Plans Change The Story Continues 11

I had not intended being gone as long as I had that day but that little mare had been full of energy and ran until she wore herself out, the walk back took hours where we stopped by the creek, I noted that there had been a flash flood recently, which though not uncommon in the desert it was still something that awed me.  By the time I got back to the barn it was quiet, which was something I had grown accustomed to.  Before I left the barn I realized though it was a bit too quiet as there should have been someone milling about and I half expected a woman to walk into the barn carrying a towel headed for the showers down here.  It was my desire to get back to the twins though that got me moving; they were not in the house as no one was in the house.  It was I looked out of the kitchen window I saw a flash, then another only a slightly different color.  It registered on the third flash there was a pattern.  I headed out through the living room onto the front porch and noted almost instantly the same pattern.  I knew instantly those were emergency lights.  I walked as fast as I could which was more of a fast hobble as I did not have my cane.  When I heard a whinnie and looking back saw The Beast trotting up from the barn still with the saddle.  My back was sore today from the rather long ride as was my leg but riding beat walking.  Scrambling up I mounted and nudged him.  I found the boys holding court near the front of the drive with my children still hanging with John on the six by six.  He looked up at me and I saw two things; first since the twins were fussy he was glad to see me and he was worried.  I had one of the men hand the twins up. With them in place I took in what I saw the cars which had been out on the road had been parked along the drive and in front of the cabins; several of the large pieces of equipment were now on the road as you headed out.  I had to do a double take as they were parked in such a way as to block most of the access forming a road block.  The colored lights were in the distance and I knew they were at the diner and then it dawned on me where all those women were.

I looked at the twins who were in no way looking sleepy so I nudged The Beast who seemed refreshed for as long as a run that he did not actually go on.  John asked where I was going and I just nodded.  I knew he was scrambling when I heard the six by six fire up.  I did not actually go to the diner as it was where the law enforcement had come down on and as usual it was the crowd of bikers and roughnecks but added to the mix were a whole mess of high end cars.  I guess someone noticed a man on a horse as several bikes fired up I did not react and would not let The Beast react at first but when the first few bikers decided to get too close as they circled I let the high strung stallion place a couple of well placed kicks before trotting back up the road   By the time Christina got back smelling of cheep booze, smoke and leather; I had the children fed bathed and was sitting on a rocker on the front porch reciting passages from the good book to them.  I knew she wanted to talk but was grateful she went in and showered.  I went in when the children were asleep and as it was still smelling of fresh paint upstairs I put them down on the bear rug in front of the fire place and started a fire.  Whistling I called the dog in which also smelled of booze and stale smoke and kicked him right back out and told him if he was going to go out drinking he did not need to come home until he cleaned himself up as I was not going to have the twins grow up in that environment as he sat and stared at me i told him if I found out he had been playing the field he could forget about becoming a daddy or seeing that pretty thing when the vet showed up.  Plugging my nose I told him he really needed a bath.  Then I caught the scent of an expensive perfume mixed with booze, stale smoke and exhaust.  Turning around I saw the women that would be staying in my house and my daughters.  Plugging my nose I motioned for them to shoo.

Christina came down and was in the kitchen for awhile and coming into the living room she asked if I had eaten.  I nodded and said I had a banana earlier for breakfast but at the moment I was not that hungry and asked if she had fun at her bachelorette party.  Shaking her head she said no but she did miss me at my baby shower.  Making sure the twins were far enough from the fire and covered I went back through the kitchen and put onto the back porch where I found The Beast waiting with his saddle on.  Removing it was a lot more difficult as my leg was now screaming in pain.  Once he was free of his tack I told him if he did not mind checking on Jr I would appreciate it.  As I went back in Christina was watching me and standing in my way, I could smell the wine and when I went to kiss her I saw the bruise on her neck.  I kissed her on the cheek and told her I was sore after my ride today, smiling she told me she was sore after dancing today and could really use a massage.  I touched her neck as I moved around her.  I went and lay next to the twins.  Christina came out and told me I should really learn to let her know where I was going.  I rolled over and asked if the same courtesy would be afforded me, before she could answer I told her for the record I never left the property, until this evening when finding my wife had up and left with no note.  Laying down next to me she quietly grabbed my face and told me to whisper and I should know I was right about not going to the Diner on the weekends as some fool on a horse started a brawl which is where she got the bruise on her neck.  I told her I did not know they had allowed horses inside.  She lowered her eye lids and after looking at me for almost five minutes told me they did not allow horses inside; I asked where the brawl was and she told me inside.  I nodded and asked if the man on the horse got off his horse walked in and started the brawl.  She told me she never saw the man on the horse as she had been dancing; I asked with who or did she not see him either.  Standing up she told me she should of known better and steamed off.  She was back later with a blanket and wrinkling her nose; I nodded and told her today might have not been the best day for someone to decide to repaint the house.  I forced myself to stand and picked up the children and nodded to the rug.  Walking out I managed to get my bedroll undone while holding both of them and walking around the house I went by the front porch and laid it out on the ground and lowered myself down.  The big dog came over and sniffed the twins before laying down against my back.  It did not take but thirty minutes before Christina came out and asked if I was sleeping outside all night; I nodded and watched her what to do; she finally gave in and walked out and asked if I had room for another.  I nodded and told her I needed a new bed spread anyway.

