Chapter Three. #2
“Yeah, that’s doable. We want that bit,” Klutz said to Calamity, who laughed.
“No shit!”
We rode back towards the peninsula. It was known locally as The Peninsula and didn’t have a name.
It wasn’t far from Ortonville and was a jut of land that was surrounded on three sides by water.
There were a few houses there, but not many.
Riding around it, I knew the old ladies were falling in love like me. It was big enough for what we wanted.
Roads had been built, although they needed repair. As we followed Main St onto Greenwood Ave, which fed into Saratoga St and finally linked up with Park Ave, we noticed that they encircled a plot of land.
“That would be a great spot to build the clubhouse,” Ghost mused, and Calamity nodded.
“I want a house on the waterfront,” Demi demanded.
“Me too, with a dock for a boat,” Grace agreed.
“Whatever you want, you’ll get,” Savage promised her.
“There’s plenty of room for you all to have a large house and a huge yard,” Apache said as his brain worked overtime.
“Do we need to vote on building the homes and clubhouse here?” I asked.
“Nope, we’re all in agreement,” Falcon replied after looking around.
“I like the fact as well that we can build a gate across the bridge over the creek and shut the peninsula off. Maybe have a guard hut for deliveries or something they can drop stuff off at?” Carmelle suggested.
“Would that make you feel safe?” Calamity inquired.
Carmelle nodded.
“Then that’s what we’ll do,” he assured her.
I smiled at Carmelle for reassurance. The woman had been kidnapped and held hostage; her first husband, a good man, was killed in front of her. Another victim of Fury. Carmelle’s shoulders were slightly tense, but they relaxed with Calamity’s words.
“Is everyone okay with the clubhouse being built near our homes?” Calamity asked.
“No skin off my nose. At least you’ll be nearby if something happens,” Demi said.
“Agreed, rather have you guys close, and it works for Unwanted Bastards and Hellfire,” Penny approved.
“Let’s meet back at the hotel, and we can decide what to do about the campsites,” Calamity ordered, shaking his head.
I knew he was disappointed in the state, but I’d predicted it.
Calamity
The condition of the cabins and camping sites had been a major blow. This was going to be a bigger undertaking than I’d expected. Once we got back to the hotel, we all met in the private dining room we’d hired.
“Gotta ask, what did you aim to do with that land?” Apache asked as we sat down.
“I was planning to run the RV park and tent campsite and rent pitches out. I was hoping the cabins would be rented and that fishing would be allowed. The land already has fishing permits. With the lake, we did want to have water sports, canoeing, and the usual things. There are hunting licences in place, too, so maybe open it up to seasonal hunting,” I said with a wary glance at Rosie.
“Judicious hunting is fine. We can monitor the licences allowed on our land to hunt,” she replied.
“So, the concrete pitches to park on in the RV site need to be torn up and replaced. I’m also betting the electrics and the water mains require updating.
In fact, I think both the RV and the tent camping fields need modernising, end of story.
The cabins are wrecks; they have to be demolished and new ones built,” Apache agreed.
“What I was thinking of was having several camps on the land. The site closest to Ortonville, I was considering opening a kids’ wilderness camp.
Maybe build walls around it to secure it, a bit like the wooden gates in the Jurassic films. Enclose the space so strangers can’t get in, and instal motion-sensor cameras for added security.
“I’d move the RV and tent pitch site farther along the lane, towards the end of our land. I’d put a second cabin site there with a few shops, a restaurant and a small hotel. Then, allow hunting on the other side of the road away from anybody who might get injured.”
“That makes sense,” Apache agreed.
“Does anybody disagree with that?” I asked. “A show of hands if you don’t like these ideas.”
Nobody put their hand up, so I guessed the plans had been approved.
“We’ll require planning permission for your houses, the clubhouse, and the camps.
I can start them, but I’ll need your designs first. Rock and I can take you through our portfolio and make any necessary adjustments.
If none of you can find a house you like, then we can design one for you,” Apache said.
“That’s fine,” Falcon agreed. His grandfather sent him a smile. There was pride in it, and it made me warm inside. Picking Falcon as VP carried on Apache and Ace’s legacy.
“Okay, we’ll get onto them ASAP. We’ll need to go back out and pick the placements you prefer for the two campsites. Once we have that, I’ll begin designing them,” Apache added.
“That sounds great to me,” I replied.
“I’ve got surveying equipment with me so I can get started on that if you can come with me tomorrow and choose where you want shit,” he continued.
“We’ll go into town and see what empty buildings there are and if anything suits,” Hunter said. Mina flinched, and I knew she’d end up with a baseball cap and dark sunglasses. She’d also be in the middle of the group. Despite not having made a film for several years, she was still recognisable.
“That sounds like a plan,” I agreed.
“I’ll come with you,” Ghost offered, and I nodded.
Falcon
People stared as we walked down the street. I guess we were something worth staring at, especially with our cuts proclaiming us Ortonville.
“Hello,” a woman said as we passed her.
“Hi,” we chorused back, but didn’t stop. I saw an empty shop and pointed at it.
“Any good?” I asked Grace, as it also caught her eye. It had an art sign, which led me to believe this was the former store. We crossed the road, and Grace peered in. The space was wide and long.
“This would be ideal,” Grace said, and I nodded. To my surprise, most of the old equipment, shelving, and stands were still there.
This made it the third potential property we’d found so far. Amberlea had spotted a location that would be appropriate for her to open an event-planning service.
“Hi there, can I help you?” a man asked, and we turned to face him.
“We’re just looking,” I replied.
“I’m Mayor Ross Wheeler.”
“Falcon, and these are my brothers and old ladies,” I said.
Ross offered his hand, and we took it and shook firmly. “You’re moving here? Your cuts say Ortonville.”
“Would it be a problem if we did?” I asked.
“No, I’ve spoken to Drake Michaelson when he came to buy the land. It’s been a while, so I thought you would have changed your minds. Ortonville is pretty community-minded, so it would be nice to have you,” Ross replied.
“Thanks for the welcome. We’re looking at buying properties to run our businesses out of,” I explained.
“If you’d open that again, half the parents would kiss your feet. It’s such a shame it closed; the owner died, and nobody wanted it. Are there any other buildings you’re interested in?” Ross asked.
“Several. We’re staying at the Ortonville Hotel. Why don’t you join our group there this evening for dinner, and we can discuss our requirements?” I suggested, glancing at Texas. He nodded in approval.
“That would be great. Would you mind if I brought my husband and daughters?” he inquired. I got the sense he was feeling us out regarding his sexuality. Well, he was in for a shock; none of us gave a fuck about that. Love was love as far as we were concerned.
“Nah, it would be nice to meet the family,” I replied. “The more, the merrier.”