by Bella Knight
Henry sipped more decaf coffee. “The Soldier Pack is an outgrowth of the Texas program, and is like the Wolfpack. We’ve had twenty-two of them go on to get various jobs, some with motorcycles, some without. We’ll double that number every two months, from now. The Soldier Pack can be implemented on the res as well. People can buy junked bikes, refurbish, and sell them. All they need is tools and a garage, and trainers like Bonnie to train them.”
“Men with a purpose,” said Inola. “When are you leaving?”
“We were going to go next week,” said Henry. “But, we’ve had a tablet manufacturer contact us, and they’ll donate five for every twenty we buy. They’ll ship them anywhere.”
“And we’ve got a rancher ready to donate two outbuildings. One as a dorm, and one that can be split up into various rooms like classrooms and craft rooms. We want to get there and take custody of the buildings, so to speak,” said David.
“So, you got excited,” said Bella. “Tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow,” said David.
“Don’t wake me up,” said Inola. “Tarak and Ryder will wake us up at dawn, anyway. And, knowing you two, you’ll be out before dawn.” She stood, hugged both men and kissed them on the cheek. “Goodnight, and the best of luck.” She lurched toward the stairs.
“Sorry about that,” said Bella. “She’s in baby shock. Tarak is a happy baby, but he’s up all damn night.” She sighed and stretched. “And she’s not breastfeeding, I am. But, the babies wake each other up, and Ryder no longer likes naps. Have to make her lie down, and then sing to her to get her to nod off.”
“I hate leaving the grandkids,” said David. “But, the donations are coming together, and we’ve got to grab what we’ve been offered.”
“Sure,” said Bella. She hugged and kissed them both, then knocked back her tea. “Please clean up. I’m almost as tired as my wife.” She headed for the stairs. “And get a damn elevator,” she said, over her shoulder. Henry and David laughed.
The men cleaned up the mugs, packed, and went to bed. In the morning, they were off to Montana. They took three days, stopping off at truck stops, pancake houses, and red-roofed motels along the way. It was stunning going, through mountains that smelled of pine and rainwater, with picturesque streams winding down mountain slopes, and beautiful creosote and mountain flowers everywhere.
In Montana, a rancher who was half Crow with a Crow wife had a ranch situated like Henry’s ranch, with its back corner touching res land. The large res was over three and half thousand acres, but a road from the reservation wound its way past that corner. Fala Red Fox showed them the property. She was a tall woman, with her long hair flowing behind her. She was dressed in jeans, chaps, cowboy boots, and a red checkered shirt. She had a wide face and kind eyes.
“If it helps our people, you can have them.” The outbuildings were a barn, even larger than Henry’s horse barn, made out of strong, old wood. Even with years of wind, and rain and snow, it stood. The second one was a building, kind of like a second barn, previously used to store hay, feed, tack, and the like. The animals were in several brand-new barns. You could milk cows in one, horses in another.
“We’ll take them,” said Henry. “The students can clean them out. We’ll bring the pods up.”
“Pods?” asked Fala.
“Like bunk beds, only boxes,” said David. “Open on the sides, with a light, and a space to sit up. Good for having your own space even if you have other people in the room. Desks, storage, or a couch goes underneath. Gives more space in tight spaces. One end is a shelf, the other a chest of drawers.”
“If they could make those, maybe they can sell them in the cities,” said Fala.
“Crow are wonderful with beadwork,” said David. “I learned from a Crow man when I was a boy.”
“We’ve lost a lot, but we kept that,” said Fala. “We’ll need help with the milking and horses, pay the young ones some,” she said. “Be cheaper than hiring hands. Lots to do; tack cleaning and repair, right through the entire winter. You can get one of those hydroponic beds going, we’d be happy to get fresh vegetables and fruits. Long winter here.”
Danny Sitting Bear came riding up from the res on his gorgeous dun horse. He looked like a bear himself, big and compact, with black hair. It was long under his large Stetson. “Got six already signed up,” he said. “They’ll be sleeping in the barn until we get their quarters running. Billy Red Horse and my wife Gina have a construction business. They get this place done at night and on weekends ‘till it’s done.”