As she tucked herself in she told me she danced with three different men tonight but thanks to my protege they knew to keep it clean and then she mostly line danced and ignored the leers, cat calls and the lewd comments though it did give a few of her friends a fright and something to talk about for the next year not to mention her upping and getting hitched the way she did, my little display of testosterone earlier and then that crazy stunt on the horses like I was in the circus and then that invisible horse man starting a brawl.  I covered her mouth and told her sleep.and was glad I was not picking her up in Yuma or Tuscon.  She rolled her head to look up and whispered how I knew about that; I asked about what she told me one of those men tried to get her to go ride with him to Tuscon.  I told her he probably found someone else, she told me he asked both my daughters and then Ms. Jennifer who kicked him you know where about the time the brawl started. I told her then it was not the invisible man that started the brawl as his hands were full with the twins but there were a couple of bikers who thought they were going to have a little fun and try to scare the twins and The Beast being as protective as he is kicked a couple of those buffoons off their bikes.  She asked if I seriously brought the twins down there' I told her I took the twins for a ride down the block and back as they had gotten restless and was headed back when several bikers saw us and decided we were more entertaining than the women inside and they learned my horse could do things their iron horses could not do. She told me they would probably want to come looking for me and I told her it was not that hard to find me.  She quieted for awhile and then asked when I would be moving back home.  I told her she talked too much and she squirmed and told me to do something about it.

I awoke after a not very restful sleep with her completely unaware of the world around her thanks to her dancing and my fingers doing their own little dance.  The dew had been heavy that morning and the comforter was soaked and it looked and smelled like rain.  Waking her up I got her to go inside.  I was working on gathering up the twins when two very long legs stepped in front of me; as I looked up into the tired face of who I guessed was supposed to be my favorite woman my old handler and now company lawyer and friend of my wife stood wiping sleep from her eyes wearing one of my shirts mostly unbuttoned and when she stretched I found myself facing her midriff which like everything else below my shirt was bare. I asked if she wanted a baby and she smiled as she looked down; I reached up and handed her a twin and saw the look in her eyes of recognition.  When she realized what I was looking at she told me sorry about that but she had to loan her night shirt out and as tired as she was last night she borrowed on of my shirts.  I handed her the second baby so I could get up and take care of the bed roll and comforter which I dropped on the front porch and the big dog following me promptly claimed it as he made a nest for himself.  As I opened the door for her she said I looked like I had a rough night.  I shook my head and told her I had a long day yesterday riding that little wild cat; Christina from the couch told me she hoped I was talking about a horse.and raising her head she told me I still owed someone a massage and she was waiting upstairs and she was next and someone had bought me a real massage table and something to keep all those oils heated. Upstairs everywhere I looked were clothes strewn and in the rooms women were sprawled. I found Miriam in the spare room which half of had been turned into a massage studio while the other half had been turned into a bunk house   Miriam was dressed in a hand towel across her backside as she slept on the table and I asked if she was ready as we could do this later.  She looked at me and told me now as long as I avoided causing any more pain.  I saw the rolling Island they had turned into a work table and it held everything I might need if I was planning on opening a massage therapy business.  Miriam was wake almost the instant I began working on her shoulders and calling on our maker and had a few choice words for me.  An hour later she though stood up and told me thanks for relieving her hangover.  Christina really only needed her leg muscles worked on but I worked on her entire body and though it may have looked like I was applying pressure other than on her legs she knew I was just teasing her.but it was why I was working her legs she screamed.  Afterwards though as we walked out of the room where my girls and their friends had slept there were several face in the door, more than I was sure had slept in the house.

The fact was I had never actually eaten at the diner and only knew of its food because of the caretakers and I was hungry and not about to roll out oats for oatmeal.  After checking on the twins I was told I was worse than a mother hen with those two; Ms. Jennifer said try having me be the one to be your very own babysitter.  I headed for the shower as Christina lifted her head.  I was very sore and after turning off the water just stood in the shower for what seemed like an eternity and was letting my mind drift when I heard a noise and stepping out to check on the noise I scared a woman who I had never met who was just ready to get in; she went running.  Shaking my head I went into my room which still had clothes strewn everywhere including mine I was looking in my drawers for a pair of drawers when Julie and several others rushed in.  She immediately turned as I had turned to see who was now invading my space.  She was telling me to put some clothes on and I told her she could at least knock and tell me where my clothes were as they were not where I left them and she should please close my door as she kindly left and remind people at least my room was off limits.  Christina came in with a pair of shorts and told me I should have not scared that poor women.  I told her I did not scare her as she was technically trespassing and scared herself when she realized the resident of the shower she was trying to steal was currently occupying it and I doubted she was poor, I saw laughter in Christina's eyes as she told me who knew being married could be so entertaining.  Laying down I told her I supposed having some strange naked woman with those dainty fingers and cute pink toe nails and not to mention what I will not mention being so manicured I should be entertained but I think I somehow missed that.  Christina asked if she really had pink toe nails and I told her that and she had a small tattoo on the inside of her right thigh about a half an inch down from something and I thought maybe she had once had a pierced tongue which almost looked like it had been split and I should not forget the cute stud in her nose and the ring in her belly button.  Christina shook her head and said she would see about finding some more clean clothes and breakfast.  I told her I was going to be heading into town today anyway, smiling she told me I still needed clothes and what did I mean by a split tongue.  I told her her tongue had been like that of a snake.  It was my favorite women who she met at the door and told her I could use my shirt back and she was told she could really use a shower.  Christina told her don't let the grumpy man scare her.  My shirt came flying at me as I watched flesh streak into the bathroom.  Christina was still standing in the door and asked if she had anything I might want to know about.  I told her long legs with an inseam equal to mine at least and a tattoo on her hip of a flower with a name in it but I had not really looked that close to see what it said.

