Road to Peace by Piper Davenport Page A

combination. She’d had a couple of scary incidents in the last fifteen years. So much so that Ryan carried sedatives with him in case he had to control her. She’d been stable for five years, but her offering me Vodka and orange juice was not a good sign. Maybe her new meds weren’t working.
    She gave me her million-watt smile and pulled out a flat-head screwdriver. “Totally just messin’ with ya, honey. I don’t have alcohol in the house. I’ll make you a cup of tea.”
    “Oh, yes, please.” I relaxed. The last time I’d been in London, six years ago, actually, I’d loaded each of our homes with enough “proper” tea to last a while. “I’ll just say hi to Poppy, then I’ll fill you in.”
    After getting a half-hearted hug from my daughter who was clearly miffed I’d interrupted her and Grace, but loved me enough to fake affection for a second, I headed back out to the kitchen where I sat on a stool at the island and dropped my head to the granite.
    “It can’t be that bad,” Ali said, pouring water into a teacup.
    “It’s worse.” I sat up and filled her in on the evening, her sarcastic smile making me realize she probably wasn’t going to be on my side. “What?” I demanded.
    She chuckled. “It sounds like he’s protective. Something happened with his sister and he didn’t really want to cut the night short, but he did it because he loves his sister.”
    “ No, that’s not at all what it was!”
    “Oh? Well, enlighten me, then.”
    “I just did ,” I ground out. “When I asked about his parents he shut down and gave me vague answers.”
    “What if it’s bad, Maisie?” Ali leaned across the island. “What if he really likes you and wants to ease into stories about the tragedy of his childhood, or whatever? What if his parents were criminals or something and he doesn’t want to scare you off?”
    I frowned. “Even if his parents were, it doesn’t mean he is.”
    “I know that, you know that, but people judge.” She smiled gently. “The motorcycle club concerns me a bit, but otherwise, he sounds like a decent guy.”
    “Why does the motorcycle club concern you?”
    “Because most of them are outlaw clubs. Like mafia or glorified gangs.” She slapped her hands on the island. “I’m gonna have Ryan do a background check on him.”
    “No you are not.” I grabbed her hands. “I’m not going to see him again, so it’s a moot point.”
    “Maisie,” she admonished. “Don’t jump to conclusions, honey. I get that you’re feeling jittery and uncertain, but please recognize this as normal and relax. Don’t stop seeing him because he makes you feel too much. Try to enjoy it.”
    “Don’t talk to me like you know me.”
    “Okay.” She smiled. “Lecture over.”
    “Thank you.”
    I heard the front door click closed and Ryan walked in, a smile on his face. “How are my two favorite ladies?”
    Ryan stood about five-foot-eleven and had short, dark hair and piercing green eyes. He was muscular, not like Hatch, but definitely more than Niall, and was an all around great guy.
    He kissed my cheek, then pulled Ali in for a little too in-depth makeout session for my comfort, but I’d gotten used to it since neither of them seemed to mind an audience to their affection. I stared at my tea until they finished their X-rated moment.
    Merrick came bounding in, followed closely by Grace and Poppy. “Hey Dad,” Merrick said, and Ryan pulled him in for a hug, then Grace, then Poppy.
    I loved how Ryan treated Poppy like one of his own; lessening the blow of losing Niall by providing a father figure she could look up to.
    “We need to get going, Poppet,” I said, and slipped off the stool.
    Washing out my cup and saucer, I set it to dry next to the sink, gathered up my daughter, and then we headed home.
    As soon as we got home, Poppy and I did our nightly reading ritual. It was my turn tonight and I chose a paranormal romance by Tracey Jane Jackson. Once Poppy was settled, I curled