Dogman scratched Matt’s other ear. “I hear the President’s tough. True?”
Ranger Jackson chuckled. “Tough as a lady javelina guarding her young. I’ve only met two other women as tough as she is. Excluding Mrs. Jackson, that is.”
“Who?”
“Your niece, Abigail, and her adopted big sister, Major Smirnov. Though a New Viking cousin of your niece is in the running for number three.”
Dogman grunted again. “Yeah, Abby always was tough. Even as a little girl.”
“I suspect that’s a family trait,” opined the Ranger.
“Maybe,” answered Dogman.
Matt the Mastiff chose that moment to pad toward the Ranger, his nose working. The Ranger held his left hand out for the huge dog to sniff. Matt sniffed the hand, then bumped it in the universal canine signal of “pet me”.
“Guess I just passed inspection,” Andy Jackson commented as he petted and ear scratched the Mastiff.
“Yes, you did. He’s a good judge of character.” Dogman extended his right hand to shake. “Pleased to meet you, Ranger.”
Ranger Jackson smiled as he grasped the offered hand. “As they used to say in the olden days—well met, Dogman. Now, we need to hit the road if we are going to make it back to Great Falls tonight, with you driving your RV.”
Dogman looked at the Rangers large sedan. “Have room in the back for a huge dog? And a few things in your trunk?”
“Yessir. That can be arranged. Mind if one of the MPs drives your rig?”
No problem. I don’t think they’ll steal something. If they did, Matt would know, and not be happy.”
The Ranger laughed. “Yes, I would not want to make your friend there angry. Come on then. We’re wasting daylight.”
CHAPTER 32
MALMSTROM ARMED FORCES BASE
MONTANA
It was well past dark when Abigail received a telephone call that Ranger Jackson had come through the main gate with her uncle in tow. She was being fitted in her wedding gown one last time to check some last minute alterations. She had demanded the sleek bottom skirt have slits up both sides to free her shapely legs for walking and moving. Her gown was a perfect mixture of traditional flowing western bridal gowns and Asian sleek formal wear. She loved it.
A “woof” from Young Fuzz told her someone was out front. She broke away from a protesting Mi-Hi and Aleks and went to the front door, opening it before anyone could knock. She smiled as she saw her Uncle Buck approach. He saw her at the doorway and stopped still. Finally, he spoke.
“Little Abby. You’re all grown up.”
She grinned, blinked back tears. “Yes, Uncle. I guess I am.” She started to move forward and hug him but he stepped back.
“No. We can do that later. I don’t want my road stink on you.” He paused. “Abby, you are a beautiful young woman. I see my sister—your mother, Anica Vladu—when I look at you.”
Dogman stepped up and took her hand, looked into her eyes. “I need to know. Are you happy with your man?”
She nodded her head. “Yes. I love Ichiro with all my soul.”
Dogman paused, still looking at her. Then he spoke. “I know I’m very set in my ways. I get along best with other whites and Romanians.”
“And Ichiro is Japanese. So, that bothers you,” responded Abigail.
It took a moment, then Dogman’s mouth formed a small smile. “You’re marrying him, not me. If you are happy, then I’ll be happy.”
Abigail grinned again, reached up and grabbed her uncle’s bearded head and kissed him on his cheek.
“I love you, uncle,” she said in Romanian.
“As I, you, niece.”
Aleks was standing back, observing. Torbin came to the front door from watching their two sleeping sons in the back bedroom. He saw Dogman and stepped out onto the front porch next to Abigail.
“I see you’re still kicking, Dogman.”
“As are you.” Dogman paused. “I see you kept your word.”
“I try. Although I almost screwed up and lost her not too long ago.”
Aleks stepped up and gently forced herself between Abigail and Torbin. “Are you going to introduce me, husband?”
Dogman hit on the slight Russian accent Aleks still had, put two and two together.
“You’re his wife. You are also Abby’s adopted big sister.”
“Yes, I am, Mister…Dogman.”
