Junior wanted to get Axel stalled and fed. He threw hay inside the large wooden stall. Axel had grown into a beautiful roan colored steed. He fit perfectly in the stall here with enough room to turn around and lie down if he chose to do so.
“Junior, oh my God, it’s wonderful to see you!” His mother rushed over and threw herself into his arms. She then pulled back and studied his face with concern.
His dad extended his hand.
Junior took it and pulled his dad into a hug. “It’s good to see both of you.”
“How are you, Junior? Let me help you with that.” His father picked up the full water bucket.
“I got it, thanks, though.” Junior tried to take the water from him.
“Let me, don’t want you back in the hospital.” His father grinned as he poured the water into the bucket hanging inside the stall.
Junior poured grain into the other bucket. “Thanks, Dad. I’m doing fine, no worries.”
Axel whinnied. The horse waited until Junior shut and locked the stall door before moving in to eat his grain.
“Nice mannered horse. Did you do all the training on him, Junior?” Avis asked.
“Yeah, I suppose I did. I’ve had him since he was six months old. He’s all the future I got left and has already sired a few potential winning foals.” Junior stretched his back slightly, then started the long walk to the homestead. “Is it okay if I leave my truck and trailer there for the night? I’ll move it in the morning.” He pointed to the old truck. “I’m beat, plus I might need the trailer to haul supplies in the future.”
“Of course, I can have Ray go into town with you to help get whatever you need,” his father said, referring to his ranch foreman. “I hear you’re starting to build next week?”
“Yeah, that’s the plan. I don’t need Ray, though. I hate to bother the man he has enough to do around here.” Junior’s brow creased. “I can’t believe Ray is still here. Gosh, he must be in his seventies now.” Ray had been his grandfather’s foreman before his dad took over the ranch.
“We just celebrated his seventy-fifth birthday,” Avis spoke up, her smile brightening her face.
“Geez, is he going to retire soon?” Junior kissed his mom’s cheek. It felt good to be home.
“No, he doesn’t want to. He said a retired man is a dead man. Your father, here, said he’ll let him work as long as he wants. He is part of this entire empire your great-grandfather started and passed down to the eldest son. Junior, you’re next, you know?”
“I’m not sure about all that, Mom.” Junior was listening to his mom, but his mind was somewhere else. It had been a relief to finally make it home, but not this way. Just months ago, he’d been confined to a wheelchair. His doctors had told him he would never walk again.
Although, he still used a cane to walk around and his back was on fire throbbing in pain, Junior still felt grateful he was alive, able to beat the odds and walk again. That bull could have killed him. His careful steps slowed their progress. His parents walked faster than he did and they were gaining ground away from him.
His father tugged on his mom’s hand. They slowed their steps down to wait for him to catch up.
Junior hated the fact he was broken. No more than a cripple. He hated it when people paid attention to him but he wasn’t going to say anything. He knew he needed to take his other pain pill to help to calm the flair up after the two-day drive it took him to get home from New Mexico.
“Why don’t you let the ranch hands feed and take care of your horse for you?” his father asked.
“Dad, I have to do something. It’s not going to help me to sit around and cry about life. I need to take care of Axel and get back to work. I need to talk to both of you. I have a future now and it involves other people. You have to try and understand, please,” he responded sharply, abandoning all pretense.
“It’s not a problem, Junior, that’s their job. They take care of the animals and ranch. It’s freed me up to do the breeding program, accounting, and ordering. I need you to take over someday, probably sooner than later.”
Junior was shocked by his father’s words. “Dad, you can’t mean that. I took off on you. Damien, Caleb, and Lucas stayed, have them take over. I don’t deserve the honor you bestow on me. Besides, you’re still young enough that it’s going to be a long time before any of us takes over.” He didn’t feel like he deserved anything from his father. How was he going to tell his father he was going in with his brother and starting a motorcycle club?
“Matheau, listen to your father,” Avis said sternly.
“Dad, come on let’s be realistic. I broke my back, that’s it.” He ignored his mother. “I’ve been in rehab for months. I just want to be outside in the fresh air, not in an office. That was never me, anyways. I never wanted to take over here.”
“How can you say that, Junior? It was always in your future as the eldest son. Your mother and I want to get in some traveling before we’re too damn old to do anything. This is your future right here.” His father meant every word. There was no room to argue with him.
Junior was pleasantly surprised at his father’s admission. “Dad, you really want to travel with Mom? When did this all come about?”
“When the doctor told me I had to start taking it easy. I have high cholesterol and blood pressure. The stress isn’t helping me age any better.”
“Really? Well, just change your diet.”
