13. Ollie

The room is filledwith so much aggression I wish Paisley would have stayed at the ranch, but no, my Pixie put up a fight to end all fights. Just that thought brings a huge smile to my face until I feel a bony little elbow in my side. When I turn my head, all I see is my woman's sparkling green eyes squinting my way, right before she honors me with that smile of hers she saves just for me. Of course, she knows exactly what put that smile on my face. That's what's so great about the two of us since we met, we've connected on such a high level sometimes it's scary. And, no, it wasn't a real fight, just each of us stating our truths and then Pixie walking out and jumping in my truck. When I closed down our house and walked out, most of the folks staying at our Blue Sky Sanctuary had huge smiles on their faces. I mean, shit, I'm well over six foot five inches, and she's barely five two, though it's obvious who took charge of that discussion.

My reasoning for wanting her to stay home is because of the subject being discussed at the town hall meeting tonight. It's all about the "wolf danger and problems" in Timber-Ghost right now. I have a gut feeling this assembly is going to take a turn quickly and go straight to total bullshit. On one side are the ranchers who advocate for the right to destroy any wolf they see on their property. This includes destroying the dens with the pups and mother inside. On the other side are ranchers and farmers who are more receptive to other ways of dealing with the problem at hand. Without doubt, I know my family would be on the more open-minded side. When my team of people walks in I'm not surprised to see my entire family up front saving the first two rows for the Blue Sky Sanctuary. Actually, there are signs saying reserved for the Blue Sky Sanctuary. My eyes meet my kid sister Raven's and she grins. Of course, she'd do something like that. Love the pictures of wolves she superimposed around the pictures of the sanctuary. In the third and fourth row are my entire family. Mom, Dad, Raven with her husband Ash, Orin with his husband Stefan, Oliver, Bennett and Betty, Brooks and Gabbie. Also sitting in the fourth row is Onyx with Avalanche and Panther, who has Shadow next to him. Finally, Bray is with one of Ash's brothers, Alder. The rest of his family, including his mom, Gerty, and her sons are in the fifth row. Then we start with the ranchers and farmers including Mr. Johansen and Mr. Stuffens. There are men, women, and children standing around the entire community hall room. I'm sure the room is over capacity but this is a very hot subject currently, not only in Timber-Ghost but in all of Montana and the country.

When I see Sheriff George giving me the eye, I quickly lead my crowd and take our seats. Pixie grabs my hand after she puts her file folder down. Abigale is on the other side of her with her own larger file folder. We are beyond thankful for her because she's called in some expert witnesses from the wildlife and wolf defenders' organizations to speak on behalf of the wolves. Abigale and Grey came up with an idea, I just don't know how it will go over with this crowd, we will see.

"Order. Order. Everyone, take your seats and be quiet. Let's get this meeting started."

Samuel Olson, the mayor of Timber-Ghost, sits patiently as everyone grabs a seat and the voices start to taper down. Once it's as quiet as it's going to get, Samuel starts.

"Now before I start and people begin with their points of view on this matter, we are gonna get one thing straight. I'm running this meeting, no one else. If I tell ya to zip it, then for Christ's sake just do it. I will not tolerate anyone talking out of turn or being rude. Once again, I'm in charge so if we all remember that this should run smoothly. I realize how hot of a topic this is here, folks, but we gotta also keep in our heads, well look to your right. Do it. Now look to your left. Turn and look behind you and then in front of you. These are your neighbors and they ain't goin' anywhere, so remember that when you start running your mouths off. So first off, we are gonna start with the ranchers who are against any wolves being allowed throughout our county boundaries. These folks see no problem with removing these animals by any means necessary. I'll hear your arguments. If anyone wants to dispute a comment, please raise your hand and wait for me to call on you. Again, look around, just about everyone possible is in this room or are outside those doors and in the parking lot. Oh, before I forget, huge thanks to both Raven and Freak for settin' up the televisions and speakers so those not in the room can still watch and hear. Now let's get started."

