Pardner 5

By Patrick M. Browning

It's a "coming of age" story about a fellow that had a rough start but turned out to be a pretty good cattleman. He is a bare-knuckles fighter and certainly likes the ladies. I'm presenting this tale as fiction, but the preponderance is absolutely true!

Publishing Rights: I own the copyright and I hold necessary publishing righ

• Language: English
• Publisher: Westwood Books Publishing
• Release date: Jun 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9781685366131

Patrick M. Browning

Patrick M Browning has spent his life Cowboying all over the west and deep into Old Mexico, managing some of the largest cattle and horse ranches in both countries. These many years in the saddle have given him the advantage of a perspective and knowledge of his subject matter, few writers of our generation have the benefit of drawing from. His works on Contemporary Cowboy life have a true to life feeling and flavor that only comes with actual experience. PMB, 'Lives the life he writes, and Writes the life he lives!"

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Copyright © 2022 by Patrick M. Browning.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Westwood Books Publishing LLC

Atlanta Financial Center

3343 Peachtree Rd NE Ste 145-725

Atlanta, GA 30326

www.westwoodbookspublishing.com

Hello, my friends, old and new. I am pleased you have chosen to join Pardner on his adventures. If you have been following him through the previous Pardner Books, you know several basic facts about our hero.

For those of you new to these accounts of our man Pardner and his exploits, he is the living embodiment of the modern-day working ranch cowboy, the personification of what all men should be. He is the proverbial lover, fighter, and wild horse rider!"

Contained herein are more true tales of his life, (due to many legal considerations) they are being presented as fiction and are to be enjoyed exclusively as such.

Thank you for riding along with him once again! If this is your first time sharing Pardner’s experiences, I thank you for trusting him to take you through this one safely. So, hold on to your seat, get a faraway look in your eyes, and enjoy this oft time wild and exciting ride!

PMB

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

CHAPTER 1

Pardner had received a call from a very powerful man to come to Chicago and bring him some extremely important documents that Pardner had stashed for him at the ranch in Arizona. Pardner had just retrieved the trunks full of these papers a few months before, and had been shot three times in the taking of them. He stole them from a rival family that was hoping to receive amnesty for turning over these very damaging documents about the more powerful Chicago family to federal prosecutors. Pardner had given his word to this powerful man that he would be available to him if he ever needed him. This promise was made as a return favor for this fellow coming to Cabo San Lucas, with his crew, to make sure Pardner’s girls could get out of Mexico safely. Pardner was in a prize fight against the current Mexican champion, Caesar Omar Morales and Pardner fought in this contest, representing the leader of Cuba. No one thought Pardner would come out of this, win or lose. Pardner was not worried about himself but he had six women with him who he was terribly concerned about being allowed to leave safely.

They had all underestimated the sporting character of the Mexican people and government. After his gallant victory in the fight, Pardner was treated with the respect a winner should receive. All their paranoia never came to fruition and Pardner along with his ladies were allowed to stay or go from Cabo as they pleased. However before he knew that this was to be the outcome, Pardner had pledged his loyalty to the head of this very influential Chicago family and he had honored this twice so far, and was now driving to Chicago to honor it yet again. 1987 was a relatively quiet time for the Chicago family, considering 1986 was so exasperatingly plagued with trails and investigations. (After this story takes place, things got lively again the next year as James Basile, an Outfit-associated bookmaker agreed to become a government informant. He later identified the location of a Mafia graveyard and really stirred things up.)

The documents Pardner was delivering would be a very integral part of the government’s case against the family. Several parts of them could also be used to help muddy the waters of an investigation against certain lead family members, and were to be considered an extremely valuable commodity. Pardner had to make sure these were only turned over to the right people, but was not sure just how that would happen. The Boss certainly would not be the one to meet him and he had only seen a few of the family soldiers, so he would move forward carefully.

His trip to Chicago was no different than many he had made before. His old truck ran well and did not give him any problems so he drove straight through. He stopped at the Key Stop motel and checked in, as told on the man on the phone. He had hidden his truck between two semis, and walked up to the office. There were no prior reservations made and it was like he had just walked in off the street. This was not the way The Boss handled things. Pardner gave a fake name and said he had no identification put and would pay cash. That was good enough for the desk clerk, and he gave Pardner a key to room 4. Pardner did not stay in the room, and as he had parked his old truck in line with a couple of semis that that were where parked close enough so he be hidden yet still see both the motel office and his room door.

He stayed hidden in his truck for a couple of hours, it was July and this late at night it was beautiful in Chicago. Pardner was happy it was not winter time and freezing. That would have made this even harder. Eventually a car pulled up in front of the motel office and a woman got out and walked in. He thought something was familiar about her but couldn’t place her from the back. The office has large glass windows and he could see that this woman had gotten something out of her of her purse and handed it to the desk clerk and he handed her a key.

