Chapter 10 #2
I was still laughing at her dry delivery when the front door flew open and Ruckus barreled inside, followed by two men I hadn’t met.
Ma seemed just as excited to see them as the big dog was.
She jumped up and rushed across the kitchen just in time for one of the men to sweep her up in a tight hug.
He spun her in a circle, set her back on her feet, and smiled down at her.
“Let’s ditch all these losers and run off together. ”
Ma rolled her eyes and pushed his shoulder. “And let you haul me off to live in an igloo? Not likely.”
As Ma hugged the second man, the first argued, “We don’t live in igloos Ma. I’ve got a cabin in the mountains with a view that takes my breath away every time I look out the window.”
Ma kissed the second man on the cheek. “I’d be more likely to move to Oklahoma with this rascal than I would to move to Canada with you, Sully.”
“I don’t live in Canada.”
“Damn close to it,” Ma said. “You boys go wash up, and I’ll set out some plates for you.”
“Where are Sarge and the other guys?” the second man asked.
“Better yet, where are my manners? Starla, these are two of Graham’s good friends, Okie and Sully. Gentlemen, this is Starla. She lives here with us and is learning to take over my duties so I can retire.”
“And run away with me,” Sully added cheerfully.
“I need to get all of you boys married off to some poor, unsuspecting women so you’ll quit shamelessly flirting with me.”
Okie grinned. “Why would we marry anyone else when we know she’d never measure up to you?”
“You’re going to have to lower your standards, gentlemen, because that’s exactly what any woman who chooses you will have to do.”
“You wound me, Ma,” Sully said, pressing a hand over his heart.
A sound came from the hallway, and Ma glanced that way.
I frowned, confused since we were the only ones in the house.
Instead of getting alarmed, she simply said, “Speaking of, I need to check on something. Starla, will you get them some plates? Boys, serve yourselves and eat your fill. We made plenty.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Sully said. “I’m glad you did, because I’m starving.”
As Ma walked away, Sully approached the table and held out his hand. I stood and shook it. “Starla Ready.” I shook Okie’s hand next. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both. I’ll get your plates.”
“I’ll grab them,” Okie said as he headed into the kitchen. “Ma insists on serving us like we’re guests, but most of us have spent enough time here to know our way around.”
“And we’ve been feeding ourselves for a while now,” Sully added. “But she swears we’re all too skinny and pushes food on us every time we visit. I’m not complaining, mind you. Her cooking’s incredible.”
I winced. “I cooked dinner tonight, so I hope it meets your standards.”
“Honey, if I had standards, I wouldn’t be friends with half the men I know,” Sully said with a grin as he took the chair beside mine. “But I’m guessing spending time with you might raise them.”
“I’ll be working while you’re here,” I hedged, hoping he wouldn’t ask me out. Sully was handsome, but he didn’t rev my engine. Hell, just thinking about Sarge did things I’d rather not admit, and looking at him made everything ten times worse.
“I believe she’s spoken for, gentlemen,” Ma said, rescuing me.
“I apologize if I overstepped,” Sully assured me. “Your boyfriend is a lucky man, Miss Starla.”
“He’s not my . . .”
“I’ll let Sarge know you think so,” Ma said brightly. “That might save you from committing a faux pas that costs you one or more limbs.”
“Information noted,” Sully said with a grin. “Welcome to the family, Starla.”
Okie sat down next to Ma and asked, “It’s like that, huh? I was wondering when Sarge would finally get his head out of his ass and find a good woman.”
“He’s a work in progress . . . much like you, Okie.”
“Oh, I’ve made some progress. I’ve got my eye on a beauty that would definitely meet your standards.”
“He’s gotta work up the gumption to tell her how he feels before you can meet her, though,” Sully added. “Our dear little Okie is quickly working his way into the friend zone.”
Ma made a tsking noise. “If she’s as wonderful as you say, you’d better get off your ass and tell her so before someone else does and you lose your chance.”
“I’ll consider it.”
“That wasn’t a request,” Ma said, frowning at him. “Life’s too short to dawdle, son. Make the most of the time you’ve got.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“You, too, Sully. You’re not getting any younger either.”
“I tried, but she’s already taken,” Sully argued. He tilted his head, studying my face. “Do you happen to have a sister?”
“Not that I know of,” I answered with a smile. “You’re out of luck, buddy.”
“I’m striking out left and right, aren’t I?”
Ma patted his arm. “You should be used to that by now, honey.”
Laughter and a hefty sprinkling of insults from Ma filled the rest of lunch. Okie and Sully seemed to bask in the ribbing, and I just enjoyed listening. Once again, I was so glad I’d taken the leap and moved from Rojo to Leavenworth.
So far, it was the best decision I’d ever made.
◆◆◆
SARGE
“We’ll take the ATVs with the trailers to haul everything out,” I said as I checked the chargers holding the batteries we’d need for the tools I planned to use on our little venture.
“Sounds like a plan,” Duke said. He scanned the tools hanging on the wall, pulled down two pairs of heavy-duty loppers, added them to the growing pile, then grabbed a third set.
He walked over to Frog, who was securing a tarp to one of the trailers with zip ties.
“This is gonna get messy, so my main question is how we’re going to clean all these tools when we’re finished.
It would be way too expensive–and too fucking hard–to get rid of them. ”
“We’ll clean them the same way we do the butchering tools after a harvest.”
“That makes sense. Do you have the power sprayer ready to go?”
“I’ve got it set out. I just need . . .”
“Gentlemen! Let’s get this party started!”
We all looked toward the barn door at our friend who was far too cheerful for the task at hand. After greeting him and Sully, I nodded. “Let’s do it. Help Duke load the sprayer onto that trailer while the rest of us gather the tools.”
“I checked in on Lurk a few minutes ago, and he’s awake but not trying to get out of bed,” Sully informed us. “That’s downright terrifying. It tells me he’s worse off than we thought.”
“Isn’t that the truth?” I asked. “Usually by now, he would have disappeared without a trace.”
“That’s his way,” Duke said with a shrug. “But Ma told me she’s going to start giving him broth tonight. Swears it’s a cure-all that will have him fit as a fiddle in no time.”
“I give it three days before he disappears,” Okie said. “He should stay longer, but I think that’s his max.”
“No. A week,” I argued. “He’ll be up and around the day after tomorrow and on the road in seven days.”
“Let’s put some money on it,” Sully suggested. “I say five days.”
“You’re all wrong. Lurk enjoys being doted on more than you guys think. He’ll be here for at least two weeks,” Frog said. “That’s my bet. He’ll start to get antsy in a week, but he’ll hold out until the two-week mark because he’s going to soak up being pampered by Ma and her pretty friend.”
When I glared at Frog, everyone but me burst out laughing.
“Ma was right,” Sully said. “You’ve set your cap for Little Miss Goldilocks.”
“His antennae went up real quick,” Frog mused. “If looks could kill, you’d be a splatter on the wall, Sully.”
“Let’s get this shit packed up and get moving,” I said grumpily. “You’ve been here less than twenty-four hours, and I’m already looking forward to your leaving.”
“Now he’s starting to sound like Lurk,” Duke teased.
“Did you pack the fishing gear?” Okie asked. “Night fishing brings in the best of the lot, and I’d love one of Ma’s fish fries.”
“We’ll do that before you leave,” I promised. “It’s been a while. If we all go out one night, we’ll catch enough to feed the family.”
“Good. I’d like to visit with your brothers before I go. It’s been a while,” Sully said, walking over to the sprayer. “Now, how much are we betting on the Lurk situation, and who’s gonna write it down?”