34. ‘Ash’

THIRTY-FOUR

Brenna was probably right; we should have eloped. I mean really, do we need all of this bullshit just to become man and wife? Months and months with both of our mothers and all of our family and friends. This is going to be the event of the year for Timber-Ghost, that’s for sure. I’ve had my ranch hands working for the last week to get the field ready. Between the arch and what did Mom call it—yeah, a pergola—but with a cloth top on it. I’m glad we’re building that because when I bring Brenna out here there’s somewhere to get out of the Montana weather. As we get closer, my nerves are starting to come to the surface. Not like I’m thinking of backing out, just that all the questions start running through your head.

Looking at Brenna’s favorite place, it looks awesome. Still raw because it’s a wildflower field but now it’s more manicured. There are stepping stones to walk into the field so guests can make it to their seats. The arch is going to be wrapped in flowers and fairy lights. Yeah, little did I know before I went to Brenna’s that day, I would not only know the words fairy lights but also what they are.

My phone vibrates and when I see it’s the application I’ve been waiting for, I look around, find Fred, one of the ranch managers, and scream, pointing to the phone. He raises his hand and motions for me to go. Turning my horse, Warrior, around I push him toward the main barn and give him his head. We are so in tune with each other, I don’t even give it any mind and let my thoughts get the best of me. That day of ‘love to death do you part’ is right around the corner. The thought of finally getting my dream come true by marrying Brenna and then having a kick-ass party should be one for the books.

After cooling Warrior down, then grooming him, and checking to make sure he has plenty of water and hay, I head toward my house so I can clean up a bit. Knowing Brenna is working hard with her physical therapist today, I quietly walk in the back door as the house is extremely silent. In the mudroom, I strip down to my boxer briefs and start washing the crud off of me. Once I’m able to walk through the house, I head to the master bathroom and jump right into the walk-in shower. I wash my hair then my body as quickly as I can. Once done, I dry off, brush my teeth, and run a comb through my hair.

Heading into the walk-in closet, I grab clean briefs, jeans, and a Sterling Ranch T-shirt. These were Brenna’s idea and it’s a great one. Every employee and family member now wears them, which has gotten our name out there faster than any kind of advertising. Especially after what went down with the old man. Every one of my brothers and Mom had one on and when the television people came to the ranch, so did the hands. Brenna explained that it looks more professional, especially when the ranch hit the television.

After I’m dressed, I move toward the in-house gym and see that it’s not only Brenna but Tink and Shadow also. All three women are working out together. I’m glad because it seems like Brenna does much better with her club sisters around. I knock on the door before entering and I have six eyes on me instantly. Brenna’s face breaks into a smile while Shadow smirks and Tink waves.

“Brenna, gotta run, finally got the response on the application. Going into town, be back probably around dinnertime. You gonna be okay?”

“Yeah, Ash, I’ll be fine. Go. If you need anything, let me know.”

“Should be fine, had Taz look at the proposal and she tweaked it a little, so it’s ready to go. Love you, A stór, don’t overdo it. You have a very important date in two days.”

I lean down and give her a hot and heavy closed-mouth kiss. I hear Shadow making sounds like she is puking while Tink just giggles. Brenna’s eyes are sparkling when I lift up. I wink then head out to my truck. The drive doesn’t take too long, but it gives me time to think. I’m applying for a pretty big loan so I can purchase acreage from my mom. She wanted to just gift it to me, but want to do this the right way. I have some huge plans for Brenna’s and my section. New ways of farming that in time will help grow the family farm. I know Reed, Rue, and Alder also are getting loans to purchase smaller lots of land, but the main purpose of us doing this is to make sure our mom is taken care of after all the years she did everything she could to raise us boys.

Now that she and Sheriff George are getting real serious, she wants some time for herself, which is understandable. Mom and the sheriff understand both Rowan and Joshua will be at the house for a while. Mom has always wanted to remodel and make the farmhouse more her style, and with the money we are able to give her, it will allow her the opportunity to do just that.

