Ride to Redemption

by D. J. Wilson

  She nodded in agreement and gave me another hug. “Let’s go meet your friends, Boy. It sure is good to see ya. I’m glad you came by.”

  We made our way to the dining area and found the trio tucked into a booth by the window. Gio had two empty bottles of Hippy Highway Oatmeal Stout from Lone Peak Brewery in front of him and a partial still cold in his hand. “Guys, I want to introduce you to Bella. She owns this joint. Ya better be extremely nice to her, especially you, Gio. She’ll spank you like a child in knickers, before you know what hit ya!”

  Bella chuckled, and Gio managed a confused smile, not understanding a word of what I said.

  After a few more introductions and small talk, Bella had taken our orders and scurried off to the kitchen. The four of us talked briefly and took in the sights of this cozy diner in the middle of almost nowhere. It wasn’t long until we had overloaded plates in front of us, consisting of what we’d ordered along with a generous helping of samples, Bella considered her best dishes. No one ever left hungry when Bella was around.

  Bella stayed and chatted with us all for over an hour. We caught up on her other businesses in the area, and she hinted to a few bigger deals she had cooking further west. It was as if Bella and I had never parted. She and I could always talk business and friendship like we were actually family. I finally spoke up about our trip and how the four of us were putting many miles beneath us.

  “Bell,” I finally stated, “we’re going to have to climb back on those bikes. They’re not going to drive themselves. But first, I need to grab something from the bike and make a pit stop.”

  “No, no!” she complained. “Ya just got here!”

  Walking away, “I’ll be back soon, I promise. Just need to finish this ride. I have some off the wall business ideas to discuss. Plus, we just need to do some catching up. I won’t hide from you again, that is if I can help it.” I grimaced as those words left my lips. What I promise and what I deliver is not always up to me here lately.

  On my return, we exchanged good-byes and made our way to the front doors. Bella pulled me into another long hug, squeezing me like a long-lost grandchild. I whispered into her ear. “I promise I’ll call you as soon as I can. And one more thing…” I paused before I finished. “I left a couple of brown wrapped packages in the back for you. They’re hidden under green bean cans. Use all you can to make yourself whole and give the rest away. That is if there is anything left.”

  “Dammit, Jon David!” she said aloud. “You better not have…”

  I smiled. “Good-bye, Bell. We’ll talk soon.”

  She shook her head disapprovingly, but smiled back at me and whispered. “I love you, Jon David. I'm glad you're alive, healthy and here.” Swatting me smartly on the butt, Bell continued, “Go on, git!”

  We put on our gear as Bella disappeared into the diner. Just as we were bringing the bikes to life, I saw the diner door swing wide, accompanied by the screeching shout of Bella.

  “What the Hell are these, Jon David?”

  My heart sank. I’d hoped she’d wait until we were gone, before tearing into her treasures.

  Bell, racing out the door, stumbled. I watched as her ankle rolled in the loose gravel. As she regained her balance, she lost her grip on one of the torn packages, held loosely in her hand. To my utter horror, one of the drawstring bags in her grasp, flung open, littering the river graveled parking lot with dozens of brilliant, transparent stones.

  “Hop off, Candi,” I yelled, before jumping from my bike and racing to her side, scanning the ground for traces of glimmer and glory, scattered between the rocks. Soon, an inquisitive Candi was by my side, sifting through the gravel and dust for diamonds peppering the ground.

  Trying not to make a scene, we scrambled with all the speed we could muster, hoping no one would notice the frantic tourists seemingly searching for a seemingly lost contact lens while down on all fours. Satisfied we had found most, if not all of the precious stones, I slid them gingerly back into the bag, before pressing it into Bella’s hand — folding her fingers tightly around it.

  “Take them, Bell. I’ll explain when I can. Trust me,” I pleaded, watching the tears stain her leather like cheeks.

  I motioned to Candi it was time to go and I jumped on the bike, faster than the Lone Ranger on Trigger. With Candi settled in behind me, I extended a nod to Bella, rumbling out onto the road — the Italians wondering by their blank stares what had just transpired. As I peered into my mirrors, I felt Candi’s hands creep under my jacket as her finger nails dug deeply into my ribs. Her growling made me even more uncomfortable…

  “You’ve got a lot of explaining to do, Jon David.”