Christina walked into the bathroom and came out had a quizzical look on her face and asked when did I know she had a tattoo; I told her this morning as I was picking up she came out to help me with the twins and she was not wearing the largest of my shirts as she planted herself in front of me when she came closer  I had not intended going to bed but that was where we ended up for the length of the shower. By then clean pants had been found as someone had decided yesterday to launder all of my clothes.  Dressed and with my cane I went and gathered up the twins and went and found the ranch truck along with the car seats.  As I drove off I was flagged down and Christina asked where I was going with the twins; I told her I did need to go grocery shopping and I had a banana in the last two days and I thought my meal before that was a chocolate sundae.  She told me to whisper as others could hear and she was already getting a reputation.  I told her to give me a kiss and I would when she did I pulled her through the window into the truck.  She told me most of these women had thought she was marrying a gentleman rancher.  Smiling I had told her apparently they had forgotten the news reports so quickly.  On the way to the diner she said she had noticed  there was no television and had not seen a cell phone or computer around the house.  I told her they were there I just had not needed to use them on the way out I saw the equipment had been moved farther up the road and lined up accept for the equipment being used to finish the septic system.  Julie caught up to us as I drove out to see how they were coming along John told me tomorrow when I drove into get my permit the the work should be finished and if they woke anyone up this morning he was sorry but the boys not actually getting paid had wanted to get done fast.  I looked at the trailer still in the equipment shed and asked exactly what he was doing now.  He told me exactly he was helping me out; nodding I told him exactly then I guessed I owed him a dinner as I did not exactly remember telling him I was paying him.  John looked around before he told me he had after almost getting skewered alive decided to try something else for awhile and had gone to work for the Colonel.  I nodded and told him I had decided to kind of fall off the edge of the world, not that it mattered much.  He asked me when he should have them pick up the portable facilities, I looked at Christina and she asked why I was looking at her and I looked over my shoulder and saw more women coming out of their cabins and mentioned that I still had no clue who most of them were and  my guess was they had husbands, children, lovers and other people wondering where they were.  Shrugging she told me she really did not give a time frame but she was leaving in the morning with Beth.  I looked at John and asked how long until he had water up and he told me in an hour.  I told him to keep it off and turn the water off to my house as soon as this round of showers was over and the portable facilities could be locked by noon tomorrow.  Julie said no; I looked at her and she said Grandma was coming. I told her until someone let these fine folks decide it was time to go home at that point Christina told me I was right about the women with ping toe nails, she did have a tattoo on the inside of her thigh a pierced belly button and a slit tongue.  Julie rolled her eyes and asked how could I, I told her if paying attention was a bad thing then I am guilty as charged but as no one has yet told me why they are here, I would just prefer if I could go back to alone with my wife and children preferably but since that was not going to happen I would be content for knowing, who, what, why, when, where and how

John nodded and pointed back to the numerous pits with the various parts of the new septic system going in. As I drove back over the driveway Julie asked if I knew what people were saying about me and I told her I really did not care as tomorrow they would be going back home or to wherever it was they were jetting off to.  Julie told me that woman I scared and I put a finger up and told her that woman who had entered not only my house but my bedroom and bathroom unannounced and proceeded to disrobe in front of me without so much as a hello, my name is and how are you, not that I saw that part as the shower curtain was closed so one of the things I planned on doing was putting in a glass door so next time she can introduce herself properly.before trying to shower with me.  Christina told me she thought I had been done.  Looking at Julie I told her to tell her friend I am sorry for scaring her.as that was not my intention and I hope she is not scarred for life.  Christina told me she was not scarred for life, a little jealous maybe but not scarred.  Julie looked at her mom and turned red, Christina told her not to blame her dad since they all descended on his desert hideaway and invaded his pity party, I told Christina if I remember correctly they interrupted our honey moon and she told me no that was ended when the man with the gun showed up.  I told her and the reason he showed up was the woman he thought he loved had somehow showed up on his doorstep, she asked if that would be the actress who thought she was still in love with the man who once saved her life, because actually he was not here to protect her.  I told her to spit out and she told me to look at all the lovely ladies who showed up for my baby shower; I put my finger to her mouth and asked when she decided to make it a baby shower.  She put a finger on Julie's mouth and asked why I thought it was not originally about the twins.  I told her she did not or had not wanted the twins as she would rather not have that responsibility and I think she was overwhelmed with what happened over the last three weeks and wanted some sort of release but really did not think it through not that I blame her as we were kind of busy catching up and she had been working on some of her patients, projects or whatever she called what she had been doing.  Smiling she told me they were called treatment plans.