The lady turned around and it was Julie, the gal they met in Cabo San Lucas, and had brought back with them! He was ecstatic! The Boss had apparently sent her to meet him, knowing he would recognize her and know that she was ok! He started to get out of the truck but stopped cold. The man driving the car opened the door and in the dome light he could see that it was Mike! The Boss would never have sent anyone outside the family with Julie, let alone Mike. What was even more disturbing was that there were two more men in the back seat. The car pulled over to in front of room 4, and Julie put her key in the door. He could hear her call, "Pardner! It’s me Julie! The Boss sent me to get the documents. When she received no answer, she waited until the two men were standing beside her with guns drawn, and then she opened the door quickly and stepped back allowing the two men to enter.

Pardner stayed low in his truck and when Julie ran over to the motel office, presumably to ask what Pardner had been driving. The men walked a quick circle around the parking lot, never thinking anyone would have such valuable cargo in the back of a pickup truck and since the Key Stop was a mainstay for the Hawthorne and Sportsman Park horse race tracks, the lot has several pickup trucks parked in the lot and Pardner’s old truck drew no interest at all. The four people drove away and as soon as Pardner had seen them drive down the road, he backed out between the trucks and drove into the Sportsman Park race track kitchen and made a call.

He called Mr. Monti because he had no number for The Boss and knew Mr. Monti could get hold of him. Pardner told him the whole story, and Mr. Monti told him to stay put and he would call right back. It wasn’t 5 minutes and he got his call. He was told that two of the men he had met in Cabo with The Boss would be there in less than 30 minutes to get him. Mr. Monti also told him that The Boss said he had done well and he was proud of him. That was all there was to the call. Pardner did as told and bought a cup of coffee from the track kitchen and waited. In 23 minutes, the big bodyguard that Pardner had known from his Cabo adventure stepped in the door, looked at Pardner, and turned and walked back out. Pardner followed him. There were two cars and four men outside, and Pardner was asked to follow them. A car pulled out in front and one followed Pardner. They drove to an old warehouse on the Upper East Side and as they pulled up in front, the warehouse door opened and the lead car pulled in and Pardner followed as did the car behind him.

There were several people in the warehouse all apparently waiting around for Pardner. The Boss himself was there and to everyone’s surprise he walked over to Pardner and gave him a hug and asked if he was alright. They were surprised because The Bossdid not show emotion or affection ever in public. I heard about your shoot out, son! I am very impressed. I heard that our friend Julie has betrayed us with that sissy boyfriend of hers. They set us up ever since Cabo. It is my fault. I was so busy showing off to your girls when I vetted them that I never thought about vetting Mike or his mother. She is also the mother of the head of the opposition family. Mike is the sissy little brother to the second most powerful man in Chicago.

He continued, They have fooled us with a pretty face and nice butt! The oldest rouse in the book and I fell for it like a rookie. I told one of my lieutenants to call you while Julie was in the room, performing special services, and she had to have heard where and when you were to make the delivery. I could have gotten you killed! Her and her men got there before we did. I don’t know if the motel man tipped her off when you checked it or just how they knew, but it was some smart work by you, not letting them take you, son! ‘The Boss’ said.

Sir, I used a fake name and paid cash and never provided any identification, Pardner assured him.

Son, a big hard looking one-eyed Cowboy walks into a Chicago motel and gives no ID and pays cash, is easy to spot if the desk man has been told you were coming. Don’t worry, you did everything right and I am proud of you. We will take care of Miss Julie. I can’t have traders in my own house! The Boss said.

It is not my business, but what about that pimp Mike! Pardner asked, knowing he should not have.

Son, you are quite correct. It is none of your business. You have done a superior job in all I asked of you and your obligation to the family and me is concluded. Just because I consider us friends and because I caused your close call, I will explain. We are not going to touch Mike. We don’t need a war right now with the fight we are already in with the government. Once Julie disappears, that little wimp won’t get a minute of sleep for the rest of his life. The Boss explained more than he ever had to anyone before. The Conceilari looked at him questioningly.

I know, but this damn kid has kind of touched something deep inside of me. Goodbye, Pardner. I am honored to call you my friend. Things are going to go to hell for us soon, but when we present the properly redacted papers you saved for us, twice, we have a chance of surviving this mess. Have a safe trip home, and you should really get yourself a new truck, as much as you won in Mexico I know you can afford a new one! The Boss teased.

Again everyone in the warehouse was shocked, because The Boss never teased with anyone, ever!

I am going to buy a van for the girls at the ‘2 Sues’ so we can all travel to places together. Besides this old truck got our treasure all the way up here and was indiscernible enough to stay hidden form our opposition forces. It kept me from being killed and prevented your defense documents from getting into the wrong hands! Pardner said, defending his old Dodge pickup truck.

The Boss simply smiled at his brave young friend.

The family soldiers had unloaded everything from the back of Pardner’s truck and folded the tarp neatly. One of the soldiers who Pardner had met in Cabo asked him if he could show him how to tie that knot he used to hold the tarp down.

It is a hay knot my friend used to hold tarps down tightly on semi loads. Then Pardner proceeded to show him how to tie it.

One of the other soldiers asked if he really thought they had time for this Boy Scout shit.

We damn sure have time! Get your ass over there and learn how to tie it too! The Boss ordered.

There was no more conversation about the knot.

The soldier who had originally asked about the knot told Pardner that they put money in his glove box to pay for the trip expenses. Pardner thanked them and shook hands with the same soldier, knowing he might never see him again. Then he said goodbye to The Boss and nodded at the consigliere. He got into his truck and drove out of town headed West.