Two days and finally Brenna will be my wife. My responsibility was to figure out a honeymoon. I struggled for a while, not sure where I think she’d want to go. Spoke to both Paddy and Bronagh, along with Brenna’s siblings. They each told me somewhere they’ve heard her say she wanted to visit at some point. Bray though convinced me on where to go. So, the plan is to fly out to Alaska and stay in a stunning cabin in Denali Park for a week. Then we fly to Canada to take a railroad trip through Vancouver, Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff, and Toronto. It’s a thirteen-day trip but I’d planned for a month away. Since I can remember, we never went anywhere but local and Brenna’s the same. We did get passports, just in case, when we started all the planning. That was Shadow’s suggestion, which worked out well. I have all the travel packages, tours, tickets, and transfers already. I’ve looked at it and am so friggin’ excited. While we’re gone, Alder is going to be in charge at the ranch. He’s taken a leave of absence from the park rangers. Discovering the women, then the beating, has him in need of some serious time off. He’s going to stay at our house in the guest suite.

Parking the truck, I walk up to the bank and open the door, stopping when I see who’s there. It’s not a bad thing as it’s my brothers. We all hug in a manly way and then at the same time ask what the others are doing here. When we realize why we’ve been summoned everyone relaxes. Doris asks if she can go through this all just once and we agree.

After we are all situated in a conference room, each holding either water or coffee, Doris opens up the folders in front of her and then lifts her head looking at each of us. I can tell she’s a bit nervous, though not sure why. We all make a living with what we all do and have excellent credit or the best it can be.

“All right, this is what I have. No need for a bank loan for any of you. No, wait, let me finish, boys. An anonymous person has opened up an account for the Sterling family to be used for whatever is needed. Now between the four of you, let me see, Ashton, Reed, Alder, and Rue, the total amount that all of you were looking for was two point five million dollars, using the ranch as collateral. As we all know it’s worth way more, but Gertie isn’t asking the going rate. This account that has been opened has five million dollars in it. No, don’t ask me who funded it. One of the stipulations is that you don’t know who it is. So, I suggest since there’s five million, we’ll transfer whatever you want to a separate account in your mother’s name, and then she can do with it whatever she wants. Though the word on the street is she’s getting ready to remodel the farmhouse. Good for her. Now any questions? Though remember, I’m not allowed to answer most of your questions, I’m sure.”

We look at each other and then shake our heads. Doris shakes each of our hands then walks out, closing the door. Again, we look at each other, this time our faces in shock. Reed being the oldest is first to let loose.

“What the hell just happened? Thought I was approved for a loan but instead we’re told that now we are millionaires. Someone please explain to me who, how, and why?”

Rue and Alder just look down, confusion on their faces. I don’t know what to say, though I have a few ideas who started this and funded the account. Not many around here have that kind of money sitting around. After a long discussion, we realize we might as well go along with this so everyone can get moving on their lives and dreams.

I look around and call Doris back in and we transfer two point five million to an account that will be Mom’s once she comes in. All of us are also on the account. Then we decide to put five hundred thousand in two accounts for both Rowan and Joshua. They are called custodial accounts. We are in charge of it until they reach a certain age. Doris then opens an account for each of us with two hundred and fifty thousand dollars in each one. The last five hundred thousand goes into a business account for the farm so we can maybe do a few improvements we’ve spoken about for years.

Once we’ve handled everything, we decide to hit the Wooden Spirit Bar and Grill to grab a beer together and try and figure out who did this for us. Even after two beers each, we only have general ideas on who and why. Before we separate, we make our way to the Devil’s Handmaidens clubhouse. When we walk in, the women in the general area, I guess you’d call it that, turn and look at us. The tough-looking badass one comes toward us.

“Hey, Sterling men, can we help you? Is Raven okay, Ash? Need something?”

I can’t remember her club name, so I’m honest.

“Sorry, can’t remember your name.”

“They call me Wildcat. Now what’s got ya here in our clubhouse, is there a problem or did ya get lost?”

I hear some of the women chuckle at her questions.

“Is Taz in today? We’ve got a few questions for her.”

“Yeah, Squirt, go grab Taz from her office, will ya? Can we offer you men a drink? We got water, pop, coffee, beer, and if you need something stronger, we have that too.”

We all ask for a water since we have to drive to our homes after this. I hear boots on the floor, turn, and see Taz and Squirt coming down the long hallway off the left side. The rainbow-haired sister walks, no kind of waddles, her way to us. She is really pregnant and is, what do they say, glowing. My mind instantly goes to what Brenna will look like pregnant and that brings a goofy smile to my face.

“Ash, that look right there is the look of a man in love, wondering what his woman will look like pregnant like me.”

My eyes almost pop out of my head. How the hell did she know what I was thinking?