“It’s not that simple, Son. We can talk about this later. If you’re still planning the large ranch house, you designed years ago, then why not take over the everyday operations here. We’ll still live in the house, but this way your mother and I can come and go as we please.”
As he thought about his father’s words, his mind drifted over to Sarah. Would she be proud of him if he was able to handle this spread and the Club? He’d stopped dreaming about his future right after the accident. When he’d left all those years ago, it had been Sarah he’d thought about the most. He wanted to give her everything she had before. Her family came from wealth, both parents’ doctors. How could he compete with all that?
Every penny he earned he’d saved. After his brothers, had told him she was running her father’s clinic in town, he knew his future was right here in Winslow, Texas if he had any hope of a future with her.
“Did you stop in to see her?” his mom asked as they reached the front porch of the house, as if she’d read his mind.
“No.”
“Why not?” Her tone was soft and kind.
Everyone in Winslow knew Junior had left Sarah, hurt and alone. They’d been high school sweethearts. She’d been his first woman he’d had sex with. He still, kept their pictures with him in his wallet. He had to look at them daily to remember why he’d been out there in the first place. It was to build a life for himself and possibly her.
All this time though, it had taken years to save up enough money to buy a ranch for them to build a family on. He’d given up hope for any future when he’d fallen off that bull and snapped his lower back.
The rodeo had always been the way he was going to strike out on his own, building a future for him and Sarah. Junior had fought and still held that dream close to his heart. Now, Axel, his stud, and the MC was his way to have hope for a future for himself, but he knew it was too late for them or was it. Damn it he was tired of crying about them. He was going to take lessons from the guys and go and get his girl.
“Look, Dad, I appreciate you and Mom here. I’ve been lying around for too long crying in my spilt milk. Ben is out of the military and he’s opening shop here in Winslow. We’re bringing in the Steel MC and I’ve already agreed to take the VP position. I’d really like it if I could get your support on this. We need to see some growth of the Mullins in this town. I hear it’s bad and that someone has taken over and built their empire?”
“Seriously? Ben is coming here to Winslow. I mean, he called and said he was coming to town.” Sr. stood there with his hands in his pockets and the shock written on his face. Ben had kept his word and not said a damn thing to his father.
“Ben, wanted to make sure we had the Steel’s on board first. It’s tough starting up a charter somewhere. We worked a job with them in New Mexico and I’m good at it. It’s better than anything I could have asked for with the rodeo circuit. This gave me a reason to start living again. I need to prove to myself first before I go over and talk to Sarah. Look, I want my girl back, but I don’t deserve her.”
Avis stepped forward. “Son, that’s not true. You’re a good man, just a little lost there for a while. I think I speak for both me and your father. We never lost our faith in you to find your way home.”
Sr. stepped forward. “Son, you and Ben, will be doing what, exactly?”
“Opening up the Agency here in Winslow. Also, members of the original Steels will be coming to town and helping us set up shop. We have enough money to open a few businesses and the Agency. Once we get those established we can start taking charge here and helping the townspeople kick out this corporation that moved in and taken over.”
“That’s all good and well. But, you don’t even know who you’re all dealing with?” Sr. seemed upset.
Junior regretted every day that past him by since the last time he was home over five years ago. His parents didn’t deserve the fact he’d left and never came back. “Dad, Mom, I’m sorry I left you all like that. I was young and stupid and had to find my calling in life. This MC is my calling. I have an extended family out there and these men need me. I come from a great home and family. Most of these guys have nobody. I want to give them a purpose again to live. I have a few hundred acres to build my home on, they have nothing to even call a home. I want that for these guys.”
“But, they are a bunch of riffraff. What is Ben thinking and you, Son?” His father had started to sit down on the porch steps.
Junior grabbed his arm before he had a chance to sit down. “Come on Dad, let’s go in the house and finish this conversation it’s about to get real long.”
On their way in the house, he thought about the last fight he and Sarah had. It had been brutal. She’d nagged at him to give up the rodeo life and come and live with her. He’d supported her decision to go through eight years of college. So why hadn’t she let him be about his choices? How could she expect that from him? He remembered now, how he’d been so furious with her nagging. They’d all been drinking and he’d gotten so drunk at Lucky Lucy’s. She should have known he would never cheat on her and she’d trusted Lucy. The kiss had only been a dare on both parties. But it was the reason she’d used to break up with him.
Sarah had no excuse for her throwing that full bottle of beer at him. Well, at the time, she accused him of causing a scene and trying to make her jealous. After a while, he knew it was better not to keep disappointing Sarah and let her move on.
Junior regretted his actions. He’d hurt Sarah and it was beyond repair. He had to let her go now. Seeing her would only bring up the old hurt and pain. It wasn’t fair to her, for sure.
