Janis chuckles but unplugs her plane and stacks the shelf she’d been working on with the others that needed painting. Hanging up her goggles, she locks her tools in her rolling tool chest.
The four of us walk over to the house. We’ve gotten the showers and bathrooms working as well as the kitchen sort of semi done. Making money was more important at the moment, so getting the garden centre up and running was the first order of business. We each split off to our vans. Siera and I have our own, and the girls share theirs. We all shared the one SUV which was a bit of pain, but Stone had driven Janis’s car down to her this weekend. She’d taken it to a local garage that had been recommended to Stone.
When the girls came back from there, they were all excited to let us know we were neighbours to a local motorcycle club. I wasn’t too worried. Jake would have checked them out and would never have let us move here if they were a problem. He’d been friends with Red at Queens Wraiths for years, even when they’d been a one percent club. Jake was used to working in the grey and as long as they treated people with respect, he didn’t have an issue with clubs. Unlike some law enforcement. I’d always liked that about him.
Still, as the eldest, I’ll check. Walking to my van I say to Siera, “You take your shower first, give me a shout when you’re done.”
She gives me a thumbs-up over her shoulder as she walks away.
Taking out my phone, I press call; I don’t have to wait long for Jake to answer.
“Hey girlie. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, Jake,” I groan as I sit on the edge of my bed and push my sneakers off with my toes.
Jake chuckles, “Feeling old girlie?”
“Yep,” I agree, falling back onto my bed. “Did you know that there was a motorcycle club next door?”
“I did,” he admits. “Asked Red about them. They’re a one percent club, but good guys according to Red. He didn’t get into what they do, and I didn’t want to know, but it’s not drugs and it’s not girls.”
“Okay, thanks Jake. Figured you’d already have checked them out. Thanks, old man. How’s Fern?”
“A little less of the old,” Jake laughs then continues, “Fern’s fine. She’s looking at some crystals to buy for your place. She’s found a woman that does some bracelets and things. I’m sure you’ll get a call sometime soon.”
“I look forward to it,” I tell him. We chat for a bit about where they are going next in their travels before Siera bangs on my door to let me know the bathroom is free.
I sit up. “I have to go, Jake. We’re heading to the diner in the next town for some food. Give Fern a kiss for me, and we’ll see you for the opening in a few weeks. I look forward to seeing what she’s found.”
“Bye, girlie. Love you. Give the other girls our love. See you soon, and if you have any issues call me.”
“I will,” I promise, pressing the end call button and throwing my phone on my bed. Grabbing a clean pair of jeans, t-shirt, and underwear, I leave the van and hurry to the house. I needed to remember to grab a sweatshirt. It was getting colder and to most people, opening our garden centre when winter was encroaching on us might seem stupid, but we’d timed it for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We’d be running wreath-making and ornament-making workshops.
There was plenty to do. Marketing was my job. Siera would run the garden centre, and we’d all pitch in on the coffee, crystal and gift shop. Until we turned over a profit and we could look at hiring help, we’d do everything. Wouldn’t be the first time.
I rush through my shower and get dressed, running a brush through my hair before putting on a bit of blush and lipstick. Studying myself in the mirror I examine the added lines around my eyes. I was fortunate to have been blessed with great hair and skin by my mum. She’d been half Norwegian in descent. I’d inherited her pale blonde hair, and icy blue eyes. I wasn’t sure where my short stature or curves came from, because she’d been five foot ten and thin as a rail.
I decide to leave my shoulder length hair down. I shake it out, and the choppy waves settle around my face. I’d do for a trip to the diner.
Picking up my dirty clothes, I left them in the laundry room on my way back to my van. “I won’t be long,” I shout to Siera and the girls who are waiting for me in the SUV. “Grabbing a sweater and my bag.”
“Okay,” Siera shouts back.
Grabbing a sweater from my drawer, I pick up my bag, toss my phone in and hurry down the steps of my van, locking it behind me. I rush towards the SUV, open the passenger door and clamber in. “Okay, I’m ready.”
The three of them laugh at me. “It’s not like we were going to leave you, Aunty Ang.”
“I know,” I grin, “I’m starving though, so hop to it.” I shove at Siera’s knee to get her moving.
“Okay, okay,” she chuckles, putting the vehicle in gear and driving away from the house towards the main road.
We spend the next hour belting out songs on the playlist the girls have put on.
I love my family so much.
Wanting them to know, I turn in my seat so that I can see Siera and the girls in the back. “I love you guys, you know that right?”
There’s a stunned silence. “Are you sick, Angel?” Siera asks. Hearing the trepidation in her voice, I reach over and squeeze her arm.