Page 19 of Bernadette
“Ah, I understand, and I have them, but I’m to the point that I only take them when I need them. I haven’t had one in over eight days.”
“Good, then another stupid question. How far can you walk?”
“What do you mean by that?” She scowled at him and leaned heavily on her cane.
“You’re white knuckling that cane, I don’t know if it’s because you’re in pain, or you’re trying not to throttle me, but see that barn over there.” He gently placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her to point in the distance.
“What about it?”
“That’s where the reception is, we all parked our trucks over there, walked over here to the house, anticipating walking back over there for the party. I’m sure I can go over there and get my truck to take you over if you can’t walk that far.”
“Oh, shit, I know I can’t walk that far without face planting. We’re in luck, my truck is parked out front. Hank’s man said I could leave it there.”
Chuck nodded, then grinned at her as he held out his elbow to her in a gentlemanly fashion. “Would you do me the honor or allowing me to escort you to your truck, then over to the party.”
“It would be my pleasure,” Bernie said as she took his elbow, then laughed, really laughed, feeling free and happy for the first time in years. She wondered if it was the prospect of connecting with old friends, though she had been their commanding officer in the past, or the man who had taken it upon himself to take care of her for the day. She didn’t really care as long as she felt as happy as she did right then and there. North Dakota was going to be great for her, she could feel it in her bones.
With her arm in the crook of Chuck’s elbow, Bernie allowed the man to slowly walk her to the front of the house, and she liked that everyone stopped to talk to him, and he introduced her as Bernadette, not Bernie, not the commander of the EWMs in the military, not a Marine. Just plain Bernadette, something no one had ever taken the time to do in the past. Her name had always been Bernie, Commander, or Sir for the last twenty years. It felt great to be reminded of who she was.
“This is me,” Bernie said as they paused beside a truck, and she smiled when Chuck stopped and looked into the back. Besides several boxes, there was a motorcycle strapped to the center of the bed, with the boxes packed around it. However, the only thing that could be seen at this time was the extra-large green military canvas that covered everything. The only thing she had access to was her suitcases in the back seat.
“You ride?” Chuck asked with a raised brow, totally shocking her.
“How can you tell there’s a motorcycle beneath the tarp?”
Chuck grinned and shrugged, causing Bernie’s stomach to bottom out. He leaned in and winked at her as he looked all around, but still whispered, even though they were all alone. “All of us do. We all have our own bikes, as well as personal cagers. Wait until you see the garage over at the compound.” He whistled and shook his hand like he felt something hot.
“Is Rizzo in charge of it?” Bernie smirked at him.
“Yep.” Bernie grinned as she shook her head at him, then sighed heavily as he continued to escort her over to the passenger side.
“As much as I want to show my independence, I think you better drive. One, because you know where you’re going, and two, because I’m suddenly tired.”
“I don’t know whether this is good news or not, but the reception doesn’t start until around two. The wedding was at eleven. I’m sure I can get you something to eat from the ranch kitchen if that would help, and you can sit and relax while us guys continue to get everything ready. I’m not being a bastard here, Bernadette, but the women will be helping to get the food out while Dottie, Dolly, and Peggy are out getting their pictures taken.”
“Won’t Morgan’s brothers be joining her for the photos?”
“They’ll take them when they get back. Morgan has it all planned. There’s some place special that Wyatt wanted to take Morgan to, and he asked the others to go along for the photoshoot.” He held up his hands and shook his head. “I have no clue. The only association I have with this ranch is if Wyatt’s in a pickle and needs help, and helping the J’s and A’s with the pig.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Bernie asked in confusion as she looked around and paid close attention to the direction he was going. She noted that he did not go out of the driveway and drive down the road.
Chuck looked at her with a grin, and held up his hand, indicating for her to wait. He took a few minutes to back her truck in amongst others, shut it down, then turned to look at her. Neither of them had worn a seatbelt.
“I, along with the J’s and A’s have been in North Dakota only since late March of this year. During that time, we built what we refer to as the compound, which happens to be where all the ladies of Boswell Group live. We also built the outside office, as well as the garage. When we moved out here from back home, which is New York State, we hauled campers and trailers. Inside the trailers were our motorcycles, and our ATVs, along with all the construction equipment for Stuart Construction. See, back home, we were all members of a motorcycle club that Stan, the father of the Stuarts, is the president of. I don’t know all the details, but I believe that Mom and Dad Stuart, along with Uncle Chip and Aunt Peggy will be leaving either tomorrow or Monday to go back home. Uncle Chip to his own Boswell agency, and Mom and Dad found a house here and they’re going home to close up their lives there.”
“I understand, and they’ll be moving back here. What about your family?”
“The man who calls himself my father is back in jail, and Mom’s back to working two jobs to keep a roof over her head. I try to help her, but she won’t accept it. I don’t know whether this sounds cold or not, but she gave up on me before I even started school. Between you and me, that’s why I believe I latched onto the Stuarts so hard.” He sighed heavily and ran his hand over the back of his neck. “I know we’re perfect strangers, but it felt right telling you a little about my past.” He smiled at her and nodded. “Don’t worry, I won’t make a habit of it.” Before Bernie could say a word, he opened the driver’s door and climbed out of the cab of the truck to hurry over and open her door for her. Once he had it open, he held his arm out for her to take.
Bernie looked at him as she swung her legs out, and before she moved, she made sure he looked at her. “I don’t mind if you want to spill your family secrets with me. I myself don’t have a family, and haven’t for a long, long time. I made the military my family, but I don’t even have that now.”
“But you do or will have the Stuarts and the ladies of Boswell,” he said as he made a mock bow toward her. As he stood, he winked, “Let’s table this heavy talk for now and get the party started.”
Bernie laughed, “I thought it didn’t start until two.”
“Oh, well, I guess that’s right, but we have to get the pigs ready.” As he helped her from the truck, he slowed his pace to hers and explained. “See, remember I mentioned that we were members of a motorcycle club back home?”
“Yes, what does that have to do with anything?”
