“You two quit worrying about me. Have you ever seen anyone I can’t hold my own with? You also need to remember to cut them some slack. Your dad is the one that’s going to be stuck in the middle of all of you. So, go into this with an open mind and help your dad nip any conflict in the bud so it doesn’t become something bigger. There’s going to be a lot of teenage hormones that come into play and I’m sure the other children’s moms are just trying to protect their own.” Eli laughs. We all look at him.

  “You go ahead and tell yourself that, but the truth is I have been having problems with Liam and Dixie for a while. Then there’s D.D. and Candy who genuinely hate each other. Leave all that to me. I just want a decision on the ranch and if you aren’t ready, then we can take this at your pace. I just know that in the next few days, I need to be on the road home. Max and Seal have work. Tanker hasn’t been away from his home this long in a year or two. He’s a homebody. None of them would say a word, but I know Seal is losing money every day we’re here.” I had a feeling this was going to happen. They all have lives to get back to. I see Ryder and Whiskey have their heads together.

  “We both say sell, and Mom we don’t want to go straight back to working on a ranch. We talked about it a little today and we’re thinking on a much smaller scale and instead of a ranch, we could farm. You’ve always said that if you had a second chance, you would have grown your own vegetables and have a small diner to cook in and then sell the extra vegetables to the customers. This is our second chance. I’m not talking acres and acres of crops but just enough for us and a diner full of people every day. Whiskey can work and go to culinary school so she can help in the diner. I can help on the farm and I’m thinking about finding out more about Dad’s club. We can find a place with a house on it big enough for the three of us and we can stay between our house and Dad’s. We haven’t had a lot of time to talk, but we were going to bring this to you after we looked at some land prices and some places around their town for a diner. We googled a lot of stuff last night. Land per acre is cheaper there than here. Max was helping us out. Max also told us that you have a diner, Dad, that you might be talked into selling.” Ryder puts his dad on the spot.

  “The diner belongs to the club, but I would be willing to put an offer in for you. I will also support the idea. I will tell you the diner is struggling to stay afloat. We can’t keep good help. The cook shows up when she wants to, so it is mostly fast food cooked in the deep fryer and frozen pizzas. Some of the club girls work there for a little spending cash, but the tips usually come from the brothers and not because they get good service on the orders unless the order is to hit their knees.” I gasp. I don’t mean to but how could they let that go on in a diner. “Don’t be shocked Jenna. I have told you it’s a different lifestyle. If you bought the place, then you make the rules and do the hiring and firing. That makes it your place.”

  “I’m at a disadvantage of knowing what kind of town you live in. Are there construction crews? Is there a business area in the town that would be open to try a new place?” Eli looks like he’s thinking.

  “Seal has two construction crews and there is another brother that has a couple of crews that does trim work. There’s plenty of town people to keep the place busy but it’s convincing them that the place is run by you and not the club. The crime during the day is low but at night it’s a different story, but we will make sure your business is covered. People want to look down on the club, but they forget there’s not a cop that will come into our town after dark unless they’re dirty. We enforce the law and do our best to protect the community. We don’t have a police department anymore, so the sheriff’s office is the one that is supposed to protect us. They rather let the scum do what they want, so the club picks up the slack. We will ensure you’re safe,” Eli says with conviction. “Jenna, is this alright with you? I want to get the ball rolling. The faster this happens the better I like it.”

  “If you two are sure, then I will accept the offer we have now. Are there any animals that you want to take? I want chickens, but I can get more when we get settled.” I look at Whiskey. She lost her horse Sheba last year and she has refused to get close to any other outside animals. She has all sorts of creepy creatures in her room, but I think it will be a long while before she owns another personal horse.

  “I want to keep Lurch and Twizzle but that’s it. I’ll wait on the scorpions until we’re settled,” Whiskey says.