  * * *

  Pulling into the first 100% pure gas station I found, Gio, immediately dismounted and sauntered up to me, “Good food D, good beer, too. What happened back there?”

  “Bell lost some trinkets I gave her.” Changing the subject, “Have you decided where you go from here?”

  “I look on map while you away, we go south to Jackson Hole.”

  “Excellent. You’ll like it. Make sure you take Mile to the Million Dollar Bar, where the beer is ice cold and the bar seats are real saddles. Oh, and stay in the Wort Hotel if they have rooms. It’s right out of the old west. You will like it, I promise, because its downtown and you can stumble drunk your way around and never have to get on, just to fall off your bike.”

  Looking totally confused, Gio somehow managed a compliment. “You know best places, D. You good guide.”

  “Thank you, Gio.”

  “We find you later, D?”

  “What do you mean, later?”

  “We ride south, then pointing his black leathered finger toward the sky, we ride north. We find you, okay?”

  “You can try. Candi and I are going to Canada from here.”

  Not one to take no for an answer, Gio continued, “We call you,” while slapping me hard on the shoulder, before he jumped on his bike and roared off with Mile in tow.

  Watching Gio and Mile head south, where they were finally putting some distance between us, seemed to offer Candi instant relief.

  “I’m glad they’re gone, D. I’m ready for some us time.”

  Pulling into a rest area on the outskirts of Butte to scrape the bugs off my windshield, “Do we ride on to Missoula or would you like to stay in Butte tonight? “

  “What’s in Butte, baby?

  “It’s an old mining town that is trying to revitalize itself. It’s not there yet, but it can be soon enough, if people continue to invest in jobs to replace the ones lost when the mines closed.”

  “I get it, D. Forgive me, but I am so not impressed. What say we ride, baby, we ride?”

  Chapter 24

  It was around 7 p.m. before we passed a sign that said, Missoula, 18 miles ahead. Unfortunately, not having spent much time here, all I could remember about the town’s main claim to fame was that the University of Montana calls it home. Beyond that I drew a blank. Taking the first exit into town, I pulled my phone and Googled the best places to stay. Luckily, I found the Gleeson Mansion B&B, rated #1, offered availability, where I was able to reserve the master’s suite with a click of a button. Putting the address into my GPS, we cruised through the city, built on the Clark Fork River and then across Montana University’s main campus, before arriving at the Mansion, just a mile from downtown.

  “Beautiful,” breathed Candi, as we rolled slowly up to the massive front entrance, featuring six large stone columns, reaching at least 30’ towards the arched roof. “Déjà Vu all over again, I believe, somewhere in our past, we’ve been here before. Excellent choice, D. Can we recreate our last B&B adventure again tonight?”

  “Your wish is my command, princess. We can do it, as long as they have a king sized bed and a two person shower, or some combination of the above.”

  “Oh, and then we have to talk. Right, baby?”

  “Right,” I relented, as we made our way to the front desk.

  “Hi,” I announce
d, to our jovial looking receptionist, Robin. “I’m D and this is Bambi, (just had to get that in.) I booked the Master Suite for tonight. Robin, darling, does it have an oversized shower?”

  “I’m sorry to say sir, it does not. It has a standard shower for one, but an awesome slipper tub. Will that work for you?”

  Before I could say no, Candi interrupted, “We’ll take it. I love slipper tubs. They make me feel so elegant, especially while sipping champagne.”

  “I guess it works for us Robin, so much for fantasy night.”

  “Pardon me?”

  “Never mind, just point me to the nearest champagne store.”

  Candi had taken the keys and raced to the room where, after lugging in our gear, I found her in a state of nominal undress, steamy, frothy water pouring into the tub. “Hurry back with the champagne, baby. Kisses.”

  Woo-hoo demands much today, my heart couldn’t help but pine.

  Returning with two bottles of chilled champagne, assorted cheeses and fresh veggies from the Good Food Store, I found Candi enveloped in her element, naked, relaxed and reading another steamy novel on her iPad. “Thank you, baby. I was beginning to think you were lost. This book I’m reading is really hot. So hot in fact, after you pour us some bubbly, I might just jump you … with your permission, of course.”

