Chapter 11

Stone

Wandering around the ranch, getting a feel for the place again. It's crazy how it all comes rushing back. I spent my whole damn childhood chasing after bikers and ranch hands, soaking up everything there was to know about Hardtail.

Before I realized Dad was the Prez of an MC, I just thought he was the coolest fucking rancher around, and I wanted to be just like him. Look at me now.

I notice some of the buildings got a new paint job, and the fence between the cows and bison looks pretty fresh. The scream of the buzz saw in the equipment barn catches my attention, and I head over to see what's up.

I step in to check out the new gear mixed in with all the ancient crap Dad won't let go of and find Gray, the one person I was hoping to see. "Hey, Gray."

He looks up and assesses me before he's head down again and snorts out a quiet, "Stone."

That's fucking weird, but I shrug it off. I know what it's like to work against the clock. I chalk it up to the fact that he's busy. "Need any help?"

"Nope," he says, not even looking up.

He's working on some wood, probably for another goddamn fence. I swear, half of ranching is just fixing fences.

Gray's always been a quiet dude, but this is fucking strange. "What's going on, man?"

He shrugs off my question, keeping his attention on the four by four laid out in front of him.

What the fuck?I stare at Gray for a solid minute, wondering what the fuck is his problem with me. I've been home for a little while now and other than the party, we've hardly spent any time together. Now he seems downright pissed at me.

I thought of all the people on the ranch I owed an apology to and might have to prove myself to all over again. But Gray wasn't one of them.

I was wrong.

Even from a distance of ten feet, I can tell Gray is seething about something. But you know what? I don't give a shit. He's a grown-ass man. A fucking biker. If he's got something on his mind, then he can come right out and say it. I'm not his girlfriend, and I refuse to beg. "Cool. See you around."

I walk away, wondering what the hell I did to piss him off. Luckily, everyone else has welcomed me back with open arms, or else I'd wonder why the fuck I wanted to return so badly.

The electric saw sounds behind me, but I'm already making my way to the horse pasture. There I find my dad with one leg hitched up on the fence, arms hanging over the top post, watching the horses. I've seen him like this a million times over the years, and his image puts a smile on my face.

"Enjoying being back?" he asks without taking his gaze off the horses.

"Yeah, sure. Ecstatic." When I hear the tone in my voice, I instantly regret it. After all Dad has done for me, he doesn't need a whiny bitch on his hands. "I'm fine," I say, this time at least trying to mean it.

"Then what's got your panties all twisted up?"

"Nothing," I spit out, but Dad's not buying it.

"If it's nothin', your face hasn't gotten the message yet."

I grin. Dad definitely has a way with words. "It's nothing. Just…I thought my friends and family would be happier to see me, ya know? Maybe I shouldn't have come back."

"Bullshit." Dad squints into the sun as a gorgeous gray Quarter Horse stops on a dime.

"You getting' into the horse racing game?" I ask, nodding in the horse's direction.

"Maybe." He turns to me, and that squint is now a frown. "I'm gonna hit you with some hard truths you need to hear, son. For one, you left."

"You sent me away," I correct him. "And I get why you did, but it wasn't my choice."

"I understand that, but you were gone because your mom and I needed to keep you safe. From what? We didn't know at the time. All we knew was that our son killed a man. Everyone understood why it had to be done, but their lives and their hardships, traumas, and all the other bullshit life throws our way, didn't stop just because you weren't here. Life had to go on, had to move forward without you. You're home now, and everyone is glad to have you back."

"And what about those who ain't all that thrilled that I'm back?"

"Fuck ‘em." Dad's brows dip into a scowl. "They'll either get happy about it, or they'll have a long miserable fucking life."

"And that's okay with you?"

"The important question is if it's okay with you?"

I don't answer right away, and Dad sighs heavily, not in frustration but because I know he hates these types of conversations.

"Stone, whoever isn't happy that you're here doesn't fucking matter. Period. This MC and this ranch is your fucking birthright. But only if you can handle it. If you can't, if you're too emotional or too bothered, then tell me right now."

I look around, and my gaze lands on the gray Quarter Horse. The black spots are mildly visible from this distance, but they stand out more on her legs. She's stubborn as hell, just like me.

"All I ever wanted was to be like you, to lead the MC and take the helm of this place. To hand over the reins to my own kid someday." I see the picture so crystal fucking clear. "I can handle it."

