Page 43 of Coal
“Fair enough,” I agree before turning to Nickel. “How are our finances looking?”
“Good,” he acknowledges. “The Roadhouse is turning a profit already. Apparently, it being owned by actual bikers makes it popular. We are going to have to hire another bartender. Blue can’t do it all when it gets busy. Having the food catered as a buffet was a smart move. And that they pay for a food ticket at the door before they come in was an even better idea. I also think opening Friday and Saturday only makes more sense, as those are our busiest daysand it keeps people wanting more. Live music on the Friday is a big draw, and I’m thinking we continue that through the winter months, but we can vote on that a little later.” He stops to read through the figures on his laptop before continuing, “Mom’s cidery is showing a steady profit and the warehouses are still the same, no change there. Our investments are growing. Beau Temple from Crow Investments will come for a meet with everyone next week to go through our individual investments. All in all, we’re doing okay.”
When he’s done with his report, I turn to the brothers. “I want to bring something up. It’s not likely to make us any money, and it’s more for our peace of mind. I’d like to build a nursery and a small school.” Surprise lights the brothers’ faces.
“Something you want to tell us, Pres?” Cross asks.
“Not yet,” I shake my head. “When Thea and I drove past the Crow’s property when we last visited Hawk, I noticed the nursery they’ve built on their property. I’ve since found out why they had that built.”
I filled them in on Kaleb, Hawk and Avy’s son, and how he was kidnapped and then rescuedby Cahir and his brothers. The pissed-off vibes I was getting from my brothers as I told them the story had me thinking they’d not be against building our own, but we’d put it to the vote.
“I’d rather that not happen to one of our children. Shea may be the first Queens Wraith child, but I’m sure she won’t be the last. We don’t have to decide today, but I’d like you to think about it, and we’ll put it to vote at our next meeting,” I finish.
“I’m not waiting for the next meeting,” Bolt states. “I say we vote now. My vote is yes. Let’s get this sorted sooner rather than later.”
My brothers are all nodding, so I put it to the vote, “All those in favour of building our own nursery?” The vote is unanimous once Tinman registers it. I continue, “Sterling, can you see about getting planning permission? There’s space to the back of the property; I’ll take you to it this afternoon. It’s not so far that it will be difficult to run amenities to it.”
“Will do, Pres,” he agrees.
Turning back to the room, I tell them, “I’ve spoken to Copper; things are progressing as they should. It’s slow going because she has to be careful, but Cahir is happy with the progress. Allbrothers are to report to Iron and Brass every morning at six a.m. We need to up our training, so we are ready. That’s an order.”
All my brothers nod in agreement, not that I expected any different from them.
“What about Copper?” Cross asks in concern. “If anyone needs to keep up training, it’s him.”
“Oh, don’t worry,” I reply in amusement. “He’s getting training. The woman he’s partnered with is whipping his ass into shape. He’ll be okay.”
My brothers laugh, but I know they are worried about him being on his own much like I am.
“Is there any other business we need to discuss?” I want to know.
When all replies are negative, I dismiss Church. One by one, my brothers leave church until I’m once again left contemplating our family tapestry.
‘Sitting here worrying will not get me anywhere,’I think, getting up from my chair. I’d rather be with my brothers and family than worrying in here alone, anyway. Pushing my chair in, I walk out, closing and securing the door behind me, and join my brothers for a drink and to shoot some shit. Sometimes that’s all you need.
Time with your brothers as a reminder of all the reasons we do what we do—and choose to live life the way we want.
The next few months, maybe even years, are going to be interesting, to say the least. What happens in life is never guaranteed, and even the best-laid plans can go wrong.
I was glad I was doing it with men I trusted—and with a good woman standing beside me.
EPILOGUE
COAL
Walking into our house is something else. It’s loud, with laughter blending in with the shouting. I never mind it. Our house is a happy house filled with love. Today, the shouts and laughter are coming from the back and the play area the brothers and I’d set up there years ago because we didn’t want our kids too close to the clubhouse should any shit go down.
We felt they were safer behind the gate and fence we’d put up. Over the years, the brothers have moved from the static caravans and built houses close to where Thea and I live, meaning that we’re all within shouting distance and our kids are in and out of our houses.
The static caravans are still there, but we use them to hold any of our rescues that need a safe place to land for a bit before they move on.
On the kitchen cabinet is a note and present from my wife. My woman’s awesome. Even after all these years, she’s still looking out forme. Picking it up, I hide my hand behind my back and walk out my back door, and I’m immediately hit in the face with a squirt of water.
Spluttering, I wipe at my face and look into familiar brown eyes so like her mother’s, “Oh shit, Da, I’m sorry,” Shea’s eyes are wide, but I can see the mischief in them.
“That’s okay, baby girl,” I say, wiping at my face before taking my hand from behind my back. I shoot at her with the water gun Thea had left me in the kitchen. Except this one has a few modifications.
Shea squeals and tries to run, but I pounce and swing her over my shoulder, jogging towards the pool. It’s a hot summer’s day, over thirty degrees. To prepare for the heatwave we’d been expecting, Bolt had put the pool up, and it has been used daily. The kids must have got bored with just the pool and decided that water guns would be more fun. When I get to the pool, I stop because it’s full of Old Ladies, all with drinks in hand like they’re at some fancy spa.
