For the Love of Dixie Read Online Free PDF Page A

you want to take all the fun out of my life. I might as well let the ole ticker give out.”
    “Pops!” I cry.
    “Doc wants to make me old before my time. The way he makes it sound, all I’m fit to do is sit in a rocker on the front porch and sip iced tea.”
    The image his words bring makes me giggle. “No, he didn’t.”
    “I realize this will be a huge adjustment, but it’s the only option you have,” Doc Adams states. “Continuing as you have been will leave you with a pacemaker, living on borrowed time. The people who follow the plans we set have gone on to live happy, healthy lives.”
    “I hear you, Doc. You got a run-down of this program you’re pushing?”
    He’s willing to give it a try.
    “I have a generalized one yes, but we’d customize one for you. We want you to be healthy, not miserable.” He hands over a few sheets of paper.
    I watch, holding my breath as Pops rifles through them.
    “I see lots of green shit, Doc. Never was a fan of veggies.”
    “We’ll pack them full of flavor, Pops. Trust me, I learned how to spice up the taste of things in college,” I say.
    He grunts. “You planning on instructing me over the phone, girl?”
    The words hit my heart like a barb. “No, I’ll be here to do it.”
    “What about your job in Santa Monica? That ain’t commutable, darlin’.”
    “It’s almost summer; I’ll take family leave and a sabbatical. If you commit to this, Pop, I’ll stay.”
    His eyes light up, and I know I have him.
    “Done. I’ll be a model patient, Doc.”
    What the hell did I just get myself into?
     

 

     
    Echo
     
    I waited until her father got home and somewhat on his feet before I came for her. Despite my linage, I’m not the asshole most people expect me to be. Every boy wants to grow up to be just like his father. I was no different. My father was a proud example of what a King of Chaos should be: loyal, strong, and ready to take care of business, or defend his own. At one time, he was the apple of my damn eye. I didn’t realize till much later in life how fucked up his views were.
    We lost my grandfather in his prime to a fucking robbery of all things. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time and caught a bullet to the brain. They found the guy; a black man strung out on heroin. I think that’s where his bullshit beliefs about keeping races separate, and blacks being inferior started.
    Growing up, I thought he wanted to protect us from people who meant us harm. It was a familiar concept I could accept because it was an extension of us versus them . Civilians and the club. Then I saw how he treated Dixie Rose. Suddenly, I understood what he felt and taught was corrupt and wrong. A hate that knew no bounds. It wasn’t about him protecting those he loved from the outside world, or the people who’d hurt Grandpa. It was an uncontrollable hate for anyone with the wrong color of skin. It screwed with me, divided my loyalties. I’d always been drawn to Dixie Rose. She was a brilliant ray of sunshine, always laughing and smiling. I never understood why my father acted so gruff with her. I made a career of hiding our relationship. Maybe that’s why I thought I could have my cake and eat it too.
    I was dead fucking wrong.
    Parked in my car like a little bitch afraid to face the consequences of my actions, I try to form a plan. We’re welcoming Hoss back into the fold officially. It’s the perfect diversion to get her alone. With all the carrying on, I can get her back to my dorm. She’s angry and obstinate, the only way I can get her to sit still long enough to speak with me is by force. I can’t blame her really. I fucked us royally. I’d make good on it if she would let me.
    I need to prove to her I’ve changed.
    I wasn’t the man she needed me to be before. That’s changed. Ready to get things started, I step from the car and amble inside.
    The party is in full swing. The old ladies not cool with the scantily clad women draped over available