3. ‘Ash’

THREE

As I slowly make my way to Brenna’s little cabin, I see there are a few folks on the front porch and stairs. Again, that dude with the long as fuck hair, what did she call him… Avalanche. And it looks like the women are, no way, it’s her two older sisters, Onyx and Bray. I’ve seen Bray around in the last couple of weeks since Alder brought her down from the mountain and set her up in his home. Not sure what that’s about, but I keep my nose outta other people’s drama. Reed told me the other day when I saw him that he bumped into Onyx and they stopped to catch up. Shit, didn’t want to do this in front of a crowd, but my brother, Reed, is right. I need to apologize not only to Brenna but also her ‘friend,’ Avalanche. I was a total dick, nope, a jealous asshole and I had no right to act like that. It’s just when I see her and how gorgeous she is, I lose myself. It hits me all the time what we’ve missed together and it wasn’t even my fault. When Momma finally told me to tell Brenna the truth, I almost passed the fuck out. I asked her what about you know who, and she told me direct she’d deal with any fallout. I wasted no time since Reed saw her at the hospital. Then I get here and she’s all cozy with Avalanche. At first thought maybe they were together, like married and shit, but thank Christ not.

I pull next to the Audi, which I know is Alder’s. Damn, he’s letting Bray drive one of his babies, I’m shocked. Taking a deep breath, I grab the wildflower bouquet Momma helped me pull together from the field at my ranch. Then grabbing my cowboy hat, I get out of the truck and am faced with total silence. Not gonna make it easy. Brenna never did. When I fucked up, she made sure I groveled a bit before she’d listen. Well damn, here goes.

“Howdy, y’all. Avalanche, right? Came by hoping you’d be here. First off, I owe ya an apology, brother, for the way I acted last time I was here. No excuse, just being an asshole, which I’ve been told I can be from time to time. Hope we can start fresh?”

I walk to him so we are not too far from each other and put my hand out. He looks at it then me, just as Bray giggles a bit. He looks down at her, giving her a small grin. Then he reaches out, grabs my hand, and fuck, his paw is like a grizzly bear, for sure. He doesn’t squeeze my hand like I know he could have if he was a jerk, he just gives me a good shake.

“Accepted and let’s move on. I get it more than you can imagine. I hear through the grapevine you’re a rancher. So are my brother and me. We have a stud farm about an hour away from here.”

“Holy shit, no way. That huge stud farm? Wait, is your brother, Panther? Son of a bitch, can’t believe it. We just finalized a deal to have Black Thunder impregnate our mare Morning’s New Breeze. I’m not sure of the process but one of your guys, think his name was Dallas, he’s going to walk me through it when I go out to the stud farm. Damn, can’t believe it, small-ass world, brother.”

Avalanche looks between me and Brenna then laughs.

“Good luck, brother. Come on, Bray and Onyx, let’s go inside, give these kids a minute or two alone to talk. I could use whatever is in the bag. I’m starving.”

The women laugh and get up, heading into the cabin, while Avalanche bends down and whispers in Brenna’s ear. Her cheeks get pink as she pushes him away.

“Go eat my food before I kick your ass outta here. Now get.”

I watch the interaction between them and my heart gets heavy. I screwed it all up and it’s all on me. Well, me and my asshole father, but that’s a story for another day. Or maybe today if Brenna even gives me a chance. I stand with my hat in one hand, the flowers in another, and wait. She turns to me and looks me up, then down, and up again.

“For fuck’s sake, sit down. You look like the sad cowboy in a western coming for his woman. You want something to drink, Ash?”

I tell her a water or pop and she walks into the cabin. I’m sweating like crazy and not sure why. I’m so lost in my head not sure how, but I jump when I hear a throat clear. When I look in front of me, I almost shit myself. There are three women standing there. One I know as Maggie or Tink, president of the motorcycle club. The other, not sure, but she has rainbow hair and a calm around her. The third one is the one I almost shit my pants over. She’s got long black hair, crystal-blue eyes, and a full-face skull tattoo. Her eyes are taking me in and I feel chills running up and down my spine.

“Um, hi, I guess.”

“Who the fuck are you and why you sittin’ on Raven’s porch? Come on, cat got your tongue?”

I hear the screen door but can’t turn fast enough before the woman with the skull face smirks at whomever is coming out.

“Big Bird, what’s up and who is this tight-lipped dude? Is Raven okay? Are the two of you staying in for the night having a romantic dinner?”

I growl before I can control it and Avalanche’s big hand lands on my shoulder, almost knocking me off the porch.

“Ash, ignore Shadow, she likes to stir the pot. Ladies, what can I do for y’all? Hang on, Raven will be right out. She’s talking to her sisters.”

“We’re her sisters, you big dope. Move aside.”

“Shadow, calm down. Lil’ sister has enough to deal with, don’t need any of your psychobabble on top of it all.”

