Page 57 of Chubs

“I’ll go see who it is and what they want,” Pigeon mutters before walking off, Ivy on his heels.

“While they’re busy, let’s brush Cas and Jacko,” Bella suggests.

The boys follow her to retrieve Jacko, and I walk to the doorway to see if I know who drove up. Not recognizing the two women and not being able to hear the conversation happening, I turn to go help the kids when a small detail catches my eye.

Looking closely at the license plate, my heart takes a leap. It’s an Illinois plate. The hair on the back of my neck stands up, and I get a weird vibe when Pigeon and Ivy both turn to look at me, concern on their faces. Instantly, I step into the shadow of the doorway. Not knowing what to do, if anything, I take a seat on the nearest hay bale and wait. For what, I’m not sure. Several minutes later, Pigeon enters the barn, looks around until he spots me. The look on his face makes my palms start to sweat, but I keep my face blank.

“Need to speak with you outside,” Pigeon says quietly.

I stand and follow him out, finding the car is still there, but Ivy, Horse, and the women aren’t. I know a bombshell is coming my direction, but I don’t try to dodge it. I wait silently for Pigeon to speak.

“Do you recognize either of those women?”

“No, but I didn’t really look that hard at them. Should I have?” I ask.

“Not sure, to be honest,” Pigeon mumbles, then remains silent until Horse arrives next to him.

“Prez said to do as the note asked. He, Rex, and Petey will be here within an hour,” Horse informs his club brother while looking at me with what I’m sure is sympathy in his eyes.

“Note? What’s this about a note?” I ask with a sense of dread creeping through my body.

“Lucy could tell if it’s his handwriting or not,” Horse suggests.

“Yeah. We’ll wait until the Prez gets here, though. Let him decide how he wants to deal with this.”

“Deal with what?” I question.

Before Pigeon can answer, the house door opens, and the two women, along with Ivy, walk out. They stop at the car and retrieve a few pieces of luggage before they enter the bunkhouse. When the door closes, I turn back to face Pigeon.

“Who are they?”

“I’m not sure, and I’m not lying to you about that. They handed me a letter in a sealed envelope and said very little when I asked for clarification. I told Ivy to put them in the bunkhouse until Gunner arrives, and he can get to the bottom of this,” Pigeon answers before pulling me into his side and walking back into the barn.

“Is Ivy coming back so we can go riding?” Bella asks while brushing Cas.

“Not until Gunner gets here. The adults have something going on, and we’re less important at the moment,” Craig replies with a scowl plastered all over his face.

“How do you know that?” Bella asks in surprise.

“You know how. Hearing is my superpower,” Craig answers in exasperation.

“Will I get to ride today?” Luke signs while looking at Pigeon.

“I’ll saddle Lucky, and you can take turns riding him in the round pen,” Pigeon signs back and laughs when Luke gives him a wide smile and a thumbs-up sign.

“Are you going to ride today, Horse, or just hide your sorry self and watch us kids?” Craig asks with his ornery side coming out to play.

“I’ve decided I don’t like you today. Maybe tomorrow I will, but then again, maybe not then either,” Horse states.

Thor, Ivy and Pigeon’s rescue dog, bumps his nose against my side, so I ignore the word battle and pet his beautiful blue-gray head. Crouching down, I put my arms around his neck and smile when he pushes in closer. For having been so abused, Thor’s a little lover. I swear he actually smiles every time someone takes a moment that’s just for him.

“Who’s first?” Pigeon asks as he stops next to us with Lucky.

“Let Luke ride first. We’ll wait,” Bella says, and Craig nods in agreement.

Walking beside Lucky, I join the kids at the round pen. Climbing up to sit on a rail, Bella then Craig joins me while Pigeon watches as Luke leads Lucky into the pen. Carefully closing the gate behind him, Luke climbs onto Lucky and walks off. I smile at Luke’s actions because we’ve all learned the lesson Ivy taught us about leaving gates the way you find them. Open, leave it open. If it’s closed, then close it behind you.

“He’s really improved,” Bella murmurs next to me.

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