A/N This is a long chapter, but very good, at least I think. Thanks for all the comments, they are most helpful and very encouraging. I know some of you were wanting full on Angie vs. the Sisters in law, but that will be later. I hope you enjoy.
Chapter 13
Nita had brought Abel down to get breakfast after Angie had headed off to meet with Juice. Jax and Happy were still sitting there drinking coffee. Abel ran over to his Dad and crawled up in his lap. "Morning Abel," Jax said.
"Hi Dad," Abel said. Jax reached out and placed a cinnamon roll in front of Abel. Abel started munching on the roll and Nita set a glass of milk in front of him.
"He needs more than a roll Jax," she said. "Abel I will get you some eggs."
"No, oatmeal," Abel said.
"No eggs. That is what everyone else had, and that is what you are going to have too," Nita said, her voice firm.
"Oatmeal," Abel said and he reached up to throw the roll at her. Jax gently grabbed his hand and put the roll down.
"Abel, you are going to have eggs," Jax said, his hand around his waist and his other on the throwing hand. "And you are done with this temper tantrum."
Abel looked at his dad and then lowered his hand, "Sorry," Abel said.
"Don't apologize to me, Abel. Apologize to Nita." Jax said pointing to the Nita.
Abel looked at his nanny and then lowered his head, "Sorry."
"Ok then, you sit here in the booster chair and eat your breakfast," Jax said. Jax put Abel in the booster chair and then he and Happy rose from the table and stepped out on the back porch to have a smoke.
"Man he is a pistol," Happy said. "Bet he is just like you were."
"Mom says that. She says I deserve him and his little tantrums. I tell you this, Angie is the disciplinarian. If it were up to me he would get away with murder." Jax said.
"I can see that,"
Just then the back door opened. Pricilla was standing there with the coffee pot. "Gonna throw this out unless you two want the last of it."
"I'll take a refill," Happy said.
"Me too," Jax said.
"You know you two should head down to the birthing barn, Abel would love it." Pricilla said.
"Yeah, what exactly is going on down there Pricilla?" Happy said.
"Got to go see it," she said. "Depends on the mamas, could be dropping, could be pulling, could be milking, could be feeding."
"Pulling?" Jax said.
"Sweet Jesus," she exclaimed. "If it were up to men we would have been extinct generations ago. Just go down there. Most of the time it is more fun and watching than anything else." With that she turned and went back into the house with her empty coffee pot.
"So what do you think?" Jax said.
"Well I bet he would love it, and MJ is down there, it would give you a chance to talk to him." Happy said.
"True." Jax said. He stepped back and looked into the kitchen. Abel was almost done eating. Jax put his cigarette out in the can on the back porch for butts and slapped his hand on Happy's shoulder. "Looks like I am gonna break in those boots Angel bought me after all."
Jax went back into the kitchen and over to Abel, "How would you like to go see the baby cows?" he asked.
Abel's eyes go big and he smiled back. "Yes Yes Yes!" He shouted.
"Ok, go get your jacket." Jax said as he lifted him from the booster seat. A few minutes later Jax and Abel were walking out the back door headed to the birthing barn. Happy was still out there, having another cigarette.
"Think I will tag along," Hap said. Jax just looked at him and gave him a head nod. Inside Jax smiled, Angie wasn't the only one who had noticed Happy staring at the pretty veterinarian.
When the three of them stepped into the birthing barn, it took all of 3 minutes before they were taking off their jackets. It wasn't cold in Colorado, just cool enough in the morning you needed a jacket. But in the birthing barn it was a balmy 78 degrees. There were 4 pregnant heifers in the first 4 stalls, all so fat they were about to bust. Walking in further along the center path, they came to 2 heifers with calves hanging on them that couldn't be more than 24 hours old. Finally, down in the last area was a small pen, and inside were 6 little calves, no moms in site.
Abel ran up to the pen and stuck his hand through the rails. He tried to pet the little calves. Soon one of them turned around and saw his little hand. He kept waving it in front of the little bull calf and soon the calf came up sniffing it. Before Abel could react the little calf latched onto Abel's finger and began sucking, mistaking the toddler's hand for a bottle. Abel began screaming, a combination of scared and laughing as it tickled. As Jax ran to help his son, MJ stepped over and grabbed the calf by the head. He rubbed it on the jaw and it let go of Abel's hand. Abel pulled his hand back and Jax scooped him up, examining his hand to see if he was hurt.
MJ laughed at Jax and his over protectiveness. "Man you are going to turn that kid into a pussy." MJ said. "He wasn't going to get hurt. You got to let him learn about things on his own."
Maggie was over in the med area of the barn. She had heard the visitors come in and had come to the doorway to watch. Looking over toward the stalls of the expectant heifers she saw Happy, leaning on a pole, watching the scene. He smiled at her and she smiled back. Happy shook his head at Jax, and Maggie giggled a little at the overprotective father.
