“What horse ranch? Not a lot of people around these parts are just going to let strangers walk up on their land and start taking soil samples where they are raising horses or cattle? That means your story isn’t the complete truth.” I look from Priest to Bounty.

  “Drifter made a cover story that him and his friends were doing research for the college they were attending. It wasn’t an entire lie. They did have a paper to do and their professor had written them an introduction letter to the landowners in a general capacity. It was supposed to be landowners in the area around the university, but Drifter thought it was the perfect opportunity to be able to do soil tests. Drifter knew the areas he thought would make good candidates, so he set up appointments with several landowners in this area and it being a small knit community, Drifter thought the ranchers would talk amongst themselves and spread the word amongst the locals so they could get what they wanted without trespassing or raising a ruckus and it worked.” Priest didn’t answer the other part of my question.

  “What ranch tested with the best soil?” I ask again.

  “Bass Haven Horse Ranch, it’s out close to Lake Cypress.” Now the man has my complete attention. I see Shield stand a little taller and he is listening to every word. “Drifter spoke to the owner and said that the ranch had been in the family for a few generations and the way the woman talked about her parents working on it that he was sure she would never sell.” I laugh.

  “If that lady as you call her had any doubt that your brother was anything but a college student doing what he said then she would have shot him on the spot. I have got to meet Drifter. He must be one hell of a liar because Deb trusts no one.” Shield is shaking his head. Priest hasn’t said anything. “The Bass ranch will never be for sale and there is more than one owner and not a one of them is afraid to shoot a man. That’s more of a warning than you deserve since one of yours has already been on their property. Your time is almost up so get to the point if you’re going to.”

  “The business that I wanted to pitch to you was that we patch over or become a support club for the Rebellions 4 Blood MC. Not one member of the Legions MC has a police record and I think it would work better if we were to become a support group. We’ve done background checks on all your members and not all of you will pass so easily. You also have other lucrative businesses that you need to be armed and most of the states that have passed laws to grow medicinal marijuana and then later recreational marijuana require the growers to give up all firearms. We are only interested in the medicinal side of this. This would be a business venture with a contract, so everyone can see it’s legit. We have some money to help with the initial crop but more important than that we have the knowledge of how to plant, when to plant, and what lighting to use. We also are the only one with the formula for fertilizer, and we are all willing to work our asses off. Drifter is in school studying everything he can on the subject and after he graduates in the fall, he will be here if and when we get the go ahead. That’s all I have. It’s business. Until the time comes, we will work our asses off to prove to you we are trustworthy. We will be trusting you as much as you need to trust us.” This man has balls expecting the Rebellions 4 Blood to trust him and why would we want partners? This means we would be taking on their enemies as our own, but if Priest’s brother knows what Priest is claiming then it would give us an edge on competitors. We already discussed having to hire an expert, but can we trust these people. I know what my gut tells me, but this decision needs to be discussed by the entire Rebellions 4 Blood MC. Priest’s story needs to be checked out, and Drifter’s expertise needs to be confirmed. Then we need to take a vote. The issue of trusting these people is what keeps coming back to me and the unknown of how much trouble they bring with them. We need to find these answers along with the rest. That means a lot of work before a decision can be made.

  “You’ve given us a lot to think about but until we have time to check out everything you have told us and vote on it, we need to find a way to coexist. I won’t give any guarantees or even a maybe. To tell you the truth, even with you having a man that is already educated in the field, you come with a lot of headaches and we have never entertained the idea of adding a partner. The one thing I can tell you is to stay away from Bass Haven Horse Ranch. I will be giving Deb a phone call today to pass along the information you have given us about their property.” I give it to Priest and Bounty straight.

  “You will have no problems from The Legion MC but that doesn’t mean that we want outsiders up in our business or our property. I will be waiting on your answer, but I know that it might take a while. I’ve given you a lot to think about and to talk over with your club.” My gut is telling me that Priest isn’t being completely honest or he’s holding something back, but part of his story rings true. I refuse to make a gut decision without talking to my brothers. I stand up and Priest does the same. He puts his hand out for me to shake. I look at it and consider it. “We’ll save the pleasantries once everything you have told me checks out. I’d hate to have to kill you to get my respect back since you have not showed us one ounce of it.” I know it is an ass statement, but my dad always told me to never shake a man’s hand that you have no respect for because he’s taking something that he would never give in return. You can never get back what you gave away freely. Quirky but true and I have learned it the hard way.

  “Not sure what that means but alright.” Priest looks puzzled. “You can see yourselves out, the men at the gate will keep an eye out for you,” Priest tells us.

  “I’m sure the men over in the woods will keep an eye out for us too.” Stealth speaks up letting Priest know we know we had more eyes on us when we made our way onto the property.

  “And the ones on the ridge looking down on us when we came in,” Shield adds.

  “Only precautions. We can’t be too careful. I told you we were looking over our shoulders,” Priest explains.

  “We just want you to know we aren’t fools and we won’t take just your word on anything. Next time, I pick our meeting spot and time.” I leave no room for discussion on the matter.

