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“Now don’t go getting caught up with the menu. My Carl has specials so let’s get through those first, then you can decide.”
As Gertie starts, I get an instant longing for our home back in Montana. I wholeheartedly wish both Maggie and Aunt Zoey were here. Don’t know why, but this feeling overtakes me to the point it is hard to breathe. Well, until two tiny skinny arms wrap around me, pulling into her. Kitty, of course, knew something was bothering me and her way of fixing it is a hug. She was so right this time, exactly what I needed.
“Hannah, no worries, sister, I get it. Since you just found your family it’s hard to up and leave them. Don’t hide it, let it out so it don’t fester inside.”
Knowing I have to tell the girls what I did without their knowledge, I clear my throat and begin.
“So… I kind of fibbed to you guys when I said our prez didn’t know about this signing. I actually told her I was going, and she forbade me to go. Twice. Now, don’t get your feathers ruffled and your panties in a bunch, I’ll explain that I wasn’t honest and tell her it was all on me. Just couldn’t not tell you because I’m learning that friendship is so important and to have and keep it, you have to be honest. After we eat, I’ll put a call back home and try to explain. I’m sorry. Really, Dottie and Dani, didn’t want to get anyone in trouble, just wanted to have some fun. And, Kitty, damn, feel horrible not telling you the entire truth. Can you all forgive me, please?”
I watch the emotions cross their faces. Kitty’s the first to accept my apology then Dani. Dottie though holds out and won’t look at me. Oh well, two out of three isn’t that bad. I’ll work on Dottie to get back on her good side.
When Gertie and a busboy make their way to our table, the amount of food is startling. Who eats like this? Holy shit.We are going to have to up our portions at the Wooden Spirits Grill, need to speak to Maggie and Kiwi and explain what we’ve all seen on the road.That is my last thought as I dig into some Italian casserole with pasta, red sauce, and sausage along with some peppers and garlic bread. I can’t put it in my mouth fast enough. When I hear a gasp, I look up to see the twins’ eyes wide, looking behind us. Oh shit, did someone from our club show up to escort us back?
Before I can swallow and turn around, I hear footsteps then a heavy hand lands on my shoulder as someone moves into my blind spot. Well, until he opens his mouth because I know that voice.
“Itty Bitty, good to see that you eat. And from the looks of it, you’re doing a pretty damn good job on finishing up that pasta, though not sure where you’re putting it. Are you women following us or is this just one big coincidence that we keep bumping into each other?”
Not wanting to acknowledge him or his friends would be childish, even though that’s right where I want to go. Again, Kitty saves my ass with her timid and quiet ways.
“Um, no, we aren’t following you since we were here first. All we want is to finish our meal and we will be out of your hair. So go, move on, people, nothing to see here but four women finishing their lunch.”
When I feel him shift, I knew before he did it that he would try to sit at the edge next to me. I’m smooshed up against Kitty, poor girl, just to let his big ass fit in. Well, that’s a lie, he doesn’t have a big ass, his is perfect.
“So before you start, we need your name, the one off your license. So show us or get gone, as my Auntie Zoey would say.”
He looks around the table for what? I have no idea, but he reaches down and pulls a chain which is attached to a wallet. He looks through it until he finds what he must have been looking for. His driver’s license. He hands it to me. I look down. His name is Presley Jones. “No frigging way, who would do that to a person?”
“That would be my mother, who couldn’t make up her mind on Elvis Presley or Tom Jones for my name. Could be worse, she could have named me Elvis Tom or Tom Elvis.”
That had us all laughing hysterically, including Presley. I notice not one of his boys makes an approach, even the two eyeing the twins. They take a booth a few back. When Presley grabs my spoon to help himself to some of my pasta, that’s it.
“Oh no way, buddy, you touch, you die. This stuff is way too good to be sharing. Also, look at the chalkboard by the register, it says no sharing of plates. Get your own, Presley.”