"Good. Exactly what I hoped you say. Been a shame if I had to knock some sense into your ass." Dad laughs, giving my shoulder a happy squeeze.

"You could've tried, but I'm not a kid anymore."

"You're not," he agrees. "But I can still take you."

"In your dreams, old man." We share a laugh, and I know without a fucking doubt that everything is going to be fine. Whatever is up Gray's ass, he can figure it out. "You gonna tell me about this horse?"

"Her name is Silver Bells, and she's fast as fuck. Placed okay last season, hoping to make better on it this season. Beautiful, ain't she?"

I nod because, yeah, she's gorgeous. We stand there for a few minutes just watching the horse get put through her paces, turning and sprinting. She's a fucking joy to watch.

Dad says, "Ace tells me you were a good enforcer." He's still watching Silver Bells. "A crack shot. Said you were good at following orders and did what was necessary to protect his MC."

"That's what you taught me," I reply, my gaze still on the horse, too.

"I'm glad you learned while you were gone. I worried it might be one big party for you."

I laugh. "There were plenty of parties, trust me. Their clubhouse is party fucking central."

Dad nods. "My original MC still parties like a motherfucker. It's a wonder we managed to take care of any business." He shakes his head, lost for a moment in memories, before he turns back to me with a grin. "I was worried you'd start eating sushi and doing yoga or some California shit like that. You might forget who you're supposed to be."

"Don't knock sushi until you try it. And the Reckless Souls had plenty of trouble over the years." I shake my head, lost in my own memories for a beat. "But we handled it, fueled by sushi, avocados, and mango smoothies." I chuckle, the last I added just to piss him off.

"They didn't fuck you up, did they?" Dad asks, still smiling.

"Naw, they're pretty cool peeps."

"Ace was a good leader?"

I nod. "Better than good. Firm hand, but he gives his men just enough freedom to handle problems. Always willing to listen to an idea, even if it wasn't his own."

"Good." Dad claps me on the back, nodding for me to follow him away from the horses. "Now that you're back, it's time to learn how we do things in this MC."

"Can't fucking wait." And I mean it. It's the main reason I'm so happy to be back. The MC. And Ivy, of course, but that's a whole ‘nother story.

"Let's get to the big house. Peaches is making lunch."

I frown and glare at my dad. "Am I being punished?" My mom can not cook. Give her a laptop and a beer, and she can rule the world, but a pot and pan? Ma can't cook her way out of a paper bag. "Wait, are you being punished?"

Dad let out a loud laugh, startling a few birds from the trees around us. "I'll pretend you didn't say that."

"Fine, just don't pretend it's not the truth."

"I won't, but she's happy you're home, and I told you it would be some time before she got used to you being back. Let her spoil you for a while."

As I walk away from the horses with Dad, my mind is spinning with thoughts about my future in the MC. I've always known that I was born to lead, to follow in my father's footsteps, and one day take the reins of the Reckless Bastards. But now that I'm back, the reality of it all is starting to sink in.

Being with the Reckless Souls was a rush, and I learned a lot about brotherhood and loyalty during my time in California. But this is different. This is my birthright, my destiny.

I know I have the skills and the heart to lead the MC, but I also know that it won't be easy. There will be tough decisions to make, risks to take, and enemies to face. But I won't be doing it alone. I have my father's guidance, the support of my brothers, and the strength of the club behind me.

As I walk into the big house, the smell of tacos filling the air, I feel a sense of purpose. I'm ready to embrace my role in the MC, to learn everything I can from Dad and the others, and to prove myself worthy of the patch. I know that I'm exactly where I'm meant to be.

We take the back steps and head through the mudroom and into the kitchen. "Hey, Ma, what smells so fucking good in here?"

She looks up and flashes a beautiful smile at me. "Tacos. With fresh salsa and guac. And don't worry, Patty helped before she went over to the bunkhouse."

I slide an amused smile toward Dad before I wrap Ma in a hug. "Y'all made me tacos? Thanks, Ma."

"Of course. Extra spicy guac?"

I give Dad a look. "See, Dad? Avocados are life."

I kiss her cheek, and I know my dad is right. No matter what's going on, it's good to be back in Texas, back in Opey, and back with my family. I'm ready to settle into my new, old life, learn the MC ropes, and figure out whatever comes next.

But first, tacos.