Wyoming Trucking, 4
By: Malissa Madison
Tim and Missy have found another blessed spirit in need and find they
have even more waiting at the end of the run. Their little Trucking
Company is growing in leaps and bounds. Not a lot of thrills in this
chapter, but it sets the stage for things to come.
"Flower?" Caribou asked as they joined us in the changing room. He
blushed.
"I, look 'Bou', I-" He wasn't given a chance to finish before she
hugged him.
"Don't be so shy, you've been a sister to us more often than you were a
brother." And her two sisters followed by Little Elk and Long Dog
carrying Little River joined us. Then Snow Fox and Ice Sickle were
introducing him to the men when Grey Horse and Sleeping Dog finally
showed up.
He was embarrassed at them seeing his tattered white cotton panty's as
he finally took them off. "I'm sorry they're all I have," he
apologized.
Darlene hadn't yet stripped off so I said, "Darlene, Rose still has a
few things in the cabinet under the bunk in Beauty that might fit
better."
"I'll be right back," she promised as she pulled her coat back on and
hurried back out the door.
The girls were busy helping wash his hair by the time she got back. So
she just laid everything next to his old clothes before joining the
rest of us. He was surprised to see both Darlene and Myself naked and
unembarrassed. He noticed how the rest accepted us, treating us like
the other girls.
Soon he began to relax by the time we were all out drying off. I saw
Darlene had decided to give him a choice of things to wear. There were
pink, blue, and lavender cotton panties, a long sleeved satin blouse,
or a cotton T-shirt that read 'Daddy's Girl', a pair of Jordache jeans,
and a somewhat knee length denim skirt.
He stood and fingered everything as if he couldn't believe it. "These
are, are you sure she won't mind?"
Smiling I said, "She out grew them last summer, so they're yours if you
want them."
Looking around at the encouraging, accepting smiles of everyone he let
out a little giggle as he pulled on the pink cotton panty's and the
'Daddy's Girl' T-shirt. Then with a shy blush he looked frightened and
excited at the same time as he fought his decision before finally
stepped into the skirt. Looking around at the approving smiles, then at
both Tim and I his smile grew big before he wrapped his arms around my
neck.
Tim had finished dressing already. "So it looks like Flower is going to
be finishing the run with us," he said so Darlene and everyone else
would know 'Her' name.
With a giggle Darlene said, "You're definitely going to want these
little sister." And handed her a pair of tan Tights still in the
package.
Tim picked up the old worn out Muck Boots looking at the size. "Do
these fit ok?" he asked.
"Yes sir," was the answer.
"Ok then, while your Momma and Sister finish helping you with your
hair, I'm going to see if I can find you some better boots." Caribou,
left her child with Long Dog, and led Tim right to the store. I was
praying it was still open, or at least they wouldn't mind opening to
let Tim buy some things.
It took us nearly an hour, the four of us each with a hairbrush
beginning at the ends and slowly working our way to the top as we
carefully brushed the snarls and mats out of her unkempt hair. It was
slow going, we didn't want to pull it any more than we had too, then as
we finally finished I sat back and admired her long beautiful hair that
hung hallway down her back.
She was standing barefoot, looking at herself in the mirror. I could
see the tears as they threatened to spill forth, causing her eyes to
sparkle happily.
When they finally returned, Tim swallowed hard looking at her. "Wow,
you really are pretty." He lay the boot box on the bench and opened the
lid to reveal a pair of knee high boots just like the ones I'd first
worn after he brought me home.
We made eye contact as she finally let her tears flow quietly. "I
bought my oldest daughter her first pair of boots right here," he told
us. "So let's see if they fit, the shop keeper promised to wait and be
sure before he closed up."
"I, I've been looking at these for so long." She looked up into his
eyes, then jumped into his hugging arms. "Thank you. I, I never thought
I would be able to wear them, let alone have a pair for myself."
She had a few awkward moments as she began learning to walk in heals,
but quickly got the hang of it. Then holding hands with both of us she
stepped proudly out of the bath house as we walked slowly to Beauty.
With a giggle she blushed as the icy wind blew up under her skirt on
the steps.
I fixed us something for dinner then we all lay down and snuggled to
try and get some sleep before morning. Sleep was one thing that seemed
a rare commodity for Ice Drivers. I knew Tim was being deliberate in
making the rest stop, we had eleven first time drivers in the convoy
including Darlene and Sleeping Dog.
I woke up early, to find Flower sitting in the driver's seat, her hand
hovering over the shifter, as she pretended to drive the truck. She
looked at me a bit frightened as I sat down in the passenger's seat
next to her.
"No don't get up, you're doing fine." My hand covered hers guiding it
to the top of the shift knob. "Are you ready for your first lesson?"
"Really?"
"Yes, we need to start her up so she's ready to drive," I told her
before talking her through the startup process.
"Push the clutch all the way to the floor," "Good, now move the shifter
up and be sure it moves freely side to side," "That's it. Now pull out
on the big red button. Turn the key until the dash lights come on." "Ok
now watch the long curled line."
"It's flashing."
"That's the preheater. Never start a Rig as long as it's fully on or
flashing," I told her. "Ok its out, now twist the key the rest of the
way." The engine whirred then caught, the whole cab shaking as it
chugged to life.
"Good morning," Tim said. "Are my girls ready to go get something to
eat before we hit the road?"
"I did it, I started the truck," Flower was excited. We could hear the
sounds as other trucks started up.
"Yes you did," he said, a huge grin on his face. Reaching down he
released the seat lock. "Turn around here and let me get a picture of
my Ladies before we get started on our day."
We swiveled around and he snapped several pictures with his phone
camera. Then he quickly sent them to Jill, Rose and Red. In the diner
we were joined by the rest and he took more pictures of Darlene, Flower
and I together, before I insisted on getting pictures with him in our
midst.
It took us longer to get started than usual, two of the new drivers
hadn't cold started their trucks in the night, and had to be slave
started.
"Ok Love, you and Flower have the lead until we reach Coldfoot," he
called over the radio. She was wide eyed watching me pull out into the
driving lane. My blade pushing snow ahead and to the left as I cut
around him and Darlene.
"Long Dog and Little elk will push it back to the right as they pass,"
I told her. "We won't run the blowers until we get outside of town." I
was already readjusting my blade to push to the right.
"How big is your family?" she finally asked after the blower spooled up
and began throwing the snow clear of the road.
So I told her everyone's names and ages. She was surprised to find that
she and Red were the same age. Then looked in disbelief that Rose was
only eleven and driving already. I told her that they were all adopted,
as she would be if she wanted.