“You know, all we’ve talked about was me. How are you both doing?” Junior said as they walked into the kitchen.
His dad sat down at the kitchen table. Junior joined him as his mother made a pot of coffee.
“We’re good. How’s the back?” his father asked.
“It’s slowly healing. They said I need to start physical therapy over at the hospital here in town. But, I’ve met a woman who is going to give me a new kind of therapy.”
“Well, I bet you’re glad to be out of that rehab place you were in. Houston is a long way from home,” Avis said.
“Mom, Dad, this leads me to ask one question. Did you pay off my hospital bills?” Junior asked.
“Yes, we did,” his father replied.
“Why? I know you all can’t afford that. I didn’t want that for this family. I would have set up a payment plan.”
“Want what for the family?” His father’s question sounded harsh and stern.
“Debt like that. Because there was no way I could pay them. How could you?” Junior’s anger took hold and he couldn’t stop the avalanche.
“Don’t you worry about this family’s financials, Son. We didn’t want you to worry about money. You need to just get better. I need your help around here.” His father smiled and patted his shoulder.
“Dad—”
His father embraced him. “Son, I’m proud of you.”
“For what?”
“Well for one, that there horse in the barn is a beauty. Is he the one? You know…” his father asked.
“No, he wasn’t the one. It was the last bull I tried to ride. I didn’t quite make it to eight seconds. Don’t change the subject, please.” Junior’s voice carried his anger. He regretted the tone immediately. He did in fact feel grateful to his parents for all that they’d done for him.
“Don’t you worry none.” His father scolded.
His mom hugged him. “We’re doing fine here on the ranch.”
“What can I do to help you?”
“We don’t know what you’re talking about. Let’s go into my study, sit by the fire and let your mom get that welcome home dinner prepared,” his father said dismissing the conversation quickly.
Junior was choked up with emotion, so much so that he couldn’t have spoken if he tried. He patted his mom’s hand gently then leaned in and kissed her before following his father. He was looking forward to dinner with the entire family tonight. He hoped everyone came as promised. When they walked past the dining room, Junior peeked in.
The table was still set up for all fourteen people in his family. Dinner had always been a happy time for the entire Mullin family. Junior had always looked forward to every Sunday when the family was expected to attend dinner after church. It was a family tradition. “I see everything is the same. What are we going to do when everyone starts adding spouses and children to the family, Dad?”
“You know, Son, I’ve been thinking about that. I’m going to have to add another full addition and a couple more tables. Maybe you can help me plan it soon. You’ll probably be the first one to get married and add a family to ours.” His father winked at him, before he sat down in his recliner inside the study.
“Dad, do you know something I don’t? I think it will probably be Lilly. Isn’t she sweet on one of those people at the law firm she works at?” Junior was referring to his twin sister.
“I’m not sure. Lilly wants her career first before even considering dating and getting married. Besides, she’s dealing with some trouble over there.”
“What do you mean?”
“She’s gotten a few threatening emails and letters dropped at her office. We have Ben looking into it.”
“Dad, that brings up the MC subject. I want to explain to you a little about these men. I met Steel and the MC a while back right after rehab. Ben had called me and asked me to help him and the boys with a protection duty of one of the women. Look, I was skeptical too. I thought why in the hell would Ben want to protect a woman who’d run around with a bunch of mean and dirty bikers. Well, I’ll tell you, it’s not like that at all. Salena was being stalked by an ex-boyfriend and she was nearly killed. She was a really good person. Kind of reminded me of a sister. Hawk and Mickey the other two members who I partnered up with had been like Ben. Out of the military and seemed lost. After a while all these guys had found each other and it’s like a brotherhood. Men, women, families, found purpose again to live.”
“But, they do illegal stuff?”
“They live by a code. If the law can take care of business great. If not, they do. It’s not always so cut and dry out there, Dad. You have to try and understand. I want this town back in the Mullin family. This corporation came in here and is trying to take over. We can fix this now.”
“But, what about your sister. She is a lawyer.”
“What about her. She’ll be a good ally to work with Ben and the Agency. I want to show you this doesn’t mean we’ll be bringing crime to Winslow. No, just the opposite, this motorcycle club is a bunch of guys that want to have a place to call home. Wait until Ben, and his two sons move here. They’re bringing their friends and families to stay in Winslow. I need your support on this Dad. Can you, at least, try and trust me and Ben, he is your brother?”
“Yes, I can do that. But, I need you to promise me that this will be a law-abiding club and that you’ll keep the family in the loop?”
“Yes, of course. Harlow, is already aware they’re coming to town.”
