Chapter 20
I ’m feeling all kinds of fuckin’ good as I head down the stairs for breakfast. Yeah, it was shit that Mom let me down last night, but screw her.
I made Leia come four times before I let her sleep last night, and I spent the rest of it listening to her soft, little breaths while she slept.
It sucked that she had to leave so early to sneak back home, but I figure it won't be this way for long. Soon the whole damn town will know she’s mine.
I step into the dining room and freeze on my feet when I see Garrett and Maisie surrounded by pamphlets and party props.
“What the fuck is this shit?” I lift up the pink, feather boa from the table and study it.
“We’re planning a bachelorette party.” Garrett looks up at me with stern eyes that tell me not to question him.
“We, as in both of you?” I check I’m hearing him right.
“Well, considering’ someone was up all night worrying’ about venues and finger food, yes I am. So, you can either help or be quiet,” my brother snarls.
“Technically, I was up all night because I have three babies pressing on my bladder, but I will admit that maybe I took on a bit too much with this. I asked Karina for a list of people to invite, expecting a few friends, and it came back huge.” She looks between me and Garrett awkwardly.
“First off, don’tcha think it’s all a bit pointless, considering she ain’t even gettin’ married?
And secondly, I’m pretty sure it’s not ethical for the guy she’s screwin’, behind the groom's back, to help organize it.” I raise my eyebrows and place the pink, cowgirl hat on my head before heading over to tuck into the breakfast buffet Josie's put out.
“Number one, it’s all part of the cover while you figure shit out.
Two, I’m pretty sure your ethics are non-existent, and third, right now any help will be appreciated.
” Maisie gives me those puppy-dog eyes as I take a seat opposite her, and after a sharp nudge under the table and a death stare from Garrett, I sigh and reluctantly agree.
“So, we’ve figured we can use the hayloft as a venue, Garrett’s having some of the boys clear it out tomorrow.” Maisie quickly brings me up to speed, the excitement is growing in her voice and the way my brother lovingly looks at her, as she explains the decor, only proves how deep he’s fallen.
“I’ll speak to Josie and get her to sort out the food situation,” Garrett intervenes, leaning over the table and ticking it off Maisie’s checklist
“You could ask Zayne to DJ, he’s good at that shit,” I suggest with a shrug.
“Good idea, Wade, you can make that happen,” Garrett orders, picking up his coffee. “I’ll have Finn and Tate head to Billings for more of this shit.” He lifts up the feather boa and curls his lip. “Just make ‘em a list of what ya need.”
“That’s awesome, now all I have to do is organize the stripper,” Maisie points out innocently, causing my fingers to stop typing out the message I’m writing to Zayne and for Garrett to spit his coffee across the table.
“A what now?” He slams his fist between his chest to cough up whatever he’s got stuck there.
“A stripper, where the hell am I supposed to find one in Fork River? Back in L.A. they were easier to come by than candy.” Maisie tosses down her pen, blowing out a breath as she slouches back in her chair.
“Ya ain’t gonna find no stripper in Fork River, cause this party ain’t having one,” Garrett tells her sternly.
“I second that,” I add, not liking the idea of some random guy taking his clothes off in front of my girl, even if it is for fuckin’ fun.
“You can’t have a bachelorette party without a stripper, it’s like a rite of passage for the bride.” The fact Maisie’s laughing only proves she doesn’t know how serious me and my brother are about this.
“Maisie, I agreed to the cock-shaped balloons and the cute cream-filled, dick cake, but there will be no strippers!”
“Wanna bet?” She stares back at him, folding her arms over the top of her stomach.
“Wade just became an official member of the organization committee, and ya out-voted, and don’t even try bringin’ our unborn kids into this one, because that would be all kindsa twisted.
” He silences her. “Wade, you are officially in charge of entertainment.” He puts an abrupt end to the conversation when his cell phone starts to ring, and seeing Sawyer’s name flashing on his screen has him putting it on speakerphone.