"How did you find everyone?" she asked.
"Each of them came to us almost the same way I came to Tim," I said.
"They were found on the road. In Red and Rose's case they were picked
up by Joseph, who brought them to us."
"Is Rose like me?" she asked.
"No but you will find that among our people you are very special," I
told her.
"You said they came to you the same way you came to him," she stated
with a hint of a question.
"I was running away from a very bad Father who beat me all the time," I
began. "I was out of money, out of gas, and starving. I thought I could
just walk to the Truck Stop and hustle my way into some money, I was
crying, something I did a lot of back then. Anyway I guess I wandered
out onto the roadway. The next thing I knew I heard Air horns and
screaming brakes. When I turned around all I could see were bright
lights, and chrome almost on top of me." I looked sideways at her.
"When I woke up I was in a booth at the Diner, and Tim was there all
worried because he couldn't stop before he hit me. The good news was I
fainted and he went right over the top of me, never touched me with the
truck."
"What about Red and Rose?"
"We were friends with their mother. When she was killed, she sent them
to us. They were running trying to get her help, her current boyfriend
was beating her. She never made it to the hospital." She was silent
thinking on that for a long time before she asked about Darlene.
"I found her in a dead car, in the middle of the Mojave desert. But her
story is not one for me to tell, you'll have to ask her," I said.
"And she's the oldest?"
"Tina was the oldest, and Tim's child from a bad marriage. She died
before we met. But she was like we are, and he loved her to no end." I
quickly changed the subject. "Jillian, we rescued after her truck slid
off into the Yukon six years ago. Her father had died, leaving her an
orphan. But she'd brought his truck trying to earn money to save the
farm that they had planned to live on together."
"But you talked to her like she was a second wife to Tim instead of
another child." She looked puzzled.
"She is just that, our second wife. And sitting at home with the two
youngest because she is giving us another child this spring." We talked
as I drove, and I learned that she'd often sat watching the Ice Drivers
as they passed through day dreaming that she was riding away to freedom
with one of them.
Then she giggled. "I remember the first time I saw this truck. I so
wanted to be the driver of the pretty pink truck. But I never got to
see you, so it was easy to imagine that it was me behind the wheel."
When we got into Coldfoot I called Tim. "How long do we have before we
leave?" I asked.
"About two hours, what's up?" he wanted to know.
"I'm going to run over to the Air Strip and clear it off. Let Flower
get a bit of experience just in case she has to take over."
"Need any help?" he inquired.
"No just save me some fuel," I told him.
She ended up using a pillow behind her to let her reach the pedals with
ease. And I kept her at it until she no longer ground the gears when
she shifted.
"Do you think they'll be surprised if they see me pulling your truck
back into line?" she asked as I let her drive us back to the convoy. I
pointed to where they all stood clapping for her.
"They've been watching you the whole time." I pointed to where the Air
Strip was in full view of the convoy.
We followed behind Darlene as we started out for the rest of the run
with Tim in the lead. Our last stop before we hit the really
treacherous part was Dalton. And the last five trucks in line dropped
off as we passed through. I knew Tim was getting nervous, we hadn't
lost any trucks since crossing the Yukon River. And then the next front
hit us as we made the switch back at Three Rivers Crossing.
Between the first two bridges Tim called a halt. "I want everyone to
check your chains. If you need a tensioner, ask someone. We can't
afford to lose anything. If you slide off into the river you're S.O.L.
We can't afford to stop from here on out until we get to Dead Horse.
And this shit is only going to get worse."
"Who are Hopper and Big Foot?" Flower asked after listening to the
radio.
"Hopper is your sister Rose's truck. And I guess Big Foot is Red's new
truck." I keyed the mike. "Hey Hopper, did he finally give her a name?"
I asked my youngest daughter.
"No Momma, Big Foot is Long Horse's truck. He's following me running
cleanup," she explained.
"Don't worry Mom I won't let him take advantage of my Baby Sister," Red
called out.
"Red Wing Wyoming, I don't need you and that Beast of a truck shadowing
me, and stop calling me Baby Sister."
"Red, I told you not to bug your Sister," Jill said. "Now go finish up
your own list of roads."
"Yes Mom," he answered.
"And don't forget it's your turn to pick up the groceries before you
get back. I don't want Running Water out walking to the store either,
so get that blower turning." I almost giggled as I heard Jill asserting
her motherly authority.
"Does everyone have their own truck?" Flower asked me.
"Yes we do," giggled Darlene. "But I'm driving Momma Jill's because
Mackenzie isn't fully set up for this kind of driving yet."
"We have an open link between our own trucks," I explained. "That's how
I knew when the bridge collapsed under Red. We'll make sure you have
one in your truck too."
"You've told me what everything in here does," she finally said.
"Except this button that's got the cover over it."
"That's a life saver switch," I said. "If you feel the trailer sliding,
pulling you over the edge you hit that and the explosives under the
hitch plate will blow it clear so you don't go over with the trailer."
"Oh," her eyes got big as she pulled her shaking hand back from its
proximity.
"Its safe right now," I said then turned the key under it and the
button lit up. "When it's lit up like that it's armed and ready." I
turned the key back off.
As we rounded the last curve and finally began following the Sagayanik
Tok, her eyes got huge. There were remains of other less fortunate
trucks scattered along the sides of the roadway. After the Yukon River
Bridge, this was the most dangerous stretch. Long Dog and Little Elk
had dropped to the rear of the convoy, this put them in a position to
pick up anyone that made it out of a wreck. We were moving at about
forty when the first incident happened.
"Oh Shit," a driver yelled into the radio. "I'm losing it."
The second driver, right behind him never made a sound as the chain
thrown from the left rear dual crashed through his windshield. Both
trucks went off into the river, crashing through the thick ice.
"Keep going Dog, I'll try to pick up anyone that gets out." After a
second I could hear Long Dog, "I told you guys to watch your spacing.
Now spread it out."
"I got one, no make that three survivors. We'll catch up as soon as
they're out of the water," Little Elk called. "Someone want to let them
know there's a fuel truck in the river. It's not leaking, but we can't
just leave it there. I set a beacon on it."
"We copy," came a reply from the convoy coordinator at the destination
end.
By the time we reached Dead Horse, we'd lost three more trucks, but no
more drivers. After that it let up and we cruised the rest of the way
into Prudhoe Bay for the final drop and turn around.
Before we bedded down for the night Tim and I took Flower shopping for
more clothes of her own. She'd never really owned or worn truly girly
clothes before and it was like watching Darlene all over again as her
excitement just kept growing.
