Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
“Let’s quiet down. We’ve got a lot to go over. We are t-minus fifteen days before our D-Day celebration kicks off. We have a lot packed into that weekend. Now, Bear, Gunner, and Slice, you’re in charge of food. How’s the planning?” Regina directed.
Stone settled back. He wasn’t in charge of anything currently and was planning on going wherever they said.
“It’s good. We have a schedule of meals that they can order from the diner to be picked up for their campsites, plus a slimmed-down menu available at the diner during certain hours.
We have six food trucks on Saturday that will be at the park as the participants of the Poker Run return.
Gunner, Rachel, Slice, and I have come up with a schedule so we’re only staffing either Broken Hearts Brewing or Regina’s Roadside Refuge.
They will not both be open at the same time.
Compass and Maureen will be in town, and he wants to grill hamburgers and hot dogs at the park for one of the meals,” Bear reported.
“The Nelsons have also offered to be backup if we run low on food to cook. I think we’re good, but it’s nice to know we can call on them,” Slice added.
“Meg, are the commemoration ceremony and Friday craft show on track?” Regina asked.
Stone hid a smile behind his hand. Regina reminded him of a drill sergeant mustering her troops for battle.
“We’re good. Willa and I are tag-teaming it,” Meg assured her.
“Now, the pickleball tournament. Rascal, are you handling that?” Regina called out.
“I can help but my back has been acting up. I’m not sure I’ll be able to be on my feet that long. I was thinking maybe Stone could help out, and I’d love to get one of our new Franks cousins involved. Naomi, maybe you could help too?” Rascal suggested.
Stone stared at Rascal. He supposed this was Rascal’s way of helping. He’d been in the studio after Naomi left yesterday. Stone had gotten an earful about not letting the best thing ever pass him by.
“Oh, I’d be happy to. Anything to help,” Naomi said.
“Count me in,” Stone echoed.
He hadn’t been able to get Naomi off his mind after she’d visited Bluff Creek Ink.
He, who’d gone years without using his hand, had jacked off in the shower last night imagining Naomi on the floor in front of him, sucking his cock.
He’d woken up hard and aching from dreaming about her.
Now, besides tattooing her, he was going to be working on a project with her.
How the hell was he going to keep his hands off her?
“Baron, War, status on the Poker Run,” Regina demanded, snapping her fingers at War when he didn’t immediately look up.
“Did you just snap your fingers at me?” War balked, the incredulity in his voice causing laughter to break out.
“Yes, I did, because in here, I need your attention,” Regina insisted, completely unfazed.
“Poker Run is on track. We have the route and who will be staffing the stops. Babe, I think War’s mind was probably on your surprise,” Baron interjected smoothly.
A fleeting look of what the fuck passed over War’s face before he decided to get on board. One thing Stone had learned was that it was never boring at Bluff Creek.
“Oh, War, you got me a surprise? I’m sorry I snapped at you. I want everything perfect, and sometimes, I get a little carried away,” Regina said softly, her drill-sergeant edge instantly melting.
“I did, but it’s really from all of us, the MC. You have done so much and for so long, that when we saw someone trying to sell an animal, we knew we needed to rescue it for you,” War improvised without missing a beat.
Stone had to admit, these men knew how to keep their women happy.
They’d talked about the animal over four weeks ago, and Stone could see how, with everything else, War had forgotten about it.
Baron had paid a local farmer to store the animal until they could have a place for it, but he’d also told War that they needed to wait to give it to Regina.
When War argued that he wanted his mom to have it right then, Baron reminded him that they should really wait until one of them needed a get-out-of-jail-free card.
“Oh, what is it?” Regina asked.
“It’s a surprise, Mom. We’ll deliver it the weekend of the commemoration,” War countered, holding his ground.
“I guess I can wait. Who else has an update?” Regina shrugged, listening as the updates continued.
Stone listened with half an ear just to make sure he didn’t get volunteered for anything else. He didn’t see the pickleball tournament last year, but how hard could it be to make a bracket and keep track of who won?
Regina went over where camping was going to be available, and Stone perked up when she started talking about who was in charge.
“Jake Bremerton has graciously loaned all three of his pastures closest to town. He suggested that the closest one be campers only because there’s a large amount of cactus in it and using a tent would not be advised,” Regina said, pausing because of the laughter.
Stone chuckled too. Watching Rachel’s ex be dragged in a deer sled across the field had been enjoyable, but Stone had wished they would have gone a little harder on the jerk.
“Frankie, I had you listed as helping Jake if that’s all right?
You have great organizational skills, and with your background, I thought you could draw a map of the different campsites with numbers.