“Just Dogman. And I guess you’re a niece as well, if you and Abby are sisters.”
Aleks laughed lightly. “I guess you could say that.”
The large, muscular man paused. “I’ll be honest with you. Romanians still remember Russians as occupiers and enemies.”
“That was long ago, Dogman,” Aleks answered, with a bit of steel in her voice.
“Still, it happened.” Dogman looked at her for a few moments before he answered. “Well, I guess Abby is going to make me reconsider certain things.” At that, he extended his hand to Torbin.
“You kept your word. My niece is safe. Abby considers you family. So, I guess we’ll all be family.” He finished shaking hands with Torbin, and extended his hand to Aleks.
“I hear from the Ranger that you are one tough woman.”
At that comment, Torbin laughed. “You don’t know the half of it.”
Aleks gave her husband a quick stern look, then returned her attention to Dogman as she shook his hand.
“We all had to be tough. As have you.”
“You also cared for Abby, helped her.”
“As I still do. I look out for her, she looks out for me, my husband, our two sons.”
Dogman noticed Young Fuzz now standing behind Abigail, his tail slightly wagging. The dog could smell the family connection between Abigail and her uncle, knew they were related.
“He looks familiar,” Dogman said.
“You apparently had contact with his sire, Sergeant Fuzz, before he turned up here and adopted me.”
The dog trainer grunted. “Yeah, now I remember. A man I trained to handle dogs said some people were trying to use him for dogfighting. I said I’d kill him and them if they did.”
Abigail motioned for Young Fuzz to come forward to meet her uncle. He came forward and snuffled Dogman’s hand, then sat, expecting to be petted. The man also known as Uncle Buck began to pet the rather large head, then scratch his ears. Young Fuzz gave small dog grunts of satisfaction and enjoyment. Dogman spoke Romanian to him and Fuzz laid down, rolled over so he could have his chest and stomach scratched.
“You taught him the old language, Abby.”
“As I did his sire, Sergeant Fuzz. He died for me.”
The uncle looked at his niece, could see and hear the hurt that still accompanied the memory of the loss. “He will always be with you, Abigail,” Dogman said in Romanian. “He died saving you because he wanted to. And you would have died for him.”
Abigail nodded her head in agreement as Aleks spoke. “The big beastie saved me and mine, Dogman. So, if you were partly the cause he wound up here, I owe you. Karma. Somehow, we’re all connected.”
Dogman grunted again as he finished up scratching Young Fuzz’s stomach. “I guess I’d better get going. The Ranger there in the car with my Mastiff, Matt, says I have to be fitted with the right clothes for the wedding, per the President’s orders.” He gave a rare chuckle. “Never thought I’d see the day when women ran and controlled so much. But then, if they’re all like you, Abby, it might be the right thing.”
Abigail stepped up and grabbed his hand again. “She and many others have taken care of me, helped me. I owe them all.”
“Then I’ll have to be there to thank them, Abby. See you tomorrow.” He kissed her hand, let it go, turned and walked to the car.
After a few moments of silence, Aleks spoke. “He is a hard man. Reminds me of Stalin. But Comrade Stalin talks and laughs more.”
“Uncle Buck, as we called him, never had a reputation for long talks. But with me, he always seemed to open up more.
As he did with my mother, his sister.” A tear ran down her cheek and she tried to wipe it way before anyone saw it.
Aleks hugged her. “Come, let us finish up. I know that your mother and father will be watching over you tomorrow, from the great beyond. Now you have blood family here to make it even better. This will be a wonderful day.”
Abigail smiled. “You’re right. My uncle showing up is the nicest wedding gift anyone could give me.”
“Well, your husband-to -e might have some special gift he wishes to give you on your wedding night…”
“Wife. Your husband is standing next to you and you are embarrassing me.”
“Well, you gave me a special ‘gift’ on many an occasion…”
“Please, Aleks…”
Dogman walked back to the Ranger and sedan.
“Guess you want me to get dressed up.”