When we finally did turn in I left her in beauty to sleep while I went
to Jumper to spend some much needed time with Tim. After about two
hours of playing he finally said, "So we have another teenage girl on
our hands, are you ready for this?"
"Yes I am, how about you? You ready for the young braves to come
flocking around like bees to honey?"
We didn't know that Flower was lying awake listening to our
conversation over the open link that she'd learned to operate.
"We'll let her make her own decisions about that," he promised me.
"Just like our other two daughters. I mean look at Darlene, and Rose is
gathering quite a flock as well."
I smiled kissing his lips as I pushed myself up and out of his bed. "I
better go back to Beauty. I don't want her to get frightened if she
wakes up alone."
"Or I could come with you to keep you both warm," he said. Then he
nodded toward the blinking light that meant the link between our trucks
was open. It hadn't been blinking earlier.
"So what do you plan to do when we get home?" I asked him.
"I plan to get us another learner truck, and teach our newest daughter
how to drive if she wants to learn. I'm thinking another Peterbuilt or
a Kenworth, anything but a Mack. But don't tell Darlene I said that."
He smiled. "Mackenzie really is a good truck I'm just partial is all."
"The old man has a sweet spot for your truck Babe," we heard quietly
over the link.
"Yes and if Flower really wants one, you know we'll be a two Mack
family," Darlene answered just as softly.
When we'd climbed up into Beauty and curled up on each side of her, she
rolled over with tears in her eyes. "You really think I can drive a
truck as small as I am?"
"Without a doubt in the world Sweetie," he answered her.
The dark morning dawned barely less dark than the night, and we watched
the Aurora Borealis as we walked together to the Diner for breakfast.
Over her ham and eggs she asked Tim, "Can I ride with you today?"
"Not until we get past the Three Rivers Crossings, I want you safe with
Momma, in case we run into trouble."
She just said, "OK," and continued to eat. I had convinced her to wear
the Jordache jeans today rather than a skirt.
"Today I'm going to teach you how to do a pre-run inspection of the
truck. We do it the same way every time so we don't forget or miss
anything," I said as we got back to the trucks. I opened the outer
equipment locker and took out my extra tire club, handing it to her.
She looked at it in horror at first. "That's for checking to make sure
the tires are properly inflated."
"Oh, it looks just like a Seal Club," she said.
"Your Da, uhh, Tim and I would never approve of Seal Clubbing," I
assured her, and she smiled seeing that everyone else was in the
process of doing a walk around of their trucks. I explained to her how
to gauge the proper inflation by the sound as well as the bounce of the
club. Then the trailer hookups, the Air brake system, and the lights. I
showed her how to inspect the hitch plate and the locking pin. Then I
explained the big difference between our hitch plates and regular ones,
showing her the two thin sheets of pre-shaped explosives in their
slots.
"Those are for driving in this same kind of weather with a trailer. If
the trailer slides and is pulling you with it, you hit that button on
the dash and this whole thing blows off disconnecting you from it so
you don't go over with It." She looked confused. "Your Sister Rose had
to blow a trailer earlier this winter, I was sure glad to lose the
trailer and not her."
"But we aren't pulling trailers, so why doesn't Tim want me to ride
with him?"
"It isn't you Honey, he'll be leading off, and wants you safe with me
just in case we hit a really bad stretch on the way back. Plus there
will be four wheel drive recovery trucks out salvaging those loads we
lost yesterday."
When we got ready to head out I told Darlene I wanted her to follow
Tim, then I fell in behind her, about three miles out I switched on the
cruise control and slid out of the seat. She was scared as she took the
wheel.
"You ok up there Beauty, you weaved a bit?" stated Long dog over the
link.
"Yes just fine Dog, doing a little teaching is all," I said.
"What if something happens?" Flower asked. "I don't want to run into
another truck."
"We have plenty of stopping distance, that's why we space it out
between trucks," I explained. "The two that went in together last night
were too close. The following one didn't see the one ahead was in
trouble until it was too late. If he'd punched it though he might have
been able to push the other one into straightening out and not lost
either one."
"But he panicked and hit the brakes," Darlene said.
"That's right Honey, I'm glad you figured that out for yourself," Tim
said. "Ok look alive we have recovery trucks coming up on the left."
She got the hang of easing back and forth as the blowers threw snow
cleaning up and widening the driving lanes. Six hours later as we made
it to the hard left after the Three Rivers Crossing, Tim called a halt
so we could do a shakedown inspection before changing out lead again.
I pulled out of line and up even with him, as he opened the door
motioning for her to cross over. "Didn't I promise you?"
Driving a bit slower than usual I watched in the rearview as Jumper
made its way along behind me. "You're doing good sweetie," I called
over the open link.
"You know it's me driving?" she asked.
"Honey I know the sound my husband's truck makes when he's behind the
wheel. And it's telling me to just go easy until you get used to her."
We paused in Kanuti to refuel, and pick up the drivers who had stayed
there. Then Darlene was out front again, and she'd come back to ride
with me.
"He said, this was going to be Darlene's second trip leading the convoy
across the Yukon," she said with huge eyes.
As we got to the Totem Poles, I pointed out Jill's first truck.
"I used to hide in there sometimes," she said. "The name on the side
says, 'Montrose Trucking, Father and Daughter."
"Your Momma Jill's maiden name," I said. I'd decided to start talking
as if she had always been a part of the family.
"At least it isn't snowing like banshee's this time," Darlene laughed.
Tim let her take us the rest of the way in. and it was beginning to get
light again.by the time we got to the Staging area. I had her pull up
alongside Tim on the right, as the rest of our group did the same.
Opening the glove box I took out a blank log book. "Here you go, you
might as well start now." I showed her how to fill it out as we waited
for the rest to straggle in.
Looking out the front I saw the coordinator and his group of investors.
They were passing out the checks and the Snow Fakes.
"Damn these babies sure make one hell of a difference, don't they Tim?"
he said. "I remember your first run with the Ice Man, Six trucks out of
forty three." Noticing Tim's unease He quickly changed the subject, "So
see you in three weeks for the next run?"
"No I'm going to let Little Elk lead that one, I have a new driver to
start teaching," Tim told him. "Little Elk, Long Dog and Nikki will be
the lead Blowers, Darlene and Red will run the backups."
"A new driver? Where'd you pick this one up?"
"Flower, Honey say hello to Stan."
She was still holding her log book penciling in entries as she climbed
down from the driver's seat.
"May I?" he held out his hand for the log book and I nodded. He looked
at the entries and I could see him calculating in his head. Then with a
smile he said, "That's a good Quarter run," and handed her a snow Flake
of her own.