He stopped in Springfield, Illinois and even though it was 10:00 pm at the Goodyear ranch, he called the ladies. Hello darling! I’m alive and coming home! I’ll be there this time tomorrow. I love you! Now let me talk to Melony and Sue! he said once he realized he had been talking to Agnes. Hello! Can you both hear me? I’ll be home this time tomorrow and won’t need to come back to Chicago again! I have fulfilled my obligation!

Did you get to see Julie? Melony asked with just a bit of suspicion in her tone.

Yes. But we didn’t speak. She was a mole and brought men to steal The Boss’s documents and to kill me! We will never see her again. In fact, no one will ever see her again, Pardner explained.

I knew something was off with that girl! The phony two-faced bitch! Deion said.

You all get everything caught up there tomorrow and we will all take a few days off and go see your surfer boys! I feel like a little sun and sand. How about you girls?" he asked sincerely.

That sounds wonderful, Pardner, but is this a trick question? Why would you be so willing to take us to see the surfer boys? Melony asked anxiously.

Pardner asked, You aren’t planning on leaving me for them are you? You will just play a little and have some fun right? You are not going to do anything too stupid, are you? We will all come back together, won’t we?

Deion in true Pardner fashion relayed, No, right, absolutely not! Of course! How did I do?

Perfect. Can you talk Agnes into coming with us? Would you like to bring your college girls too? Maybe Sue, Susie, Cindy, and Liz will go as well? We can make it a fun trip. I will rent us a 12-passenger van and we can have a big time. I need a little time where no one is trying to kill me or take something from me, Pardner said.

You might want to reconsider then, Pardner! The surfer boys will be trying all the time we are there to take us away from you! Melony teased.

You said yourself that they are only good for fifteen minutes! I will outlast them! he said.

That is a wonderful way to look at it, Pardner! You are indeed the perfect man! Deion said.

Besides, I am kind of thinking the four college girls will occupy most of their fifteen minutes, and they won’t even know you were there! Pardner added.

Why do we fall for that every time? Deion asked Melony.

I have no idea, Sweetheart! Melony said, and then added, Drive carefully, but get back here ASAP! We will have everything ready to go when you get here.

I am going to need a little sleep first, my dear! he said, reminding her that he is coming off a 48-hour run with no sleep whatsoever!

I’ll drive! You can sleep in the car! Melony said.

Damn! How badly do you want to see those surfer boys? Pardner teased.

Fine! We will just sit and watch you sleep and waste all that time when we could be on the road! Melony said like a baby!

Oh no! I don’t want to be responsible for you not getting to your surfer boy toys as fast as you can! I most likely won’t go into delirium tremors for several hours after I get back to the ranch, he teased, but was actually being serious.

I suppose that Deion and I could drive to Sky Harbor and fly over to Santa Barbara, and you could stay here and could take your nap, then when you are rested you could drive over to the coast to get us! Melony said and she did not sound enough like she was joking for Pardner.

I suppose you could just fly over and stay as long as you damn well please and when the surfers get tired of you, you could hitch your way back! He was tired and had been pretty stressed out, and was a little short tempered.

That was uncalled for, Pardner! Melony said.

I don’t think so. You go ahead and fly to Rincon Point and I’ll get a room here and get some much needed sleep! Goodbye. I am sorry I called, he said and hung up the phone. Then to himself, You really handled that terribly, you jackass!

At that exact same second at the Goodyear Ranch, Deion said to Melony, You really handled that terribly. You were a real bitch! What is wrong with you?

The girls didn’t fly anywhere and Pardner didn’t get a room he drove straight through and got home at 8:00 pm the next evening. He had forgotten he gained 2 hours going West. When he drove up in front of the ranch house, Agnes and Sam were the first ones out the door to welcome him home. Then Deion ran out. The difference between this time and the last time is this time she was dressed, whereas last time she was nearly naked when she ran out. Melony walked out too this time, instead of waiting at the door for him to ask her to come to him, like she had the last time.

Pardner, I am a bitch and have a temper that I have trouble controlling when the man I love teases me. It seems that I can dish it out, but I can’t take it! I apologize for that. Please help me get over it. It is a terrible character flaw and I hate it! she said, but it didn’t really feel that much like an apology to Pardner.

Go ahead to the coast and be a bitch to your surfer boys. I can’t do this anymore. I was trying to be nice and take everyone to the beach and was willing to sit quietly by while you acted like a tramp with your surfer boy toys and you got stupid. I’ll gather my things and be out of here within the hour! he said and as he turned to walk into the house, he looked back and said, I loved you, and twice now you broke my heart. I can’t take anymore, I will think of you always. He walked into the house with Sam on his heels.

What in the hell have you done? He is absolutely right, Melony! What the hell comes over you? Deion scolded.

If you think I am so terrible and he is so damn wonderful, why don’t you just leave with him? she said and broke down weeping.

If he would take me I would go, Melony. I love you too, but can’t understand how you can treat that man like that. You haven’t been drinking this time and I don’t know that I can forgive you for this one, Deion said. She started to go into the house, but Pardner was already coming out.

