Page 22 of Running Alone

After the tour, we talked and decided that I’d drive the rental as I was not riding “bitch” as Ruby called it in between giggles. She directed me into town and we walked around a bit. My main thought is my parents would love this town. Then Ruby took me to where she works at the Wooden Spirits Bar and Grill. When we’ve talked about it, as usual, she minimized the place. It’s a good size and truly gorgeous inside and out. When we walk in, Wildcat comes out to greet Ruby and me. She walks us to the kitchen where the cook is finishing off two plates. I glance at Ruby who shrugs, which must mean we’re eating.

The food is beyond delicious. I mean, the pork chop sandwich that has a huckleberry glaze is truly epic. The homemade vegetable soup started the lunch and by the time I shove the last tater tot into my mouth, feel like I’m about to burst. That is until I believe it’s Heartbreaker stops by with two pieces of huckleberry pie and ice cream. Ruby laughs at the look on my face and I can’t believe how she attacks dessert. Where the hell does she put it all?

Conversation between us is amazing. We talk about everything from our likes and dislikes. She asks me questions about my family and I answer honestly. I can tell she’s curious about my business, so I go in depth to explain to her most of what I do is program and then patent what I’ve designed. I also mention I can generally work from anywhere there is internet. Her eyes go big and glassy, but she doesn’t say a word.

When I look at my watch, can’t believe it’s just a little after noon. Noon. I ask for the bill and the waitress laughs at me andwalks away. Ruby leans over, explaining there is no charge since she works here. So I reach into my wallet and pull out a fifty dollar bill. Ruby looks at it as her mouth drops open.

“Lachi, that’s way too much. She might pass out when she sees that.”

I chuckle, leaning down, and placing a kiss on her forehead.

“Beauty, this meal has to cost at least double of that. If it doesn’t, I need to talk to Wildcat, right, she manages the place and tell her out by me this would be a gold mine.”

We walk out hand in hand, as Ruby leads me down to the clubhouse. Now, got to admit, I was imagining something like that motorcycle club on television. And I was so off. The building is huge with a fence around part of it but there is a large sign with their logo that I’ve seen on some of the women’s vest. No, Ruby called it a kutte. Then the name of the club, along with Timber-Ghost, Montana Chapter. That’s right, the Devil’s Handmaidens clubs are in many states.

As we head in, I start to get a bit nervous, though I’m not sure why. When my eyes adjust to the interior, I’m shocked to see the main room is packed with people. Ruby squeezes my hand so I look down at her. She motions for me to lean toward her, so I do.

“Some of those people look to be townsfolk. Tink and Glory are very honest with the folks of Timber-Ghost in regard to the brotherhood. We can’t chance them hurting the innocents.”

Just when I get ready to reply, I hear a loud pounding, which is followed by the Devil’s Handmaidens sisters all starting to walk to the carved door off to one side of the building. Ruby stands on her tippy-toes, placing a soft kiss on my lips.

“Get comfortable, Lachi, Tink will call you when it’s time. Help yourself to something to drink. There’s Avalanche, maybe go sit with him. Or there’s Vito, Freddy, and oh, even Jude’s here.”

Then she walks away and I’m on my own. Which usually I don’t mind but right now the hairs on my neck are standing up. I turn to see if anyone is paying way too much attention to me but see no one. Better keep my eyes open, don’t want to be unprepared.

EIGHTEEN

‘KITTY’

RUBY

It feels strange to be in chapel. Usually Dottie, Dani, Squirt, and I are responsible for drinks and food after the meeting. Instead, this time we are all sitting in folding chairs against the wall as the members make their way in. I watch Wildcat, Kiwi, Peanut, Heartbreaker, and Duchess take their seats. No one is really talking, that is until Taz enters with lil’ Mickie in her carrier. She’s followed by Vixen, who’s carrying her own carrier with Travis Jr. sleeping soundly. I have to say, life here with the Devil’s Handmaidens is never boring. When Taz had Mickie at the club’s gym, she still had to be taken to the hospital to make sure all was well. When Vixen and Intruder got to the hospital everything was fine, until they wheeled lil’ Mickie in. Taz told Vixen to hold the baby and when she reached for the baby her water broke, and thirty-two hours later she had Travis Jr., or as they’ve been calling him, Junior. Teddy is beside himself with a baby brother and has plans for the next twenty years or so of everything they will do together. From what Taz told us, Teddy wanted to know if he could have Jr. stand up in his wedding if his dad could hold him. Yeah, that’s still the top conversation with Teddy and Olivia.

Hearing a baby start to cry, every woman in chapel stands to see if they can do anything. Taz very calmly picks Mickie up and opens her top, placing the baby on her nipple, which she latches her lips to and starts to feed. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful in my life. Taz must have felt my eyes because she looks around until she sees me. I instantly lower my eyes, but she calls me over.

“Kitty, have you ever been around babies? You seem really interested. This little one is a beast when it’s feeding time. These are the moments I love because it’s just her and me. Oh oh, time to switch, hang on.”

Taz carefully lifts her daughter and repositions her on her other boob. The baby needs no help this time, she puts that nipple between her lips and starts to suck like no tomorrow. Taz smiles down at her daughter with such love in her face. I knew she’d make a good momma.

“So will you, Kitty. Want to know how I can say that? Because we’ve been to hell and back and will never allow our children to go through that, no matter what the cost is.”

Not sure why I want to share with Taz but feel like it’s the right thing to do.

“Taz, not sure kids are in my future. I mean, Lachi and I haven’t even…well you know. Had sex.”

She gently smiles at me.

“Honey, when the time is right, you’ll know. Just want to say that young man came all the way out here to see you. That says something about him. Keep your eyes open and if you need to talk, you know where I live. You’re always welcome and Teddy would be thrilled to see you.”

Before I can reply Tink, Glory, Rebel, Raven, and bringing up the back is Shadow. Raven, as usual, has her laptop, tablet, files, and a USB drive in her hand. They each take their chairs, well, until Tink sees the kids, then she gets up and literally skips tothem, oohing and ahhing. After about five minutes of that she takes her seat and slams her hand on the table.

“All right, meeting called to order. We’ve got a few things on the table, but first let’s get the necessary homework out of the way. Taz, catch us up on our finances.”

Taz moves and hands Mickie off to Rebel, who the baby was named after. Then Taz starts to give her report, including who’s shy on dues. Tink looks around and her eyes land on Kiwi and Peanut.

“Why y’all late this month? We need to have a side conversation?”

They look at each other then at Tink, nodding. That’s all our prez needs, she moves on. As I sit here listening to everything they go over, it’s intimidating. They review all the victims saved and where they are: either back with family, in halfway homes, or still at the ranch. We cover all of their medical, dental, and anything else until they are able. When they leave the ranch, the person has a checking and bank account with money they’ve earned from working either at the ranch or one of the club’s businesses. Also, they’ve been taught how to keep said checking account, how to pay bills, and everything else that goes with being a member of society. Or that’s what Glory or Tink say when someone leaves the ranch.

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