I nodded and realized we were on the paved road and told Julie not to let go when she looked around she asked where we were going and I told her I had not eaten anything but a banana since yesterday morning and I had been lead to believe the diner up the road had good food.  She told me there were always cops there and I nodded and told her act natural like one of those Secret Service guys she had been dating. She looked at her mom, as I pulled into the diner I noticed there were a whole mess of bikers, as well as a state trooper.  Nodding to the twins I asked Julie if she minded; she told me her hair was a mess and I told her it was a good thing we were not at one of them restaurants she liked to go to.  Grabbing my cane I stepped out and waited for Julie and Christina, walking in I glanced around the room and as the waitress seated us she looked at my wife and asked if she had been in that mess last night, Christina told her that it was definitely a mess and asked if she had something to work off the hangover she gave a weak smile and said black coffee as they did not serve alcohol this early.Julie asked for cappuccino, pointing to the table the waitress showed her the flavored creamers.  The woman told her her children were cute; and she would see if she could figure out how to make one high chair work for two.  Julie's mouth dropped as she walked off and I smiled and said her babies would be cute if she ever got around to having one.  She told me the problem as she saw it was well she needed the other half.  I nodded. When the coffee came the waitress eyed my leg and the cane.she asked if I got that overseas.  I shook my head and told her it was a recent accident and not permanent.

I watched her eyes and noted she kept glancing over my shoulder; I told her I would like grits if she had them along with biscuits and gravy.  She told me she hoped oatmeal worked.  I nodded.  Getting up to readjust myself I looked over where the state trooper was sitting and then took in the bikers; some were banged up all were what you would expect for a biker.  There were several that were the quintessential bikers; a couple of old ranchers and a family I heard noise coming from the other room and asked where the restroom was.  Julie pointed through the double doors, walking over to them I peaked in and noted these were of a different strain of bikers.  Walking back I noticed the troublemakers kept looking at my table, one of them asked if I lived around here; I smiled and said for the moment just up the road a piece.and asked if they lived around here.  One of them said he was about five miles up the highway and his friend nudged him. I told him I heard there was an invisible cowboy whose horse had a nasty kick which got a laugh from a couple of the old ranchers.  I saw the leg come out and kicked it hard as I feigned to go down before I caught myself apologizing but I was just getting used to walking with a cane.  When I sat back down Christina asked if I found the restroom and I told her I did not want to disturb the meeting.  The food was good and most of my oatmeal seemed to be over the twins.  Julie kept glancing over my shoulder and I asked in a whisper if she saw something that impressed her.  When she gave me that look I whispered they might think so.  When one of the men walked by he dropped a piece of paper in front of her; the look on my daughter's face made me laugh.

She told me it was not funny. Christina smiled as she kept feeding Carrie Ann.  When the State law man got up to leave I held the paper for him.  He asked how that young filly was doing; I told him she was fast, nodding he told me his daughters told him that.  I nodded toward the double doors and he said they were on a Poker Run to raise money for some charity.  Once outside and back in the truck, I asked Julie if I took her home or with us and pointed up the street where the bikers had stopped.  Christina asked what they were doing and I shrugged saying they could just be enjoying the view or they could be waiting, Julie asked for what and I smiled saying one of those boys saw something he liked and probably wanted to know where he could come courting.  Christina said he could also be mad because some poor crippled old man kicked him in the leg.  I told her I apologized, she smiled as Julie lectured me.  I chose to take her with us.  She asked why I gave the officer the number; I told her they all used cell  phones now and my guess is that someone was trying to keep up with the activities of his associates, so his phone records could help them know who he was talking to and when and then could answer why unless of course he found a good lawyer.  She glared at me so I pushed a little and told her I bet he even had a matching vest for her and some leather pants.  Julie told me fine she can admit she was wrong for recommending they all go out to dinner there after I warned them.  Christina looked at me with a grin and said yea but it had been so much fun as there was nothing like a man who could not shower but once a year leering down your dress, though a couple of the cowboys did smell nice and the food was descent though it could use some paint, clean bathrooms, furniture that actually matched.

Having two women do my shopping well it was not what I expected and two children had even more clothes.  When I asked about the baby shower; Christina told me since she forgot to include that in her email  so she took cash instead, I finally told her to stop and save some for later or give some to their mom so she could get a vehicle.  Julie asked why I did it; I asked what I did now.  She told me the twins, I nodded and told her it made sense she was jealous of two infants.  She said actually it was more than that; like where did I go and where did mom go.  I told her we went to the courthouse to get our license and bypassed doing the  church thing and then mom up and changed her schedule jumped on the train and hid out in my cabin. and we came here.  Christina asked when I was going to take a cruise; she then looked at me and said she would be taking one but I needed to know she shared a cabin but I could hide under her bunk.  I told her maybe I would call and see if they needed some help as they always gave me my own cabin.  As we were loading at the Wallyworld I noticed several bikers and told Christina we should get bikes and get matching leather, she told me to start with the glass door as she remembered how good one looked on me.  Julie shook her head and I told her give us a break we were still newlyweds and just starting our family or at least practicing.