"He's just a toddler," Jax said.
"Yeah, and he wasn't in any danger." MJ said. MJ had a bottle in his hand and walked over to the edge of the pen. "Here set him down here and he can feed the little bull." MJ took his knee and pushed the little calf over to the edge of the pen. He used his leg to keep the calf from moving. He put the bottle in front of the calf and it latched onto it like it was its first meal in days. Jax set Abel inside the pen and then crawled in behind him. MJ helped Abel hold the bottle. Soon the bottle had been sucked dry and MJ pulled the bottle out of the bull calf's mouth. He pushed the calf behind him and picked up the toddler.
"Good job, Abel." MJ said.
"Again, Again," Abel squealed. MJ looked at Jax who nodded his head it was ok. Maggie walked up and handed MJ another bottle, taking the empty from him. MJ set Abel down and 'herded' the little calves around, getting a hungry little heifer isolated. Again he pinned the calf and stuck the bottle in its mouth. Abel came up and helped hold the bottle. Jax watched him intently. When the calf tossed her head when the bottle was empty, Abel fell back sitting down on his butt. He got back up and came over to MJ. "Again, Again." He was smiling from ear to ear.
MJ laughed at him. "Sorry buddy, but that was the last one for now. But we will do it again in 3 hours. Want to come back then and help?"
"Can I? Can I?" Abel asked running over to his dad.
"I think we can work that out. Right now how about you get out of here and see what else you can find to do." Jax said. He smiled at both boys. He was impressed with how good MJ had been with Abel, and how he had talked to Jax. He let him know he wouldn't let anything happen to the little boy in his own way.
Abel was trying to climb the pen fence and Jax reached down and picked him up. Setting Abel down, Jax hopped the pen fence and then bent down and talked to the toddler. "Now if you want to come back down here later you need to go take a nap." Abel nodded and hugged his dad. Jax flipped his phone open and called Nita to come get Abel at the barn. A few minutes later Nita showed up to pick up the toddler. Happy was still leaning on the pole, watching the activities. MJ walked over and checked in with Maggie, seeing what else needed to be done.
"Tell you what. You get up to the house and get something to eat. Be back here in 2 hours so we can prep the bottles. I checked those heifers, could be an exciting day." Maggie said. "And keep your phone on. If I call you get your butt back here."
"Got it. Do I need to bring anything back with me?" MJ asked.
"Yeah, have Pricilla send me some lunch. Wait have her pack some food for the entire evening. This is looking like it could be a long night." Maggie said.
"Will do," MJ said.
"Tell you what, I will walk up to the house with you," Jax said. "Give us a chance to talk. You can tell me about what a long night is going to entail."
Jax looked over his shoulder as he and MJ walked out of the birthing barn. He caught Happy's gaze and nodded his head. "Think I will stay down here for a while," Happy said taking the cue from his friend. Happy turned toward Maggie and continued, "So what exactly is this for?" He asked as he held up a set of pulling chains.
"Pulling calves," Maggie said.
"Like out of the mama?" Happy asked.
"Their called heifers, but yeah, you reach in and hook the chains onto the legs of the calf and pull it out." Maggie said. Happy dropped the chains. Maggie laughed hysterically. "We do clean them after every use, Hap."
"All the same, I think I will put them back on the rack." Happy said.
"You would never make it out here, you get grossed out to easy." Maggie said with a chuckle.
"Now, don't go judging me so quick. I am pretty sure I can handle anything you want to show me." Happy said as he walked slowly over toward Maggie. He never broke eye contact with her and when he got to the doorway she was standing in, he slid his knee in between her legs.
"Really, is that so. Well I tell you what. How about we leave MJ to handle the birthing barn when he gets back, and you go with me up to the north pasture? You can help me check the mamas up there. MJ knows what he is doing, and if one of these heifers drop, we can be back to help if he needs it."
"Think I can't handle it?" Happy whispered as he swept a piece of hair behind her ear.
"I think you will tap out, that is right." Maggie said.
"How about I meet you where you had your flat. I have a few things I got to do. 3 hours from now sound about right?" Happy said, bending down and gently kissing the neck he had exposed by tucking the hair.
"Sounds good, I will bring you a horse to ride." Maggie said as she slid her hand up his stomach to his chest.
"Horse?" Happy asked.
"Yes. I have one up there in a corral, you will need one too if you plan to keep up. And no you can't ride your Harley instead, it will scare the cattle" Maggie said. She turned her head and gently kissed Happy. With her hands she pushed on his chest and moved him away from her. "Now get going, if you are late I will leave the horse in the trailer and you can find me. I have to keep to a schedule."
Happy stepped back into her and pulled her to him. He kissed her with more force and stroked her cheek. "I won't be late, doc." Hap let her go and walked out of the barn.
Jax and MJ were walking toward the house as Jax started the conversation. "You were great with those calves, and with Abel." Jax said.
