Conner helped her inside.

“You’re getting much stronger, Winter. Next week we will try and let you start walking more than a few steps.”

“Really?” She couldn’t keep the excitement out of her voice.

“Really. The house seems much quieter today.” Winter knew he wondered where his fan club was. Several of the women made a point to be around when he was there.

Winter nodded, sinking lower in the water. “Some of the people who live here left to visit their families. Where does your family live?”

“Texas. It’s too long of a trip for Thanksgiving but I am planning on going home for Christmas,” he said with regret.

She frowned, “What are you going to do for Thanksgiving dinner?”

“Probably eat at the diner.” He shrugged.

“I would invite you to dinner here, but I am a guest myself,” she said apologetically.

“That’s all right, the food at the diner is good. That’s long enough Winter, we need to get you out.” Conner stood in the tub and helped her to sit on the edge. He stood between her legs until she had her balance. As he began to move away, Winter’s leg began cramping and she almost slid off.

Conner jumped out of the hot tub sitting her on the floor, massaging her calf and thighs. His hands were massaging her inner thigh when the cramp finally eased.

“Thank you, I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t been here.”

“Don’t go in the tub by yourself, Winter. Your muscles are still recovering from the trauma.

“I won’t, I promise.” She gave him a shaky smile. The door opened and Viper walked in, his eyes landing on Conner’s hands on the inside of her thigh near her crotch. His eyes became glacial. Before he could say anything, Winter jumped in with an explanation.

“I had a leg cramp. He was massaging it for me.”

“Glad to know, for a minute there I thought he was being unprofessional.”

The smile died on Conner’s mouth as he removed his hands helping Winter into her wheelchair.

“Thanks again, Conner.” Winter said before deciding to go for it and ask Viper for a favor.

“Viper, would it be all right for Conner to come to dinner tomorrow? He has to eat at the diner.”

Winter looked pleadingly at Viper. “I am afraid that’s not possible. Tomorrow is for members of the club only.” He gave a smile, which Winter didn’t quite trust. “But I will tell you what I can do. Friday is our party day and I am sure there will be plenty of leftovers. We allow non-members to participate with an invitation. Will that work?”

Winter looked hopefully at Conner.

“I will look forward to it, Winter. Thanks Viper.”

“My pleasure.” Winter smiled at Viper when he asked if she was ready to go upstairs.

“Yes, please.”

Viper rolled her in the wheelchair to the bottom of the steps before picking her up and carrying her upstairs. Connor followed as far as the front door before saying goodbye.

He continued up the steps to their room, sitting her in her wheelchair.

“I will make some calls while you grab a shower, in case you have another cramp.” He said snidely.

Winter decided to ignore it. “Thanks, I won’t be long. I was lucky he was there. He is a really nice guy. You know? You can tell he is lonely with his relatives being in Texas.” She kept a running monologue as she gathered her clothes. Finally she went into the restroom. Viper heard the shower running, his hands clenched as he heard her singing in the shower. She had treated him like her fucking BFF, talking about a guy she was crushing on. Viper had recognized the look on Conner’s face when he had walked into the hot tub room. The man was only biding his time to make his move. Viper had every intention of preempting his strike. Winter was about to find out how he got his nickname.

Chapter 6

The kitchen was crowded with those wanting to cook. Winter sat at the table with a cup of coffee, sipping it with enjoyment as she watched Rider and Evie argue over the best way to make sweet potatoes. When Evie made gagging noises after Rider mentioned marshmallows, Winter couldn’t hold back her giggles.

“They are like this every holiday.” Bliss said, taking a sip of her own coffee.

She watched the perky blonde take a bite of her toast and smiled. The woman was sweet and quirky. At first Winter had talked to her less than the other women but they had continually ran into each other in the gym or hot tub room. They had slowly gotten to know each other and Winter had developed a friendship with her.

It was midafternoon before they were ready to eat. Razer and Beth were the last to show, coming in just as everyone sat down at the table. Beth slid into a chair at the table next to her.

“I thought you would have dinner with Lily?” Winter couldn’t keep the surprise out of her voice.

Beth smiled. “This is the first Thanksgiving we have spent apart, but a friend from college invited her to spend the holiday with them and she accepted.”

Winter raised a brow. “As overprotective as you are, I am surprised you let her go.”

Beth laughed turning red. “Lily is old enough to make her own decisions now, that was the whole point of her going away to college, but I did ask Razer to check them out for me. He assured me it was safe.” Beth confessed.

Beth was facing Winter so she saw the unguarded look on Razer’s face as he stared at Shade across the table. Shade kept his face expressionless, aware Winter was watching.

“How long has she known this girl?” Winter questioned Beth.

“They met at the first of the school year. Next year they are thinking about being roommates. It’s great for Lily, I was about to break and let her come home but I didn’t want her driving back and forth to the nearest college. This girl has made college life bearable for her. We’ll have to invite her one weekend.”

Winter had her confirmation when she saw Razer’s face at Beth’s words. Shade stayed expressionless as usual, continuing to eat his meal.

“I would wait awhile. Finals will be coming up, then Christmas. You have a wedding to plan after Christmas. I am sure Lily can explain that it will be several months before you can return the favor.”

“Perhaps you’re right. I’m going dress shopping in Lexington after Christmas; we could make a weekend of it, just us girls.”

“That sounds like a good plan.” Winter agreed, seeing the relief on both of the male’s faces.

The food was delicious. Both the turkey and ham were demolished. Winter made sure she tried both Rider’s and Evie’s sweet potatoes, gushing over both of them. Viper, sitting across from her, admired her as she deftly stroked each of his club member’s egos.

Everyone helped with the cleanup. The men voluntarily cleaned the table as the women loaded the dishwasher. Beers were opened and the men crowded into the room off the kitchen to watch the game. The women sat at the kitchen table planning Beth’s bachelorette party.

“I think we should have it at the Pink Slipper.” Beth said.

“That won’t work.” Evie said in response.

“Why not?”

“Because they won’t let us in the door.” Evie explained.