"I bet you can't wait till you get to be a Primary like your sister
Darlene, and brother Red," said Stan.
They talked a bit and she started the walk around noticing that Darlene
had already started hers. I joined her helping her remember everything,
then we were joined by the rest of our group and had a quick meeting.
We decided to push on to White Horse, and get rooms at Yukon Jacks
again before heading the rest of the way back. Tim wanted to check with
the RCMPs to see if they had any information on the car yet.
She saw how people recognized us as we passed through the towns, most
people happy to see us and actually telling us thank you for helping
clear the roads.
"Why do they act like it's a big deal?" Flower asked.
"When we push through, we run the blowers. It throws the show farther
off the road. The regular plows just push it to the sides, and over
time it builds up and they end up with a very narrow two lane so that
they have to stop and let each other pass," Tim explained.
We spent the rest of the day and that night in the motel catching up on
much needed rest. Then in the morning we started out again, I noticed
that Long Dog and Little Elk had tucked Grey horse between us and
themselves. And that they had started teaching their new wives to
drive.
We stopped again in Dawson Creek, and I took my girls shopping at a
little clothing store near the motel. It wasn't quite as cold and there
was less wind on this side of the mountains, so the three of us stepped
out in our skirts. Flower was still a bit nervous about being out in
public outside of the village she grew up in. but Darlene and I were
helping her as we encouraged her to hold her head up and proud.
I bought us each matching outfits and then Darlene spotted a Salon
nearby. "Call your Daddy and tell him where we're headed so he doesn't
worry," I told her.
"As long as my girls are enjoying yourselves I don't mind. Besides it
gives me more opportunity to shop myself," he told us.
We had to wait twenty minutes, during which time Darlene talked Flower
into getting her nails done. "Yes I think Daddy would love that," I
giggled. "Make that three of us please." I then focused on Flower.
"Have you decided on a hairstyle yet? Or do you just want to go with
the stylist's suggestion?"
"Can I get mine done like yours?" she asked.
Mine was pretty basic, just a bit of a trim, and fluffing out with long
curled tendrils at each side. The big thing that Darlene had been
interested in for Flower was the makeover. There was nothing like a
makeover to boost confidence in one so young.
While we were waiting for them to finish with her, I called Dr
Cambridge.
"Missy, what a pleasure. I wasn't aware you were back yet," he began.
"We aren't home yet Doc, I just wanted to call ahead and ask you a
favor," I told him.
"Now this is intriguing, a favor for the esteemed Missy Wyoming," he
chuckled. "What are you bringing me this time?"
"Do you have any more of those breast forms like you gave Darlene? Say
that would fit better for someone Rose's size."
Missy, Rose isn't going to need them, trust me. And neither will this
pretty young lady recovering in my clinic."
"She's awake?" I pounced on the news.
"Yes but there seems to be a bit of Memory loss, I'm hoping it will
come back soon."
"Well it was one of us who found her so you just send us the bills for
her care. I'm sure she'll be fine before too much longer. But don't let
her fret she's welcome with us as long as she likes," I told him.
"I believe you were about to tell me why you were needing another set
of Breast forms. And my next question is, couldn't she just use the
ones Darlene is no longer wearing?" he asked.
"Umm, Doc she's actually a bit smaller than Rose is. More like Rose
when she was ten, but she's actually thirteen," I told him.
"Ahh another Foundling. Is she going fulltime, and when do I get to
meet her?" he asked curiously. I could hear his pen scribbling things
down quickly, so I knew he was giving notes to Magpie.
"We'll be in late tomorrow or the day after," I promised. Then gave him
a brief bit of information so he could start getting ready for her
visit.
Tim was waiting for us when we came out of the salon. "We're taking my
Ladies to dinner," he announced. And I saw the rest of our group
walking toward the local diner. Somewhere, Sleeping Dog had found a
florist shop and was standing holding a bouquet of roses for Darlene.
She giggled and poked Tim's shoulder. "You better ask Dog where he got
those."
"I'm surprised he actually found some. But you should know there are
things your Momma prefers to a bunch of Roses," he responded.
I lifted up on tip toes and kissed his cheek. "Like a nice Dinner that
I don't have to cook, being shown off by my loving husband. And walking
bow legged the next day." I had to giggle.
We were shown to a set of tables that had been pushed together. And
then a waiter came to take our orders rather than the waitress who had
seated us.
"My name is Cloud, and I will be your waiter this evening. How may I
help you?" he introduced himself, a hint of familiarity with Snow Fox
and Caribou
We placed our orders and then as he brought back our drinks and
appetizers Ice Sickle asked him, "How have you been since leaving?"
they struck up a conversation and we learned that he'd grown up with
the older girls and had left with his parents. His father being
Canadian had retired and come home to open the restaurant.
They all visited and he struck up a conversation with Flower. "I see
you're a bit young to be leaving by free choice."
"Cloud, Flower is thirteen," Caribou pointed out.
"Oh like your cousin TooSmall, how is he by the way? I hope his father
is leaving him alone, I wish he'd just stay away for good."
"You don't need to worry about him anymore Cloud," Flower stated.
"TooSmall won't be getting hurt anymore."
Now Cloud looked worried. "Cloud," interrupted Snow Fox. "I watched
TooSmall get into a truck the same night we all left Kanuti Station.
And I saw her reemerge as Flower."
"I knew it, I knew it," Cloud said with a hint of excitement. "I just
knew the gods had something better in store for you."
Hearing her son's excitement an older woman came to the table surveying
everyone there. She greeted the three other girls then her eyes fell on
Flower, Darlene and myself then on Tim and Sleeping Dog. Finally her
eyes fell on me sitting between my daughters, and narrowed locking me
in their gaze. For a long moment neither of us so much as blinked. "You
are a Magnet, you draw them to you without even knowing it." But there
was a warm smile on her face.
"Mother, do you recognize TooSmall?" asked Cloud.
"Son all I see is a pretty Flower blossoming into her fullness. And
those who care for her."
We were not charged for our meals, even though Tim tried repeatedly to
pay.
"You Mr Wyoming are blessed by having so many in your life, and you
bless our Restaurant by bringing them here. I can see how much they
have changed your life from the first time I saw you Seven years ago.
You were a different man then with nothing to live for, and now you
have found so much more than you ever dreamed of."
The next morning Flower was up early and I watched her run through the
pre checks, then the startup and the final system checks. She got up to
move out of my seat as I climbed up into the cab on the passenger side.