“It’s written all over your face. Anyway, Squirt said you had some questions. Let’s go into the back conference room, see if I can help you.”

We walk through the big main room, past a closed door, and then move down the hallway to another one, turn right and hit the, I guess, conference room. It’s a good size so we all take a seat around a table. Taz shuts the door and sits down. No one says a word for a bit then Reed leads off.

“Taz, we were just at the bank and though we all applied for loans we were told we don’t need them as someone gifted our family some money. Well, it’s not some, but more like five million dollars. Now we talked about it and there aren’t many folks around here we know who have that kind of money. One of them is Tink. We all know when her grandma passed, she inherited a shit ton of money. We want to know if it’s Tink.”

She glances between all of us then grabs her phone, tapping like a speed demon. Then she looks back up at us, even before someone replies.

“Something men don’t usually learn well is this saying about don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. I’m thinking this applies in this situation. If that’s all you need, unfortunately, this baby is pushing into my bladder yet again and I need to get to the ladies’ room before I pee myself. Don’t laugh, Alder, it happens a lot. Reed, explain to your brothers why this is a problem for pregnant women. Remember this when one day you have a woman who is expecting. Treat her like the queen she is. Ash, can’t wait, less then forty-eight hours. I hear everything is looking phenomenal. If you need anything, let Enforcer or me know. And again, thanks for asking Teddy to be a part of the ceremony. He’s beyond excited. Well, both of the kids are beyond thrilled. Olivia is biting at the bit to dress up and have her hair done. She went with us to get a mani/pedi, and damn, I think Glory and Yoggie are going to have a huge diva on their hands. Teddy keeps saying them walking down the aisle for your and Raven’s wedding is a practice run for their own. Anyway, thank you for including him.”

“Taz, Brenna wouldn’t have it any other way. Teddy means a lot to her, as all of you do.”

We say our goodbyes and head back outside. We all look at each other and shrug our shoulders. I need to have a conversation with Tink, so I tell all my brothers that’s where I’m heading and if they want to come, follow me to her ranch. Thirty-eight minutes later we are slowly making our way up the driveway after being checked out by the guards at the gate. I park off to the side and wait for everyone to gather together. When I knock on the door, it takes a few minutes until Noodles opens the door. When he sees all of us, he immediately breaks out laughing like a hyena.

“I told Sweet Pea y’all are way too smart not to figure it out. Come on in, guys, I’ll grab her, give me a minute. She’s a bit sore from working out with Raven and Shadow.”

As we take seats in the great room, I look around as I didn’t realize how truly awesome the ranch home was. It’s huge though it still makes you feel like you’re home. Hearing someone coming down the stairs, I see Noodles and Tink. Her hair is still wet but she looks good, which I thank God for every day. Our father almost killed her for no other reason except he was an asshole. Before any of us can say a word, Tink jumps right in.

“I didn’t do this for any of you. I did it for your mother and younger brothers. All these years your mom has worked off of credit at all the stores in town. She would square up after you either sold some of the young heifers, harvested the hay, or from the money you received from the dairy aspect of the ranch. Gertie has never complained or even asked for a handout, even if we all would have given it to her. That Montana woman pride. So after what happened and I finally started to feel like myself, I spoke to my parents and Noodles. Guys, I’m going to be honest. My grammy was one smart cookie. The money she left me, I’ll never spend it all in my lifetime. That’s why the ranch is at the level it is and we do what we do. Not for money but to pass it forward. Now the money is for each and every one of you to have a fresh start without the stain of Cliff Sterling hanging over each of you. Why take out a loan and be immediately in debt? Please accept this as a gift, I don’t know, for saving those women up there. Who knows what would have happened if you hadn’t. Or, Ash, for never giving up on Raven. Alder, for finding Bray or, Reed, for what you do at the hospital. Rue, for being one crazy motherfucker getting on the back of those bulls and giving everyone the excitement of eight seconds. I want to do this so just let me. Ask Noodles, you won’t win so don’t even try, especially you, Ash. Don’t you have better things to worry about?”

After a good thirty minutes, we all come to the agreement, that yeah, we’ll accept the money, but each of us will be paying back some of it to wherever Tink wants us to. Her thoughts were to start a fund for survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking. We all agree and take a few minutes to sit around and visit.

On the way home, I have no idea how I’m going to explain this day to Brenna, but knowing her she’ll take it with a grain of salt. She knows her prez’s generosity better than any of us. Tink is right, I’ve got better things to do.