Page 39 of Hanging Horseshoes

I don't know what she means but I know what run is, I listen closely wanting to make mommy proud. She start saying things and then I hear its.

Twee.

I jump up from the ground and rush to the door. I unlock it like mommy showed me. The top one with the chain thingy isn't locked so I don't need the chair. I hear someone yell really loud but don't turn around until I have the door open. I let it hit the wall and step into the hot sunshine before I turn around. I see Mommy on top of the mean lady pinning her arms by her head.

She turns to look at me, “RUN!”

I watch mommy lose her balance and let go of one arm. Then I see something shiny and long mean lady slams into mommy’s side.

Then I do what mommy told me to do. I run.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Rodeo

We are just pulling up to the location Ophelia should be when we see a little girl run right out into the middle of the street.

“MABLE!” Me and Trip yell at the same time as I slam on the brakes as Trip is already jumping out of the truck and chasing after her. I put the truck in park and hop out rushing to the other side of the road and trying to stop traffic so maybe if Trip can’t get to her in time at least the cars will hit me and not her.

“Mable baby stop!” I say as Trip gets closer to her. Her head snaps up when she hears my voice and she turns to me. She looks and sees Trip close to her and rushes into his arms. HE pulls her in tight to his chest, hugging her with everything he is, peppering kisses to her head and rushing over to me. I take her out of his arms and give her the same treatment.

“Where is mama baby girl.” Just as Trip asks we hear a scream coming from an open door of the motel across the street. Placing Mable in Trip’s arms I kiss her once more.

“Protect her.” I order, pulling the gun from my back and rushing toward the scream. I rush to the door not giving one fuck that I’m not being very smart and that’s when I see it. Ophelia laying on her side, holding her stomach as blood oozes around her finger. I can’t hear anything over the blood rushing and pounding in my ears but I feel the vibrations of my brothers pulling up behind me. I don't think, I don't care, I watch as Raina, Ophelia's mom, raises a knife over her head and starts to bring it down on my woman. I feel a tub in the back of my pants but I don’t turn to look, I raise my gun and fire at her. She flies back falling over as not one but two bullets hit her, one in the chest, one in the forehead but the knife. No longer hovering over Ophelia. I turn to look and see Trip lower the pistol I know he pulled from my back waste band.

“Grim, get in here she’s bleeding.” Trip yells and Grim rushes past us shoving me aside. This has me snapping out of it and I rush to Ophelia's side as Trip cradles her head.

“It’s ok Honeybee. You're going to be ok. Right brother. She’s going to be ok right?” I’m damn near begging as I watch him pull back Fee Fee’s hand and looking at the damage.

We’re right here Sweet Pear. We ain't going no where and neither are you. Come on sweety hold tough.” Trip whispers in her ear.

“We need to get her on the bed and shirt off. I need to get this closed up quickly or she won’t make it.” Grim says as Ophelia's hand goes limp and that’s when I really start to panic.

‘snap the fuck out of it Rodeo. She needs you and Trip both to stay strong. She will make it but you have to fucking focus.” Grease, of all people, says slapping me on the back. No joke, no smirk, no smartass comment. He’s telling me to focus and that means I have to focus. I look at my Prez.

“I’ve contacted Ghost. He’s got a clean up team in the area that costs an arm and a leg but do great work. Get your woman fixed up and lets get out of this fucking town. The townies are already getting skittish. I’ve seen two cop cars ride by. Luckily our bikes drowned out the noise of your boy’s gun shots. We will talk about that later.” He says before walking out.

Fuck a duck that’s going to hurt like hell but right now I need to focus.

‘see if you can find some alcohol. It looks like a clean cut actually. Looked worse than I though, no vital organs were nice and if we can get her sewed up the bleed will stop and we can get her home. I’d rather her be there than here where I have no access to the hospital and staff.” He tells me.

‘she’ll be fine on the long drive home?” Trip asks carefully as he brings back a small bottle of vodka I’m guessing one of the guys provided.

“I want her to lay back in the backseat. You boys will have to take it real easy, it might be a bit longer to get home. Mable’s car seat can fit in the front middle right? I really want Ophelia laying as flat as possible.” He talks as he gets her fixed up and before long he has here wrapped up with bandages one of the guys brought back from the drug store down the street.

“Alright, all closed up. Lets get her in the truck.” Grim says standing and throwing all the bloody shit I would rather not think about in the trash under the sink. As we are stepping out I see people from around the town looking in from the street. They are moving closer, looking at all the bikes, men, and women causing a ruckus in their town. Basically, all their missing is some pitch forks. I quickly help Trip get Ophelia in the back seat and move Mable's car seat to the front. She’s Strapped in minutes and just as we are loading up two big white vans come hauling ass into the parking lot. I roll down my window as the SUV Driven by the prospect holding all the women and precious cargo stop beside me.

“You guys go on ahead with Grim following. We are going to make a ruckus at the local dine. Maybe take some heat away from this joint. Who knows we might burn down the town. Halle says holding a Lighter up and smiling.

“Behave Halle.” I warm.

“We’ll try to control the little fire demon as much as we can. Make a distraction with the locals, then head out of town, without, making the innocent locals all homeless.” Pipers says narrowing her eyes at a now pouting Halle.

“Love you all. Be safe.” I say before rolling up with window and heading home.

We have been riding just over and hour when Ophelia wakes up. Luckily Mable passed out just after we pulled out of that tiny town.

“Hey Honeybee.” I whisper but Trip turns to look at Ophelia and smiles.

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