shouldn’t. He’s the perfect VP, but you’re the one everyone, and I mean everyone, looks to for advice and guidance. He’s not. You have far more life and club experience than he does. It could really only be you.”
“Which means I need to pick a new Sergeant.”
“Flea.”
He grinned. “Yeah, baby. Flea.”
“But that means you’ll have to finesse Ace and Knight.”
“Ace doesn’t want it, but I’ll talk to him about it anyway.”
“And Knight?”
“He’s too busy with the clinic, but I’ll talk to him as well.”
I patted his chest. “This is why you’re perfect for the job. You know your brothers inside and out, but still give them the chance to change their mind. You really are the best human I’ve ever known.”
“You think so?”
“I know so.” I slid my hands to his neck. “I may have raised Poppy for twelve years before I met you, but I really think she would have been a complete basket case if you’d never come along, so...”
He chuckled. “She was a fully formed badass before I came along, Sunshine, so I can’t take any credit for that.”
“Well you should, because she’s more you than me.”
“You think so?”
“I do,” I said. “And our boys, love. They’re mini yous and I am so fortunate to be their mum.”
“Fuck, baby, you’re pretty fuckin’ perfect yourself.”
“Probably because you’re my man and you bring out the best in me.”
He laughed. “God damn, you’re good for my ego.”
“I know. It’s my favorite part of being your ol’ lady.”
“I was given this honor in part because of you, too, baby.”
“How so?” I whispered.
“Crow said he knew you could handle it, which sealed the deal.”
“Well, that’s quite lovely,” I said, my heart racing. “But maybe let’s not bring that up until I’ve had a bottle of wine. It’s an awful lot of responsibility.”
Hatch chuckled, leaning down to kiss me. “Love you, Sunshine.”
“I love you, too, darling. Congratulations.”
“Thanks.”
“Let’s go eat, hmm?”
“One more second,” he said, and wrapped his arms around me.
I gave that to him, knowing he needed a little time to wrap his