They didn’t go for a private booth but sat at a small table for two. She ordered a burger with all the trimmings while he opted for a steak. She glanced around the diner and saw they were being stared at.

“Why are people staring?” she asked.

“I’ve taken my son’s wife out to dinner. I’m guessing they’re being nosy bastards.”

“I wish they wouldn’t look.”

“Turn your eyes away. Go back to your dinner,” Preacher said, getting to his feet. She reached across the table, trying to stop him.

People averted their gaze.

“Did you have to do that?”

“You didn’t want them staring. This is the only way to do that.”

Their food arrived, and her hands shook a little.

“I’m thinking the room next to you will be the perfect nursery. It has a lot of space. I’ve already put an order in for a crib. When it arrives, I’ll put it up.”

“Can I decorate it?” She thought about the plain cream walls. She’d love to add a splash of color.

“Are you going to turn it pink?”

“Not completely. Just a little bit. It’ll look good. We’re going to … it’s going to be a girl.” She looked around to see if anyone had been listening to her slip-up.

No one was paying them any attention. She breathed out a sigh of relief.

“You need to stop stressing about the small stuff, sweetheart. You can decorate. Let me know what it is you want, and I’ll get it for you.”

“Can I see your drawings?” she asked.

“No.”

“Come on. It could be good for us.”

“What are you wanting me to do? Draw something on the wall?”

“Why not? She’ll have some artwork from her dad.”

“What if it’s a naked woman?”

“Is that all you draw?”

“No.”

“Then let me decide. Come on, it’ll be good.”

She noticed him tense up as he looked past her out the diner window.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Stay here,” he said, getting to his feet. He handed her his cell phone. “Get Bear and a couple of guys.”

“What’s going on?”

He didn’t answer but walked out of the diner.

There were a couple of bikers. She didn’t recognize their logo. Nibbling her lip, she quickly dialed her father.

Bear answered on the second ring. “What’s up?”

“Dad, Preacher asked me to call. We’re at the diner in town, and a bunch of bikers have turned up. Slaves something. I don’t know who they are.”

“Fuck! I’ll grab the boys.”

“What do I do?”

“What did Preacher tell you to do?”

“To stay inside.”

“Then do that.”

“But what if he’s in danger?”