Meant To Be - Heaven Hill Series #1

Chapter Six

"Momma, where are we goin'?"

Denise sighed. It was moments like these that she wished there was someone else to help answer the children's questions. "To a friend's house, Mandy. Like I've already told you three times."

Her patience was beginning to run thin. She had no idea where Liam was taking her, only knew it was her job to follow. Gripping the steering wheel, she thought back on the choices she had made. No matter what happened here this afternoon, they had been the right ones. The only ones she felt that she could make. It wouldn't do to second guess herself now.

"We don't know anybody who lives out here," Mandy argued.

"Amanda Cunningham, I'm going to say this one time and one time only. We are going to a friend's house, and if you open your mouth again you'll wish you hadn't."

Properly scolded, Mandy sat back in her seat and began picking at the nail polish on her fingers. Every once in a while, she glanced up at her mother in the rearview mirror and rolled her eyes.

"You're pushin' it, little girl."

It struck her at that moment – the differences in her children. Mandy back talked when she was scared and wanted to know exactly what was going on. Drew, on the other hand, reminded her a lot of Liam. He sat with his eyes straight ahead, taking in their surroundings. She could almost see his mind working through all of this, and she had a sneaking suspicion her son knew it all.

Liam had gotten further ahead of them on the road as the battle of wills with her daughter ensued. Denise pressed the accelerator to catch up. She questioned why she suddenly seemed so willing to follow him anywhere he might lead her. As far as she was concerned, he was as much to blame for this as she was. As they traveled down Porter Pike, he took her further out in to the county than she had ever been before. They passed a volunteer fire department, and she noticed a highway number. If she wasn't mistaken, they weren't too far away from the eastern boundary of the county. Up ahead, his brake lights flickered, and he pulled onto a gravel road. Signaling, she followed him, and they drove for what seemed like miles before they crested a hill. There sat the largest garage-like building she'd ever seen, surrounded by motorcycles.

"Mom? When did these people become your friends?" Drew asked, his mouth agape at the scene.

"I'll tell you just like I told your sister. Hush."

Liam parked his bike beside those that lined the drive and motioned for her to park her car. Her heart pounded as she put the car in park and instructed the kids to get out.

"They can go hang out with Roni. She usually keeps the kids preoccupied." He pointed to where Roni stood observing a group of kids playing basketball and riding bikes.

"I'm not leaving my mom alone with you," Drew lifted his chin in defiance.

Liam respected what the boy was trying to do but knew that he couldn't let him get in the way. He stepped in front of Denise and put his hands on the boy's shoulders.

"We need to take care of some adult business."

The two males sized one another up. Finally, Drew gave in and followed his sister to where the other kids hung out.

"Let's get inside. William wants to talk to you."

It might have been false, but she felt a sense of protection as she walked in with Liam at her side. He placed a hand at the small of her back, leading her into the main room of the clubhouse. It was dark to her, miscellaneous posters hung on the walls along with pictures of different men. She assumed they had something do with the history of the club, but she really didn't know. A row of couches sat in the corner, a pool table beside them. In the other corner, a large table had been set up that was obviously used as a kitchen table, and there were a group of recliners. It looked comfortable, but not at all welcoming. Conversation ceased when they arrived. Liam watched, his eyes taking in everything as his father walked over to where they stood. He didn't like the look in the older man's eyes.