Page 16 of Pigeon

“And I saw a look between Ivy and Pigeon. It was definitely a look, and he’s now trying to deny it, but I saw it. I did,” Axel insists.

I groan when I see Chubs and Lucy both turn to focus in on me. Lucy grins, but Chubs just stares at me for a minute before speaking.

“Ivy’s great. She’s nice, takes exceptional care of the animals, and I like her. Something bothers me with her, though. Do you know her, Pigeon?” Chubs asks in a quiet, serious voice.

“No, not really. What bothers you, brother?” I ask because Chubs has great intuition about people, and he notices the little things that others miss.

“I stop by there a lot, dropping off treats and donations for Ava, and usually go in the evening after work. Ivy seems to have a lot of little accidents, you know? Bruises, moving stiff, those kinds of things. I’ve tried chatting her up, but she’s reserved most of the time. I know she’s single and doesn’t have a boyfriend because I point blank asked her. But some of Ivy’s mannerisms remind me of the women at New Horizons. Maybe I’ve spent too much time helping Pippa and just see every bruise as abuse now, but I don’t think so,” Chubs answers.

“Her face was bruised tonight. All of us noticed it, and she was clearly uncomfortable that we did,” Axel adds, all joking aside now.

“I gave her my number. Told her to call, and I’d come. I don’t know her story, but someone is clearly mistreating her. She did admit that but didn’t say who it is. I was going to speak with Pippa tomorrow to see what else can be done,” I say, and even I can hear the underlying anger in my voice. “You’re at New Horizons a lot, Lucy. What do you think I should do?”

“Giving her your number does a couple of things, Pigeon. It gives her an out, and it lets her know she’s not alone anymore. There’s someone willing to help, and that’s huge in the mindset of women that are being abused. They almost always feel alone and unable to change their circumstances. You did the right thing by doing that and by not pushing for details,” Lucy answers immediately. “Pippa will know the best way to handle this, but unfortunately, there usually isn’t a lot anyone can do until the woman reaches out. Might be a good idea to chat with Livi and James too. They’re also trained in this type of thing.”

“Ivy reaches out to you; you call me. You don’t go alone unless absolutely necessary. We’ll help in any way we can, but we don’t know her situation and having a brother at your back is safer for everyone,” Axel orders.

“Any way we can keep closer tabs on her in the meantime?” Lucy asks.

“Yeah, we can. We monitor the rescue at the security company. I’ll let Rex and Reeves know, and we can keep a closer eye on the cameras. At least while she’s at work, she’ll have eyes on her,” I answer.

“Let them know tonight, Pigeon. With our visitors coming, the club’s going to be stretched thin for the next few weeks, but there’s enough of us to help Ivy, too, if needed. The club will back whatever play you think is best. I’ll speak with Gunner and bring him up to speed on this,” Axel states as he stands to leave.

“Will do, VP,” I reply.

Axel is a character, full of life and attitude, but always the first one to offer help. While I love giving him shit, I also appreciate him as a brother.

I stand, give Lucy a one-armed hug, and walk out. When I’m sitting astride my bike, I pull out my phone and make the calls. I make another one and will be meeting up with Pippa at New Horizons tomorrow.

Chapter 6

Ivy

I’m happy about how things went tonight with Ava. I know I’ve found the perfect family for Moose and Matilda, and that’s the best part of my job. I stop at the aviary, make sure everyone is tucked in for the night, and shut down the lights. Heading to the office, I drop into the desk chair and bring the computer to life. I work until all my notes are done on the various animals and then write a note for Margie about the upcoming adoption.

Caught up for now, I go to the breakroom and heat up my dinner. Eating in the silence, I think back to my conversation with Pigeon. His words gave me a rush of hope before reality crashed back down on me. If Ted was a boyfriend or husband, I’d leave. But if I leave the ranch, there will be nothing left of everything my grandparents worked so hard for. My future and dreams are centered around the ranch, and I can’t just walk away from it.

Papa and Nana took Ted and me in and raised us with love. Our mother, their only child, was unable to care for her young children due to mental health issues. As Mom’s mental state deteriorated, and with our father a distant memory, Nana took over more and more of our care. Eventually, my grandparents had to make the heartbreaking decision to have our mother committed to a mental institution. They packed us kids up and moved us to their home. I was only five years old and yet so grateful for the security and simplicity of ranch life.

Mom improved somewhat over time but still needed supervision with her illness and medications, so my grandparents had her moved to a long-term residential care facility. It’s nice with great staff, and Mom does well there. So well, in fact, that she doesn’t want to leave. I visit as often as I can, but I don’t think Ted’s been there in years.

Ted’s always been quick to write off anyone that is no longer capable of doing things to benefit him. When Nana became sick, I watched in horror as Ted’s attitude toward her changed too. He was careful to hide it while Papa was still alive, though. After Papa died, Ted no longer had a physical threat to keep him in line. It broke my heart watching the realization dawn on Nana that her beloved grandson wasn’t the man she thought she raised. It seems horrible to say now, but I’m glad she passed before she saw the true extent of Ted’s mean side.

Dragging my thoughts away from Ted, I let them go to Pigeon. Tall, built, longish black hair, and heavily tatted, he’s exactly what a mind conjures up when thinking biker. Worn jeans, scuffed boots, black hoodie under his leather cut, knife sheath on one hip, and he wears the biker gear like he was born in it. It’s his voice that caused shivers to run up my spine, though. Deep, yet soft, sincere, and concerned. There was a promise in his words that I instinctively know he’d never break.

When the club members have come to the rescue to help with projects, I’ve seen Pigeon. Always laughing, teasing the other men, and enjoying himself. Being female, there’s no way I wouldn’t have noticed him, but tonight was the first time we’ve spoken. I’m not sure why it was so easy to admit the truth to him when I’ve denied it to others, though. Maybe because he didn’t ask, he already knew the truth. No judgment, only an offer to help. Kindness when he owes me nothing. A good man, and that’s something I haven’t been around in a while.

After eating, I finish up my duties and then hang with Thor until the end of my shift. Making the drive home, I dread reaching the place that used to be my sanctuary.

Over the next few days, I do well at avoiding Ted. I keep busy, get ahead on a few things, and do a disappearing act when I hear Ted or Todd’s voice. I also have several phone conversations with Ava, then Gunner, about the donkeys, barn plans, fencing, and feed. Ava’s done her homework and knows what to expect. Gunner is being more practical than most husbands and understands that this barn needs to be built for more than the two donkeys they’re currently adopting. Planning ahead, he knows that eventually, the donkeys won’t be the only barnyard animals using the barn and land.

I promised Ava I would meet her at the clubhouse before my shift today to look at the temporary accommodations they’ve set up on land adjacent to theirs. I hustle through my chores, hit the shower, and then the road. Singing loudly and badly along with the radio, I follow the directions Ava provided. Pulling onto the road to the clubhouse, I’m stopped by a large gate. A large black man steps outside from a small building next to the gate and approaches my truck.

“Hi. Name?” he asks while flashing a friendly smile.

“Ivy. I’m here to—”

“Meet with Ava. She said to send you up. Just follow the road. You’ll see the clubhouse,” he says before I receive another blinding smile, and he reenters the building.

---