The Salvation Knights MC Jinx's Mistake (by KJ) novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15: New Friends

Deidra’s P.O.V.

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I woke up the next morning bright and early. Because I forgot to close the curtains last night. I

groaned as I rolled over and pulled a pillow over my head. It was too late though. I was up. As

much as I hated it. I was always that type. Could never go back to sleep once I was awake.

Sighing, I grabbed my phone from the bedside table to see the time. It was just after eight in the

morning. I first checked the local weather page to see that it was clear skies today. Then I spent

way too much time on my social media apps. I was just wasting time, not wanting to get up.

After lying there for over an hour, I finally got up and decided to be a person today. I made my bed

before walking across the hall to the bathroom. I turned the shower on and brushed my teeth while

I waited for the water to warm up. Then I stripped out of the over–sized T–shirt I was wearing and

hopped in. I took my time, just enjoying the hot water running over my body.

Eventually, I started to get pruney, so after washing, I got out. I blow–dried my hair a little before

going back to the bedroom. I quickly closed the curtains when I realized I was only in my towel. Not that anyone should be close enough to see me, but you never know. I dressed in a pair of thick black leggings and a white tank top. Then I went to the living room.

I turned the TV on, flipping to a local news channel. It appeared that all the roads were now clear, and they didn’t expect any more snow for a few more days. That must mean that I can get a ride to

town easily.

I was scrolling on my phone, about to order an Uber when a knock came from the front door. I

furrowed my brow as I pulled a sweatshirt over my head before answering. Much to my surprise,

Dale was on the other side.

“Afternoon,” he said with a cheerful smile.

“Afternoon,” I replied, matching his energy. “What’s up?”

“Mrs and I wanted to know if you wanted a ride to town?” he asked, pointing his thumb behind him.

There was his wife, Emma, sitting in the passenger seat of his truck. When she caught my eye, a smile broke out on her face and she waved eagerly at me.

“Actually, yeah, that’d be great. I was just about to get an Uber,” I told him. “Is it okay if I have just a second to change?”

“Oh! Yeah, yeah of course, take your time,” he replied. “We’ll be in the truck.”

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Chapter 15 New Friends

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I thanked Dale before closing the door and rushing back to the bedroom. I quickly put a bra on and

a different sweater. This one was nice. Cream–colored and soft. Mature and sort of festive. Not

really my usual. I’m normally a jeans and regular ol‘ shirt kinda gal. But this is my vacation, and I’m

supposed to be branching out.

After I was dressed, I went to the bathroom to tame my curls. My hair is pretty much completely dry now, but my curls are everywhere. I racked the thick, dark brown locks back with my fingers and clipped them up. Curls fell in random spots, but it looked nice. I’m not one for makeup either, so my usual mascara and clear lip–gloss did the job.

I gave myself a once over, approving what I saw in the mirror. Then I pulled on my boots and coat, stuffing my gloves and hat into the pockets just in case. I grabbed my purse, the cabin key, and my phone, and rushed out the door. I hopped in the backseat behind Dale in the truck. Emma immediately turned to me and smiled.

“I love your sweater,” she told me.

“Thanks,” I replied with a huge smile. “I love your hair.”

Emma and I chatted away while Dale drove, commenting every few words or so. It was a lot nicer and easier than I expected. I knew they were kind people the moment I saw them, but as I’ve said, I’m a bit of a loner. Also, I apparently don’t have the best taste in friends. I expected to never feel at ease with anyone ever again because of Sophie and Theo. At least for a while. Talking with Emma and Dale was easy. Maybe I felt that way because I knew I’d never have to see them again after I left if I didn’t want to. Regardless, it had my spirits lifted, so I was thankful.

“No one checking in today, Emma?” I asked, making conversation.

“There was just one, but they were running late,” she told me. “I left the key under the mat on the porch for them and told them to come sign in first thing in the morning. Shouldn’t be a problem, they already paid. I wouldn’t do that for just anyone either, but I knew they had a few kids with them. I’m sure that’s the reason they’re late,” she said, making us all chuckle. “Plus, it’s Christmas time.”

“My favorite time of the year,” I blurted, smiling.

“Why’d that sound half sarcastic?” Dale asked, amused. Emma hit his arm and gave him a look. “Ow, geez, what?” He complained.

“That’s kind of rude, don’t you think?” She scolded him.

“It’s okay,” I cut in. “I probably did sound sarcastic. I do love Christmas, but it’s also a sad time of year for me,” I told them.

Chapter 15 New Friends

And immediately I’m wondering if I over shared.

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Why can’t I just keep my mouth shut? Or control my tone in the first place? Why do I gotta be like

this?

“Well, I hope that we can help make this year a little less sad for you,” Emma said with a bright smile.

I returned her smile. I couldn’t help it, because for the first time in forever, someone wasn’t looking at me with pity. Her smile was bright, and her eyes were kind. I could tell that she knew it was

something heartbreaking, but she didn’t look at me like I was fragile. I appreciated that more than I could tell her at the moment.

“You already have, thank you,” I told her.

“Alright, so, on that note, we have to take you to all the best spots in town,” Emma said happily,

clapping her hands in excitement.

I smiled as Emma went on and on about all the spots we were going to see. The famous lights

around downtown, her favorite bakery, Dale’s favorite coffee shop. I’d already known the places

she listed, but I didn’t tell them that. They were so happy about taking me around town that I

couldn’t. Besides, it kept me busy, distracted. And I was grateful for it.

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The three of us ended up spending hours in town. We parked and walked around for a bit. Emma

and I went into a few stores while Dale spent a lot of his time in a hardware store. They also took

me to the grocery store while we were out so that I could cook at the cabin. We ended up having

dinner together at their favorite little bistro. It was a really nice day.

When they dropped me off, Emma asked if I wanted to hang out tomorrow or if that was too clingy. I laughed at her joke and told her I’d be happy to. We made plans that she’d be over in the evening after her shift was over with a bottle of wine. It was going to be a girls‘ night. It made me

extra happy that I bought so many wine–coolers and that 5th of Jack while we were out, because I

am so not a wine–girl.

It took me a little bit to put everything away. By the time I was done, it was pretty late. I was exhausted after all the walking and socializing I did all day. Instead of staying up to read or take a nice bath, I decided to change and go to bed. I stripped out of my clothes and threw an over–sized T–shirt over my head. I walked to the window to make sure the curtains were shut tight. I peeked

outside as I grabbed them to pull them together more.

I noticed the huge cabin a few yards away looked different. There were a few lights on in the windows, but that wasn’t what caught my eye. It was the family of snowmen in the backyard. Of

• Chapter 15 New Friends

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course, snowmen aren’t a strange thing to see this time of year, but it was the way they were

staged.

Three sets of families. One was in the middle, and appeared to be an older couple based off the glasses on the gramps and the granny nightgown on the other. The family to the right was the biggest. There was a mom, a dad, two young boys, and one young girl. All of them decorated to the nines with stick arms, carrot noses, and a patch of clothing to indicate who/what they are. The family to the left was just two. One was a dad with a black scarf wrapped around the neck. The other was a boy with a red scarf.

Something about it tugged at my heart. I wasn’t sure what it represented. For all I know, they ran out of time or got too cold to finish.

I shook my head, closed the curtains, and got into bed. I wanted my thoughts to remain clear. As I fell asleep I didn’t think about Sophie and Theo, or my loneliness, or my parents‘ deaths, or Jinx’s stupidly beautiful blue–green eyes. Instead, I thought about the amazing day I had with two new

friends.

Hope for the future sprouted in my chest as I drifted into darkness.

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