Deion, I want you to have my books. You read them all, and absorb all they contain and once you have all the knowledge and wisdom of the greatest minds that have ever lived, maybe if we ever see each other again, you can explain to me what I did wrong here. Goodbye Agnes, thank you for taking care of Sam for me. He pointed at the truck and Sam jumped in the back and Pardner got in the front, without looking back he drove away.

Once again he was leaving the woman he loved and wasn’t completely sure why and had no idea of where he was going, almost exactly like the last time he left as a 17 year old. However, this time he wasn’t feeling the least bit guilty. The last time he was at least partially responsible for Lilly’s death. This time he could not understand who was responsible, but he knew he did not want to deal with this crap anymore. It was just too hard on him. He was driving down I17, thinking he would go see Dudley in Mexico and try to get his mind right. He was cruising along in his old truck and some nut ran up behind him flashing their lights. He pulled over a little and waved them buy. They passed him and whipped over in front of him and slammed on their brakes. He didn’t even have room to swerve. He slid his old truck to a stop and jumped out ready to kick someone’s ass!

Melony and Deion stepped out of the Cadillac and he stopped his charge. Please come back, Pardner. You gave me your word you would never leave me again! You said you would love me unconditionally, always and forever! And that’s the end of it! Melony said crying uncontrollably.

Please don’t do this, Pardner, even if you have every right to. Melony needs you. I need you. Hell, Agnes needs you! Please don’t leave us, Deion begged.

Well, I suppose if Agnes needs me, I better go back! he said and grinned his very special grin!"

You can be a real jerk! Deion said and smiled, knowing he was not going to leave.

Pardner, I was pregnant, but lost the baby. I found out I was with child the first week of March shortly before you left. I went in one day and saw Dr. Randolph and he did an ultrasound, I was going to tell you, but I didn’t because I did not want you thinking about that while you were gone. I thought I would be cute and wait until you noticed I was getting bigger. Then when I lost the baby on St. Patrick’s Day on the 17th of March, while you were gone, I was so scared you would hate me, that I have ended up making you hate me anyway. I am so sorry, Pardner. She confessed all this standing on the edge of Interstate I17, with a new Cadillac and an old Dodge pickup truck blocking the slow lane.

I am the one that should be apologizing to you two for acting like a fool. Let’s go home, ladies. Deion drive Melony back to the ranch and I’ll follow you. I threw all my crap in the front seat and my cab is full. Deion, drive on down to AZ69 and we will go back up through Dewy/Humboldt. There is no safe place to turn around or cross over, before then.

That is what they did and Pardner’s mind was full of images, some wonderful and some horrible. He knew he did not want a child—his heart had not nearly healed from the loss of his children and May. He didn’t know how to feel about Melony having been pregnant at all. He knew she must be devastated at losing the baby, or was the pregnancy a mistake and she was actually glad it ended. These were all things there were no clear answers to. He needed to go easy with her and just let this run its course.

He wondered if the trauma of worrying about him being called to go to Chicago to do who knows what, had caused the miscarriage. She had said that she lost it while he was gone the first time, getting his teeth fixed. Damn! Life should not be this complicated. He made himself stop thinking about what he would have done if she had not miscarried and was going to have a child. That is not what is happening. She lost it. Good or bad, that’s the end of it!

They didn’t stop anywhere. They just drove straight home. Melony jumped out of the car as soon as Deion had pulled up to the spot they always parked and ran back to Pardner’s truck. She was crying so uncontrollably he was actually worried she might collapse. He held her hand through the truck window as he pulled the Dodge up along the Cadillac and Melony walked alongside him every step. Darling, you are going to need to turn my hand loose for a second, so I can get out of the truck. I am too big to crawl through the window, he teased.

Once Deion had the Cadillac parked, she too ran back to Pardner. Don’t you ever do that again, Mister! She too was crying profusely.

Agnes came out of the house and scolded him too. Just what in the world were you thinking? You are too big a man to pout and stomp off like a spoiled child, even if this fool girl said some stupid things, we all know she didn’t mean and regretted, the second she said them. Now get in the house and let’s have some Hot and Black (strong coffee) and talk this out, then never mention it again! She demanded more than asked.

Damn! Deion, Melony, and Pardner exclaimed, then it was followed by Yes, Ma’am! Like three siblings caught by their mother, fighting out in the yard.

Melony clung to Pardner all the way back to the house and when inside, both she and Deion sat so close to him.

He teased them showing the crisis had been averted, Girls, if you don’t give me just a little bit more space, one of you is going to need to raise and lower my coffee cup for me, because I don’t have enough room to do it myself. Then he grinned that irresistible grin and they scooted back enough that he could drink his coffee, but that was about as much room as they gave him!

Agnes had obviously gone through every part of the miscarriage with Melony and Deion because she said, Melony, have you told him everything?

I haven’t had a chance yet, but Pardner before you unpack your truck you need to know Dr. Randolph said I will never be able to have children, she said and started crying again.

Stop that, now! Melony and let’s get through this once and for all, and get on with our lives, Agnes demanded.

Ok, you are right, Agnes. So here goes. There is something wrong with my reproductive system and if I had not lost the fetus, I most likely would not have survived the pregnancy. We will never be able to have children together, she said, but did not cry this time.

