Chapter 25
*~* Barbara *~*
Waking up this morning, I look over at my husband.
My husband, who is looking down at me with an unmistakable glint in his eye.
We are not doing it again right now, so he can damn well think again.
We’ve only had a couple of hours' sleep, and we wouldn’t have had that if I hadn’t been so totally worn out that I just went comatose on him.
I’m not convinced he didn’t carry on while I was asleep, unless it was a dream.
“Good morning, Mrs. Cannon.”
“No, it most certainly is not Mrs. Cannon. I am Mrs. Calder now. We are Bret and Barbara Calder when we are away from the MC. I am proud of that name and intend to use it.”
“Very well, Mrs. Calder. I am also very proud of something and intend to use it!” Cannon grabs me before I make the connection, and he spends the next hour ensuring that we are fully, completely, and exhaustingly connected. Twice! I need to work on my resolve, I can see that.
Sending him off to make coffee, I dive in and out of the shower before he can corner me in there, too, and dress ready for work.
I need a full shift at work to give my lady parts time to recover.
After dropping me at work, kissing me thoroughly, and ensuring there is a prospect on duty, he finally leaves me in peace.
Walking into the building, I am accosted by everyone, and congratulations are the topic of the day. I’m surprised by how many people have an opinion on someone else’s marriage. Some voice their disapproval of the way Cannon arranged things so quickly, yet others find it so romantic.
Personally, I found it totally astounding that a man would essentially give up his freedom so fast and in such a way that tells me he is in it for the long haul.
He recognized my fear and put it to bed in such a way that I cannot doubt his feelings towards me.
I am a very happy and an extremely proud Mrs. Barbara Calder.
I must be the topic of conversation between every nurse, doctor, and their patients. As each patient leaves the practice, I get a beaming smile and a congratulation. No one says a word on their arrival.
My prospect for today is James. He is a much more serious character than my last one.
I don’t mean my last one was lacking in any way, far from it.
He was very diligent and observant. James has a way of looking at people that tells you he is assessing them in every way possible.
He also does a circuit of the building's perimeter at irregular intervals, letting me know each time he does so. I think I’m going to sing his praises to Cannon later.
Lunchtime comes and goes. There is an assortment of cakes, pastries, and fancy sandwiches that appear as people make it more than just an everyday lunch break.
I make sure James gets more than his fair share of all the goodies, as he refuses to join us in the kitchen.
His place is watching the building, and nothing or no one is going to deter him from doing just that.
When Cannon appears at the end of the day, I embarrass the hell out of James as I praise him up and his attitude.
However, nothing makes him stand straighter and taller than when Cannon speaks seven words.
“I would expect nothing less from James.” That must be extremely high praise is all I can say.
Finding out that we are going back to the clubhouse before going home is a mixed blessing. I’m disappointed that I’m not going home to be alone with my husband, but I’m also glad that I’m not going home to be alone with my husband. I still feel like I could use the rest.
The rec room shows no signs of the celebration from the previous night, and I can only imagine how much effort went into that clean-up operation.
The ladies of the club soon surround me, and I’m whisked off to a corner to give them the sordid details of my wedding night.
I notice Pattie is keeping a close eye on any brothers who appear to get too close to our table, and she shoos them away citing personal space to them.
When everyone has got the message and we have what Pattie refers to as a safe distance around us, the topic changes.
Anya tells us that Cannon’s pickup truck is part of a collection at Stephan Haroldson’s ranch.
It has been confirmed, and we are going to get it back.
Details of a plan are laid out, and each of us has a part to play.
We are going to sneak in as part of the entertainment at a regular Saturday night party that is held there.
Once inside, we make our way to the building at the rear of the ranch house that holds the collection.
We converge on Cannon’s truck, start it up and steal it away.
It all sounds a little too simplistic for me, and I state as much.
“You’re quite right, Barbara. It is all a little too easy.
There will undoubtedly be a list of those allowed to attend, especially when it comes to the entertainment.
” It takes several seconds before we realize that it is Whack’s voice that has intervened in the conversation.
“There will be guards on the gate at the entrance to the ranch, guards at the ranch house, and more guards at the collection. There will probably be roving patrols on the grounds, and they will undoubtedly all be armed.”
“Shit, how did you sneak up?” Pattie curses at Whack.
