Friday I'm up and note I have fresh laundry and after a shower and a soft goodbye from Connie with a promise to return soon I head off to the bank Mr. Delauter said would be ready to assist me. I speak with a very plain and blunt bank manager before he hands me off to one of his representatives who will be following me in a car as I ride over to my next meeting spot. I have the nice bank representative pay for the rental truck and horse trailer which I leave instructions that it will be picked up later by me and a friend later. The rental guy is happy with the deal and even happier that we paid in full before leaving with the goods. It takes a couple hours but I get a call and a location which is where my fun starts. The bank man is scared more than a little bit as I pull into the parking lot for the Old Hand's Grill to see twenty or so Devil's Best led by Sid who is wearing a smile on his face a mile wide as she sees me.
"Holy shit I didn't even suspect that they would send THE very best to help me out," I greet Sid before getting a handshake/hug.
"Believe it or not we were close and when Jim told me you were not only in the area but were out on some family business, I figured I'd swing by and offer a dozen or so helping hands," Sid laughs and my mood goes from good to excellent.
I explain what we're doing and Sid just listens before relaying orders of what he wants done to his people. I get some handshakes and a few pats on the back by passing bikers before I lead the new caravan of bikers and one banker who is not certain he wants to be here right now as we head over to the Burke Ranch. A few bikers get left behind to pick up the other transport vehicle that we'll need. One long ass dirt driveway with twenty some bikers and a car garners a lot of attention as we ride up and finally stop at the barn where I'm hoping to find Gwen. Sure enough being almost midday we have more than a few people staring and a couple up in the main house wondering if we're invading. Gwen comes out of the barn and after looking around confused slowly approaches me.
"Guy what are you doing," she asks quietly.
"Problem solving, get Mr. Burke please," I tell her and watch her head up to the house.
I motion for the banker to come over and the Devil's Best give him space to pass through them and I smile and explain to my friends who he is.
"Gentlemen, this man is my money, this man is the one making sure that everything I want to have happened today happens. If anyone threatens this man it is your priority to protect him," I explain and get some nods and hear a few pistols cock.
The banker actually looks more nervous but I figure he'll be fine while we wait. It takes a few minutes but sure enough Gwen comes back down with Alvin and his father in tow and I smile big at Mr. Burke, I'm about to make his day and ruin Alvin's day in one shot.
"Well here you are again and now I have criminals walking around my property," Mr. Burke says, referencing Sid but the Devil's Best stay quiet.
"Yes I am here again and I'm just wondering about Gwen's debts again, if all are paid flat out right now then she can leave. She takes Bandit, her truck and her camper and is completely free," I ask plainly.
"She can leave but she doesn't have the money and Dad doesn't take checks," Alvin spits and Mr. Burke grimaces before speaking.
"The boy is right about checks, and yes if she pays the whole balance Gwen is free to go," Mr. Burke states plainly.
I nod to the banker who opens his briefcase and produces a small bank bag zipped up and hands it to me. I open it and see the amount for the first bit and smile and hand it over to Mr. Burke.
"That sir is five thousand dollars, that pays all her debts and a standard interest if you applied for one," I explained before turning to Gwen," Pack your shit girl you are leaving."
Gwen is shocked, Alvin is pissed but it's Mr. Burke who simply counts his money and nods to me before turning to Gwen.
"It was a pleasure to have you as an employee and you are free to leave. If you want a job in the future we'll work out a deal, otherwise best of luck," Mr. Burke tells her, shaking Gwen's hand.
As soon as Gwen lets the hand go I'm wrapped up in a big hug and thanked repeatedly. There are a few bikers whistling and I hear Sid telling them to shut up for me, thanks Sid. Gwen show's Sid where her camper is and I watch the men get it, the chocks removed and after a test run a tool box is broken out and some minor repairs are done making sure the truck will get Gwen from here to Washington. The banker approaches Gwen and me, opening his briefcase and hands her another bank bag. I watch her open it and while she's confused I simply shake the man's hand and let him get about his business. I watch him drive off and send Gwen to get Bandit ready while we wait for the horse trailer I rented and truck to show up. Gwen is ecstatic as she's bounding around like a giddy school girl trying to figure out everything she wants to do.
"Guy I can leave, I can go anywhere I want now and there's nothing stopping me," Gwen says and I smile for her new found freedom.
"You asked me if this was a scam and now you see it's the opposite but there is one problem I have," I start to explain and watch as Gwen starts to look at me nervously," I have to bring you back home. Mom and Dad want to meet you; they want to let you into our lives. As you can tell we're not struggling for money and resources and we can get you whatever you want but I am not going to force you back with me."
Gwen looks a little sad and confused. I think she planned on something else when she just smiles and hugs me again.
"Do they really want to meet me," Gwen asks quietly in my ear.
"They've wanted you back for a little over eighteen years now, I've only known you for less than six months and I want my sister dammit," I mumble, holding my new family tight to me.
"I get to have a home, my family is alive and you think I wouldn't come back," Gwen says, shoving me a little," Baby brother you need to learn a bit about women."