Looking up, the twins are grinning, as is Kitty when I look her way. Lunatics, that’s what I’m traveling with, for Christ’s sake. Though I’m sure Auntie Zoey would wholeheartedly approve of Presley over, shit, what was the loser’s name? Something like Dylan, I think.I’m moving on up, I think to myself. With that thought, a smile appears on my face too.
ELEVEN
‘TANK’
POPS
Goddamn, what the ever-lovin’ fuck was I thinking coming along on this ride to hell? As much as I hate having to ride my trike for this ride, I’m thankful not to be on fuckin’ two wheels or I’d already be dead. Not sure who’s booking the rooms but whomever, I owe them. When we got to this one in the middle of nowhere Bumfuck, Wyoming I was worried about where we’d be bunking. Didn’t expect this. It’s a diamond in the rough, for Christ’s sake. My room has a large king bed and I almost screamed in joy when I walked into the bathroom to put my Dopp kit down and saw that fuckin’ soaker tub.
Since everyone was probably waiting on my ass so we could grab a bite to eat, I freshened up a bit then headed back downstairs. The front desk clerk told us to try the family restaurant down the street, so we all walked down, and again, damn. The food was like home cooking and tasted like heaven. I gave my daughter, Maggie, the eye when my pot roast came out and it was so goddamn huge probably could have fed me, Enforcer, and maybe Panther. She nodded, letting me know she was right there with me. I wished my ol’ lady was with me, she’d enjoy this small town. Gonna have to put this on our list of places to go.
After we ate and shot the shit a bit, the party broke up a few folks at a time. When I stood to leave so did Enforcer, as he always goes wherever I go. In fact, he has an adjoining room to mine. Again, whoever made the arrangements, I’m in their debt. When I get back in the room and go to fill the tub, I see on the counter the Epsom salts and lavender my wife always puts in my soaker tub at home. Confused, I feel my phone vibrate with a text, so I look at it and smile.
“I knew you would be sore, so I told Enforcer to make sure these were waiting for you. Luv ya, ride safe. Bring all our girls home safely.”
I reply, telling her first thank you, and second, I can’t wait to get in the tub, and I’ll call her later. Once filled and steaming, my old ass manages to not only fit but find a comfortable way to lie in the tub. When I push the button, a huge sigh comes out. Holy shit, this right here might just get me to the next hotel. Fuck, I’m hurting. My old body isn’t used to this type of riding. Balls to the wall, as we used to call it back in my day. My girls Maggie and Zoey are enjoying this, especially since both of them have brought their men with them. Riding in a pickup truck. Fuck, who would have guessed my biker daughters’ men wouldn’t be bikers.
Thinking on that, when Maggie brought Ellington or Noodles into our family, then all the bullshit happened with her, including finding Hannah, I knew he was a keeper. He loves my daughter more than life itself. To say I was shocked when Zoey started up with Panther is saying a lot. Though after giving it some thought and talking to my ol’ lady, he’s perfect for her. They balance each other without a doubt. I’m thrilled to see her getting some much-deserved happiness, so goddamn right for that girl.
Now all we have to worry about is the last daughter. Hannah is a mix of both Maggie and Zoey, which is strange as she hasn’t been with Maggie for many years and just met Zoey. I have a feeling this girl will be the death of all of us. I can’t believe she went against her prez, included other prospects, and decided to go to a goddamn, motherfuckin’ book signing. If that’s the best she can do, she needs to hang with her old man a bit more and learn if you want to be a badass, gotta do shit that is plain badass.
Putting my head back on the ledge where the towel pillow is, I let the heat and pounding of the jets relax my old as fuck body. Hopefully, everything will go as planned and tomorrow we’ll make it through most of Colorado before we have to stop. Trying to calm my head, I don’t want to worry too much about Hannah, Kitty, and the twins, Dottie and Dani, but my head tells me in today’s day and age there are assholes all over this country—fuck—the whole goddamn world, for Christ’s sake. And those four girls are pretty innocent from what Maggie and Zoey have told me. None of them had good lives, that’s how they ended up with the Devil’s Handmaidens.
I’m not a huge person who prays, but tonight I look up to the good Lord, asking him to keep an eye on these four runaways ’til we can rope them back in.
