Shiloh Harris has had her share of worry over the years. Her husband is in a coma, never to awaken, and she takes care of him and their teenage twins, all while trying to keep a roof over their heads. When her best friend dies from a senseless act o...
The next day, Dani opened the front door to find a burly looking man with a SAMCRO kutte and long cury hair, holding a huge paper bag. He smiled at her and nodded as he held the bag out.
"Hey, sweetheart. Your mama around? Gemma wanted me to drop these by. She thought you all might need some extra food."
Dani took the bag and gave the man a grin and nodded. "She's getting ready but thank you. I'll let mom know."
He backed up a step toward the yard. "No problem, darlin. We're all sorry to hear about your father. If you need anything at all, have Jake let us know."
Dani nodded. "We will. Thanks."
She watched him walk out to a shiny motorcycle before shutting the door and walking toward the kitchen. She passed Shiloh as she was coming from the bedrooms, fastening a gold chain around her neck. She frowned at the bag in Dani's hands as they walked into the kitchen.
"Where did that come from?"
Dani grinned as she opened the bag and stuck her head inside. "One of the Sons dropped it off. It's a bunch of baked goods. Muffins, cookies, and brownies."
Shiloh chuckled as she shook her head. "Well, okay then. You about ready? Where's Jacob?"
"He said he'd meet us at the funeral home."
Shiloh nodded as she picked up her purse from the counter. "Alright then. Let's go."
When they got to the funeral home, Shiloh wasn't surprised to see that there were very few cars in the parking lot. Over the years, what friends Steven had just stopped coming around. She knew that most of them had been uncomfortable seeing him in that position. She knew all too well how hard it was to watch someone wither before your eyes.
However, she was surprised to see the two motorcycles parked on either side of the hearse as they walked to the front door. When they stepped inside, Shiloh saw Jacob standing in a corner opposite Steven's coffin, talking to two Sons and the brunette she'd seen that day at TM. She started to walk their way when Jane stepped in front of her.
"I can't believe you're letting my grandson associate with known criminals! And to let them come here of all places! Have you no shame at all? I bet you're sleeping with one of them, aren't you?"
Shiloh just looked on with shock as Dani got in front of her and squared off against her grandmother. "Why don't you just shut up? You don't know anything at all about mom! You're just a bitter old woman!"
When Jane lifted a hand to strike Dani in the face, Shiloh was beat by the brunette, who grabbed Jane's wrist in a vice grip. "Lady, I wouldn't hit this girl if I were you."
Jane scoffed as she wrenched her arm free. "Just who do you think you are?"
The brunette smirked and leaned in close to Jane. "I think I'm Gemma Teller-Morrow, and I also think you're about thirty seconds from landing on your ass in front of all of these people."
As Shiloh tried to hide her grin, she felt a presence beside her and looked to see Luann standing there, glaring at Jane. "What's going on here?"
Jane's lips twisted into a bitter smile as she stepped back and shook her head. "Porn stars, bikers. God only knows how these kids are going to grow up with your influence."
Shiloh grabbed Luann's arm as the blonde took a step in Jane's direction. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Austin hurrying in their direction, a frown on his face. She prepared for him to start yelling at her but was shocked when he turned his angry look at his wife.
"What are you doing? Is this how you act at your own son's funeral? You're the one that should be ashamed of yourself. Go sit down." He watched as Jane stalked off across the room before turning to Shiloh with a frown. "I'm sorry, Shiloh. She's just been a mess over Steven's passing but I never thought that she would act this way in public." He made eye contact with everyone before turning back to her. "I'm sorry, everyone."
Shiloh nodded as he turned to follow his wife. Before Shiloh could say anything, the director nodded in her direction to say that they were ready to begin. She nodded before walking over with the rest of the group to sit down. The service was short but poignant, full of warm memories of the Steven that her husband used to be. After, she walked outside with her kids by her side to the limo as the blond from TM stepped in front of her. The look on his face was one of kindness as he nodded and gave her a small smile.
"If it's okay with you, Tig and I would like to escort the hearse to the cemetery." He nodded to where the pallbearers were loading the casket into the back of the hearse. "We didn't know your husband, but we know your son." He grinned then and shrugged. "I also owe you an apology. I didn't have a right to talk to you the way I did at TM. You were just looking out for your kid. As a parent, I get that."
Shiloh nodded as Luann and Gemma looked on in approval. "I appreciate that, and of course you can ride beside the hearse. I would be honored."
He and the one named Tig both nodded as they walked over to mount up. Gemma frowned at Luann as she stood beside Jacob. "Luann, what are you even doing here?"
Luann rolled her eyes at Gemma and grinned as she pointed at Shiloh. "This is Shi. I've told you about her."
Gemma looked from one woman to the other before grinning. "Well, damn. It is a small world."