The drive back was quiet with me sitting in the back with the twins.  Julie asked really where were we, Christina I could tell was about to give her version but Julie told her she did not mean when she ran off to get a piece of the action.  Julie told her she was gone for like a year and a half and when she got back everything was different, she was no longer out to get dad, she moved home and started her small medical practice and now she was smiling and having fun with dad; the man she had been angry with ever since Christopher was born.  Christina told her she was not angry with dad well maybe a little there toward the end when he was playing the holier than thou crap and kept trying to get himself killed to prove to her how useful he had been to the world.  Julie asked if that meant I was a spy; Her mom told her I was not a spy but a contractor who because of the nature of the work I did was useful and would at times come across information that if shared like that phone number today and he would pass it on.  Julie asked if I had gone to prison because she could not find anything as to where I had been accept that the Marshall service had transported me to March Air Force Base.  Christina told her she should leave it alone and just be glad he was back even if he was behind by twenty years or so.  Julie asked if I was awake and I pretended I just woke up.  When she asked if I had been in prison I told her to take her mom's advice; I could see her think and then told me the US Marshall's also did witness protection.  I told her I supposed they did but if I was either in jail or under witness protection how did I end up with twins as I did not know anyone who would want a criminal to adopt their children and then hang out with them.  As we turned the corner onto the dead end road I noticed the motorcycle crew sitting in front of the diner.  Pulling into the drive I noticed many of the cars were gone and John was parked at the top of the drive in the six by six while the boys all had their pickups parked along the road.  When Christina stopped she told me to tell John I was being a brat when I told him to turn off the water.  She told me to go ahead and get out as she had to make sure everyone had their panties in the right place and just so I knew we were hosting dinner together in or around our house and make sure I grabbed the case for the boys.   I did as I was told. The only thing I could find was a case of some energy drink which as soon as it was on the cart it was emptied.  As she rolled down the window John told her they already grabbed a bite and would be here through Wednesday; she nodded.  As soon as she was gone John asked what I did to stir the hornets nest this time.

I asked what hornets nest he would be referring to.  He pointed up the road and said the cute little boys on their tricycles seemed a little antsy and my little fan and his crew had been busy escorting these lovely ladies out most of the afternoon.  I told him I had not noticed any law enforcement types at the diner.  He told me they were around and grandma who had shown up early was entertaining a few and their sons who all were a past of the boy scouts,  I asked if the trees were down and he smiled and said none of them were about to drop those on my house but they were using them for rappelling lessons.  I asked how many dads, he looked at one of the other guys who said when he had set up the rigging there were a couple dozen and they had set up their tents behind the equipment shed.  John told me since technically the road was on my property they had erected a gate and pointed.  just beyond the drive in the dimming light I noticed a very substantial gate.  I asked him to be honest and he said yes they had been hired to kind of check up on things as someone had figured I would be more comfortable with people I already knew.  I asked if they did know I technically owned the firm.  John said he had never seen my name on a single card or contract and from what he understood there were a couple of investment groups that owned a large piece of the pie.  One of the younger guys asked if I had been here all along;  I told him for the most part but I still was not sure how many people were aware of that and it should probably not go far.  He told me when they were questioned they all got to spend a week in that Palm Springs house.  As the other security company came driving in he lifted his can he was holding and then told me what he found out today was one of those guys in this unit had been on the security detail that had been ripping off Ms. Christina the ones with the dogs.  I shrugged and said I still wondered why they were here; John said it really was just a coincidence as a couple of the young ladies were daughters of some movers and shakers and were prime targets for kidnapping and my boy Jeff was still hot that someone had come up with the brilliant plan to go eat in  the biker vs. cowboy bar and just so I understood it was him that started the rumor that the brawl was started by an invisible horseman.  I shook my head and told him there had been an incident when a couple of those peanut sized brain trusts decided to try to spook The Beast and he let them have it knocking them off their bikes but I am pretty sure the fight started when Ms. Jennifer kneed a pushy fellow in an effort to make him understand he was not sleeping with anybody.

All the boys toasted her; John then looked at me and said I should start thinking about a teen girl who would be driving out to see those little ones.  I said it had crossed my mind today; he said enough to maybe move closer, I told him that house I would not be staying in unless i actually was put under house arrest for two reasons and the main one currently had to do with the fact I pretty much turned it over to the government.  John said that would explain his two week vacation with the bright light bulb in his face.  I asked how the other two were handling that.  He said Gregorio had taken it pretty hard and it kind of put him back across the water so they all kind of pitched in to help get his own construction company up and running and pee wee thought it so much fun he went and joined the Navy and last time he checked he was becoming a tadpole inspired when some Marine told him about this Mr. C fellow out swimming those boys.  He told me Christopher had taken that pretty hard and had broken up with his girlfriend after I went out and knocked a couple boys to the ground just so I could have my day in court.  I told him which never happened; smiling he said if you looked for them the news stories were out there like the fellow who had come home a war hero and was appointed to run a law agency having to resign over some sex scandal which his secretary brought to light shaking his head he smiled and said that one wanted to talk to the man who gave her the job.  I told him not to look to me because I was not in charge of hiring.   He nodded and told me the way he heard it was I went and told the senator who she had been using like bong in front of a crowded room he needed to stop sleeping with his help and in front of his wife and that man at the time happened to be on some intelligence committee which somehow was tied up in some gun running scam with the cartels south of the border who happened to not be against using local help up here to do their dirty work.  I told him I had been aware of that for some time.  I could here the motorcycles up the road aways.  It was then I heard a voice that had just left three weeks ago ask what we were up to sitting in the dark.  I looked up to see a couple of the feds who had been my room mates of a sort walking our way.  I stood up and walked over and gave my half hugs saying we were just enjoying the night.