“Okay, then. If all goes well I have an extra parcel of land out West of Winslow I can be persuaded to give up.” Sr. smiled and his eyebrows lifted slightly. His father was on board and it wouldn’t take long to have his dad on a Harley.
Junior smiled and reached over to shake his dad’s outstretched hand. “It didn’t take much of an explanation to get you on board?”
“Ben called a few weeks ago and mentioned something about this club. I wanted your opinion on it and I think it will be good. Junior, you’re a good son and I know you have Winslow and this family’s backs. Do whatever you have to do to make this town what it was before that asshole, Fletcher & Son’s moved in. I can’t handle that guy any longer.”
“You know this person?”
“Of course, I do. Did you think I was sitting out here on my ass doing nothing?”
“No, but I wondered.”
His father threw back his head and let out a boisterous laugh. “Son, you have a lot to learn about your father. Come on let’s go and see where your mom is with that food.”
Walking out to the kitchen, Sr. asked, “What can you find out about this trouble with your sister. I need to know it has been resolved. I’d like to meet with Ben soon.”
“He’ll be in town today or tonight. I’ll ask him and report back to you. What does Lilly say about it all?”
“She’s scared but has no idea who is sending the threats. You know she is the assistant DA. It could be anyone she pissed off.”
“That’s true.” Junior walked into the kitchen to find his mom and sisters making lots of food. “Hey, what’s all this?”
“Matty!” Rayna Lynn ran across the kitchen and threw herself into his arms. His sister had grown up and become a beautiful woman. Pulling away from her, he looked into her bright blue eyes and long wavy blonde hair. “Rayna Lynn, you done grown up on me.”
“Junior, how are you?” Vivian another sister gave him a hug.
“Hey I have a favor to ask you all?” Junior asked. He didn’t want to keep talking about Sarah until he knew what his mind was thinking about when it came to her. He knew eventually he’d want to see her and settle this matter between them, but not tonight when he was this exhausted.
Rayna Lynn answered, “Sure, what’s up?”
“I have a lot of people coming in from New Mexico. I need to throw a big picnic for everyone. Will you help me?”
“How many are you talking?” Lucy asked.
“About fifty to hundred.”
“That’s a big difference. Is it closer to fifty or a hundred?” his mom asked.
“Closer to probably one hundred. I have the MC from New Mexico coming up and they’re bringing friends and family. Plus, Ben and his family and the other members of the MC. We’re doing what they call a patch over.”
“What’s that mean?” his dad asked.
“It’s where we take a person and give them a patch to tell them they are a member of a motorcycle club. We have several new members and Steel, himself, is coming to help us.”
“Well that makes sense. I’ll be happy to help you plan the picnic,” his Mom answered for them.
Vivian offered, “I’ll help too.” She was a younger version of his mother. Beautiful with dark brown hair and brown eyes.
“Thank you, baby girl.” Matt had called her that since she was a little girl.
“It’s good to see you. Mom, I need your help with my homework. Do you mind if I sit in the kitchen while you make dinner?”
“Sure, Vivian sit down.” His mom pointed to a kitchen chair for his sister.
Junior didn’t want to bother them anymore so he decided to leave them for a bit. He could see his family welcomed and would help him by their nods and smiles. “Well then thank you all for your help. I figured we could roast a pig and butcher a steer.”
“I’ll call the boys and see what we can do,” Sr. said.
“Thanks, Dad, Mom, everybody.” Junior was relieved his family would help him with the picnic. He’d show the club they knew how to greet the new members and the old. One thing he knew about his family they knew how to throw a family gathering. “I want everyone to attend if they can.”
“I think that can be arranged. I’ll call Damien and tell him to set up the bar out here.”
“Works for me. Thank you.”
His father nodded. After hugs he walked out of the house and toward the barn to check on his horse. Sarah had been on his mind a lot lately, but he knew she didn’t want to see him again. He knew about her father but hadn’t wanted to intrude during her time of grieving.
After checking on his horse, he sat down in the barn and worked on his tack. Rubbing saddle soap into the leather of his saddle, he heard footsteps and looked up to greet his father. “Hey, Dad.”
“Son.”
“How are you doing?”
“I’m doing okay. I wanted to talk to you again about my hospital bills. I didn’t expect nor want you to pay for my hospital stay.” He changed the approach of the subject. “It was too much. I wanted to arrange to make the payments myself. I sold all my rodeo stock to pay them off.” Junior needed to clear the air with his father.
“You know, Junior. It wasn’t a big deal for us to pay your bills. I want you to take that savings and build a house as you always planned. Maybe go into town and make up to Sarah, she’s a fine young woman for you. Maybe now that you’re planning on staying home and stop chasing those damn animals around, you can make a life for her. Plus, you have the club to worry about now.”
