CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN #2
Walking over to the first trike, it’s Mia’s Electra Glide Ultra.
She’s standing there with Pres, and her trike is gleaming.
Next to hers is Heather's. It looks like it’s doing a hundred miles per hour even though it’s standing still.
It is stunning. Jo’s trike is next with Gemmy’s by its side.
I’ve only ever seen Gemmy on her trike once, and the saying ‘Ride it like you stole it’ doesn’t do justice to how she rides that beast. Paisley’s old-school Harley trike conversion sits there looking for all the world like it was meant to be.
You can’t imagine that it was once a two-wheeled machine.
Last, but not least, Kenzie’s custom Boom trike is next with BigDog’s custom seat behind the driver's position. They are a sight when they go out, that’s for sure.
Next to that is her V8 Jeep with matching red coachwork.
Truth be told, it’s the other way around.
The trike was painted to match the Jeep.
Bikes come next, with Kya’s Harley Fat Boy looking gorgeous.
Lurking next to that is Winter’s hog, gleaming like a new pin.
Raven’s hog is unfortunately upstaged by being parked next to her truck.
Her Apache is nothing short of a work of art.
I wouldn’t say it out loud, but it outshines even Star’s Charger parked next to it.
Star’s Harley is next in line with its corset-painted tank and ribbon pin striping.
They all look fabulous in their own personal and unique ways.
At the end, by Star’s hog, there’s a commotion, but I’m not sure at first what’s going on.
There’s a group of ol’ ladies, and they seem to be arguing with Star.
Penny and Nyx are with them but look totally befuddled by what’s going on.
As things start to heat up, so does Star's temper, by the look of things.
“I bought them with my own bloody hard-earned cash. If you want one, go and buy one. Or get your man to cough up and buy you one. The fact that some of us have both a car and a bike is none of your concern…”
At this point, Kya storms into the center of the women.
“Penny and Nyx, walk away. This doesn’t concern you.
As for you three…” Kya points at Carrie, Tilly and Eden.
“When Mia was leading the girl gang, y’all had the chance to get on board with the bike or trike thing, but you chose not to.
Carrie, you were happy enough riding bitch with your man Fox.
Eden and Tilly, you were pregnant and didn’t want any part of either kind of machine.
I bet it was you three that went running, and moaning to your men when Mia joked about having girl gang prospects. ”
They all three blush fire-engine red at that statement.
Kya continues, “Yeah, we all kinda knew where that crap had come from. Now, I’m in charge of the girl gang, and I’m not as soft-hearted as Mia, so here’s your choices.
One, get yourselves a machine and then you can join in like you want to.
Two, don’t get a machine but shut the fuck up with your whining.
Three, do neither of the above and quit the girl gang. ”
At this point, Fox walks up and looks like he is going to intervene, but Axel coughs loudly and Fox backs up quickly.
“This is girl gang stuff. If I find any of you men sticking your noses into their business, I’ll kick you out of the MC, and then you can enroll with the women.
Is that clear enough for you? I’ve been there once; I’m not going there again. Kya’s word is law in their shit.”
The fracas quickly breaks up, and people once again look at the machines on show, chatting, pointing and going green with envy.
“Dallas, you’ll have to look around the vehicles again after lunch and decide which in each of the three categories you like the best. You have to present a prize to Best Bike, Best Trike, Best Car or Truck and then Best in Show.
” Grinning at the look of horror on her face when she realizes that all the women believe they have the best of whatever they own.
“Oh, that’s a shitty thing to have to do. Whose bright idea was this? They can piss off the women and take the backlash.” For a fleeting moment, I think she’s serious.
“The whole thing was my idea. I thought it was a good one, 'til they started falling out. Got any ideas from this for your truck?”
“I want the outside to stay stock, as it came out of the factory. Just a freshened-up paint job in its original two-tone colors. Then, I want the biggest, most powerful engine they can squeeze under the hood. No holes cut in the hood or any of that stuff. I want a true ‘sleeper’ truck. I want to be able to beat absolutely anything at the lights.” Dallas’ eyes twinkle at the last part of her statement.
“Well, good to see you haven’t over-thought things then.
Hot Hogs will be more than capable of meeting those parameters, I’m sure.
We’ll talk to Fist before the day's out and see what they’re like for availability.
They are usually snowed under.” With that said, we take a walk over to where Colt is standing with some cowboys.
“Howdy, Dallas, Cork. These boys brought over a hog and a steer for the firepits. I invited them to stay awhile and meet you folks, seeing as you're going to be neighbors. This shorthorn here is Tex, and the longhorn is Miles.”
The shorter guy, Tex, who was just short of six feet holds his hand out, and both Dallas and I give him a firm shake. When Miles, who is six inches over six feet, holds his hand out I shake it, but it’s a limp shake I get in return. Dallas doesn’t take his hand at all.
“Hello Miles. Been a long time. I didn’t expect to see you again,” Dallas states and her tone is distinctly frosty.
“Do I know you?” Miles replies and looks her up and down.
“You were there when I brought Old Jeb’s body home from the trail. In fact, you were going to speak to the Sheriff about it if I remember correctly.” Dallas’ tone is now in the minus forties, and I recall the story and how the other cowboys and the rancher told him to keep his mouth shut.
“Oh. You’re that Dallas. I was younger and stupider then.
” He takes his hat off and wrings it in his hands.
“I didn’t like the fact that you could do everything better’n me, and everyone looked up to you as someone to be like.
I’m over that stuff now, and I respect my betters. I hope you won’t hold it against me?”
“If you’re all grown up now, then I’ll shake your hand.” Dallas offers her hand, and he takes it.
Walking away, I hear Colt questioning Miles, and he doesn’t seem impressed with whatever answers he’s getting. Before we turn the corner at the end of the ranch house, I glance back and only Miles remains on the porch. There’s no sign of Colt or Tex.
The rest of the afternoon goes by in a whirl of excitement with Dallas doing the prize giving and everyone eating and drinking merrily. There are no hard feelings about who wins what prize or who misses out.
Kenzie takes the trike prize, Raven the truck prize, and Kya gets the bike trophy.
When Mia wins Best in Show, there are catcalls and booing that the show is fixed.
All good-natured, and when Dallas stands with her arm around Mia and asks if anyone would have done it differently, they all turn their attention to calling her names like ‘suck-up', ‘wuss’ and some best left unsaid.
From somewhere, country music is playing out on the back patio of the house, and several couples are giving it their all at line dancing. Watching hulking great bikers stomping their boots and trying to do the heel and toe moves has their audience laughing and jeering.
As it starts to get darker, Colt appears with lanterns and dots them around the dance area.
The music gets slow, and the dancers get closer.
As Dallas and I share a light kiss, there’s a tap on my shoulder and Miles asks if he can cut in.
I can smell the alcohol on his breath, and I think this could lead to trouble.
Before either myself or Dallas can answer, Tex and Colt appear.
“Tex is going to take him home. They were staying over for the fun tomorrow, but Miles has had his invitation withdrawn. Tex will bring some more cowboys with him in the morning, but not this one.”
Getting back to our dancing, we let them take Miles away, and can hear that he is clearly not happy with their actions or Colt’s decision about his invite.
“What’s happening tomorrow, Cork?” Dallas asks, and I tell her that we’re having a lasso contest.
“It started out as a lady’s beginners-only contest, but when Colt let the cat out of the bag at the next-door ranch, everyone and their dog wanted a part in it. There are ranches sending cowboys from miles around, pardon the pun. Miles now won’t be here.”
“I guess he still has a problem with not being the best at everything.” Dallas rests her head on my chest, and we rock gently as the music gets slower.