I was asked directly if i had been at the diner and I said this morning for breakfast but if he was referring to last night I had been gone all day riding the little she devil, so I had not been invited.  He told me somebody was given a phone number by a wanted fugitive.  Smiling I told him if they put their faces on milk cartons it would help out a lot as one of those fellows who thinks bathing will make him melt who thought he looked good with his gut hanging out over his belt in just a leather vest gave my daughter his number this morning which I promptly turned over to the State Trooper.  The look on his face and him holding his hands together caused me to chuckle and I told him actually I had two older daughters and a son and the daughters were here now or at least one of them was so i do not know who has shown up and left today.  The female agent Mary Jo told me I should really be keeping low profile; I raised my hands and told her I went home like I told them I would and when I got there and started discussing the wedding ceremony she decided at the courthouse to skip all that and go straight for desert.  She smiled and said she just saw her and she did look happier and it appeared the twins would have to swim through those clothes, to find their door; I told her she ought to see the house in the Carolina's as the first night there she went out and had to have spent several thousand dollars on them.  Patting her belly she told me to save some for her.  I told her as far as I was concerned she could go shopping in the house and if it still had a price tag or looked like the twins would be out of it soon she could have at it and she should be careful if she was going to go wrestling with Mr. GQ up the road.  She told me actually they were kind of hoping I might go up and see if I could spot him.  I gave a whistle and was told that was not what they meant.  I smiled and told her tonight she was my daughter and not only could I pick him out but I could get him back here and into one of those cabins and cuffed to the bed as long as no one told my daughter about it.  Christina came up holding the reigns of The Beast and told me he had been locked in the barn and seemed rearing to get out.  As he nudged me I had to hop around to keep from getting knocked over.  She asked exactly what should we not tell our daughter. I pointed to the Marshall's who explained what they wanted and what I had planned.  She shook her head and told them if she was that man and rode up and saw all these fine hard working boys just sitting around by themselves she would know something was up.  I asked what did she suggest and she told me she had a few friends who were actresses who did not mind showing skin and put them with a couple of those boy scout daddies pretending to have a good time when that man and whoever else he rode up with would be none the wiser.  I told her there were a lot of kids around and she told me they could just as well go hike to the creek along with all of their guests for a night hike as it would take time to get the grill going.

John told Christina not leave them out of the fun; she told him they were not all getting paid; one of the men cracked open another energy drink and said that they were also not boy scouts and would have loved to have been in the middle of that brawl last night.  She looked at him and told him then next time they could trade places, she would stay home to watch the children while he went and danced with a bunch of flee bitten cods trying to figure out how they would get him out of his dress without that large dog chewing on them.  As the laughter died down he asked what kind of shoes would he be wearing with the dress as he was leaning toward flats or boots and anyway all those bikers had seen them at lunch and of course heard them chat about the very lovely ladies who they were trying to impress with their speed and stamina as they laid down the pipe.  I gave the young man a look and he said he was talking about the water main and just trying to get into character.  I told him if we do this my ground rules were this each of the women were to be treated as my daughters or my sister or mother and these days I would just assume the worst and apologize for breaking fingers later.


One of the agents spoke up and told me to stop all they needed was for me to go point out the man who belonged to a number; I told them to be honest I just saw the hand place the number on the table as they walked out as I was focused on my daughter, but there had been a state officer who left just after they did and just before us so which one of the half dozen bikers who were not part of the poker run who dropped the folded piece of paper which I assumed was a number I could not be sure.  I was then asked if I had been inside the bar last night; I asked since when did I start going to bars.  Mary Jo said they had to ask.  Smiling I told her actually yesterday I was able to ride that little girl of hers; her eyes asked for how long and I told her I figured out she liked to run so I brought her out here with her dad and while they were running I moved over and it was like I was a kid again.  I heard Christopher say I was never a kid.  I glanced back and asked when he got here; with his hands in his pockets he told me Grandma wanted to see Texas, and drive the hummer.  He asked why I neglected to tell them I had been in prison.  I looked at Christina who told me I still needed to start the charcoal.  I handed the reigns to Mary Jo and apologized for not being able to help but my guess who they were looking for would be along soon enough, if not him then one of them ranch hands looking for his misses or even both of them if for nothing else just out of curiosity and the biker fellow will either be the one with the limp or with the one with the limp.  I smelled the smoke of the barbecues early on so I took a seat on the porch of the first cabin which was in the shadows.  Christina looked down toward the house and asked if I was going to cook; I told her to take a deep breath and tell me what she smelled.