I watch those icy-blue eyes freeze up even more, but Maggie pushes her aside like nothing and looks up at the big man.

“Avalanche, everything okay? We just wanted to check on her, she has seemed off. Just tell her the three of us were here. Oh wait, Taz wanted to give her something, sorry, sister.”

The rainbow-haired woman steps forward with a small pouch in her hand. When she reaches out to give it to Avalanche, I feel something in the air, not sure what. Her voice is peaceful and quiet.

“Avalanche, tell Raven both Teddy and I picked out these crystals just for her. Teddy wanted her to have clear quartz because it is the mother of healing and I added a blue lacy agate because it aids in peace and tranquility. The big purple one is for her cabin, it’s amethyst. I wrote down all of the crystals and what they are used for. Tell her to call me if she has questions. Teddy told me to let his Auntie Raven know that she can come over anytime and help both Olivia and him plan their wedding.”

As I listen to these folks talk, I realize Brenna made her own family, shit, what does my baby brother Rowan call it? Yeah, a chosen family. It sounds like my Brenna is loved by all. I mean, these three came to check on her and some kid named Teddy is sending shit and telling her to visit.

The screen door opens and Brenna steps out, sees the women, and her head falls down with hair covering her face. I can feel her anxiety from where I’m sitting with a bouquet of flowers in my hands. With that thought, the rainbow-haired woman looks at me with such a beautiful smile, I smile back. Then the angry one with the skull opens her mouth.

“Don’t know who ya are, but better watch smiling at that one. Enforcer won’t like it, that’s for sure. Who the hell are you anyway?”

“He’s a friend, Shadow, why do you care and why are you here?”

Maggie looks at me, then Brenna, and me again. Then she smiles and her face lights up. She puts her hand up and looks into my eyes.

“Hey, Ash, nice to see you again, been awhile. Hope the family is good. Nice touch, I mean the flowers.”

I take her tiny hand in mine, but she’s strong when she shakes. Shadow is watching our interaction and I can feel it coming. Her eyes literally shine when her head goes between Brenna and me. Then she grins like a lunatic.

“Is this the Ash that doctor was speaking about, Raven? Hum, funny we never heard about him then that doc says something and now he’s here. What’s going on, sister?”

Feeling protective of Brenna, even though I got no right, I jump right in headfirst.

“Yeah, I’m Ash Sterling and that doctor is my big brother, Reed. We all go way back, in fact, our families do. Just stopping by to catch up, that’s all. Nice to meet y’all.”

I reach over, offering my hand to Taz then Shadow. She glares at it then me before she shakes it and lets it go. The door creaks open and Onyx and Bray step out. I can tell immediately Bray has been crying. So can everyone else. Taz steps up and for some reason grabs Bray’s hands. We all quietly watch the interaction when she leans over and whispers into Brenna’s sister’s ear. I hear Taz tell her to take a few deep breaths and Bray does. I can actually see when Bray feels better, her head is up, shoulders back. Not sure how but Taz knows what she’s doing. Maggie steps up and grabs Bray.

“Not sure where you been but welcome back, Bray. Stop by my ranch anytime. You passed it on the way to Brenna’s cabin. Would love to catch up with you.”

With that Bray’s face falls, but to give her credit she looks Maggie in the eye.

“Yeah, Tink, right, not Maggie any more, I need to speak to you and the entire club. If not for Ash’s brother, Alder, I’d still be stuck in a rundown cabin in the forest held by a crazy as shit madman. No, not now, let’s set something up. Need to get going, not used to being around so many folks. Thanks though, nice to see ya too.”

I watch as first Bray, then Onyx, gives Brenna a hug. Avalanche is next. Taz steps up, grabbing the pouch from the big man and handing it to Brenna, telling her to call if she has questions. Maggie is next and finally Shadow. She glares again at me then at Brenna.

“Just say the word and we’ll throw him in my wet room. I can feel the anxiety, Raven. I got your back.”

Brenna giggles, looks my way, and smiles at Shadow.

“I’ll keep that in mind while we talk. Keep your phone on, just in case.”

When the three women turn and walk away it’s so quiet, I swear my heart is beating so loud Brenna should be able to hear it. I sit back down, then stand and push the flowers at her.

“Not sure, but you used to always love wildflowers back in the day. Mom helped me. I owe you an apology too, Brenna, for the other day and for what happened a long time ago. I never could tell you why or what happened until now. Mom gave me permission.”

Her head flies up from looking at the bouquet. Her eyes are full of questions for a second or two then something comes over her face, not sure what.

“Come on in, Ash, while I find something to put these in. Thanks. I do still love wildflowers, always have, as you already know. That’s why you took a chance and brought them, I’m guessing. I could be way off, but what did your asinine dad, who has no balls, get involved with that had you falling for his shit and dumping me at our engagement party?”