“What’s u—”
“Garrett!” I can tell from the tone of Sawyer’s voice it ain’t good. He sounds worried… petrified in fact.
“Yeah?” My brother narrows his eyes at me curiously.
“You at home?”
“Yeah why, what’s happenin’?” Garrett immediately stands up on his feet.
“I need you to head over to my grandma’s ranch. Shit’s gone down, some fucker’s tried breakin’ in and… me and the boys are still in Billings. It’s gonna take…”
“Calm down, we got this, me and Wade are headin’ out there right now,” Garrett assures him, hanging up and heading straight for the office. He opens the gun cabinet, tossing a rifle at me as I step through the door behind him before he arms himself.
“What’s going on?” Maisie follows after us.
“It’s fine, just rest up and call if ya need me.” Garrett slides the rifle strap over his shoulder and kisses his wife before leading me out the door.
“Be careful,” I hear her call out after us as we march across the yard.
“Mitch, where’s Cole?” Garrett calls over to the stable where Mitch is helping the farrier.
“He took the watch a few hours ago!” he yells back, clearly picking up on the fact that something’s up. He places down the horse’s leg he’s holding up and reaches inside the door to pick up his own rifle.
“Have Dalton ride out with Finn and take his place, I want you and Cole followin’ us over to the West’s ranch soon as he gets back.
“Why? What’s gone down?” Mitch asks.
“I’m not sure yet, but I gotta feelin’ someone’s gonna pay for it.” Garrett jumps behind the wheel of his truck and soon as I’m in the passenger seat beside him, he speeds off, kicking up dust.
When we get to the small ranch on the edge of town, everything seems quiet.
Garrett pulls up next to the banged-out truck that belongs to Sawyer.
There’s a creaking noise coming from the porch, and when we look over we see Shelby swinging back and forth on the porch chair, holding a rifle in her hand.
“We come in peace.” I hold up my hands, trying to make light of the situation, but rage takes over my ability to be funny when I see the state of the old woman’s face.
She’s got one eye swollen shut, the other one is purple and bloodshot, and I can’t count how many bruises she has, they all seem to be merged into one.
Her lip is cracked, seeping with blood, and she doesn’t have that usual smile, she’s known for greeting everyone with.
“Shelby, what the hell happened?” Garrett races towards her and kneels in front of her.
“I heard a noise so I got outta bed and there were four of ‘em. Four to take out a little old lady,” she croaks, and at least pretends to laugh.
“Jesus, Shelby. We need to get ya looked at.” I head straight for her, crouching on my knees and checking her over myself.
“I’d see to him first.” She nods her head into the distance and when we go silent, we hear the agonizing moan that’s coming from the pasture in front of the yard.
“What the…?” Garrett looks between her and the figure laying on the ground about five-hundred yards away.
“I ain’t lost my touch, took out his kneecaps.” Shelby manages a wink through her swelling, and I can’t help smirking back at her despite being furious.
“His buddies left him behind. Figure we can use him to find the rest.”
“Four, ya say?” Garrett takes her hand in his.
This little, old lady never saw us go without affection after our mom left.
Shelby kept us reminded of our manners, she made sure we ate well, and her door was always open.
For that, we will forever be in her debt.
We treat her like family because, to us, that's exactly what she is.
“You need a doc?” I check.
“Nothin’ but a few bruises and a knock to my pride,” she assures me, holding onto her ribs as she laughs.
“Okay then.” I stand up and take her word for it. The stubborn, old gal wouldn’t have it any other way. “Let’s drag this mother fucker in and ask him some questions.”
Garrett nods his agreement as he dusts off his hands. He heads for the truck, reaching into the back and pulling out some rope. We both watch him head out toward the man who’s now screaming in agony.
“Did ya tell that Walker girl ya loved her, yet?” Shelby looks at me, and despite the shit situation and how mad I am at seeing her face messed up, I still manage to roll my eyes and laugh.