  “I want to keep my dog Harvey. I think we also need to consider keeping some of the farm equipment, never mind scratch that. We can buy new stuff, so it suits the work on a farm. The tractors we have here are too big. I would say even leave the furniture. If we’re going to downsize, then it may be better to start completely over except for our personal belongings. You always told us to not get attached to things. Forget that, I want my bed. It took me a long time to wear that mattress in just right. I don’t want to start over.” Ryder is overthinking as usual. He worries.

  “How about this, everyone keeps their personal items and each of the bedroom suites and things in your rooms? That way most of the place will have new things in it, but you’ll still have the comfort of your bedroom,” Eli tries to reason.

  “I think that’s the answer. Ryder, you will take Harvey along and Whiskey you can have your critters. I will have a lot of boxes of pictures, kitchen things, and our Christmas decorations. When we’re settled, then I’ll go through the pictures and the homemade decorations so you can pick some out Eli. I have a lot that the kids made.” I’m getting excited since the decision has been made. That’s a load off my shoulders.

  “Mom, I know what your doctor told you, but are you sure you’re comfortable with moving your medical records to another doctor and letting them take over your case. You’ll be trusting someone else, a stranger, with your life,” Ryder asks me.

  “Yes, Son, I am. This feels so right,” I tell my children.

  “You’ll let us know if you ever want to come back?” Whiskey asks.

  “I’m going to hire movers. You don’t need the stress of the move. This will take some of it away.” Eli is typing on his phone. “I just told my brothers to quit looking at rentals and check on movers. I want all of you staying with Max and me while we find the right farm for you. There’s a lot of land available around me, it’s just finding the right one.” I see that makes Whiskey and Ryder happy. “I think tomorrow, we will head back home and the three of you can get things straightened out here. A couple of days before the move, we’ll come back and help with everything else.”

  “We have five vehicles, three four-wheelers, a pontoon boat, and two flatbed trailers that aren’t owned by the ranch. Whiskey and I both have two vehicles, a trailer each, and the rest is the three of ours together.” Eli looks at me.

  “I gave Ryder a 1967 short wheel-base Chevy truck when he got his license and I gave Whiskey a 1967 Camaro. They won’t get rid of them. They bought each of their trucks on their own and the trailers to haul hay. They’ve done hay hauling on the side during cutting season since they bought their trucks. It brings them in extra cash. The rest are just toys we like. I didn’t spoil our children.” I know I sound like I’m defending myself. I’m proud of the way if our children want something, they aren’t too lazy to go work for it.

  “Don’t get defensive. I just can’t believe they both have two vehicles. Liam and Dixie are going to be jealous. Maybe it will motivate the two of them. They want things handed to them. Liam has an older Toyota and he wants a new car so bad he can taste it, but he refuses to get even a part-time job, so I refuse to buy him one.” That’s something I have never had to deal with.

  “I’m thinking when we get settled that I’ll buy myself a motorcycle. Dad, could you go with me? I’m not sure of what bike would be best for me,” Ryder says.

  “Me too,” Whiskey says. Eli raises his eyebrow.

  “Do either of you know how to ride a motorcycle?” Eli asks.

  “We both used to have dirt bikes and rode on different courses. We just haven’t done it in a while. I think the bikes are still around here somewhere, and I’m sure it’s different, but I would still like a motorcycle,” Whiskey says.

  “We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. Let’s concentrate on what needs to be done right now. What do you think about we load the four-wheelers on the back of a trailer and I go ahead and take one of the trucks back with me? I can put my bike on it too.” Eli says and the guys nod. “So, is everyone happy with what we’ve discussed so far? All it boils down to now is planning.”

  “Hopefully this will go smoothly and within the month we’ll be moved. I think this is the best thing that could have happened,” I say with conviction. Now I just need to figure out a way to keep my distance from Eli. I know this attraction isn’t going to go away. I’ll just have to keep myself busy and away from him as much as I can. I just hope I don’t make a fool of myself.

