Page 27 of Running Alone

“No, running a bit behind. Need a favor. We met a farmer and his wife who were selling their wares on the side of the road. Patti, you’d love the wife’s stuff. Got some to bring back for you. Anyway, I need you to do me a few favors. Have our attorney draw up a basic contract stating we, meaning our company, will be going into a partnership with, and I’ll give you their names and the homemade items. Instead of paying for each item separately, we will be doing a monthly stipend. I want you to make sure it states they will receive twenty thousand dollars a month for whatever we purchase. If we go over that, they will need to inform us. Also get ahold of a John Deere facility and have them send a salesman over to the farm. I want them to get him everything he needs to keep that farm running. Finally, I want you to personally get ahold of his wife, Chrissy, and find out what the kids need for clothing and such. Also, what they like to eat. Put in an order from Costco and we’ll pay extra to have it delivered. Got it?”

“Boss, as usual, you find someone down on their luck and you rock their world. I got it and will start working on it right now.Send me a list of some of the items Chrissy is selling. Maybe down the road we can add them to the website as a specialty side store. We’ll talk more when you get back home. Hope you and Ruby have fun. Give Presley a huge hug from me. Later, boss.”

Before I hung up, Ruby grabbed my hand, holding on tightly. When I looked at her, she had tears running down her face.

“How did I get so lucky to have found you, Lachi? What you just did will not only change Chrissy and Doug’s lives but those of their children too. You are so kind, not sure why Jude did what he did because all he had to do is approach you for help. Now, do you want something to drink?”

That brings us to now. Ruby is on the phone speaking to Wildcat and I’m on the wraparound deck, sitting with a hot chocolate my Beauty made for me. With real milk, chocolate, and whip cream. The air is starting to really cool down, it’s brisk but gorgeous out here. Never thought of Montana as a place to make my home but I’m giving it a lot of thought, as I know Ruby will never leave the Devil’s Handmaidens Timber-Ghost Chapter. They are her only family and to be that far from them would eventually kill her and make her hate me for making her move.

For me, yeah, I’ve got parents and brothers but all are financially secure and can jump on my dad’s plane at any time, or worst-case scenario, let me know and I’ll send my plane.

I hear the door slide open and Ruby wrapped in one of the blankets makes her way to the rocker next to me, holding her own hot chocolate.

“Wildcat said what you did truly makes you one of her favorite people. Right up there with our prez, Lachi, which is one of the biggest compliments you could ever get from one of my sisters. Now, looks like Patti had them leave some meals already prepared. In the fridge is a tray of baked mostaccioli ready to go into the oven. And they have that frozen Texas toast, along witha salad already made. We can use one of the dressings we bought from Chrissy. Want me to get dinner started?”

I grab her empty hand, closing mine around it.

“Take a minute, Beauty, and enjoy this view. I know you’ve probably seen something like this before, but this is all new to me. It takes my breath away. Almost as gorgeous as you are, Ruby.”

I raise her hand to my lips and place a soft kiss on the top of her knuckles. Then we sit back and enjoy each other’s company while watching nature at its best.Can’t ask for much more than this,I think to myself.

TWENTY-TWO

‘LACHI’

MALACHI

I can’t believe we’ve been here for two days already. One more day and then everyone should start to arrive. Just found out Vito, Freddy, and Jude might be stopping on their way home. From what Freddy shared with me, Jude is beyond humbled and afraid he blew our friendship. Like I told Freddy, I’ll always be his friend but trust him, nope, he’s going to have to earn that back, which is going to take time. Lots of it.

Ruby made breakfast this morning then told me she wanted to clean the place up a bit. Not sure why but not going to try and stop her. When Beauty gets something in her head she runs with it. So right now she’s cleaning the bathrooms, though we’ve only used the master and the powder room.

A knock on the door pulls me from my thoughts. I use the peephole and it looks to be a maid. When I open the door that’s who it is and it’s three of them. I motion for them to come in as I call out for Ruby. She comes into the main room, hair up in a messy knot, face flushed with gloves on her hands. Cute as shit.

“Beauty, the cleaning crew is here to get the place ready for our company. Do you want them to stay or do you plan to clean the whole cabin?”

She glares at me before she tells the women, yes, she would appreciate their services and she just finished the en suite bathroom, along with the powder room. The three of them walk away, speaking in their, I believe, Polish language. From what I can make out they are shocked a guest was cleaning up when usually everyone leaves everything for them to clean.

Ruby walks toward me, pulling off her gloves.

“Why, Lachi, did you do that in front of them? I’m so embarrassed.”

Watching her, I can see she’s anxious and not sure why. We’ve had the best time just chilling, hiking, eating, watching movies, and sitting on the deck watching the sun set or rise. So I just ask.

“What’s up, Ruby? No reason to get upset. If you want them to go, I’ll tell them now. Otherwise, try and explain what changed from breakfast to now.”

She drops her head and lets out a sigh. Then she looks at me sheepishly.

“Well, everyone is coming here tomorrow and the first thing Squirt is going to ask me is how was it, us having sex. And since we haven’t, I don’t have anything to tell her. I feel inadequate.”

Grabbing and pulling her close, I lift her face so she can see mine.

“Beauty, I’m all for having sex, I just don’t want to push or pressure you. We can start slow, if you want. I mean, do we need to discuss prior history because honestly, Ruby, I’m not a virgin.”

That has her start to giggle, which is what I wanted her to do. Take the pressure off her shoulders. My God, does this woman not look in the mirror. She’s drop-dead gorgeous. And she doesn’t spend a ton of time putting on all kinds of makeup and shit she doesn’t need.

“Lachi, we go any slower, I’ll maybe get some by the time I’m fifty.”

With the smirk on her face, I realize she’s teasing me. Okay, smart-mouth.

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