My God, this town hall meeting has been going on close to two hours and their side and these assholes don't seem like they are getting close to finishing. When the mayor hits the gavel to the table, he's staring at the rancher who's going on and on about how in the last couple of months he's killed as many wolves as he can because they are on his property. Now, got to give Abigale credit, because every time one of the ranchers talked about what the wolves did to their livestock, she disputed it with her backup people. Not one of these jerks took pictures or videos of said incidents. It's common knowledge that wolves generally don't go after livestock unless they are old and sick or very young. Now as Abigale explained there are certain circumstances when maybe a wolf is starving and goes off track, but generally they are in packs and one old cow isn't gonna cut it.

"All right, this side has another twenty minutes then I'm gonna turn it over to the other side. Once they've said their piece, we will hear from the ‘experts.' No, don't bother arguing, your side has been saying the same shit for the last twenty-five minutes. So start closing your argument, please. Once that's done, we'll take a fifteen-minute break for everyone to stretch their legs and use the restrooms. I was told that Gertie, Bronaugh, Trudy, Momma Diane, and a few other women have some drinks and snacks out in the main lobby. Let's please be polite and no pushing, running, or acting ignorant."

My Pixie squeezes my hand so I try to relax. Thank God, we all ate before we came tonight. Else I'd have a small team of starving ex-military who need to eat or they could get rowdy. When it's our turn to stand and head out, I see it in just about all of us how it takes each of us a bit to stand and stretch. None of our bodies are perfect any longer and sitting in one spot for any length of time can do damage. Grabbing Paisley's hand, we make our way to the back of the room when three large men block our way. Immediately, I push Paisley behind me as Phantom, Jeffries, and Dog move up to either side of me. Now, personally, if I saw the bunch of us standing together to protect the folks behind us, I'd turn and hightail it outta here. But, nope, these three assholes start laughing.

When the smallest of the men steps forward, Phantom stands directly in front of him before leaning in and whispering something. The guy's face instantly goes as white as Casper the Friendly Ghost before he turns to his friends saying, "Nothing is worse than what he wants to do to me." Then he turns and walks away. Before anyone else can take his place; someone is pushing to get through the door. I smile when I see it's Shadow, Wrench, and Enforcer. They are bikers from the two clubs that call Timber-Ghost home and probably, by chance, are the enforcers in their clubs. The second guy doesn't say a word, just turns and actually runs away. Though before he does, he apologizes to Shadow, telling her he had no part in it. Not sure what "it" was but okay. So now we are down to one guy, though huge, I'm sure he's not gonna be a problem. He smirks, tells us it's coming, and turns and stomps out surrounded by a bunch of like-minded supporters. Letting out a deep breath I reach behind me, pulling my Pixie to me. She looks up with a silly grin on her face.

"My hero."

With that I hold on to her hand and lead us to the refreshment table. Once we have something to drink and a plate full of goodies we head outside, where Sketchy pulled two of our trucks closer and the back gates are down. I lift Paisley up then hop up beside her. She leans into me.

"Ollie, how do you think this is going to go? Those ranchers are so hell-bent on eliminating these animals from Montana. I don't understand that kind of hate. When it's our turn, let me go first, please. I will give a veterinarian's point of view first, then a human beings' second. After me have your dad and brothers go. They are Montana royalty in these parts. I mean they founded Timber-Ghost with Ash's family. Next have Gertie talk, then Alder, because he's in the rangers so he sees all kinds of things. Then have Abigale give her view. Once that is done, then have Grey and Jeffries do their thing. Fingers crossed it goes the way we hope, but be prepared, please. I don't want anyone hurt. Now give me one of those lemon bars Gertie made, those are to die for."

I hand her one of the lemon bars while I reach for the lemon blueberry bread my woman made last night. She wouldn't even let me have a piece so today I'm taking two slices. I grab two of the waters, opening them both, then handing one to Paisley. Slowly Phantom, Jeffries, Spirit, Sketchy, Dog, Grey, and the rest of my sanctuary family make their way to us. Crowbar kind of slithers toward us, not saying a word. We know this is a different kind of fight than any of us are used to, but it's still a fight. When we're done and heading back in, from behind I hear a familiar voice, giving a yell out we've all heard over the years during battle.

"Never give up!"

As everyone gives a shout out, we head back into the community hall to see how our side's opinions will be received. I'm not holding my breath, that's for damn sure.