"Where are you going to?" I asked her.
"Uhh, I was getting out of your seat so you could drive," she answered.
"You started her up, I figure you can drive her till our next break." I
smiled at her. "Go ahead honey."
Reaching up she gave two short tugs on the horn rope and the morning
air was split by the blasts letting the rest know she was driving.
As we crossed into Montana we called Jill to let her know we would be
home soon. Six hours later as we started up into the pass at Cowley we
heard more chatter on the open link.
"Is that Them Mom?" I recognized Raven's voice.
"I see Beauty so that has to be Jumper and Ice Pack. I recognize Elk
and Dog's trucks but they have another one in the middle," Nikki was
saying.
"Yeah that's them," Jill said. "Best get ready to fall in."
I finally saw past Tim and Darlene. Five blower plows were lined up on
the side of the road, the stacks belching light diesel smoke as they
revved up, to meet our six trucks.
"What's going on?" asked Flower.
"The rest of your family has come to escort you home Sweetie," I told
her.
She was reaching for the air horn when I stopped her. "Not in the pass.
That snow up top has been building all winter. They've already had one
Avalanche already this season."
"Oh, I have a lot to learn."
"And we'll teach you too."
I knew where Jill would be. After all Darlene was driving her truck, so
it was only natural that she would bring Mackenzie out to meet her.
Then I saw the changes Red had made to his new truck and had to smile.
The front end now looked like the long snout of some Feral Beast. The
only real surprise was the new Peterbuilt on the end. Sleek and black
with a large Raven painted on the side of the sleeper, it's lone eye
seeming to follow you as you passed by.
We'd actually planned to stop for a few minutes in Cowley, but with
everyone there we decided to keep going. "How're you doing? Are you
getting tired of driving yet?" I asked her.
Giggling she said, "I was, but I think I kinda got a big surge of
energy."
"Hey Bro, check out who's driving Beauty," Rose called out as we passed
her.
The stop only had six pumps for trucks, so we lined up six across with
the other six behind us as we refueled. Afterward we all sat at the
diner gathered to eat, Long Dog and Little Elk's wives had come to meet
them knowing we'd stop at the Tomahawk first.
Coyote, squealed and her eyes filled with tears of joy as she hugged
and cuddled Little River, and Caribou. Then I recognized Swift Mouse,
as she greeted Snow Fox and Grey Horse.
Sitting in the same booth I'd awakened in so many years before I looked
out over the trucks lined up. 'Jumper, Beauty, Ice Pack, Mackenzie,
Beast II, Hopper, Star Drive, Raven's Eye, and those who didn't have
true names yet. Eleven in all, and yet I knew that somehow we were
going to be adding at least two more by summer.
After we ate Jill excused herself. "I really need to go to the clinic,
I promised someone I'd stop by to read to her."
"She still doesn't remember anything?" Tim and I asked together.
"No, she's blocked it all out, but I think we're getting close. She
keeps saying night and wolf. But we already know it was night time and
old Half Tail probably saved her life."
"And she's definitely Native American?" I asked.
"No question about it," Jill said. "Dr Cambridge is running a DNA test
to try and narrow down which tribe is predominant." We were going to
drop the trucks at home on our way to visit.
We still had two days before school resumed, so we would clean the
trucks in the morning. We all piled into three vehicles and headed to
the clinic to visit our foundling.
As we walked in Dr Cambridge and Magpie were nowhere to be seen, but
his nursing assistant Karen Lightfoot was there to meet us.
"Oh I'm so happy you are all back safe, how was Alaska? I bet it was
ice cold, and freezing. Were the roads really slippery?" She talked a
mile a minute. "I just finished getting her, her dinner, so she's still
eating. Have you eaten yet? Oh my now who is this sweet young thing
with you? Did they find you in Alaska?"
"Karen-" I placed my hands on the sides of her face gently. "Slow down.
Flower isn't used to people asking so many questions without taking a
breath in between."
"Oh," she giggled. "Sorry, I was doing it again wasn't I?" she was
blushing. "I don't need to tell you what my boyfriend does when I get
like that. He says he thinks it's so good I can go down and hold it
without gagging for air." Then realizing what she'd just said she
yelped and ran ahead to the room.
As we entered the room, both Dr Cambridge and Magpie stepped quickly
out of a room next to it. I noted Magpie's flushed face and the way she
was squeezing her thighs together, so I hung back a moment giving her a
knowing smile.
We talked for a while and told the girl that when Dr Cambridge released
her she could come live with us. She was trying to say something and
Flower became puzzled a moment then spoke softly. Soon a broken
conversation started and we recognized Night and Wolf together several
times.
Finally Flower said, "Her parents moved from someplace around these
parts when she was born, she speaks a mixture of several native tongues
that we call the Northern Trade Language. But she's learning both
English and the Crow Dialect. Oh, her name is Night Wolf." Flower
blushed. "I almost forgot to tell you that."
I noticed tears forming in her eyes. "Flower did she tell you what
happened to her?" I asked.
"Yes, but she's afraid you will be ashamed of her or not want her if
you find out."
"Was she abducted and raped?" I asked gently. I noted the young girl
was cringing back into the pile of pillows. Flower bit her lip, so I
knew I had guessed correctly. "Are her parents alive? Might they be
looking for her?" the young girl was near tears, they were beginning to
leak out.
I caught the building anger in both Red and Tim's eye's. "Love, why
don't you and Red go see if Joseph has found out anything more?" I
suggested. Realizing it would be easier for her if they weren't in the
room.
"Come on Son, we'll go find out if they have any names to add to the
list of people that are not worth the breaths they take," he said as
they left the room.
Sitting on the edges of the bed, Jill and I as well as our three other
girls hugged her and told her that there was nothing to be ashamed of.
She had survived and come through when obviously who ever had done the
things to her had thought she would not.
We took turns two at a time visiting so as not to overwhelm her. While
I was sitting in the waiting room I noticed Magpie giving me
embarrassed looks, so I made an excuse to talk to her.
"Mag, where did Doc run off to so quickly?" I asked.
"Oh, oh he went to see if we had anything that, Flower? Yes Flower
might find to her liking until she develops her own."
I stepped into her little office and closed the door. "Mag, look at
me," I said softly. When she looked up I cupped her chin in my hand. "I
know how you feel about him. He and Caroline were there for you when
you needed them, they helped you with Tandi. And she's been a handful,
I know. And everyone who knows the two of you are hoping that you will
both get together."
"But Missy, it's too soon. What will they think of me moving into
Caroline's place? Or the fact that their two children sometimes call me
Momma?"