  13

  Three weeks later

  Grinder…

  Since I have been back home, it has been one thing after the next. I have made sure I have everything covered for Whiskey and Ryder’s move. Max and I have looked at a few farms that I think will be big enough for what Jenna and the kids are talking about. Tanker has been doing his work on the computer to get us showings and making sure the prices are close to the market value. During the last three weeks, we have looked at five different farms. Some are a little too far from me for my liking, but I will still tell them about them.

  D.D. and Candy are fit to be tied that I will have two more children moving close. They are both more worried about Jenna. Candy more than D.D.. I’ve had enough from both and Candy is making trouble at the club again. I have banned her from the clubhouse, but she keeps getting in. I have warned her if she shows up again, she will be cut off from any extra money. Trace is ready to move in with me and just yesterday I told him yes. I have my lawyer working on the paperwork now. Candy won’t be getting his child support anymore either. I caught Candy arguing with Max yesterday about leaving the clubhouse. I showed her that you don’t argue with a brother. She spent last night in County for trespassing. Then Dixie was on my ass. I just want to step off this carnival ride. I had my attorney draw up papers for Dixie along with Trace’s. Dixie won’t be happy, but I’m tired of the bullshit and it’s time for Candy to go away. I can’t get a day of peace.

  Liam has decided to call me Eli instead of Dad. He says I’m irresponsible to keep bringing bastard children home. I’ve never come so close to hitting one of my children before in my life. I spanked them when they were young to teach them right from wrong, but since that stage, it has been restricting their activities, grounding, and taking their electronics away from them. I took Max’s keys to his bike once. I have also nailed Dixie windows down and cut the tree limbs away from her room. The thing with Liam made me see red. I had to take myself away from the situation. I know he is acting out because he’s hurt that his mom and I aren’t together, but I’m done apologizing for my past to my son. I don’t have any desire to talk to Liam about my sexual past and I don’t want to explain to him exactly how far that D.D. and I had grown apart and the reason for it. It’s none of his business and I won’t be punished for it anymore.

  Then today it’s club business. Baller and Dom had their families together last night and Baller’s house was hit with a drive-by. The club hasn’t had any problems with anyone. We have our own ways to make money and we quit doing the security rides for Sid. He was too much trouble. He wasn’t happy. We did our final job without any problems. We just don’t take any other jobs he has to offer and he’s never even raised a stink about it. We found a militia group that is transporting legal supplies that we run security for. It’s less money but also less risk. The more I think about the situation the more I am coming up with zero. No one has a reason to hit us as a club. I questioned both Baller and Dom. Dom had his woman with him, and she is five or six months pregnant and he wouldn’t risk her or his child. Baller on the other hand has an ol’ lady that we know very little about and he has two children from an ex that was there. While I was gone, Tish showed up and they have been thick as thieves since I’ve been home. Baller is spending less time around the clubhouse and the brothers. I’m left with more questions than answers and the day after tomorrow we are riding out of here to go and get Jenna and the kids. I’m taking extra brothers with me to make sure we make it back in one piece. Tanker is coming to stay at my house while I am gone.

  The furniture is scheduled to be delivered to my house in one week. They are bringing the essentials and the animals with them. I just hope Whiskey’s pets stay in their cages or boxes or whatever they live in when Dixie and Lexi are here. If not, it will be a screaming fest here. We’ll make this work.

  I am brought out of my thoughts by a pounding on the front door. Now what? I walk to the door, open it and there stands Seal with a shit-eating grin on his face.

  “I thought we would have had this talk before now,” I say to Seal and move back so he can walk in. “You want a beer.”

  “I’ve been playing catch up on my job site and trying to find out what happened at Baller’s crib. Dom thinks Baller has some shady shit in the works on the side. Tanker is looking into Baller and that’s on the down low, but it needs to be done. We need to find out if this was an attack on the club or just on Baller. I still have work to do today so I’ll pass on the beer, but I wouldn’t turn down a bottle of water.” Seal is right. I don’t believe in going behind a brother’s back but if he’s into something that will have fallout for the club, we need to know. I walk to the refrigerator and take out a bottle of water and throw it to the man.