  “At least you are aware there will be another meeting and you are keeping your mind open to what I told you. This meeting could have had a worse outcome, so I take this as progress.” There is no sign of Priest trying to be a smartass, so I nod my head at him and turn and walk outside with my brothers behind me. Stealth gets up close to me when we get to our bikes.

  “There’s more to this story. He’s leaving something out and I think we may see trouble coming from it even if we turn their offer down.” Stealth is only saying the things I was already thinking. I feel Shield move in closer to us.

  “Priest also didn’t say anything about them packing up and leaving if we turn down the Legions MC proposition. We would never get any contracts if there is a war going on here. Territory wars can last a long time.” I don’t think it would come to that. Priest and his group just seem tired of the fight. I’m not thinking they wouldn’t defend themselves, but I also don’t think they are looking to start another war when they are looking over their shoulders.

  “Let’s get back to the clubhouse. We have a lot to talk about and I need to make that phone call to Deb.” I mount my bike and crank her up. I need this ride to get my thoughts in order before we tell everyone else.

  9

  Micah…

  I was still so upset about the rodeo incident that yesterday when I arrived home, I only had a brief conversation with Aunt Deb. Her and Rye looked oddly cozy and when they talked to each other, they were speaking in soft tones where only they could hear. I took that as a cue I was being a cockblocker and I didn’t want my bad mood to damper whatever they had going on. Rye wasn’t very subtle about his intentions for him and my aunt for the rest of the day. I’m not sure if Rye is the man my aunt needs but who am I to judge. It’s not like I have had any experience with a relationship in what seems like forever. It’s none of my business and Aunt Deb deserves a life with happiness in it. I just hope she is going into whatever her and Rye have going on with her eyes wide open, which I am sure she is. The only thing Rye needs to know is he will answer to me if he hurts my aunt and I will protect her if she dumps him, which is very possible. Aunt Deb is as gun shy as I am about dealing with a long-term man, or as I thought I was. No, I still am.

  I make my way to the kitchen and there sitting at kitchen table is Rye and he is only wearing his boxers and Aunt Deb is standing beside him in a short silky kimono and pouring coffee into two cups. It’s odd but not, if that makes any sense. Aunt Deb pouring coffee in the morning dressed as she is doesn’t fit to what Aunt Deb usually wears to breakfast. By now she is normally dressed for work in a loose-fitting top and either jean shorts or jeans. Seeing Rye in his boxers was a shock for about half a second but I realized this house needs a man running around in his boxers to feel more like a family home. Do not laugh, we have had only females in this house since I was born. Yes, Mom had a steady boyfriend before she died but he never spent the night here. We never had to worry about a man leaving the toilet seat up or missing the clothes hamper with his dirty socks. I always wondered what it was like to have a dad or brother in the house all the time. Don’t get me wrong our home was filled with love but I guess I have always wondered what having a male around the house would be like. Maddie’s face would be three shades of red by now, but I have never been shy about body parts and if Rye’s dick stays inside his boxers then all is good.

  “Good morning.” I speak up so they know I’m in the room. I’d laugh if Rye grabbed my aunt’s ass and they might consider that rude.

  “Come sit down girlie and let’s have some coffee and talk,” Rye tells me. I look directly at Rye and raise an eyebrow. I don’t know what the two of us need to talk about. I walk to the cabinet and get me a cup. I walk over to the table and pull a chair out and sit down. Aunt Deb and Rye have not taken their eyes off each other. It’s like they are living in their own little bubble. Aunt Deb finally fills my cup with coffee and puts the carafe on the table and sits close to Rye.

  “Micah, would you like me to fix you something to eat?” Aunt Deb is putting something off and I am not going to help her.

  “Whatever it is that you need to discuss with me just spit it out. Bass women don’t run from problems and you putting it on the back burner to simmer isn’t going to help. Just tell me what it is so I can help you figure it out.” I smile at the look on Aunt Deb’s face. She must really dread this conversation by the look on her face and then she moves her eyes back to Rye and the smile returns to her face.

  “This was a hard decision on Deb’s part, and I hope you will keep an open mind while you two have this discussion. I am only here for moral support for Deb, but I am here for both of you. We’re all family now.” I look to Deb and she has the same look on her face as any other morning. I don’t think she is as worried about my reaction to whatever this is as Rye is.

  “I don’t know when we all became family, but my mind is always open. I have nothing against you Rye and as long as Aunt Deb keeps that smile on her face then you are good even though my opinion isn’t needed.” I want Rye to know that I don’t have any intention to interfere with whatever this is.

  “That is good to know. I’m a biker set in my ways and I might be a bit out of practice of doing this family thing.” I know that had to hurt a man like Rye to say. I appreciate the thought though. I reach across the table with my hand not holding my coffee and take Rye’s hand in mine and give it a soft squeeze and smile at the big man. Rye’s and my eyes meet, and it’s like we are having a little conversation. His eyes are telling me he is glad that I accept him being here and his are reassuring me that he will do his best to keep Aunt Deb happy. We both nod to each other and I remove my hand from his. I look to Aunt Deb and she has her eyes on Rye and me.

  “Your turn Aunt Deb,” I tell the woman I most respect in this world.