"Mag, do you love each other? Do your children love each other?"
"Yes Missy," she answered. "But what about the age difference? People
will talk."
I actually had to laugh. "Magpie, Tim is old enough to be Jill and I's
father. Do you hear them talking about us?"
"No, but-" I cut her off.
"That's right, they don't. Because we truly love each other. Now stop
fretting and start showing everyone that you love him, instead of
trying to hide it like its wrong or something." I kissed her cheek only
to turn and see him standing in the doorway. Stepping back I asked,
"What are you waiting for? For Rain to come and bless the decision you
two have already made?"
She was across the room in his arms in an instant.
"Woowhoo, go for it Magpie," Darlene and Rose cheered. Karen let out a
huge sigh. "Now I can stop chattering like a chip monk to warn them
whenever someone comes in."
Magpie reached out and jerked her over into the embrace. "Thank you for
watching out for us."
"Oh umm, Missy? Could we talk with Flower for a few minutes? Nothing
official I just wanted to thank her and maybe give her a welcoming
gift." Then I noticed the two white boxes he was holding and the little
plastic bag.
Knowing what they were I smiled and called Flower.
Darlene and Rose came with her. "This is where you get to start testing
out if you want to be a full time girl or just sometimes," Darlene
whispered into her ear. "No more rolled up socks."
The little B cup forms were a near perfect shade to match her skin
tone. And she was crying silent tears of joy as she lay back holding
them in place waiting for the adhesive to set. As Darlene and Rose
helped her adjust her bra straps I stepped out into the waiting room to
find Tim and Red waiting.
"Have you seen Flower? I think Night Wolf wants to talk to her before
we leave for the night," Tim said.
Hearing the giggles behind me I stepped clear of the door and waved my
hand as she came bouncing out ahead of her two new sisters.
He was smiling proudly at her and she stopped right in front of him.
"Am I pretty enough to call you Daddy?"
Scooping her up in his arms he replied, "You've always been pretty
enough, now you look even more beautiful." He turned to Red. "What do
you think of your Sister, Son?"
"Damn my life just got harder. I'm going to have to keep the other boys
away until she decides who she wants to Dat," Red said as he pulled her
to him in a huistmas ever. You all got me two new sisters."
Then he looked at the rest of us. "This has been the best late Chr
Tim, Jill and I all looked at each other, then to Night Wolf. "How
about it Honey?" I asked. "Would you like to have a brother and
sisters?"
Nodding and crying softly she said, "Yes, I think that would be nice."
"Well then, in that case I think maybe you can go home, if you promise
not to over exert yourself until you're fully healed up," Dr Cambridge
announced.
She looked a bit frightened at first, but she let Tim carry her to the
Jeep.
Flower was just as wide eyed as Night Wolf, at seeing the house. Then
when Running Water arrived she was even more curious about our
household and our Families traditions.
"So we have two Momma's." Flower was excited. "I never even had one
before. Well not one I could call my Momma."
We sat and talked and Tim planned to get a set of bunk beds for Rose
and Night's room, even though they both said they didn't mind sharing a
bed.
"Nonsense, that's a twin size bed. You won't have room to stretch out
and get comfortable," he told them.
Darlene and Flower would get twin beds to replace the one full size
bed, since that room could handle them easily enough.
I woke up around three AM to hear Tim in the living room, sitting on
the hearth holding Tina's picture, the tears flowing unashamed down his
cheeks.
"You promised me I would find someone like you who would bring out the
best in me. I know you never said it, but you always hinted that we'd
have a bigger family together, a loving family. And Tina, I can't
imagine that you aren't smiling happily right now. I just wish you
could be here to share it with us." He fell silent a moment.
Laying my hand on his shoulder I took the picture as I slid onto his
lap. "Thank you Tina, I hope I'm living up to your expectations. I keep
trying to tell your Daddy that you are still here, all around us every
day. Thank you for continuing to guide us to those who need us, or
guiding them to us." I kissed the picture, blinking back my own tears.
Thinking. "And so many people in my past life said I could never be a
Mother, but here I am."
Tim kissed my cheeks kissing my tears as I began kissing his. "Thank
you for giving me our children," I said.
"Thank you for raising our children," he replied as I twisted fully
around on his lap.
I'd just settled slowly onto his stiff manhood when I saw a small round
face watching us from the kitchen door. I decided not to notice as I
slowly began moving my hips. I soon stretched my arms upward grasping
the edge of the mantle as he began suckling my breasts. Closing my eyes
as the waves of euphoria began to wash over me I began to thank him for
each of our children.
"Thank you for Rose and Redwing." I shuddered. "Thank you for Chasing
Shadows, for Flower, and for Night Wolf." I was so near to Orgasm I was
panting and moaning. "And thank for the one our wife Jill is carrying,"
I dug my long nails into the wood of the mantle as I blasted my cream
between us, followed quickly by his seed blasting up into me as he
buried his face between my breasts hugging me hard to stifle his own
cries of ecstasy. We held each other tight as we rocked gently back and
forth, slowly his head rising up to rest on my shoulder. "We have an
audience," he whispered into my ear.
"Yes I know, she's been there since we started," I confirmed. Then
slowly twisted my head around to look at her.
"Night, Honey, are you ok? Are you having trouble sleeping?"
"N, No, I was parched. I'm sorry I watched you," she said in a
frightened voice.
Leaning back I let my nitie fall back down to cover me as I slowly
lifted up off Tim's lap. Then turned to face her and held out my arms
to her.
Cautiously she crossed the room in her bare feet. "Sweetie, its ok that
you watched. Please don't be afraid, ok."
"It looked like you wanted him to do that, like it didn't hurt," she
said. I could see it in her eyes, this poor child had been badly
abused.
"Night, when it is someone you love, who loves you, it doesn't hurt.
It's a wonderful and beautiful experience to share," I said pulling her
into my arms.
"One day, you'll find someone special. And it doesn't matter to us who
it is, boy or girl, as long as they respect and love you, and never
hurt you."
"And they take their time letting you decide when you are ready," Tim
added.
"Your Daddy waited a long time for me," I said. "And when we found each
other, he was patient, waiting for me to decide when we should take
each step."
"But he took another wife?"
"Oh no Baby, we both invited her into our marriage together."
She looked up at the pictures arranged on the fireplace mantle, then at
the picture of Tina. "Is she married now?" she asked.
"No sweetie," I answered knowing it would be painful for Tim to do so.
"She died before your Daddy met me. She was his Second Daughter before
Rose and Red came along."