“We’ll train ‘em up to be ranch hands, fishing and hunting guides,” said Fala. “Beadwork in the winter, leatherwork, like making tack, too.”
“Photography guides would be good,” suggested David. “You’ve got your birdwatchers, environmentalists, and just plain photographers, and the most beautiful vistas in the country. And trackers to find wildlife for photography, not hunting.”
“Better than the hunters,” agreed Fala. “Those idiots will shoot anything, in season, out of season, licensed or not. Including people.”
“Drop beer cans everywhere like this is their own private dumping ground,” agreed Danny. “Photographers, you say? Be better. We know all the best spots. Combine hiking and photography tours. Be good for the area.”
“Have stops for the bikers, too,” said Henry. “A lot of them are hikers as well. Love the outdoors.”
“Hear you’re gonna put a satellite on my roof,” said Fala. “You do that, I’ll pay half, since we’re gonna use it too.” Henry held out a hand, and they shook on it.
Arena
Bonnie had Nantan’s boys (Josh and Nick) record a video. Josh was in with Killa and Ghost, recording how to unpack and put together a Harley trike. Nick was with Bonnie and Tori. Bonnie showed the six members of the Harley class the parts of their Harleys, and then walked them back to watch Tori unbox a Harley Fat Boy. They recorded as well, holding up cell phones as Bonnie quickly and efficiently laid out the parts on a table. The engine was already on the mount, ready to go. They also got to see Tori’s pride and joy, a mangled off-road Harley Tori was taking apart to rebuild.
Gregory came to take them to the E and E class to learn how to evade hazards like children leaping into the streets, or a piece of furniture falling out of a truck in front of them, as well as actual shooters. They were all Valkyries from a club in Oregon, well used to wet streets and falling trees. They wanted to get to the good stuff; how to evade and shoot while on a bike.
They ran the gamut from a tiny Asian woman to a tall Hispanic woman with enormous shoulders and back muscles. Gregory knew them as Gondol, Hlokk, Hildr, Skogul, and Skalmold. He felt infinitely lucky to have been around Sigrun, Wraith, Skuld, and the rest. Their fierce eyes and their bloodthirsty desires didn’t derail him. He simply moved through the less-necessary information as quickly as possible, so as to show them the best ways to evade bullets while on a Harley.
Well before he usually did the back-lot part, they were ready. He called in his people with their laser pointers early, and made sure everyone was well hydrated, and ran them through the main scenarios and his two backup scenarios. His people got one hell of a workout. Each woman eventually got to shoot at targets while on a Harley, something he’d only put together for the most advanced training.
They had enough pulled pork sandwiches, sodas, waters, and chips to feed an army. They mowed them all down, nodded politely, paid the remainder, and then they went out to do desert training. They ran him so ragged he felt as if he’d trained a platoon. Each woman bought her off-road bike, and he was very glad he had six ex-soldiers who could get away for a weekend road trip to drop them off. They’d fly back.
He took them out for a treat to the jousting at Excalibur, and spoke to the manager, someone with a daughter protected by High Desert Security. Turned out her father was an ex-agent with ancient enemies from his time working in the casinos in New Jersey. The local Valkyries showed up, they dressed and armored up, and put on a show fo
r the crowd. The crowd loved it, cheering and even betting on them. The locals gave as good as the Spokane natives, and eventually they were all back in their more normal leathers, knocking back one in the bar, just for the road. They talked for an hour and a half until the drink wore off, then their new bikes met them, and they headed off into the night. Herja and Rota lead the way out of town, then circled back toward home.
Gregory made it home, barely able to unlock the door because he was so tired. His wife, Katya, met him at the door. He received a kiss, she took his jacket, he kicked off his shoes, and he held his son Ivan while she held Luka. He sat, and was rewarded with his other son. They babbled at him, and he listened carefully, asking questions about their day. He kissed their heads, and carried them upstairs, making bear noises, making them giggle.