Damn! I am sorry you went through all that! Don’t worry, sweetheart! If we ever decide to have a child, we will have one with Deion! he said, even now at this harrowing moment he just couldn’t not be a smartass! But this time it backfired.

Good! Deion has already volunteered to have a child with you if and when you decide you want one! Melony stated very matter of factly!

Damn! You all don’t mind if we hold off on that a while do you? I would like to spend some time letting you raise me before we consider trying to raise someone else! Hhe said lightly, not sure just how his reluctance to have a child would affect the ladies. Then he added, Thank you, Deion. You have already saved my life with you own blood by giving me the transfusions and now are willing to sacrifice your body having my child. It is more than any man has a right to ask of a woman. I thank you! he said sincerely. Then one more time, the smartass leaked out. Now this doesn’t mean that we have to stop practicing, does it? I mean just in case we ever do decide to have one. Just to make sure we have it all down right! he said and grinned his special grin again.

Why is it we chased after him and ran him down like fools? Melony asked Deion, teasing, finally feeling free of the guilt she had been burdened with.

Because we love him? Deion said very questioningly.

Pardner just sat and smiled like that was meant to be a compliment, not a question.

Ok, is there any part of this that we need to go over before we put it away forever? Agnes asked.

Yes, there is one thing. Melony are you alright now? Pardner asked quite caringly.

Yes! As of right this minute, I am perfect. Thank you, Agnes. You are more than a friend. You may be the only real grownup in the room! Thank you for being our voice of reason. Deion and I let our emotions run away with our good judgment sometimes and Pardner doesn’t possess any good judgement to run away with! Melony teased coming back to her old self.

Well, Agnes. It seems I have you to thank for all of this. I don’t know if I can ever repay you for saving this family, Pardner said sincerely.

Just to show that she could play too, Agnes said, We can start with some of that payback before coffee in the morning and go from there, big fellow! Being a bit naughty and not a bit subtle!

Damn! Pardner said.

You go girl! Both Deion and Melony said simultaneously.

Ok, now that that is settled, are you going to come with us? Pardner asked Agnes.

Excuse me? Agnes asked, not understanding the connotation of his question.

To the coast! We will be leaving in the morning. We need to find Melony’s surfer boys for her! Pardner asked, and both Melony and Deion got excited looks on their faces.

Who would take care of Sam, if I went? Agnes asked.

Would you like to go or not? Pardner asked more firmly this time.

I would love to! The girls have told me so much about how hot those surfer boys are, and I would like a little of that myself! Agnes said, smiling.

Excuse me? he said mimicking Agnes’s own statement of a second ago. He said this looking straight at Melony!

She looked sheepishly back at him. Deion just shook her head at her friend and smiled.

Ok, it is only 9:30 pm. Make some calls. I’ll walk over and talk to Jerome to see if his daughter, Bobby’s mother, will house and dog sit for us for a few days. Is that ok with you, Melony? Pardner asked.

Absolutely! I will call Sue and see if they can all go with us! Melony said.

Call our college girls and see if they want to play hooky and come with us. I will call in the morning and rent us a 12-passenger van, and we will take everyone, Pardner suggested.

I don’t think the college girls would want to go, Pardner, Melony said.

Deion said, Afraid of a little competition, Melony? She teased her friend a little.

NO! I just don’t think the girls would want to ditch summer classes and go to the most beautiful beach in America and flirt with a bunch of hot surfer boys, is all, Melony said. Then she added, Ok that even sounded stupid to me! I’ll call them! Pardner, you go wake Jerome up and see if we have a house sitter and the three of us girls will start packing! Melony said very giddily.

Pardner walked over and knocked on Jerome’s apartment door.

Jerome answered and was fully dressed. Oh, Pardner! You came back! I am so happy you did, my friend.

Yeah, I got back a couple of hours ago.

I know. I mean the second time you left. I wasn’t sure with the way you tore out of here, that you were coming back, then when the girls took out in the Cadillac I didn’t know what to think! I have been waiting up to see if I might be needed, Jerome said, relieved to finally see Pardner back and all seemed ok.

Sorry to have put you through all that, my friend. We just had a misunderstanding and all is well now. I need you to do me a favor. Please, Pardner asked.

Anything within my power, my friend, and you can consider it done! Jerome said very magnanimously.

Is there a chance your daughter would come and house sit for us for a few days? I want to take Agnes on a little trip with us, and she is worried about Sam, Pardner asked.

How did you find out, Pardner? Jerome asked.

Find out what, my friend? Pardner asked, not knowing just what Jerome was speaking about.

That the place Rose worked closed their doors and she is out of a job. She still has a few houses she cleans on the side as a second source of income, but her main source went out of business. If this charity, we can’t accept charity, Pardner, Jerome said a bit proudly.

You can consider it charity, if you want to, but I intend to pay her! I don’t accept charity either, my friend, Pardner said and grinned at Jerome.

Jerome stood up straight and said, What time would you like her here in the morning? She will be here and ready to work. Then added, Thank you, Pardner. This will really help her. This he said with a tear in his proud old eye.

I need one more favor, Jerome.

