Page 21 of Coming Up Aces

“You’ve given me plenty to think about. And as soon as this mess with my boss is over, I’m coming to visit. It’s been too long.”

“It has. Maybe you can bring your mate. I’ll need to give my approval, you know.”

Rayna could hear the smirk over the line. “Of course. I love you, Gran.”

“Love you too, Rayna. We’ll talk again soon.”

Rayna looked around. The yard didn’t need mowing, so she considered putting in a small garden and decided it would be something she enjoyed while gifting Asher with vegetables he could use in their meals. She studied where the sun shone and chose the best spot in her mind. Next, she rose from the chair and strode to the shed to see what tools, if any, Asher had. The inside of the small building was as neat as the house. There was a push mower, a weed eater, and hedge clippers. Asher had an axe, a hatchet, and both a leaf rake and garden rake. What he didn’t have was a hoe, pick axe, or shovel. There were shelves which held boxes, but Rayna didn’t rummage through them. Sheclosed the door and returned to the house where she found a notepad and pencil in one of the kitchen drawers, then made a list of items she would need. She used the phone to search the internet for the nearest garden supply store. It was a short drive away, but Rayna needed things like compost that she wouldn’t dream of putting in the trunk of Asher’s sedan. There were smaller items she could get while she planned her little crop. With an idea in place, she changed out of her lounging clothes into something appropriate, then grabbed the keys and headed out.

Ace

When Ace parkedat the campground, he was surprised to find Ripley’s bike wasn’t there. He texted his best friend to make sure he had picked it up and it hadn’t been stolen. Rip messaged back that his parents had retrieved the Harley. It felt odd for Rip to rely on someone else, but Ace wouldn’t begrudge him his parents’ help. Besides, Ace had Rayna to focus on. The whole ride toward Haven, Ace could think of nothing other than the female at his home, especially with his Gryphon singing her praises. It was odd yet welcomed.

Bishop called earlier stating he didn’t have any updates, but Ace couldn’t complain. He didn’t have the knowhow to search for Rayna’s boss or David Spencer. During breakfast, Rayna’s restlessness had been palpable. She asked if she could visit Glory, but Ripley had texted the night before while Ace and Rayna watched a movie, updating him on Glory’s family. Marjorie was being a pain in the ass – Ripley’s words – and hewas ready to throttle the woman. Glory was spending time with her sisters, and they wanted to go live with their grandmother. Marjorie was considering going back to Haven in case her husband showed up. Since the man was dead, she was in for a surprise if she did go back to the compound.

When Ace asked what hobbies Rayna had other than knitting, she claimed she had none, assuring him she was boring, but Ace didn’t believe her. He found the female to be funny and energetic. Before he got on his bike, Ace gave Rayna a credit card and told her to purchase whatever she wanted. He would hate to be holed up in a strange place with nothing to do other than watch TV. He hoped she took him at his word and found something to fill her time.

Ace stripped, then stowed his clothes in the saddle bag. He shifted into his Eagle and took flight. He had no idea what to expect, but what he found when he circled above the compound was kids running around, men and women interacting, and guards strolling along the perimeter with no weapons. He spotted a good perch and settled in. By the conversations, Sutton’s plan to cause peaceful chaos had worked so far.

A group of young men were huddled together, discussing the Bible and what they should teach at the next chapel service.

“I was raised on Jesus’s love, not the fire and brimstone of the Old Testament. If He is the way to our salvation, shouldn’t we teach the same messages He did?” the oldest-looking said.

“I agree. Kindness and tolerance.” This male was younger, probably late twenties.

“And we should encourage the boys to treat our women with respect. Listen to what they have to say.” This young man didn’t appear much older than the boys he spoke of.

Ace found it interesting it was the younger men having that conversation. He searched the area for the older males. When he didn’t find any, he left the safety of the trees and did anotherpass over the compound. Loud voices came from the house Josiah had claimed while he was their leader.

“I don’t give a damn that Josiah’s dead. Where the hell is Thomas? Why are the kids running around and not learning their verses? Why are the men and women talking freely amongst themselves? This is not how we run Haven! And where are the guns? Why are the guards strolling along like they don’t have a fucking care in the world?”When no one spoke up, the angry man yelled,“Someone fucking answer me!”

“I’m sorry, Sir, but this is how things are. I don’t understand.”

“What do you not understand? This isnothow things are.”

The front door opened, and Abraham stormed out. He strode to where the kids were. “Get back to your classrooms now!” The kids stopped playing and looked at one another. “Go, now.” The kids scrambled to do as he said. Abraham then confronted those adults who were talking to one another. “Why are you not in chapel? Get to your cabins and wait there until I release you. And no talking amongst yourselves.” The adults did as he commanded. Abraham watched them go, grabbing his hair and pulling. “What the fuck is going on?” he whispered.

When he noticed the group of young men huddled together, he stalked to where they were. “You. Why are you not in chapel?”

“We were just discussing what message to deliver today,” the youngest one admitted.

Abraham frowned. “It’s the same sermon we preach every day. There’s nothing to discuss.”

The older one nodded but disagreed. “Sure, there is. We were told to teach about Jesus and his love. That’s what the Bible says we should do.”

Abraham fumed, his face turning red. “Who told you that?”

The men stared at each other, not able to come up with an answer. Sutton had made sure of that.

Abraham fisted his hands. Ace expected him to hit the younger man. “Do you know who I am?” he asked through gritted teeth.

The third man shook his head. “Well, no, but it seems you could do with some of Jesus’s love. You sure are angry.”

If Ace had been in his skin, he would have laughed. Since he wasn’t, he flew back to his bike and shifted. Pulling out his phone, he dialed Sutton.

“Ace? How’s it going, Son?”

Ace couldn’t help but chuckle. “Abraham is at Haven and losing his mind. It’s glorious.”

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