"Thanks, he's a cute kid. But like Grandpa always said, 'You got to let 'em learn by doing," MJ said.
"You spent a lot of time with your Grandpa?" Jax asked.
"Practically every day. He would come get me from Day Care and bring me out here when I was little, after a while Mom and Dad just hired a babysitter who brought me out here every day." MJ said. "I am the first, so I think Grandpa spent a lot of time with me."
"You miss him don't you?" Jax said, more of a statement than a question.
"Yeah, and my Dad. My dad was great, even though he was a banker. He and Uncle Mason taught me to ride, and to shoot, Grandpa taught me to ranch." MJ said.
"What about Uncle Mark?" Jax inquired.
"He was great too, but he wasn't around much. I think it was hard for him to look at me," MJ said. "I know it is hard for Aunt Carolyn to even be in the same room with me."
"What makes you think that?" Jax said.
"I heard Grandpa and Dad talking one time, about Uncle Mark and Aunt Carolyn, how they never had kids." MJ said. "I think I was a reminder of what they never had."
"Well what about Mason's boys, Thomas and Tracy?" Jax said. "They feel the same way about them?"
"I don't think so, even with them living here. I know Grandpa loved them, but everyone says I was Grandpa's favorite?" MJ said. "I think it was because I was the first. He would have spent just as much time with them as things went along, I was getting older. Thomas was already starting to go with us."
"Who is everyone?" Jax asked.
"Aunt Polly, Aunt Carolyn, I have heard others. No one ever tells it to me directly, I just overhear it a lot." MJ said. "That's part of what has sucked so much since they died, Mom wants no part of the Ranch, and doesn't want me out here either. I about shit my pants when Aunt Angie said I could stay out here for a while."
"Well maybe it's because Angel is here. Makes your mom feel comfortable you being out here." Jax suggested.
"Oh no, Mom hates Aunt Angie. Says she is a spoiled presumptuous bitch." MJ stated.
"Do you feel that way?" Jax asked a bit surprised at how honest MJ was being.
"NO, not at all. I think she is the bomb!" MJ exclaimed. "She doesn't treat me like a kid. Never did. Just like Grandpa." MJ paused a minute and then started again. "You know she is just like Grandpa. You would have like him."
"That's what I have been told by Angel," Jax said.
"Why do you call her Angel?" MJ asked.
"Long story, been calling her that for years." Jax said.
"Something sexy I bet." MJ said.
Jax laughed, "Actually no, but if it were, I wouldn't tell you. You don't need to know about that sort of stuff." Jax said.
"Then you two need to be quieter," MJ said, smiling at Jax. "Jesus Angel! Jax Oh God More!"
"Heard us did you?" Jax said.
"Everyone in Percy probably heard you. But that's ok. I thought it was funny." MJ said laughing at Jax.
"Well, you should just keep that to yourself," Jax said. "Peanut."
MJ looked at Jax. "Hey, I am not peanut anymore."
"Tell me where that came from and I promise not to say it again." Jax said.
"It's really stupid. I wouldn't mind a nickname that was good, like Happy, but peanut is stupid." MJ said. "My initials are MDM. M and M. Get it."
"Yeah, I get it." Jax said.
"Aunt Angie said you asked about what we were doing about finding the people who killed your dad?" Jax said, changing the subject.
"Yeah I did. She kind of blew me off. I think she doesn't want me knowing you are going to kill the person or persons. You or Happy that is." MJ said.
"Hey, first of all we don't know what we are going to do. Second, she is right, it is for us to handle. Third, what makes you think we are going to kill them?" Jax said.
"Well," MJ said lifting open Jax's cut. "That was my first indication." Pointing to the gun Jax was wearing. "Happy has one too. Aunt Angie is packing when she leaves the house I am pretty sure." MJ paused. "Grandpa always said to go prepared."
"Well, I am starting to really like your Grandpa, but listen, this is not your fight, it is ours." Jax said.
"That's bullshit and you know it. They took just as much from me as they did from Aunt Angie." MJ spit out. "I would tell you I want to help, but you would just blow me off too," MJ continued.
"No that is not true, but I do need you to be smart. Don't go off half cocked. If you find something out, come tell us." Jax said. "I can tell you we aren't going to give you the full information, but I will make you a promise, I will let you know when we figure it out, that fair."
"Maybe I can help." MJ said.
"Yes, maybe you can, but when we ASK for your help. Got it."
"Yeah I got it. So where was Aunt Angie going? I figured she'd be down at the barn helping." MJ asked.
"She had a few errands to run and then said she was going to the tea party," Jax said.
MJ stopped, "With Mom and Aunt Polly and Aunt Carolyn?" MJ's eyes were as big as saucers.
"Yeah, that's the one, why?" Jax asked.
"Well I hope I am right then that Aunt Angie is packing. She may have to shoot her way out of there." MJ said as he stepped onto the back porch of the house and headed into the kitchen.