“Yup. It’s going to be a nice shindig. You will want to look your best for your niece.”
“That’s true.” Dogman paused, then continued. “At least she is happy, and is not marrying a black man.”
Ranger Jackson gave him a rather hard look. “Pardner, your bigot slip is showing.”
“I know what I know. And I know that dark people have always given me grief since I emigrated here from Romania. My older sister, Abigail’s mother, arranged for me to come to the U.S.. Some of your people of color didn’t like my accent, and made an issue of it. But not for long, as they were soon picking up teeth.”
He looked at the Ranger as he went to open the passenger side door. “I’ve said more words to you in the last few hours than I have to a dozen people combined the last year. Why is that?”
The Ranger smiled. “Maybe it’s because we are both hard cases. We have a lot in common. Being older, I’ve just learned to bend a little, change a little, I think for the good. You’re getting older. You’ll come around.”
“Yeah. Right.”
“Well, as large and tough as you are, Dogman, just remember one thing. Ichiro, her betrothed, is a samurai of the old school. I don’t suggest insulting him. Nor upsetting Abigail in his presence.”
Both men sat quietly for a moment in the sedan. Then Dogman spoke. “So he loves my niece that much.”
“You can’t imagine. As we drive, let me tell you about a trip they took to Deseret…”
The wedding came the next day, and there being no large problems to derail it.
There were a few last minute details that had to be taken care of prior to the ceremony. One was that General Reed had to ask Dogman an important question.
Ranger Jackson was acting as official chaperone of Dogman, to insure that he made it to the church on time in the appropriate attire. A tuxedo had been obtained, Dogman wondering why he had been put in such formal vestments. The Ranger said the General and the President knew, and one of them would explain. For once, the very large and muscular man was patient. Probably because it was his niece who was being married.
The ceremony was in the large Great Falls auditorium which that had been turned into a church for this very special occasion. Cameras had been set up to broadcast the festivities, for all those who were not officially invited. Large as the auditorium might be, it could only hold so many people.
John Reed had made a quick survey of all the security arrangements before he went to find Dogman and Ranger Jackson. There was more firepower in the local area than had ever been before, the equivalent of a complete mechanized division. This included a lot of anti-aircraft weapons, most of Russian origin, in case the Squids decided to attempt some form of air strike. Any deltas or falcons would be in for a rude surprise this time, for instead of the Squids having this element of surprise (as they had in the original Strike and Invasion), the humans had it. Free Japan had provided a full squadron of interceptors to supplement the ground based equipment, with the U.S.A. staging a couple of A-10s nearby for close air support. So far, everybody was frosty, ready to act at the first sign of trouble. There were way too many visiting dignitaries and government officials not to make this a prime target.
After his force review, General Reed found Dogman and the Ranger in a side corridor of the auditorium. As he approached, he saw just how large and cut with muscle Abigail’s uncle was, filling out the tuxedo as if it had been painted on.
“Hope this doesn’t piss him off,” the General said to himself as he approached.
“Well, howdy, General,” Ranger Jackson called out as he saw the General approach. “You’re looking right nice in that dress uniform of yours, from one guy to another.”
The General smiled. “Well, I haven’t had any real pleasant occasions to wear this monkey suit in the last few years. I’m glad it till fits.” He walked up to Dogman, extended his hand.
“Sir, I welcome you as the nearest living blood relative of Abigail Jorgensen.”
“No, not Sir. Just Dogman. Or Uncle Buck to friends and family.” Dogman gave the General a once over as he shook his hand. “You’re General Reed. You’re going to give Abigail away in the wedding ceremony.”
“Well. S… I mean Dogman, Uncle Buck. I was until you were found. As her uncle I…”
Dogman interrupted. “No, you do it, you’ve been her father here. It’s your right.”
General Reed was rarely at a loss for words. He looked at Ranger Jackson. “Yes, General, I told him of the situation. About everything you’ve done for Abigail, how you’ve helped take care of her as if she were your own daughter.”