  “Really Candi, just when have you had to ask my permission to jump me,” thoroughly amused that my jeans were suddenly rising to her invitation, as I popped the cork on the first bottle.

  “To us,” I toasted, handing Candi an almost full glass. Reaching down to kiss her on the lips, Candi playfully tried pulling me into the tub with her, clothes and all.

  “Get in, D. I am so hot. I want you, baby. I want you now,” pleaded Candi, as she forcefully grasped my arms and pulled the top half of me into the tub, all the way up to my elbows.

  “Hold on, baby doll, my wallet, my boots and my phone may not survive the rest of your quest.” Quickly shedding my clothes, I slipped in behind her, raising the water level in the tub, to the brink.

  “Isn’t this relaxing, D? I could soak here for hours.”

  “It is, baby. That is, if we don’t move,” I muttered, realizing any sudden movement would send bath water over the tub and onto the floor. “Pull the plug, Candi, and let some water out or we’re screwed.”

  “Gladly,” said Candi. “Those were my intentions exactly.”

  Once the water dropped to a manageable level, my hands massaged her tatas, as I kissed her back. “I’ve missed you, baby,” I whispered, while rocking back and forth in unison in the steamy, bubbling water. And then as quickly as it started, it was over, at least for me.

  “You’re finished, already?” asked Candi disapprovingly. “Plus you made one giant mess,” she added as the water pooled on the tile, then streamed toward the pristine hardwood floors.

  “Yep. I’m sorry. It even surprised me. Stand up, please. We’re far from done,” I said, as we climbed from the tub. I picked up two large bath towels to mop up the water. Grabbing a third, I wrapped her in it and carried into the bedroom and gently laid her on the bed. “Close your eyes, precious, this one’s for you.”

  Trying not to let her excitement wane, I delved straight into her moistness with my lips and my tongue, while my hands caressed her cheeks to finish what I’d started in the tub. Arching her back, Candi's fingers clawed into the comforter, as my tempo steadily increased. Sensing she was on the precipice, I moved two fingers in and upwards towards her magic spot, while my lips began their magic.

  “Oh, baby! Oh, baby!” screamed Candi, as once again, the waves of another successful O enveloped her. Seeing her body thrashing, her legs moving up and down on the bed, re-awakened me. As her excitement subsided, I moved up and on top of her.

  “You’re not done? What’s up with that? Oh I see what’s up, the better question is why,” Asked a surprised and thoroughly amused Candi beneath me.

  “I can’t answer that. Evidently someone else is driving this train,” I surprised myself with that reply, as I began round two, while looking into the wanton eyes of the beautiful woman before me. “Hang your legs over my shoulders, baby,” I pleaded, while assuming a plank like position.

  “What’s got into you, D?”

  “I don’t know, baby. But whatever it is, I’m glad I’m in shape for it.” By the time I rose and fell to the occasion for the second time in under ten minutes, Candi and I were totally spent, somewhat sore and extremely sensitive. (Her words, not mine) And within five minutes asleep, wrapped and entwined in each other’s arms.

  Chapter 25

  “Morning,” I said softly, kissing Candi gently on the cheek.

  “What time is it?” asked Candi, still in a fog.

  “Its 5 a.m., precious. Are you up to walking with me this morning?”

  “Can I take a rain check, D?”

  “Of course. We’ve already decided you’re not an early morning person, so go back to sleep. I’ll wake you when I get back.”

  Walking across the university’s campus to hike the 1-3/4 mile M Trail to Mt. Sentinel, I turned my phone on to discover two voice mails and one text message from last night. One number I recognized was Vic’s, the other number shown was unknown. The text message, however, was all too clear.

  Text 1:

  D, remember me? Your shadow. Howz Sturgis and Ur ride goin’? Need to check in ASAP. I’ve heard stirrings and rumblings through the grapevine. Need to pass on. Jim.

  Message 1:

  Hi D, this is Victoria calling to check on you and see how your trip is going. And to tell you, I’ve found an office, hired an assistant and have taken on my first pro bono case, all thanks to you. Hope all is well, call me.