Yes, Sir? Jerome asked, ready for whatever it was.

I need this to be off the books. Here is a little piece of money and I will pay her all the rest I owe her when we get back. He handed Jerome ten 100 dollar bills that he had left over from all the money The Boss had his men put in his glove box for his trip expense.

Damn, man! How long are you all going to be gone? Jerome asked.

We could be gone several days! Pardner said and grinned at Jerome.

The ladies may just be right about you, big fellow! You may indeed be the perfect man! Thank you. Rose will be there before 6:00 am. She will need to catch a ride. She doesn’t have a car. She used to walk to work, Jerome said.

You go get her in the morning and bring her out here. She will stay in the guest bedroom. She won’t need a car once she gets here, Pardner said.

Yes, Sir! Jerome said and shook Pardner’s hand.

Things in the house were crazy when he walked back in! Do we have a house and dog sitter? Agnes asked.

Yep! She will be here by 6:00 am! That will give us time for . . . coffee before she arrives! Pardner said and grinned. All three girls just smiled at him and shook their heads. How did your calls go, babe?" he asked.

Everyone is in! It will be you and eleven of us girls! I hope you know what you are getting yourself into, big man! Melony teased excitedly.

It was 9:45 pm on Tuesday evening the 14th of July 1987. He called the Santa Barbara Biltmore and was able to reserve three bungalows: the Fremont, the Ortega, and the San Miguel Suite. He would have been unable to get a room of any kind two weeks before due to it being the 4th of July weekend, but wanting the rooms for Wednesday the 15th through Sunday night the 19th, he was able to secure these three magnificent bungalows all next to one another and all with pool access. Life was good.

He called an automobile rental place, but got a 14-year-old kid who knew less about what was available that Pardner did, so he decided he would just need to call back in the morning and talk to the manager and just hope this kid wasn’t him! He showered the road off himself and went to bed. He was unwinding and truly exhausted. He had not only just made a 48-hour trip where he could have been killed, but then came home to a Soap Opera drama that took a great deal out of him. He fell sound asleep almost instantly after his shower.

He woke up at 4:00 am as he normally did and went downstairs, and all the girls were already there. So much for before coffee visiting his morning! he teased.

You two go ahead. We are all just so excited, we couldn’t sleep, Melony said.

Agnes stood to head to the room, but Pardner stopped her. We will just have the coffee this morning, babe.

As you wish, she responded.

I didn’t get to ask, Pardner, because you went to sleep so fast last night. Were you able to find rooms for twelve people in such short notice? Melony asked him.

No.

Are we going to sleep on the beach? she teased.

You would like that, wouldn’t you, you naughty girl! he scolded.

Maybe! Melony said. Seriously what are we going to do for a place to stay? A few of us might get invited to stay with the locals, but the rest of you need somewhere to sleep! she said, being a bit of a smartass.

Well, you tramp! The rest of us will just have to rough it at the Santa Barbara Biltmore! I have us three bungalows, reserved! But you obviously would rather sleep in the back of a Volkswagen mini bus with your surfer boy toys! he said a little roughly.

Children! Stop that right now, or I am not going to go! I can’t stand to go through that crap all over again! Agnes scolded.

I can’t take it either, kids! If you two are going to fight and be assholes, I am not going either! Deion said and started crying.

Now, look what you did! Melony said to Pardner.

Yeah! That was all me! he said sarcastically. We need to get a hold of ourselves. Melony, I love you unconditionally, always and forever. You do anything you want to do and I will not interfere. I told you once before, I will always protect you with my life, and I always will. Let’s go have fun with our gang and stop being silly and looking for a reason to argue with each other. Ok? he said tenderly. Then here it came, he added, You tramp! And he grinned his irresistible grin.

I would rather be a tramp than an asshole! she said, this time playing.

That has become quite apparent! he shot back.

Children! Stop that, and I mean now! Agnes said seriously.

You like it that I am a little trashy, don’t you big fellow? Melony asked sensually.

Maybe! He used her usual answer.

What are we going to do with them, Deion? Agnes asked.

That, my dear, remains to be seen! I guarantee you it will be exciting, you can count on that. Our girl Melony gets plum stupid around her surfer boys! Deion said, not really teasing.

Well said, my love! Well said indeed! Pardner said, happy to have a little support.

At 5:4 5am, Jerome knocked on the door with a woman about the same age as Agnes.

Rose? Agnes asked.

Yes, Agnes. I didn’t think you would remember me. You were so popular in school and I was pretty shy, this plain young woman said.

I am so happy to see you again. I had no idea you were Jerome’s daughter, Agnes said.

She didn’t mention she also didn’t know she was Bobby’s mother, which made her feel a bit strange, as she had some very intimate feelings for that young man. That were damn sure gone now that she realized his mother had gone to grade school with her! She gave Rose a big hug and thought about how happy she was that her life had turned as it had and was sad that Rose’s had become so terribly difficult.

Yes, being his daughter and Bobby’s mother are the two good things in my life and I am thankful they have both found homes here with you wonderful people. I know this is inappropriate, but Daddy told me what all you have done for him and Bobby and what you have just done for me, and I want to tell you that I am as grateful as I can possibly be. Thank you all so very much and especially you, Pardner. Your generosity has kept me from being thrown out of my apartment. She started weeping and Pardner stepped over and gave her a hug.