“Damnit, Ranger, don’t exaggerate…”
“What? A Texas Ranger exaggerate? Come on.”
“I know he did not exaggerate,” Dogman interjected. “I know he was telling it like it is.” The muscular man paused for a moment, then sighed.
“I dumped Abigail in Deseret, thinking they could do a better job of raising a young girl than me. I was fucking wrong. They used and abused her. Then Torbin Bender came around, she wound up here, and now she has a large, extended family. You, are part of that. I knew her father, my brother-in-law. He was a good man. I can tell you are a good man. And, like her blood father, you love her, care for her. You and the rest of your tribe here are doing a damn good job of raising her. Why would I interfere with that?”
The three men were silent for a moment. General Reed spoke again.“I get the impression that you may not be sticking around.”
Dogman grunted. “You would not like me around for long. I don’t get along with people of color. I’ve done some things that would have led to a hanging in the old U.S.A.”
“You don’t think half the people here haven’t, just to survive?” replied General Reed.
“That is why we are trying to rebuild things the way we are. First, we get rid of the Squids. Then, we start over, past sins forgiven if possible.”
“My sins would fill Noah’s ark, General. I worked with the Krakens. Enough said.”
“Yet you helped save Torbin Bender from those same people. Why?”
“He was Abby’s friend. She was trying to save him. That’s reason enough for me.”
General Reed stopped for a moment. This large man was a lot more complicated than at first glance, and had a certain moral code he followed.
“Your surviving family, your niece, will miss you greatly if you leave.”
Dogman shrugged. “I’ll keep in touch, now that I know how to get in contact with her. And now that I know she has friends and a new family to keep her safe.”
“Well, I can tell you are as stubborn as I am. You can at least tell me her late parents’ names, so I know who I’m filling in for, and can pay them honor.”
“Anica Vladu and Craig Jorgensen. Abigail reminds me of my sister. A lot.”
The General extended his hand again. “Okay, deal. I give the bride away. But you have to stay for the whole wedding and reception, spend some time with your niece. Or, no deal.”
A small rare smile formed on the dog trainer’s face. “Glad to see Abby’s adopted father has some grit in him. Deal.” T
hey shook hands, then General Reed shook Ranger Jackson’s hand.
“Thanks for going the extra mile, Ranger.”
“Hell, General. Piece of cake. Besides, Madam President would have my ass if I didn’t.”
They laughed, as they both knew that was true.
“Well, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I have a date with a bride.” The General turned and left.
“Good man, the General,” said Dogman.
“Told you he was. Now, you get to meet Madam President. Try to control your opinions. She’s not as nice as the General.”
The actual wedding ceremony went without a hitch. Aleks said later that God must have been watching close over the festivities to make sure they came off so perfect. Ichiro said the Ancestors of both Families ensured Ichiro and Abigail were married without complications. All that really mattered was that Abigail and Ichiro were bound in holy matrimony.
General John Reed walked the bride down the aisle. When Abigail appeared on his arm, there was a collective gasp. So used to seeing her in military garb, seeing her in the gorgeous creation of a wedding gown caused many a jaw to drop. Mi-Hi and Aunt Freda Munsen had combined their efforts to create a masterpiece that fit Abigail as if it were painted on, as she had imagined. The dress bottom was slender and sleek, with long slits up both sides which allowed Abigail complete freedom of movement, as well as show off shapely legs that were to die for. One could see the Asian influence on the design. The top was more traditional western, with exposed cleavage, and a light frill around her well-shaped chest. Abigail had long sleeves on her arms, with slight frills at the wrists. And, befitting a virgin, it was all bright white with slight silver hints.
Crowning all this was a veil that was secured on Abigail’s head with a thin, exquisite, and shiny pure silver chain that acted like a crown. Created by Hannah Weitz, the rumor began that it was an actual halo that Abigail’s guardian angel had provided. On Abigail, it became a halo.
The bridesmaid contingent stood at the front of the church on the bride’s family side.
Typhoon of Steel Page 26