Leaning against the rail, I knocked on the door of the cabin and when no one answered I opened the door and went in to use make use of the facility and realized they also changed the fixtures.   When I walked out Christina told me she smelled dirt, rain and smoke.  I told her someone had started the barbecue or my guess barbecues and she shook her head and told me to take a deep breath.  I could smell smoke; apparently so could others as they began running from building to building.  I took another deep breath and new it was not the smell of a building on fire but more of a grass fire mixed with plastic.  I whistled and when   The Beast I pulled myself up and told Christine to please check on our guests.  I rode between the cabins someone had started  a fire next to a stand pallet of plastic pipe but it was not going anywhere on account of the bare dirt.    Nudging The Beast I told him to find him.  We had just past the next cabin when I noticed a leather clad fella at the edge of the front.  The Beast pretty much tried to run him over.  I could tell one of the  boys found the source of the fire.  I glanced to see someone had noticed me and headed down to the house and heard the motorcycles first coming down the road and then they stopped.  Apparently the sheriff had made use of the large area behind the house and the barn had come around.  I wondered where Christina was until I happened to turn to look back up at the storage shed and saw her pushing someone away.  The man was wearing jeans and was definitely not a biker.  When he grabbed her hair I pushed The Beast.  The cowboy I could tell was on liquid courage and he told me not to interrupt.  Sliding down next to him I nodded toward the beast who nipped him when he did not let go of Christina the horse bit him harder; he let go of Christina and she came to me and I asked if she knew this poor lost soul;  She shook her head and the man still rubbing his arm told me they were going to Tuscon, I nodded and told him that was funny because she told me we were going to dinner but if he would tell me where his friends were he looked at me and I told him to hand me his phone and I would call them up and we could sit down and chat about Tuscon and laugh about our party last night.  He handed me his phone and I called the first person on the call list; I asked where were they as we were waiting and that pretty thing I was dancing with last night well she was in a hurry and I found their invisible man.  The voice asked what about the mother and her two twins.   I told him there was a problem with that as the boy scouts had showed up and there were so many moms I needed to know what she looked like because no one gave me a picture.

The voice talked to someone else and then told me the one I was looking for was the daughter of Tuscon so have her show me.  The Marshall's were there by then and I asked where the motorheads were.  When John showed up I asked where my babysitter was she came running and told me she had been down at the house.  I told her to have all the buildings cleared and make sure everyone was in one spot and she should use her professional courtesy.  Christina was about to lose it so I gave her a hug and asked if she was okay, she rubbed her head and looked at the drunk cowboy and told me he was not dressed like that last night.  I asked how was he dressed, she told me he had a leather vest on but for a biker he had been well dressed and he could dance. Mary Jo asked what was up and I still holding the phone picked it up and asked if he said she was a mother; when the man cursed I said I found her in a cabin with ; and if he wanted her for himself he better come quick and hung up the phone.  I told her I do believe her boy was on the way and all she had to do was go sit in that first cabin real fast and clear her boys out of sight.  She started to say something and I told her it was either that or I practice my second amendment rights and start a nice little war.  Grabbing the drunk cowboy's hat I told John to go make it look like they were having a good time up in the Marshall's tavern and make sure all the boys had some heat but on second thought we have all them trucks up there and we don't need that big of a road and my guess there was something besides energy drinks,  When no one moved I told them I could just get on my horse and ride out to say hello.  When I saw Christopher I told him sorry but I needed him to gather up his sisters and brother and if anyone tries to get to them that he did not know shoot them and he would find my rifle in a hollow behind my head board.  The Marshall's looked at each other and when Mary Jo did not move I climbed back on The Beast and pulled her and Christina up.  I watched as I pushed them both inside John and the boys meander up to their trucks and start rearranging them as if they were going to drag race.  I looked at The Beast and told him to go hide but stay close and find that big dog and tell him to start making his rounds.  When the horse shook his head I told him he had to but he only had to hide behind the cabin and if anyone walked back there he could play as much as he likes.

When he trotted off; Christina started to leave and I stopped her and told her we were going to finish our honey moon.  She stared at me and told me I had my girlfriend and there were men coming and, I put my hand to her mouth and told her it was okay, I have done this kind of thing before so if she could, could she and my girlfriend go ahead and take their shirts off and get on the bed or even better into the shower.  When both women asked if I was nuts I heard the motorcycles fire up.  Pointing outside I told Mary Jo if that man walks in here he is going to know she is a cop the way she is dressed and he will also probably realize my wife is not my daughter fairly quickly but if we gave him something to look at besides me and their faces;  Christina asked what I was going to do; I told her I was going to make sure no one touched either of them.  When I heard John drunkenly talk to someone on a bike; I stared at the women.  Mary Jo told me this was crazy and I told her she had seen me shower enough times; Christina looked at her and then me and was told by the agent it was part of her job.  Christina said fine and yanking off her dress she came over and kissed me; when I reached down to tickle her she laughed nervously and told me to stop and wait; reaching down I told her I needed to decorate, dropping her panties.  When Mary Jo stripped I told her to keep her gun and walking into the bathroom I turned on the cold water and shoved them both in and told them to scream as loud as they wanted to but keep the water cold.  Someone shoved the drunk cowboy in and when I poked his head into the bathroom he let out some sort of unintelligible war cry.  Pointing to the bed I told him to get himself ready for those two, Christina told me no as the man struggled to strip he fell over a couple of times and I went and stood by the half opened door, Mary jo was moaning and my wife was cussing me out telling me if I ever wanted a piece I had to better than this.  When two men burst through the door, I tripped the first and smacked the second with the door and shoved him back out.  When the first man looked up I recognized him as the man I kicked, when he tried to kick me I grabbed his leg and started pulling him out and saw The Beast Jr and I nodded and he came and grabbed the boot and clamping down began pulling and told him not to let anyone else interrupt.  John sent the second man back up to me and I shoved him into the wall.  Going back in I dragged the struggling drunk out and told him to never interrupt me again and going back in, I slammed the door.  I could tell pretty much another brawl was taking place outside during which two more came in and I sent them out and followed them.  Christina drug me back in by the ear and glared at me; smiling I told her she was cute when she was naked.  Mary Jo reached into her pants and made a phone call and I heard the sirens and then a gun shot.