He put them on the bedroom floor as he stripped off his suit pants and hung them up, undid his cufflinks, and took off his white shirt, now stained with baby spittle. He threw the shirt into the laundry hamper. He put on shorts, and made more bear noises as he took the babies to the bath. They laughed. Both boys loved being naked and loved attacking each other with toy ships, whales, and ducks. He let them splash each other unmercifully as he washed them, from their hair to their cute little toes.
He then laid out their towel covers, a yellow duck for Luka, a brown bear for Ivan. Ivan was out first, and his brother joined him in screaming as if he was being murdered. He got them both out and dried, put on their pajamas, dried their tears, and took them to hear a story about a brown bear cub. One who could climb trees faster than his brother. He sang to them, and Katya joined them for a kiss. They were so sleepy they cried for only five minutes before falling asleep.
Katya led him to the bedroom. “Where are Mimi and her little sprite?” Gregory asked.
“They are at Henry’s house. He went to Montana with David to scout out sites for an expanded Wolfpack, into other Nations.”
“And they’re there too…” He wandered toward the shower, hardly necessary as the boys had thoroughly splashed him.
“Mimi and Ree will help with the babies and cleaning the house. April is moving in too, to help. Vi is in the kitchen, so no worries there. Vi will take the downstairs and the girls the upstairs and babies.”
Gregory watched his wife undress. Even being dead on his feet, he felt something move deep inside him. “Ree won’t be much help. She’s not yet three.”
Katya mock-glared at him. “Why are you so tired?”
“Valkyries,” said Gregory. “They were my class. I ended up doing emails at lunch, and snuck out for a conference call at dinner, and two more during the clients’ show. Got three new clients lined up, though. Not that I know what to do with them. Wraith came back, and it’s running great, but I want to spend more time here, with you. Henry leaving town threw a wrench in that.”
“Make your soldiers do more,” said Katya. “Train them to do client meetings, discuss contracts on the phone. They are all well-educated, no?” She smiled up at her husband. She took off her last sock, enjoying the look on his face as he saw her nude body.
“Yes, they are,” he said. “Two have degrees in business. I’ve got them sorting through new hires and reviewing contracts, but having them do more day-to-day stuff is a great idea. Thank you, my lovely.” He gave her a deep kiss.
He led her to the shower. He set it on just below lobster, and let the jets pound out his exhaustion as he washed his wife from head to toe. He left in the conditioner as he scrubbed her back. She scrubbed him as well as he washed and rinsed out his own hair. She smiled as she rinsed out her own hair, and left him in the shower as he let the jets pound on him some more. She dried her hair and body and then put on lotion and a silk robe. He got out, dried himself, put on his own lotion and a robe.
He combed and dried his wife’s hair, and took her into the bedroom. She laid down beaming a smile, and he took his sweet time, kissing her forehead, her eyes, and her nose, all the way down. He was careful with the other couples’ baby she carried for them. She was so beautiful when pregnant; radiant, in fact. He knew they didn’t need more just quite yet, because Ivan and Luka were a handful. He was happy she’d have the baby soon. She was lovely, and quite interested in sex, but she was also tired at night. So am I, he thought. Maybe even too tired to finish this.
But despite his exhaustion, he made her come and come again, then slipped in from behind. She moved against him, slowly, then harder and harder. She came in a rush, and he followed her. He managed to find the wet wipes, wiped them both off, went to the bathroom with the wipes, and got himself ready for bed. He came back out, put on his night shorts, and helped his wife into her nightclothes. He nearly fell into the bed, and crawled under the sheets. Morning would come, and smash him into the ground again.
He was awakened by his wife pulling on his ear with her teeth. He grinned, and stroked her until she screamed silently into his mouth. He made her come, twice, and then took her from behind once again, stroking her breasts until she crushed herself against him. He came, cleaned them both up, and then dressed in his work clothes.
Luka and Ivan were up, and he took them up and fed them round cereal and fruit they ate with their fists. Katya came down, and he kissed her and the boys’ heads and went back to teach more at Henry’s school. Luckily, they were riders from all over. They were from Idaho and California, Louisiana and Texas, Colorado and New Mexico. He took them through a normal class, fed them barbecue, and got them off early because they all wanted to ride home; three bought their off-road bikes, and he found soldiers to follow them home with their new off-road Harleys.