"I would have died if Rose hadn't seen me, if the wolf hadn't dragged
me into that ditch," she said and we let her cry as we held her gently.
About twenty minutes later Rose started into the living room. "Momma I
can't find," she began.
"Shhhh, she's asleep, it's ok," I said, but she joined us to hold her,
and we slowly moved over to the larger couch.
She was trying to help as much as possible, and I was proud of her for
not letting her injuries stop her, and soon she let them fit her into
the routine along with Flower. They were getting used to Shadow, and
Molly had taken to staying at the house again. Even old Half Tail was
hanging around more.
We got our trucks cleaned up, taking advantage of the Wash at the truck
stop to remove the road salt. Flower took advantage of the chance to
inspect the blowers up close without them being packed full of snow and
ice. We repacked our cleated chains in the storage lockers under the
frame. Then checked the spares. Even Night was getting into learning
about the trucks.
We pointed out the safety features, the first aid kits, and fire
extinguishers. The survival kits, and the dehydrated food supplies, as
well as the extra water.
She learned how to check the oil, and other fluids. We unhooked and re-
hooked the plows, teaching them as we went.
I was watching Tim out of the corner of my eye as he slowly walked
around Grey Horse's truck, one of the few really nice Freightliner's
we'd seen around the area. Ice Sickle was helping clean his truck. I
saw Tim reach down and check the front bumper, and smiled knowing what
he was checking for.
Walking to where Hatchet Man stood beside our one remaining Blower I
yelled to Tim. "Hey, have him pull it up over here, let's see if it can
be fitted."
"Momma, I thought Flower was going to get the next one," Darlene said.
"We'll find her and Night their own before next year, don't worry," I
told her. "Besides we still have to find them trucks and they need some
more experience before we turn them loose on the world."
I stood watching as the men began calculating what would have to be
added or modified to let him use the blower's full potential.
Jill winked at me as she led Flower and Night into the office of the
Garage. I knew Hatchet Man had the latest brochures from Peterbilt and
Kenworth in there.
On the trip home I asked Flower if she found anything special, and she
pulled out a brochure for the 385 GT, Peterbilt. Smiling I said, "Let
me guess, you want to know if it comes in Pink like mine."
She blushed and giggled yes.
I keyed the mike. "Yo, Jumper, you think Peterbilt would deliver
another 385, in Hot Sparkly Pink?"
"All they're waiting on is the word 'Go'," he laughed. "But it will
take about four months to get it with all the modifications we'd need,"
he added.
"How do you know that?" I asked.
"Sorry when I heard she used to dream about driving your truck I sort
of gave them a call," Jill told me.
"So are they doing it or what?" I asked.
"Let's just say it'll be here for her birthday," Jill giggled. "Now we
just need to find out what Night Wolf wants to drive."
When we got home I backed Beauty into her spot in the Tractor Barn.
Then told Darlene to get her Pony, we were going to town. Town meant
some place big enough to have a used truck lot.
"I'll call Simple Trucks and let them know you're on the way," Tim
laughed. He knew what I was planning to do, and that I would get
another long, yard truck like beater. Beater had been really good for
the kids to learn on. And it hadn't taken much to get her modified to
handle the plows.
Besides, the lean to on the side of the tractor barn was looking empty
with nothing there. Yes it was extravagant, buying the kids their
trucks before they could legally drive over the road, off the
reservation. But they learned so much and were much better drivers
because of the experience.
We talked on the way about what to look for in a used truck, whether it
showed signs of having been in an accident. What condition the engine
was in, brakes, air lines, hydraulics, etc. By the time we arrived at
Simple Trucks, they were ready to help me start looking.
Stew, the salesman kept trying to talk me into a Cabover with a
sleeper. "Look it's just a learner truck, and it's going to take a hell
of a beating just like the last one," I said.
"Yes Ma'am but the Cabover puts the driver right up there where they
can see what's out front."
"Stew, we push blowers all winter. And a Cabover puts you too close to
the blade," I started saying when Darlene, Flower and Night started
hopping up and down excitedly.
"Momma, look they have an old Pete with a plow hookup," Darlene said.
"And it has the extended frame where they took off the sleeper."
I hurried down the second row looking curiously at the huge red truck,
something about it said, "Ice Driver."
The trucks on either side were too close to get in to look it over, but
it had a three year old Canadian plate on the front. As I watched
Darlene boosted Flower up on the passenger side, and she opened the
door.
"I'll get the keys to it if you give me a minute," offered Stew.
Suddenly the engine kicked over as he was talking on his little radio,
"What do you mean the keys aren't there?" "Oh, never mind. Someone left
them in it."
Flower eased it out where we could walk around it, doing a pre-test
drive inspection. "We're going to need some fuel before we go very
far," Darlene stated as she climbed up next to Flower.
I heard a loud hiss, and realized they had locked in the front axle.
Damn this baby was ten wheel drive even.
"Stew go get the paperwork started. I'm going to take it and get the
oil changed and fueled up. Then I'll be back to finish the purchase," I
told him.
As I let Flower pull out and cross the highway to the local truck stop
I saw Darlene and Night following in her car. The pump jockey rushed up
to start filling it and then saw Flower as she was climbing down from
the driver's seat, his jaw dropped open and he just stood there.
"Momma, what kind should I get?" she asked me.
"You want Number 2 Diesel, Honey." A beginning altercation caught my
ear and I turned to see what was going on.
"Dave, you take the truck, I'll deal with this stupid wanna be bitch,"
said a very fat man chomping a cigar.
"Hey all my stuff is in there, wait. You can't do this," the girl in
her mid-twenties complained. "How am I going to get home?"
"You shoulda thought of that before you decided to stop someplace else
for your Reefer fuel. You've been warned, you only stop where we tell
you." The fat man told her.
"Let me at least get my stuff out." She was starting up the steps to
the driver's side.
"Get the fuck off my truck Bitch." The driver I assumed, Dave
backhanded her as he jerked her off the steps sending her sprawling
into a melted ice puddle.
"Move it Dave, before we have trouble."
I was already starting forward, and knew my girls and Bernie the owner
of the truck stop were right behind me. Suddenly as he closed the door,
Dave tossed out her log books and her purse, the contents scattering
across the pavement.
Scrambling to collect everything before it got ruined, she was on hands
and knees, myself and my girls rushing to help her. Darlene grabbed a
prescription bottle out of the puddle looking at it.
"Momma," she tossed it to me and I looked at it. 'Stacy Fuller,
Spironolactone. One capsule every day.'
"Uhh, Ma'am can I please have that?" she asked desperately.
"Sure Stacy, are the rest of them safe?" I asked.