Agnes showed her to her room and she carried in two garbage sacks with her clothes in them and put them down saying, This is the nicest room I have ever stayed in, Agnes.

Let me show you the rest of the house and walk you through everything that needs to be looked after. You have apparently met Sam already. He is a priority! He is Pardner’s dog, and mine, she said and smiled at Pardner as she said it.

Melony looked at Pardner and asked, Just what have you had time to do to help her, Pardner?

I paid her a little up front, is all. I thought she could use it.

Deion’s eyes were full of tears, and Pardner asked what was wrong.

That was me, before you stepped into my life! I was just thinking that you change everyone’s life you meet just by being you. It makes me so proud to know you, Pardner, Deion said, very heartfelt.

Baby, I remember he changed Caesar Omar Morales’s life in Cabo, and I am pretty sure it was not for the better! You are quite right though! He damn sure changed it! Melony teased.

You just couldn’t let me have that one, could you smartass? he teased Melony.

I don’t want you to get too ‘cocky’ about being so damn wonderful, big fellow! Melony said.

Mom! They are at it again! Deion teased, hollering to Agnes!

It was strange calling Agnes ‘Mom’ as she was only two or three years older than Melony, but she seemed much more mature, especially when it came to Pardner!

Ok! Am I going to have to separate you two? Agnes teased.

My dear, there is nobody on this planet that could separate us again, ever! Pardner said sweetly. We might need to take a few short intermissions from time to time, but overall we are inseparable, he said like a true jerk.

Deion, I may need a little help, but I’m going to smother him in his sleep! Are you in? Melony teased.

Yep!

Agnes came back downstairs after showing Rose the house and apologizing to her fifty times for leaving her with the bed clothes to launder. Rose told her the same fifty times that she was tickled to do anything she could to help while they were gone. I am actually looking forward to using your Miele washer and dryer, your SubZero refrigerator, the KitchenAid dishwasher, and your Wolf oven. Damn! I feel like a queen just saying the names! Rose said.

Agnes showed Rose exactly what to feed Sam, again and then said to Melony, We are ready! The house and Sam are in good hands. Then she looked at Rose and said, Rose, this is the hard part because both your father and son work here. We don’t let the men come into the family’s private quarters, ever. Jerome comes into the office to speak with Melony, but he uses the outside office door, exclusively. Are you clear on that?

Absolutely, Agnes. I respect the family wanting to keep some part of their lives private, Rose confirmed.

CHAPTER 2

The four vacationers headed to Prescott and picked up their four college girls and all headed to Gila Bend to pick up the girls and a van there. Sue said they had a big car dealership there that would rent them a van. Eight people in the Cadillac was much too crowded, but the girls seemed to be having fun all squeezed together for the 2 ½ drive to Gila Bend. Pardner was mad at himself for not being able to rent a van before they made the trip, but once again this was one of those things out of his control and it was behind him now and there was not much to be done about it! His passengers did not seem to mind at all and spent the entire trip, asking Melony how wonderful the surfer boys were. They had asked Deion about the surfers, but received limited responses, but Melony was happy to expound on every attribute and exceptional quality of her surfer boy toys for the girls, much to Pardner’s chagrin.

It made the crowded trip go faster for the girls, but made it seem like a 3-day event to Pardner. He drove straight to Sue’s house because she had told Melony that they would be there all ready to go. Pardner was thrilled to see that she had already gotten a van, as that would save them some time. When he pulled up in front of the house, Sue, Susie, Cindy, and Liz all came running out. They too were excited about going to the coast and watching the surfers ride the big waves of Rincon Point.

Thanks for getting the van, abe. That will save us some time, Pardner said to Sue.

I didn’t get the van, Pardner! You did! Sue said and handed him a note. This was on the dash along with a clear title to the van.

A little token to the smartest, bravest, and toughest man I have ever known. Your friend, Big Tony. Enjoy taking your ladies places in this. It included a PS. Look in the glove box. The van was a 1988, 15-passenger Dodge, 1 ton van with the big 383 cubic inch engine and all the bells and whistles, including a huge luggage rack on the roof.

I didn’t look in the glove box, Pardner, but I couldn’t help but read the note. It was unfolded and laying on the dash with the clean title, Sue said.

That is fine, sweetheart. If it had been private he would have put it in a sealed envelope. Let’s look in the glove box, he said, and he and Sue walked around to the passenger side and opened the door and then the glove box. There was a brand-new Colt .45 caliber pistol, still in its box and it was sitting on $5,000.00 cash.

Damn!

I didn’t think the 1988s became available until September or October! Deion said.

I don’t believe they do to the general public, sweetheart. Pardner must have done more than just deliver a few important papers, it would seem, Melony said.

Let’s get this thing loaded and go introduce you all to Melony’s boyfriend, Pardner said with just a touch of sarcasm in his voice.

They already know my boyfriend. They see him every day they are at the ranch! Melony said sweetly. Then here came her smartass gene. He delivers milk every morning!

You two have got to stop! Someday one of you is going to get more than they can take and leave again! Agnes said, scolding them.

