Page 12 of Pooh

He’s once again covered in dirt, mud, grime and grass stains. Head to toe. I can’t even tell what color his shirt is supposed to be. I reach down and pick him up and set him on my hip. His little dirty arms circle my neck and he grins huge.

“Hey, Buddy. I brought my friends to meet you today. We also brought some games so I can hang out and play Xbox. That work for you?” I ask him.

“Hell yeah!” he shouts, while my brothers all chuckle.

“Language, Craig!” corrects Pippa.

I set him back on his feet and make the introductions. He stares up at each of the men and then steps forward and holds out his tiny, grubby little hand. Each of my club brothers take their turn in shaking his hand. I get a warm feeling in my gut seeing this and I don’t know why. But it’s there and it’s not going away.

“We brought quite a few things, Pippa. Where do you want us to put everything?” I ask, turning to see Pippa’s soft look.

She turns those beautiful dark brown eyes to me and I feel a punch to the gut. Yeah, she has that effect on me.

“Craig’s room or in the yard if it’s an outdoor toy, I guess.”

As expected, Craig and Axel hit it off immediately. Like minds and all that. It wasn’t long before everything was unloaded, opened and put away. Craig stood by watching and occasionally jumping around excitedly when he saw something he really liked. At the moment, Craig and Axel are tossing a Nerf football back and forth in the fenced in backyard.

“I can’t believe you guys did all of this for him. That’s so awesome. I can’t thank you enough. You’ve made his entire year,” Pippa says to me, Vex and Trigger as we stand together watching Axel and Craig.

“No thanks needed, darlin’,” states Trigger. “Seeing that kid light up like a Christmas tree is thanks enough.”

I had filled the guys in on why Craig was staying at New Horizons and anger shined in all their eyes. None of us are okay with a hand being laid on that tiny little child.

“Any more trouble from that jackhole from yesterday?” I ask Pippa.

“No. But he did have the nerve to use his one phone call to call Maisy and ask her for bail money. You just can’t explain stupidity like that.”

“What happens when he gets released? He’s going to show back up here now that he knows where she is staying. Does the house have good enough security to keep him out?” I question.

“I’ve been online looking for a better security system today. Some way to keep the men from getting to the women because those restraining orders just don’t cut it,” she responds.

I look around the yard and realize the house sits on a large, corner lot. The house is a huge, old Victorian style that has had some updates but still needs more. The yard is large and fenced but it’s not a secure fence and anyone can walk up to the front door before they’re noticed. A man could easily lean over the fence and grab a child out of the yard too. That’s unacceptable. I know Pippa has been doing her best, but places like this are always tight on money.

“We have a brother who is a whiz with electronics and security systems. Maybe have him come by and see how to improve the one you have. That would save you money and get you a better system,” Vex adds.

“And the club will help cover any additional costs. Hell, I’ll pay for a better and bigger fence, myself,” Trigger states.

“You guys have been so generous already. It would be a huge help if your brother could check out our system and help me get something safer set up. I can’t tell you how much I would appreciate that. A new fence though? That’s a huge expense, Trigger. Maybe I can find a way to raise the money for that instead,” Pippa replies.

“No need to raise the money for that. I’m donating the money for a fence. That kid deserves to be able to play outdoors and be safe doing it. I’ll get the materials and have them delivered. I can do the fence myself. Gunner will make sure I have help from the prospects. It won’t take us long to have it done,” Trigger insists.

“I’ll help too, Trigger. I’m sure there are other members that will be happy to help with the fencing,” I speak up.

“Same,” Vex says.

“Wow! Thank you all so much! I can’t ev…”

“Hi, guys. Hey, Pippa,” a small, slightly older female says, approaching our group. She is pretty. The kind of pretty that will still grace her face when she’s much older. Looks to be around mid-fifties but could be older than that and just doesn’t look it.

“Hey, Tammy. The guys just dropped off a shit ton of stuff for Craig. And they’re going to help us out with some better security,” Pippa tells her as she stops beside Pippa and wraps an arm around her waist. They’re close and it’s obvious. Whether they’re family or just co-workers, I have no idea. They look nothing alike, but I know that family doesn’t always mean blood.

“Which one of you handsome devils is Pooh?” Tammy asks, looking at each of us in turn.

“I am, ma’am.”

Tammy’s eyes swing my direction and she looks me over from head to toe. I suddenly feel the need to stand straighter and to remember to use my polite words.

“I am so pleased to meet you, Pooh. I wanted to thank you in person for what you did yesterday when that husband showed up here. You and your friend kept the women safe, kept Pippa and Craig safe, and that means something to me,” Tammy tells me in a quiet, but sincere, voice.

---