  “That’s not what you came here to discuss with me, so quit stalling,” I tell Seal as I sit down on a bar stool at the kitchen bar. He takes the lid off the water and takes a long drink.

  “You’re right, I’m stalling because I’ve never had to talk to you as the dad of the woman I’m interested in. This is uncharted territory. I want to just say it straight, if you can handle it without shooting me.” Seal says it with a smile on his face, but I know he’s serious.

  “As long as you keep it out of the bedroom and away from the whole sex thing then we should be good to talk,” I say it in my most dad like tone I can.

  “I know Whiskey will be here soon and there are already some brothers curious about her. She and Ryder are all that Max talks about and the brothers are listening. I have an attraction to Whiskey, and it’s like she draws me to her any time she’s close to me. I kept my distance when we were at their ranch because I knew it wasn’t the time, but I can tell you, I don’t think I’ll have that restraint when she gets here. I want to get to know everything about her, but I know she’s young and inexperienced so this will be on her timeline. I won’t push or put demands on her. I also don’t want to interfere with you getting to know her better. I want to claim her. I’m bringing this to you man-to-man, brother-to-brother. I’m not some kid that will sneak around behind your back.” Seal stops and I look into his eyes.

  “I appreciate you coming to me one-on-one. I can’t stop you from claiming Whiskey and you know that, but I can block the vote by the father clause, but that would only put off the inevitable and then there would be hurt feelings. I don’t want that.” Our father clause states if a father is a member of the club, they can block the vote to accept the claiming of his daughter for one year. My grandfather said it was to keep brothers from fighting. “You need to talk to Whiskey before you claim her. She’s not like some women. She is headstrong and determined. She goes after what she wants. The thing is, she knows nothing about the club lifestyle. When D.D. and I were first dating, the two things she had the hardest time dealing with were the separation time when we were on the road and the women. Then when I became the enforcer it was the danger. It was a big adjustment period and I made big mistakes and she made mistakes, but we kept that shit locked down and between the two of us. My daughter is a woman and I can’t see her not having issues with it but then what do I know? She may handle it a lot better than we did but are you willing to put in the time and work? I can tell you I have love for my club and each brother in it but if anyone hurt one of my children, I would put them to ground without a second thought and that’s if Max doesn’t get to them first.” I wait for Seal’s response.

  “I understand all of that. I see where you’re coming from, but you need to understand that only Whiskey and I will be in our relationship. I would never hurt Whiskey on purpose, but shit happens between a man and a woman. We will need to learn about each other and find out what sets us off. I have thought this out. I’m not going into this blind. I have been googling everything I can find about Whiskey Rose Taylor. I don’t know how I fell for her so hard, so fast, and I don’t know how I know I have but I do. I know she’s an important part of my future and I won’t let her slip through my fingers.” I think Seal is half in love with my daughter already.

  “You will take your time with her? I think what I’m saying is I don’t want you to up and marry her or put your patch on her back next week. Let her learn the club lifestyle a little before that.” I know this is going to get rocky. Whiskey is her mom’s daughter.

  “The only thing I can tell you is I have no plans to do either but if that changes you will be the first to know, but Whiskey’s and my relationship will no longer be discussed with you until then. It will be between her and me. I want to bring this to the table this afternoon when we talk about Baller’s situation. I want every brother to know that Whiskey is hands-off and as soon I can, I will let Whiskey know.” I almost laugh at that.

  “Don’t you mean ask her about it?” I ask like a smartass.

  “No. I mean I will let Whiskey know we are happening at her pace, but she will not run from me or hide from me. Her mom might as well get on board with the idea and her brothers. I came to you as her dad and my brother, but I owe no one else anything and I won’t let anyone stand in my way. I give you my word that I will always protect her and there will be no one on the side for me. I’m not that way and you know that.” I can’t argue with anything he’s said. This is our life. I reach my hand out to him and he walks closer to me and grips it.