Junior listened to his father’s words. He was torn because he was grateful but didn’t know how to repay them for what they’d spent on his care. As well as everyone around here seemed to be pushing him to see Sarah again. Something was going on and he intended to find out what, later on. “Dad, I want to do something for you and Mom. Name it and it’s yours.”
“Take over this place. Let us go and travel. I’m ready for retirement. I would hate to leave this earth and not spend my last days with your mother doing the stuff we want to do.”
“You and Mom have plenty of time.”
“Look at you, Junior, that bull could have killed you. Where would that have left all of us? Sarah, you know she still loves you and I’ve been told she’s still waiting for you to bring her that happiness you always promised her. I absolutely adore that woman. She’s like another daughter to me. She’s had it rough since her father passed away. Go in and see her, talk to her. That’s what you can do for me. I don’t need or want your money, Junior. Now, let that go.” His father words were firm.
Junior knew he’d pushed his father too far. “Sorry, Dad. I’ll do my best around here and let you two travel. Where to first, any ideas?”
“Ireland.”
Junior chuckled. “You chasing a pot of gold or what?”
“Nah, your mom has always dreamed of going there to try to find her ancestors. You know she’s Irish. Hey, why don’t you find your brothers? Go into town and go have a beer with Damien? Maybe stop in and say hi to Sarah.” His father winked.
“Dad, you, ole’ dog, you don’t give up, do you? I’ll see. If you’ll excuse me I’m going to my room for a bit.”
“Okay, we’ll see you at dinner, Son?”
“Sure, Dad.” Junior stood up, stretched then headed upstairs. He found his room the same. The double bed had his favorite comforter on it. Everything was clean and fresh, he knew his mom probably scrubbed it down herself. He threw his bag on the bed and sat down on the edge of it.
After going to the bathroom, washing his face and cleaning up a bit he wasn’t tired anymore, so he decided to go into town.
He found both Caleb and Lucas feeding the livestock. “Hey, you two want to go into town, maybe hit Lucky Lucy’s?”
“Junior, you made it! Thought that was your old truck over there. Saw the stallion in the barn. Nice one.” Lucas swaggered over and gave him a hug.
Next, Caleb pulled him into a hug. “Brother, it’s good to have you home.”
“You boys been helping Dad with the ranch?”
“Yeah, we love it. It’s in the blood, I guess.” Lucas pushed the stall door shut after Caleb threw in a chunk of hay.
They were identical twins. Junior and Lilly were not identical. It was a blessing for a couple to have two sets of twins, he knew it had been quite a surprise for his mother to have to carry two sets. “What time is dinner?”
“Mom has it at six sharp, we don’t want to be late. Come on let’s head in. Maybe we can find Harlow driving around. Make him punch out early. You know he’s the town Sheriff?” Lucas said.
“Yeah, I saw him earlier. I’m proud of all you guys. You all grew up and are doing something with your lives.” Junior grabbed Caleb by the neck pulling him into his chest rubbing his head like he did when they were younger.
“Missed you too, brother.” Caleb laughed as he tried to get away from him.
Junior finally let him go, patting him on the back. “Mom kept me up-to-date on the happenings around here. She tells me Kalvin is in college in Mississippi. Lilly passed the bar and is practicing law. What else happened while I was away?”
“Kalvin’s doing good and trying hard to keep his grade point average up,” Lucas answered. “Medical school is tough on the boy. You know where Harlow ended up and Damien bought the Lucky Lucy’s. The rest of us are still out here on the ranch.”
“Yeah, I heard about that from Rick.”
“Rick Sampson?”
“Yeah, he chewed me out about Sarah.”
Lucas stopped walking, spun on his heel and faced him. “Sarah, your ex from high school? Really, why?”
“I don’t know—everyone seems to think we belong together. What the hell? Hey, hurry up,” he shouted to his brother, Caleb. “Which one of you is driving?”
“Why don’t we take Dad’s car, Junior? It’s easier on fuel than the pickup.” Caleb was holding up the key to his father’s Cadillac.
They all headed over to where it was parked.
“You just want to drive the expensive luxurious vehicle. Why in the hell did Dad buy something like this?” Junior teased. He wasn’t going to complain though, as he folded his long legs into the passenger seat.
“Dad’s only reason was he wanted him and Mom to start traveling and they wanted something comfortable,” Lucas answered from the backseat.
“Makes sense. I’m not going to bitch though, this is a bad ass car,” Junior said, looking around the inside of the car, he touched the leather upholstery and nodded his head. “Nice.”