"Rest of what Ma'am?"
"Your hormones," I answered and saw the look of fear in her eyes.
"I, oh shit, they're still in the truck." She collapsed back onto her
rear end in the puddle and started to shake her head and cry.
As the truck pulled out onto the highway another bag the size of a
knapsack was tossed out. Flower dashed out ignoring the horns of cars
as she retrieved it before it was run over.
"Come on let's get you inside and dry before you get pneumonia," I told
her.
"I guess you're wondering what that was all about," she said.
"Only if you want to tell me, I won't pry. I figure as one Trans Girl
to another you deserve your privacy."
"How did you know?" she whispered.
"I and my two oldest daughters take the same medications," I explained.
"You? But you can't be." She was looking at Darlene and the other two
trying to figure out who was older, Night or Flower.
Darlene leaned in. "If you want we can go in the Ladies room and see
whose is bigger."
"Darlene, that wasn't nice. She's had a rough day," I said.
"You're tellin me, they give me a load of Ice Cream and then shorted me
on the reefer fuel. I had to stop and fill it up or lose the load. And
now because I didn't go sixty miles with no reefer fuel they decide to
fire me for it."
She went in the bathroom of the diner and changed into dry clothes,
while she was in there I flipped through her log book, after asking if
I could look at it first.
There was a set pattern of her getting shorted on fuel as well as
maintenance. There were entries that showed she'd paid for a lot of
things out of her own pocket.
"Stacy, how would you like to work for a company that would make sure
this sort of thing doesn't happen again?" I asked her.
"Really, you can get me a job with one?" She looked almost excited.
Then saw me raise my eyes to Darlene warning her not to say anything
yet.
"I don't have a truck or expense money," she warned me.
"Missy, I pulled it around to the side. They should have the inspection
done on it in a few minutes. Here's the receipt for the fuel," Bernie
said. "You getting ready to hire another driver?" he asked looking at
Stacy.
"If she wants to work for us," I said.
"Stacy, you'll need your own truck if you work for Wyoming Trucking,
Just say the word and I'll cosign for you," Bernie told her.
"I couldn't ask you to do that Uncle Bernie," she said. Which explained
why Bernie had come out with his shotgun as we were interfering with
them taking her truck.
"Bernie, you service most of those trucks over at Simple Trucks, which
one would you recommend for her? Are there any that could make the next
Ice Run without a lot of work?" I asked.
He pointed out two Kenworth's and a Peterbilt on the front row.
"Darlene, why don't you go over with her and help her inspect them, see
which one she wants?"
"You mean you'll let me pick my own truck?" she asked.
"Stacy, you're the one that will be driving it. And if you make the
next Ice Run, it will be paid off free and clear with about thirty
grand profit in your account," I told her.
"You must really know someone at that Trucking Company then."
"Stacy, this is Missy Wyoming. Remember I told you about her?" Bernie
said. "She, her husband Tim and their Co-wife Jillian run Wyoming
Trucking. Missy here drives that pretty Peterbilt you keep asking
about."
"Your husband won't be mad that you're doing this?"
"I might be in for a Spanking when I get home, but it'll be fun." I
winked at her. "He runs the Company, I run the household."
"Why do you say it like that?"
"My husband is a full blooded Sioux, our youngest Daughter and Son are
three quarters Crow. And I'm about one quarter Cheyenne. We have a very
traditional Family life. The husband runs everything outside the home.
And the First Wife, Me, runs everything related to the home. Jill takes
care of everything else," I explained.
"He wouldn't really spank you, would he?"
"I sure hope so, it's been a while since we had that kind of fun." My
girls gasped in shock.
When we got over to the Truck lot Greg the owner was there. "Missy, I
take it you're replacing the one you lost earlier this year."
"Yes but we're going to be taking one more as well."
Seeing the one we'd already chosen he asked, did Stew tell you it has
its own Blower?"
"No he didn't." I looked at Stew curiously.
"It's one of the old ones, like the ones you started out with. But it's
in good shape, and it goes with the truck." I could see he was vexed
with Stew for not telling me about it, obviously stew thought he could
sell it separately.
When Stacy and Darlene pulled up in front in the better of the two
Peterbilt 379's he got busy with the registration. "Greg, you might as
well put it in Stacy's name, but we'll pay for it and she can pay us
back. I'm going to take Flower and Night here around and lock into the
blade."
"Blade?" Darlene asked.
"Actually it's a blower blade just like the one we lost with Beater," I
told her.
Flower was nervous as she crept forward, still getting used to the
controls, making fine adjustments as she slowly pushed the blade arms
into the locking points. When it was locked in I had her climb down and
we walked her through the hydraulic hookups. Then we had her do a test
to be sure it wasn't going to drop on her on the way home. I let her
have fun running around the lot blowing snow, clearing it for Greg
while he got the paperwork finished on the other truck.
We were getting ready to leave, and I called Tim on the radio to let
him know we were on our way. "Hey Love, we're heading home."
"So what did you find? Anything good?" he asked.
"I found an old 379 that has its own Blower. And another one that has
its own driver."
"Its own Blower? Wow you did good. Wait did you say the other one had
its own Driver?" he asked.
"Tim she was in a bad way. She needed our help, besides she's Bernie's
Niece," I said.
"Bernie doesn't have a niece, or is there something else I should
know?" he asked.
"She's Blessed, Tim."
"Ok I won't spank you too hard for stepping on my toes," he chuckled.
"And I won't resist," I promised with a giggle. "Can Coyote get her a
couple of loads between now and the next Run up north?"
"As if we don't have more than we can handle now?" Coyote cut in on the
conversation. "You can pick up those two loads of hay on your way back,
I'm sure the Tribes horses will appreciate it, and it'll save Nikki and
Raven from having to make another trip tonight." The loads she was
talking about were two flat beds loaded with thirty big round bales
each. Of course it wasn't just the tribes herds we were hauling feed
for. In the winter the tribe always fed the wild horses and other
animals.
"Tell Hatchetman we're going to drop off the kid's new toy. The only
thing wrong with the plow is it needs new hydraulic fluid."
"Hey Missy, who's that riding your tail feathers?" called Nikki.
"Oh my stars, is that you Nikki?" asked Stacy.
"As I live and breathe girl, as I live and breathe," Nikki said. "Hey
Raven, Looks like we don't need to make that third run today. We'll
hold up here until they get here."
Nikki and Raven were hauling the hay in and still had four trailers
left, I smiled knowing what Stacy would discover, that 'Most of Wyoming
Trucking's' drivers were Girls'.