Flick and Stella requested we add that this year if someone needed to call for medical services,” Regina said.
With the fireworks Stone had seen with Jake and Frankie, Stone couldn’t wait to hear Frankie’s response. The bug-eyed look she was sporting right now was taking everything inside Stone to not laugh.
“I guess I could do that,” Frankie conceded after a couple seconds.
“I appreciate it. With all of us working together, it should be a fantastic weekend. If history repeats itself, who knows, we might have some new couples by the end of the weekend,” Regina mused, chuckling.
“Hey, I just realized that I need to be out of town that weekend,” Dex muttered.
“Good try, Dex, but War has already assured me that everyone is available for the commemoration. I have down that the range will be open Friday until the pickleball tournament and closed on Saturday. It looks like you’re free and clear to help.
Renae from Cider Creek will be up with Brew to help.
I’m thinking Chloe, Renae, and you, Dex, could be in charge of the kids’ petting zoo in the park on Saturday morning before the ceremony.
Does that work for you?” Regina outlined, staring at Dex.
The wave of terror then acceptance that washed over Dex’s face was quite funny to watch, but Stone was not going to laugh. He was perfectly fine with his pickleball assignment, and Regina was looking a tad irritated.
“Yes, it does,” Dex agreed, defeated.
“Ben and Finn, I’m going to need your help with a special project. Are you up for it?” she asked.
“Anything you want,” Ben said.
“Whatever you need,” Finn answered.
“I think that’s all for now unless War has something. I am so thankful we’re continuing this tradition. I think it’s very important not to forget the sacrifices people have made,” Regina said, her voice cracking as tears filled her eyes.
Baron stood up and wrapped an arm around her. “I agree. You’ve been working hard. Let’s go for a ride,” Baron soothed.
Stone watched Baron lead his wife and Ol’ Lady out of the room. Every day, Stone saw such a different dynamic between the couples of Bluff Creek than he’d seen growing up. He was grateful that Pit, the President of the Saint’s Outlaws MC, Kansas City, had put a good word in for his family and him.
Bluff Creek had become home.
“Hey, Stone, I’m excited to organize the pickleball tournament with you,” Naomi beamed, coming over to him.
“Me too. Should we meet with Rascal to hear what they did last year?” Stone asked.
“I think so. My schedule is more open than yours. What works for you?” she questioned, stepping closer. Stone wasn’t sure if it was her lotion or perfume, but Naomi always smelled fresh, clean, with a vanilla scent, even her hair. He found it very hard to concentrate when she was close by.
“Let me look at the shop’s schedule,” Stone said, pulling up their scheduling app.
“It looks like the first time that Rascal and I would both be available is Friday evening after five. He’s over there.
Let’s ask him if it works,” he suggested, leading the way over.
Naomi followed, which was great because then her scent couldn’t screw with his head.
“Hey Rascal, Naomi and I were wanting to discuss how the tournament worked last year. Friday after five is the first time you and I both have free time. Naomi said it works for her if it works for you,” Stone explained.
“Five sounds good. Why don’t you both and the girls come to our house for supper? Meg and I will feed you, then we can discuss the tournament. Meg would love to hang out with the girls while we iron things out,” Rascal offered.
“You don’t have to feed us,” Naomi said.
“Well, we have to eat, and it will give us a chance to spend more time with all of you. See you Friday at five,” Rascal insisted, walking off.
Stone turned to Naomi, chuckling. “I guess we’re discussing it after supper Friday.”
Naomi smiled. “The girls will be thrilled. They’ve been hearing all about the animals here at Bluff Creek. They haven’t met Blaze and Maisie, Rascal and Meg’s cats, yet.”
“Someone cooking is always a treat for me. I’ve started working on your design, but I got to thinking.
You said you liked the idea of the butterfly, but I wondered if you wanted me to include a small caterpillar.
Caterpillars go through a big change to become a butterfly, and you’ve gone through a huge change.
I wanted to ask if you wanted the girls’ names woven into the design too or if you wanted only illustrations, no words,” Stone asked.
Maybe if he kept them talking about work, then he wouldn’t think about how much he enjoyed being around Naomi.
Naomi bounced up and down, her eyes lighting up. “I love those ideas! The caterpillar and the girls’ names.”
“I’ll make the additions. How about I have it ready for you to check out by lunch next Sunday? Did you want to start before the commemoration weekend or after? Without you having a tattoo before, we won’t know how sensitive it will be for you,” Stone pointed out.
“I think I’d like to plan on waiting until after the commemoration. I don’t want to be uncomfortable when we have to be working,” she reasoned.
Stone nodded. “Perfect. I need to head back to the studio. See you Friday.”