  Message 2:

  D, Gio here. We leave Wyoming tomorrow. Mile say she like Jackson Hole, the big brown deer, the million-dollar bar, but miss ride with you. We come find you. You call, ok? Tell me where you’ll be in three days. We’ll be there, Ciao.

  Climbing over 1900 feet in elevation in under two miles humbled me. Although the views of Missoula and the Bitterroot Mountains were exquisite this early in the morning, I did not realize just how out of shape I was. Thankfully, I left Candi in bed for this walk, otherwise, I would have never heard the end of it, asking her to climb this mountain with me at dawn. Much to my chagrin and her delight, if she had managed to come along, would have been the hard bodied, male runners, who continuously passed me with ease, running up to the top and back down, without seemingly breaking a sweat.

  Oh, to be 20 again.

  On my trek down, with my breathing now under control, I called Vic, who did not answer and left her a message, congratulating her on her recent events. I also asked her to email me with a time to talk and I would plan accordingly. I didn’t call Gio, realizing I first needed to figure out where we would be, and secondly, did Candi really want this reconnection to occur.

  I did text a reply to my shadow. You just never know when you will need a good cop around to cover your back.

  Jim, trip is awesome. Glad you’re not here. Taking long way back. Stirrings can wait till I get back. Can’t find what they can’t see. D

  “Morning, baby,” I announced, handing Candi a freshly made black and green tea, I grabbed on the way up the stairs.

  “Kisses, baby. How was your walk?”

  “It was not for the faint of heart. I walked across the campus and up the mountain to the concrete M we saw last night on our way here. You’d be proud of me, I even made it to the top,” I exclaimed, as the sweat poured from my brow and dripped onto the sheets.

  “I am proud of you, baby. I should have gone with you this morning, but you wore me out last night. Let me clarify that, you, the champagne and the tub. I hate to change the subject, but since we are alone with our clothes on, it is time you fess up about the diamonds and just where they came from. Just what kind of mess have I gotten myself into, riding off into the sunset with you?”

  “Don’t be that way. None of this has
ever been about me. It’s always been about trying to fix something that was irrevocably broken, without involving anyone else.”

  “Answer me this, D. How much do you estimate each one of these packages are worth?”

  “It’s hard to answer that exactly. I mean, they all vary.”

  Pressing the point, “Try, D.”

  “Roughly 1.8 million to 2.8 million dollars, mind you, I’m guessing.”

  “So let’s see if I’ve got this straight. We’ve been mailing roughly 200 million dollars of diamonds at each stop. How many stops are “we” making, D?

  “Six.”

  “Using simple math, that’s over 1.2 billion with a capital B that you’re giving away. Now, truthfully, wouldn't you consider me an accomplice? Go figure.”

  “Yep. That just about sums it up. I’m sorry I’ve involved you in this, but it is what it is. Just think, Candi, one more stop and we’ll be completely through with this nightmare. I’m sorry this troubles you. I want you to be comfortable, regardless. I’ll take you to the airport and you can fly home right now if that’s what you want. It’s totally up to you.”

  “For now, I’m staying. I have too many unanswered questions to leave you at this juncture. The first question is, just who are all these fortunate souls who receive your ‘gifts’? I mean, why isn’t my name on your list?”

  “If you’d invested in A.J. Standford’s Bank, aka. Ponzi scheme, I’m sure your name would’ve been there. But thankfully, I didn’t see you on any of my lists.”

  “Lists? What lists?” Candi was sounding more like a detective than a girlfriend. “Lists like from a print out or a thumb drive, CD or maybe even a hardbound ledger?”

  “Lists of people who couldn’t afford to lose their investments to some greedy SOB —a man who promised significantly more in returns than he could possibly deliver,” I added.

  “Who made you, God?” Candi continued defiantly. “Who told you which ones to save and which ones to ignore? Did you just wave a magic wand and the names appear?”

  “People were drowning here, Candi. These were little guys who invested everything trying to make a better life for their families, their employees and themselves. When Standford collapsed, they did too, to the point many were driven to suicide.”