She told me she was going to have to treat me like a criminal for a moment or just until they could round up the boys, she was giving directions on her cell which after I heard the numerous returns; when wrapped in a towel she came out with a gun to the back of me head everything hit the fan as officers swarmed, I heard The Beast playing with his bit and glanced to the side of the cabin where he just stood watching.  Grabbing Christina who had just wrapped a towel around herself and was behind me trying to see I went to the horse and pretty much tossed her on as I jumped on and took off.  I heard Mary Jo tell someone to go after me before I did something crazy.  I was checking on the twins and verifying everyone was accounted for when the sheriff said he was not sure what just went on but he was supposed to walk me back up in cuffs,  I told him he would look better if he rode a horse with me on mine.  Seeing my daughters give me a look I told them to get dressed put on a large hat and make sure no one say their long hair and they could go along and pretend they were deputies.  Christina in her towel told me no and I needed to hurry back so I could cook dinner and make sure to get her clothes.  She took the twins and headed upstairs, I asked if anyone had checked up their as I headed up and got in front of her.  I found a man in my room looking through stuff and realized it was the state trooper form earlier that day. I went with him out the window but was able to catch myself as I rolled off the roof and landed on The Beast who stepped under me and held the officer down.  The sheriff seemed like he had seen a ghost when he came out.  He told me that horse looked like a fine idea.

It was a while before I got back to the house as they had waited until after we were all booked in the county jail before letting myself and John along with the few boys who had partaken in the brawl out.  John's eye was swollen and their were more than a few black eyes, a broken lip and one knife scratch.  As we were dropped off one of the boys asked what was for dinner; Christina told them there were leftovers in their fridge and they were sleeping outside and grabbing by my ear she told me I could either walk and behave or she could drag me.  When we were in the room and I had been showered for the second time that night, she softened and I told her it turned out fine.  She had looked at me and told me she had been scared to death and I had acted like everything was normal and she wanted to know what the hell was all that about anyway.  I told her all of it I did not know but apparently from just what I had observed was their little stunt of all piling into their fancy cars and running up to dance with the local rodents got the local rodents into thinking that they were up for grabs.  She asked if I was saying it was her fault and I shook my head and told her no I was just explaining that it was not mine and she should be thankful that nothing more than a brawl had taken place and that now the local biker gang thought I was some hard ass from back east because now when she and her gals come out they will be left alone.  She told me she did not want me to stay here; I told her as I held the twins who were crying that when I could I would move.  She added home and I asked if that was so the next Bubba that came over i could smack down when he did not listen when I explained to him that just because a pretty woman smiles at him does not mean he is getting a piece.  She looked away and told me she had not wanted an argument and told me for the sake of the twins we should stop.  I handed her Carl and told her I would need my cane for a little while longer as in my attempt to save my damsel in distress I tore my knee up some more and we should probably go down and tell her guests what was going on.  She told me my girlfriend the really pretty one with those very perfect chest muscles who was having my child; when I looked at her she smiled and said she meant my God child had told them some and with all the boy scouts and now their families camping out front we should not worry and she was staying for a bit as she just took her maternity leave.

Raising my hands I asked Christina if she was still mad; she looked down and told me she had not been mad just scared out of her wits earlier and had thought; I touched my finger to her mouth and told her it did not happen and now if I could get some dinner and she told me sorry about that but tonight again since she had a household of nervous women they pretty much ransacked the kitchen.  I nodded and told her just as soon as I got the twins to sleep I would run down to the diner and pick up something either that or I was driving into town and shopping.  She got that look and told me no I was staying in and hanging with the family.  I told her I needed calories as in the last two days I had a banana and biscuits and gravy so she had a choice find me something I would like to eat or I would and I did not want any chips or cookies as I needed real food.  She had to take both twins as I could not make it down the stairs without both hands.  Now that the adrenaline rush was gone my leg pretty much had become more of a hindrance.and even with the cane it hurt so as I sat in the living room waiting for food with the twins on my lap I knew it was back to the doctor.  It was almost midnight when i finally got the most real meal I had had since getting married for the second time.  Three hours later the gals from the Carolina's left with Christina but not before we made up and me telling her I was going to make another appointment to see the doctor for my leg.