Page 13 of Shades of Mercy
The mountain view and air could only be described as Mother Nature’s medicine. As the evening settled on the ranch, he took his horse, Wrigley, for a sunset ride nearly every evening.
“I could eat a horse,” Hayes, “Bear” Banner dropped down into one of the chairs. The wood creaked under his weight. He was a solid two-hundred-fifty pounds of ripped muscle and badass. He could kill a man with his bare hands. Nearly did too, a few times in Iraq. Jag felt sorry for the man who ever meant any harm to Bear, or someone he cared for.
“I’ve been smelling that meatloaf for hours.” Reno “Arrow” Arrowood clapped Jag on the shoulder and then took a seat. Since coming to Storm Pass, he’d gotten a neck tattoo and allowed his beard to grow long enough to graze his chest. This change in appearance was termed "mutiny" among soldiers, which was the word inked on his skin. He appeared entirely different from the rigid, disciplined military captain Jag recalled from five years ago.
Atlas Crew and Kyle “Kye” Walker came strolling in, making their way to the table. Body “Crow” Crowley and Sin “Bones” Walker weren’t too far behind. They were laughing about how the old grey goose at the ranch hated Bones.
“The sum’bitch should have his goose cooked for dinner, literally,” Bones muttered.
“What’s that about my Molly?” Bryar said as she swept into the room, targeting Bones with her narrowed gaze. Her smile announced that she found it amusing, too, that Molly enjoyed, and seemed to take some odd enjoyment in chasing Bones.
Bones scratched his whiskered jaw and shrugged. “I was just saying that I bet she’d make a fine-cooked goose because she’s so sweet.”
“If she comes up missing, I’ll know where to look,” Bryar pointed a fork at him.
Bones stayed quiet.
Jag looked down the table of brawny men and bit back laughter. Not one of them weighed less than two hundred pounds, and each had not one ounce of fat on their muscular bodies. Each of them had a story to tell, some worse than others. And every single one of them would fight tooth and nail for their country and their family.
It was certainly great to be back with the crew. Instead of carrying packs and guns, they now rode horses and carried bales of hay and straw. Although he sometimes complained, Jag enjoyed the hard work. He toiled under the sun every single day but never looked down on back-breaking labor. His father instilled in him the belief that a good man was defined by his willingness to work. Samuel Jagerson had been one of the most remarkable individuals Jag had ever encountered, and on the day his pa died, the world lost a good man.
“Who can get any sleep when Atlas wants to stay up all night reading self-help books?” Arrow shook his head in irritation. “It’s a waste of time. You’re always going to be a dick, brother. No matter what those books tell you to do.”
“I’m surprised you know what a dick looks like considering you haven’t seen one,weeman.” Atlas chuckled.
As the two men continued to outdo each other with their comebacks, Jag thanked a higher power that they’d all survived sitting down to chow together for so many years. They annoyed each other often, even nearly coming to blows at times, but Jag wouldn’t say one bad word about any of them. He bet they felt the same about him.
Once they were all seated and waiting to dig in, Bear cleared his throat, gaining the attention of everyone at the table. “Listen up, girls. Someone forgot to flush the toilet this morning. The last thing I wanted to see before coffee was one of your deuces.”
“Maybe you should have grabbed a sample and sent it off for DNA.” Kye laughed.
“Funny.” Bear wasn’t the least bit amused. “If it isn’t already jam-packed inside the bunkhouse, making us feel, and smell like sardines, you good-for-nothing dipshits,” his eyes widened as he looked over at Bryar who was placing the pan of meatloaf in the center of the table. “Sorry, ma’am.”
“I’ve heard worse from my husband, Bear, but thank you,” she said, kissing Puma on the cheek.
“Anyway, as I was saying, none of you know how to flush a toilet or save hot water for others. I’m putting a new spin on the term blue balls—” he cleared his throat. “Cold showers, that is.”
“Listen, men.” Puma thumped the table lightly. “I know the bunkhouse isn’t your dream home, so Bryar and I have come up with a solution. Now that my father-in-law is back working at Crazy Shades, he’s decided to move into the apartment above the bar, which is more convenient for him. Her brother and his wife have moved closer to her family, so that means the Victorian house is empty.” He looked up at his wife, who was standing by his side.
“Puma and I decided to move there.” Bryar laid her hand on Puma’s shoulder. “It’ll work best for the baby, and when I eventually go back to teaching, I’ll be close to the school.”
“You won’t be living here on the ranch?” Jag asked.
“Just as my wife said, it works for the baby to be in town. There’s a lot more room for us to grow there.” Puma looked at his wife with love. When he settled his attention back on the crew, his gaze hardened slightly. “You men have proven you can handle anything that arises here, on the ranch, and in the security business. I’m planning to take some time to spend with Bryar and the baby when she gets here. That doesn’t mean I won’t be working, but as the due date gets closer, I need to be available.”
Most of the men probably didn’t notice the concern in Puma’s eyes, but Jag could see it. He didn’t know the details, but Puma had mentioned that he and Bryar lost a son years ago, and recently, they held a small ceremony to release his ashes. Jag understood that it was best not to ask too many questions. Sometimes, the truth lay in silence.
“Dig in, boys. It won’t serve itself,” Bryar said. “And I’m going upstairs to rest.”
More concern crossed Puma’s hardened features. “Are you okay?”
“I’m wonderful,” she assured her husband. “But I’ve been on my feet almost all day. Enjoy your dinner.”
“Want me to make you a plate?” Puma started to stand.
“No, love. I ate a few bites here and there. You stay and eat. Come and wake me up when everyone’s done.” After a quick kiss on Puma’s cheek, she left the room.
The crew were all hands and spoons as they filled up their plates.