He made it home in time for stew and dumplings, and his wife’s laughter. It was like a balm after the last two days. The boys told him about their day, and he helped them with their baths and listened to their happy screams and splashing. Bedtime was a bear, as Ivan did not want to go down, and kept his brother awake while he was at it. Gregory took Ivan out until Luka slept, and told him a story about a prince who turned into a bear and back again. Soon, Ivan slept, and Gregory slipped his sleeping son into the bed. He went back downstairs, to their kitchen where no mess was allowed for long. He put away the dishes from the dishwasher, and took up a bottled cherry water and a tea for his wife. He found her in bed, reading, with her hair curling from the shower. He took his own shower, and quickly got himself into bed.
She held him. “I know you are tired, love. Put your head down and rest.” She stroked his hair, and soon he slid into sleep, once again.
The melamine arrived, and Ace, Lily, and Callie took Ace’s band saw to the corner near Robert to measure (twice), then they cut, drilled, and labeled the pieces for the bed. They worked under a tent, and had drinks at the ready. Ace measured, Callie cut, and Lily drilled the holes.
“Colorful,” observed Ace.
“Chinese red, cobalt blue, gold, silver, copper, pine green,” said Callie. “With matching bedding. Keeps everyone’s stuff straight.”
“Hmm,” added Ace.
“Labeling is key,” said Callie, “and lining up everything plumb. The shelves, the fold-down desk, the light.”
“Sure glad the donations are coming in,” said Lily. “This is the first disbursement. Remember, we have to take pictures.”
“Will do, boss,” said Robert, from inside his porch. He was installing the fenders and gas tank he had painted the day before with black, red, and yellow Zuni designs on a custom off-road Harley. “Have cell phone, will take shots.” He took a picture of each person with the plastic pieces that looked like boards, Ace with his tape measure and grease pencil, Callie at the band saw, and Lily lining up the holes with a level.
“How are you going to get this stuff all there?” asked Ace.
“Truck,” offered Callie, unhelpfully.
Lily laughed. “Got someone on our res, wants to do business on their res. They offered to drive the rental truck to Montana. Says it’s a sweet ride to there.”
“Bouncing around in a ren
tal truck is not my idea of a ‘sweet ride,’” said Callie.
“He’s also bringing his off-road Harley with him,” said Lily.
“Sweet,” said Callie. “Bet it’s Carl Running Deer. Man won’t stop talking about the off-road bike he bought from Robert here.”
“Can barely keep up,” said Robert. “Gonna have to import me another Soldier Pack member.” He grinned. “And now that Triesta’s bunking with me, I got a room for that person.”
“Sweet,” said Lily. “Speaking of keeping up, Ace, didn’t you all hire a new bar back?”
“Rose,” said Ace. “Purple hair and a nose ring. Loves it. Ivy takes over for her sometimes so she can dance. I think she’d pay us to work there.”
“Um, where is this going?” asked Callie. “Oh,” she said. “Bella.”
“What about Bella?” asked Ace, stopping his measuring. “She okay? We can delay her return as long as she likes. Rose wants all the hours we can give her to work.”
“She’s fine,” said Lily.
“Failure to launch,” said Callie. “Not helped by not having her own space, out of the main house, to work. Thinking about asking Numa about that, let her hang out in the office of her shop.”
“What? You mean her book cover business?” asked Ace, resuming his measuring.
“Exactly. She’s so… hyper-realistic. Bao helped her find a program to make her still shots move, you know, GIFs. Flames shooting out of mage’s hands and stuff,” said Callie.
“She’s making money. Not as much as bar backing, because the tips and pay brings in some fine cash, but she’s not hurting, and she needs time to build her business, to get and keep clients,” said Lily.
“And raise awesome babies,” said Callie.
“She says she wants three days a week,” said Ace, confused. “I thought she wanted to come back.”
“She does,” said Callie.
“Absolutely,” said Lily.
“But she doesn’t want to let you down,” said Callie.