  “Alright but just let me get this all out before you start in with questions. Can you do that for me?” I see this is going to take a while for Aunt Deb to explain. I’m not the most patient woman in the world but I’ll keep my mouth shut if I can.

  “You have the floor. I’m not promising my mouth won’t overtake me, but I will try my best.” I smile when I say this because it’s a private joke between Aunt Deb, Maddie, and me. Aunt Deb always said that we could never hear Maddie over my runaway mouth. Maddie got the short end of the stick when she got me as her twin. Aunt Deb just shakes her head, but I get a smile out of Rye.

  “I know that is the best I will get so I am going with it.” Rye takes Aunt Deb’s hand in his. “I hate that Blaze was injured yesterday and I intend to do everything in my power to shut that event down if not the entire arena. No horse should ever be a pawn in anyone’s game, and I found out that the place doesn’t even have cameras up to watch over people’s personal horses or the stock animals. They are not up to state codes in the facility or for care of the animals. I have put in a grievance with the arena committee, state officials, the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association and I have hired a new lawyer who specializes in the Animal Welfare Act, all that better get the results we both want. I told Mr. Glazer that we also want to sue for every penny we can get. He is volunteering his time and waving any retainer or payment because he is trying to build his name and reputation as an attorney who will help people that are fighting for a worthy cause or who don’t have the funds to fight the big man. He’s filthy rich from old money so he can afford it. We only pay for filings cost and the extras that go with a case like this one. You and I have an appointment with him next Thursday, so he can bring us up to speed on how things stand. I told the man we had the means to pay but he refused. He sounded just like your grandpa talking about the big man, but I know he can’t be a day over forty.” Aunt Deb stops and takes a sip of her coffee and I take the chance to say a few things.

  “Have you checked up on his story and his history in court?” Aunt Deb puts her coffee back down.

  “Of course, I have, or a preliminary report anyway, and I have people digging to see if he has any skeletons in his closet or other surprises. I knew you couldn’t stay quiet, but you lasted longer than I thought you would.” Aunt Deb looks at Rye because he is trying to laugh quietly but it’s not working. I raise my hand and gesture for her to go one with a roll of my hand.

  “I think we have done everything we can on that subject at this point. The next subject is something we should have discussed a while back. I know you want to get away from making our horses available to the rodeos and I am guessing that also means you are ready to retire from the rodeo circuit. We have discussed taking the ranch in a different direction or a couple of directions. I have been running the numbers and going over the legal aspects of these ventures.” I have talked to Aunt Deb about these things over the last few years, but she is so much like Grandpa Bass and stuck on the saying that if it isn’t broke then don’t fix it. That’s what I have heard anyway, Grandpa and Grandma Bass had already passed before I was born. I hope this isn’t Aunt Deb’s way of telling me no. “I think the artificial insemination program is something that would be good for the ranch. We would need to hire some experts to get us started but our insurance would drop and the expense for the lease, insurance, and the upkeep on the diesel trucks would be gone along with the upkeep of the trailers. We would need to buy equipment and horses with the heritage that would bring in the money. We also need to make the decision between frozen versus fresh. This will take a lot of or capital but there are plenty of expenses we have now that will be eliminated plus the horses we can sell. We will also need to hire someone to do background searches on our customers. That is a must.” Aunt Deb looks at me for my reaction. I have been waiting for her to say no but she is giving me what I want, no need to interrupt the woman now. I give the rolling gesture with my hand and Rye laughs again.

  “You were worried Micah was going to be difficult. The girl is doing what you asked, and you look surprised.” Rye is shaking his head and trying to laugh quietly which he is failing at. Aunt Deb gives Rye one of her disapproving looks and that makes me laugh.

  “I am so glad you two are amused.” Aunt Deb is now giving us both one of those looks. “If you two can hold it down then I will go on.” We all take a drink of our coffee. “As I was saying, this could be a very lucrative venture and we could quit beating our bodies to death with over five hundred horses to tend to.” I nod my head in agreement. “The second venture that I think would work for us is the program for the special needs class at the school in Mt. Vernon. I think we need to start small with just the Mt. Vernon Independent School District and then once we are established and equipped properly then reach out to other school districts or even to other agencies that help at-risk children. This will take a lot of insurance and instructors that are trained to deal with the situations that might arise. This is a promising idea, but the school’s funds are limited, and I agree with you and Maddie that this is something that should be free for the children and the school district. The thing is we will need a way to fund it until our artificial insemination project is turning a profit. I propose that we take on another venture that shouldn’t take any capital to begin except for again, insurance, and that is to border horses for people and give them a place to come out and ride. Maybe put some picnic tables out so they can do it as a family. Not everyone that owns a horse can afford a nice place to keep them or a place to ride. This would also keep us from having to lay off any of our hands when we are required to hire more people that are specialized in different areas for insemination. I don’t want to put anyone out of a job. Our workers are loyal to us and we are going to return that loyalty.” I don’t know what to say to all of this. I would be taking the ranch in the direction I want it to go. Maddie would be getting her program for children and the boarding is a way to help pay for Maddie’s idea at least until the insemination part of the ranch is turning a good profit.