Page 26 of Running Alone

As I watch him grab the bag and cooler, then walk out, I’m struck by how comfortable I am around him. Maybe Wildcat has a point. We’ve been friends for a very long time. If or when we take it further, it’s not like it’s someone I don’t know. With that thought I check the cabin, make sure the water is off and no toilets are running. Then I set the lamp on the timer, grab my purse, and walk to the alarm. I arm it as “away,” then close and lock the door. I’ve already asked the girls to grab any mail or packages that come to me.

Lachi is waiting at the open passenger door, ready to give me a hand. I love this vehicle, it’s so comfortable and seems to have everything you’d want. When my door is closed, I get an awesome view of Lachi walking right in front of his vehicle, hat turned backward and dark shades covering those eyes I’ve come to love. He’s in faded jeans with boots, and a faded-out button-up shirt over a colored T-shirt. He looks beyond hot, and I still can’t believe the two of us are not only, I guess, going out butwe are going away together as a couple. Damn, I’m proud of myself for not letting my anxiety ruin this for me or Lachi. We deserve all of the downtime we can fit in after this last debacle. From what Wildcat shared, Nova’s friends have paid that rebel group of the brotherhood off. Saying that, Wildcat also said we have no worries because they will never reach out to any of us Devil’s Handmaiden sisters again. That sounded so final I asked Wildcat about it. And what she shared shocked me but not as much as it would to other people.

“Between us, Kitty. This whole thing is a setup. Nova did meet with them and had a huge bag of money. Just when he was ready to hand it over, some of Nova’s team came in and disposed of the last of that brotherhood. My mouth drops open but then it dawns on me. This was the setup the entire time. Tank calling in Nova, then Nova having a bunch of mercenaries contact the outlaw bunch. Should have seen it coming. Well, all I truly care about is that Lachi is safe, as are his brothers.

As we start down the driveway of Tink’s ranch, it dawns on me, I’ve come full circle. Yeah, sure, I’m going to have anxiety and probably panic attacks in the future, but I’m also learning how to deal with everything that comes my way. And now that Lachi and I are together, nothing seems too large for me to scale over or deal with directly. For that I can thank Lachi. His patience and mind over matter way of approaching everything has helped me heal my own insecurities.

Lachi said it’s not a long drive, just a couple of hours. I lean over and turn the radio on to a station I think we both might enjoy. Then I lower my window and let some fresh air in. As it blows my hair around my face, and the inside cabin, I feel something I’ve not felt in years, if ever. First, a form of peace and, secondly, freedom. I finally feel free to live my own life. And, fuck, does it feel so awesome. I reach over and grab Lachi’shand. His head shoots my way and I give him a smile that I hope portrays all of my feelings.

After he squeezes my hand and leans back, he gives me one of the cutest smiles ever. One of the last things I remember as I fall asleep.

TWENTY-ONE

‘LACHI’

MALACHI

Well, I’ll be damned. This cabin and land blows me away. Its views are breathtaking and the cabin is fully stocked. We took our time stopping whenever we wanted so the two-and-a-half-to-three-hour drive took four plus, but I’m glad we did it how we did.

Each stop was either for a picture of the landscape or for a business right off the highway. We are stocked with homemade huckleberry jelly and some banana bread from a small farmers’ market. The wife of the farmer had so much stuff for sale that Ruby wanted to help her out without just giving her money. So she bought something for each of her club sisters. Jellies, lotions, pickles, and even crafty stuff. Not sure how Shadow is going to take the wreath for their front door, but I’m hoping Beauty knows what she’s doing. When the woman gave us the total in shock, she asked if we wanted to return anything.

I shook my head as Ruby started to go through her purse. I grabbed her hand and shook my head. Then I reached into my pocket, pulled my wallet out, and counted out six one-hundred dollar bills and a fifty. Now that was more than the total but I handed it to the woman and simply stated, “Thank you so much, you’ve made our shopping so easy. There’s a little extra so you,your husband, and kids can have a night off and maybe grab some dinner.”

Her eyes got huge as she counted the money. When she went to give some back, I simply said no, for her to keep it. Just as we were going back and forth a tractor came down from the fields, and a huge mountain of a man got off and walked toward us. When I saw he had a gun handle sticking out of his overalls, I pulled Ruby to stand behind me. The farmer saw it and shoved the handle farther down into his inside pocket, I guess.

“Hey, y’all, everything okay? Honey, you need anything?”

She turned to him and started to explain what we bought and how much money I gave her. His face started to turn pinkish red before he quietly looked at us and stated in a stern voice, “Sorry, mister, we don’t take charity. Chrissy is proud of all of her stuff, but folks generally don’t tip us for purchasing our wares. We appreciate your kindness but we can’t accept it.”

I looked from him to his wife. Coming down the driveway were three, nope, four children of all ages. We all waited ’til they got to our group. I took in the entire family and it was apparent they were struggling though proud. So it took me a minute before I figured it out.

“Sir, would you mind if the kids helped us load our vehicle? We’re kinda in a hurry.”

He stared at me for a quick minute then told the kids to gently take all the bags and baskets to our car and wait for us there. When he turned, I knew he figured it out.

“You ain’t gonna let this go, are you? For a young whippersnapper you sure do put up a battle.”

I smiled then walked to the car with four fifty-dollar bills in my hand. Ruby was grinning at me. I grabbed her hand and we approached the kids, who were oohing and ahhing over the SUV.

“Well, thanks so much for your help. Now my dad always said to show your appreciation, so there is one of these for each of you. Use it wisely.”

As I handed each kid a fifty, I could see their faces and more importantly their minds spinning. When their mom got close, the littlest one ran to her waving the money in her tiny hand.

“Momma, look, the man gave this to me. Now you have money to buy material for those curtains you wanted to make. Here, take it.”

After that each kid ran to their mother, handing their money over to her for something. Yarn for new blankets or to buy more jars for canning. The man watched from behind his wife, a small smile on his face. Probably from seeing how his children were growing into fine human beings. Before he could say a word, I asked for their name and address.

“Why would you want or need that?”

“Because I run a business and I’m wondering if you would like to partner up with me. I mean, all of the items we bought are beyond fabulous and who doesn’t like homemade items? Now, for sure, I’ll need at least five of those blankets I’m hearing about. Those will go to each of my family members. Here’s my card and if you are willing, I can have my attorney put together a contract. No, don’t worry, it’s something for you both to look at. And don’t worry if you don’t want to talk to my attorney, find one you are comfortable with and I’ll pay their fee, as this is a business arrangement. So, guess I should have done this earlier. My name is Malachi and this is my girlfriend, Ruby. Nice to meet all of you.”

Finally, I got their names, Chrissy and Doug. We sat and drank some homemade lemonade while I explained what I was thinking of. When I mentioned some amounts of money they might earn, Chrissy looked to her husband, her eyes wet. He just squeezed her hand.

“Malachi, let us think about it, though you couldn’t have come at a better time. It’s been a really rough farming year and we are barely getting by. Now my John Deere tractor is about ready to die. So any little bit of money we can pull together will be great before fall and winter hit. We make the most of our household funds from our crops and if we have any cows to take to market.”

Knowing Doug was going to freak, I gave him the time he wanted. We said our goodbyes and Ruby and I got back in our vehicle and headed back to the highway. I hit the hands-free to dial Patti.

“Hey, boss, make it to the cabin yet? I had them stock it for both of you and they will be back before your friends arrive. If I’m missing anything, let me know.”

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