Chapter 96: Master Joshua
*Can I sit in your lap and cry this time? – Joshua*
When Joshua called Evie and suggested that they get together for lunch, she immediately suggested the Cookie Jar.
It was a little bakery café that sat at one end of the odd shaped building. Originally it had s grain silo at either end with offices in the middle. The new building was built on the same foundation with the Cookie Jar at one end, a novelty shop at the other end and a small office in the middle. It had custom wainscoting on the wall in the shape of giant cookies. The walls were a happy pale yellow with pictures of her twins and their multiple cousins.
Shiloh’s favorite part was that on the bottom of the plates, bowls and oversized coffee cups was the declaration I STOLE THIS FROM THE COOKIE JAR. It was the best form of advertising that she had ever seen. Although she bought her set of oversized mugs, she still smiled at seeing it. And usually considered making a pit stop for a cookie, croissant or fried potatoe slices.
When the Cookie Jar opened the year before, it quickly became the popular hang out in the Ridgeview downtown. As the weather warmed up, the outside seating area was becoming more crowded. Slowly, the old downtown area was coming back to life.
Mia, the owner of the little café, was married to a Saint from Pop’s Place. She was also Priscilla’s aunt and Evie considered the other woman a friend. They weren't close, but Mia had also been a teacher before opening the Cookie Jar. Tank and Ink both said that there was more drama and bullshit to it. But they also stated that it was not their story to tell. Mia was a private person and neither man felt comfortable discussing her life.
"I'm sorry that I missed Janie’s day." Evie told Joshua as they sat at one of the small round tables.
“I’m glad you’re feeling better.” He said squeezing her hand. “Parents said your men were pretty worried.”
“That’s what Law said. How was your trip?” she redirected the conversation as the waitress placed their plates on the table.
They talked about his trip back home and seeing his step kids from his first marriage. They had all fawned over baby James and his son announced his engagement. Randall swore to bring his fiancée to meet Joshua and his new family.
Ellen had been a senior in high school and Randall a freshman when Joshua and Janie married. At first there had been a lot of resentment towards the new man. The moment she had been diagnosed with cancer, they bonded together.
They didn’t see him as a dad. But the three of them had a connection that only those who shared the loss of a loved one understood.
Joshua never tried to push into their lives after Janie died. But he always came when they asked, picked up when they called and offered a safe place when it was needed.
“The guy is becoming more and more of a controlling ass.” Joshua was saying of Ellen's husband. “Didn’t come to the fundraiser and about twenty minutes in started telling her to come home.”
“I’m sorry she’s going through that. And I’m sure her dad is not being very helpful.” Evie said stirring her black coffee.
“No. He regrets getting divorced and wants her to work it out.” He sighed. “I gave her an emergency phone. It has your information in it.”
Joshua had facilitated getting abused subs out of bad situations for years. There was a whole network that a sub and children could disappear in. Evie had been a contact for years. Being a sub herself caused no alarms to go off.
Evie nodded. “I don’t have a garage apartment anymore.”
“If she calls you, let the dads know. Same phrases as before.”
“Alright. I should probably tell my men.”
“That would probably be advisable.”
“I suck at being strong.”
“You’re much better at it than you think you are.” He lifted her chin until she looked at him. “Being a sub doesn’t make you weak. I’ve seen your strength. In the classroom. With business. At the club. Don’t start to question yourself now.”
He pulled her across the table and kissed her forehead.
“Now, if memory serves me right, you have a birthday coming up.” Joshua smiled at her as he sat back down. With his foot, he pushed the chair with the gift bags towards her. “You might want to wait on opening the bags. They’re from the parents. But this is from me.”
He handed her an RNR Design black box. Inside were several different sets of nipple rings and matching clit rings. Silver, gold, titanium. Shields, bars, rings, horseshoes. There were even attachments; chains, charms and small vibrators.
“They’re beautiful.” She whispered then chuckled. “But Reed designed them. Of course, they’re beautiful.”
He pointed to two charms at the bottom. One was a little tank and the other a small tattoo gun. Touching them gently, she gave her godfather a watery smile.
“It’s time.” She softly agreed.
“It is.” Joshua said. “You’ll always be a widow, just like you’ll always love them.”
“I will. But I also love my new men. And they are so good to me.”
“They are.”
“You know, I think that I’ll have Tank take me to see Ink tonight.”
“Don’t they have church tonight?”
“Oh yeah. And we’re watching chick flicks tonight. Sleepless in Seattle and the other one.”
“An Affair to Remember?” he suggested and she looked confused. “It’s the movie that they talk about in Sleepless. What show are you and the sisters watching now?”
“Some cowboy show. Don’t worry there’s still lots of hot guys.” She smirked.
“Like you watch for the story line.”
“Never.” She laughed.