“If you can be crept up on in your own rec room, what do you think will happen in an enemy encampment?” Whack grins at us, and we all look deflated, though I must admit, I liked the idea of us doing it alone, I was more than a little doubtful we could pull it off.
“I admire your spirit, ladies, but even though your training is going exceptionally well, you are not up to this task alone.” Whack sits at the table with us and Pattie frowns at him.
“What do you mean by alone? I sense something else coming.” She frowns at him, but in a hopeful manner.
“I think I can tweak your plan into a better and more successful operation, but it will need to be passed by your men first. If one of them says no, that woman is out of the operation. No arguments, no trying to sneak in on the day. No means no.”
Julia, Pattie and Anya all smirk. “We can live with that, can’t we ladies?” It’s alright for them, they don’t have anyone to say no!
*~* Cannon *~*
I knew when we arrived that Pres was up to something because he was watching the women like a hawk from his chair at the bar.
He had a grin on his face that said they were up to something, and he knew exactly what it was.
When he slipped off the bar stool and sauntered quietly over there, I was going to join him, but he signaled me to stay back.
That’s my woman, my wife, among them, so I kept a close eye on the proceedings. When he joined in the conversation and then took a seat with them, I relaxed somewhat. If he wasn’t raging at them, it couldn’t be all that bad. How wrong can a man be?
When he called me over, then told me to fetch the others, I didn’t need an explanation as to who he meant. I rounded up Breaker, Bank, Fury, and Saddle and joined the table. When we heard what had been going on, we all immediately said no.
“Gentlemen, as much as I respect your decisions and your places in all this, I think you are underestimating these ladies and their abilities.” Whack takes a moment to quiet all our objections.
“We can’t mount an operation this Saturday as we have the bar opening Thursday and then for its first weekend, so I suggest that you leave it a couple of days to let your emotions calm and then discuss it at length in your individual couples.
Don’t be hasty in saying no, but if after consideration you still feel that way, then so be it.
” Looking around the table, he states, “Ladies, I have done what I can and probably more than I should.” He stands and then goes back to the bar, leaving us all still reeling from his suggestion.
“Well, I’m up for it,” Pattie states, giving all us remaining men a look that I don’t know how to describe. Anya and Julia voice their sentiments, too, aligned with Pattie.
I know full well that both Marcia and Bri will get the go-ahead. They have their men wrapped around their little fingers. They just use any kind of sex the men want to get their own way. We’ve seen it so many times in the past.
Molly and Jamie, I’m not sure of. Though I’m sure they are willing and able, I’m not sure how Breaker and Fury will decide in the end.
Barbara, I don’t want to be involved in any way, shape, or form.
She is a tough cookie in everyday life, but we are not talking about an everyday event here.
This is something that she hasn’t come across so far in her life.
Being part of the MC will certainly show her some of the darker things that can happen, but she’s only just got on board.
I think like Pres suggested, we’ll talk about it again in a couple of days.
Taking her hand, I excuse us from the table and from the clubhouse then take her home. Once settled at home on the couch, we remain very quiet. I’m not angry or upset, just need time to process and although I want to forget it for now, it is difficult to put it out of my head.
“If you say no, I’ll go along with that decision, but if I’m the only one who gets told no, I’m going. I won’t be left alone on the sidelines. It’s not who I am.” Barbara speaks softly, her eyes fixed on mine.
“My gut doesn’t want you to be any part of this mission. It’s just a truck. My truck, but just a truck.” I say just as quietly.
“No, the truck is the catalyst, but taking it back also tells Stephan that he can’t just take things, or have someone beaten on a whim, like poor Mateo.
Stephan needs to know he’s not above someone doing exactly the same to him.
” Her fierce reply, I have to say, stirs my blood. She is no shrinking violet.
“I’m not going to get this marriage off on the wrong foot by telling you you’re not going to do something.
It may come to that at some point, but I don’t want it to be so early on in our relationship.
On this occasion, I leave it to you. We’ll face these decisions one at a time and base them on their own merits.
How’s that?” I shift slightly toward her and wait for her response.
“Agreed. Now, take me to bed, husband of mine. If I can walk in the morning, you will have failed your mission, and I will remind you of that fact at every opportunity.” She smiles wickedly.
“Challenge accepted!” I jump up, scoop her off the couch and throw her over my shoulder. She squeals girlishly, and I like that. As I take her to the bedroom, I make her squeal some more as I squeeze and fondle her ass with my free hand.