They stopped teasing one another for a minute and loaded the top of the van and were all surprised how much room there was up there. Pardner being Pardner, had brought a Top Pack tarp and some rope to secure the canvas over the load. When finished it was as secure as his load of documents had been going to Chicago.

It was just over four hours to Palm Springs, California, and that was where Pardner stopped to have dinner at Las Casuelas Mexican restaurant shortly after 1:00 pm. Everyone ate and enjoyed the wonderful food and service and had several margaritas. Pardner had Mezcal. These real Mexican places usually stocked Mezcal. The meal was wonderful, but the girls all seemed rushed.

Ladies, you are enjoying a fine meal at one of the most famous restaurants in Palm Springs, California. Should I have just driven through a burger stand, so you could get to your boys faster? Pardner asked, a bit frustrated.

They finished their meal and drove the 3 ¼ hours to Santa Barbara, and pulled into the Santa Barbara Biltmore, and Pardner checked everyone in. Ok, everyone, four per room. You can stay in your groups or I would suggest mixing it up some and stay with some of the other ladies. We will be here several nights you could all swap around and get to know everyone while we are here. There is a huge shared patio and the bungalows all face the same wonderful pool, so we will have plenty of time all together. Go ahead and make yourselves at home.

They all did as recommended and the first night, Pardner stayed with Deion, Sugar, and Buffy. Agnes stayed with Candy, Susie, and Liz. Cindy stayed with Melony, Sue, and Star. Everyone agreed to rotate out, one a night so that before they left everyone would have stayed with everyone else at least one night.

The bungalows were all elegant beyond belief, and all the girls thanked Pardner for getting such wonderful accommodations for them, but there too, they seemed rushed.

Everyone get your swimsuits on and put on shorts over them and some kind of top and I will drive us down to Rincon Point and you can watch some of the best surfers in the world do their thing, and you can watch Melony’s boys also, he said coldly.

He hardly got it said when all the girls rushed to their rooms and in a flash were loading into the van. None of them took the time to even unpack. They simply put on their trashiest swimsuits and their short shorts over their suit bottoms with an open blouse hanging over their suit tops. They all wore sandals and carried beach towels. Pardner had on Wrangler cowboy cut jeans and a white long sleeved western shirt. He did have on deck shoes to wear in the sand and protect his boots. When they pulled into the parking lot above Rincon Point, the lot was nearly full and this was a Wednesday evening at about 5:00 pm. He told the girls that on the weekend they should get there earlier so they could get any parking spot at all.

They could see at least thirty surfers out on the water and many more who had their boards standing on end stuck in the sand, having just come back in or not gone out yet. The four college girls and Liz were all fascinated watching the surfers ride these big waves in, but Melony, Sue, Susie, and Cindy were looking for some special surfers. Deion was with Pardner and didn’t care if there were any surfers there or not.

Melony, there is Bo and Flash, Susie said excitedly.

Where? I can’t see them, Melony said, searching the beach for her surfer.

Down there playing with those little kids, see them? Cindy said.

Yes, I do now, she said, almost despondent.

Hey! There is Bull and Streak too! Susie said still excitedly.

Do you want to walk down and say hello Melony? Sue asked sadly.

They have their wives and children with them. Let’s leave them alone. It is my fault for not even considering they could be married and or have children with their old ladies. I have been a damn fool, Melony said then added, Ladies, I am sorry. I brought you all the way over here for nothing, Melony said sadly.

Deion said, Melony are out of your mind? Look around us. There are no less than fifty hot young surfers here, almost all of them are much better looking than any of the four scoundrels we met in Cabo! We are on the most beautiful beach in the world, surrounded by hundreds of beautiful scantily dressed people all wanting to frolic on the beach and in the ocean. We are staying in the most exclusive hotel on the West Coast, in its finest bungalows and are here with the most wonderful man in the whole damn world, who will let us play all we want and protect us if we get too stupid! And you say we came for nothing? If you really believe that, you better just go sit in the van and pout while these girls and I show these amateurs how to really frolic!

Deion and all the rest of the girls stripped down to just their barely there swimsuits and ran out to the water’s edge. In less than 2 minutes, they had no fewer than a dozen young men teaching them how to ‘skim board’ along the shallow water.

Pardner said, Sweetheart, I am very sorry this turned out like it did, but Deion is right. This is a wonderful place and there are a whole herd of men you can drive crazy, right here on this beach. You haven’t even taken your shorts and top off like all the other girls have and there are at least fifteen or twenty men who have been watching you, waiting to see if you are going to. Why don’t you go play with the girls and have a little fun. I am going to walk down and say hello to our four friends.

Please don’t embarrass me, Pardner, Melony begged.

What could I do that would embarrass you, my love? I am not going to go down and beat hell out of them for playing with you girls in Cabo. I am just going to say hello to some friends. You need to relax and just accept things as they are. Now get half naked and go play with those young men and our girls, I will be right back! he said, being silly.

He walked down the beach and saw Bo first. He was holding a little long haired boy and walking toward a very pregnant young girl wearing a bikini, with all of her pregnancy showing. Bo, how have you been my friend? he asked.

Aristotle! Far out, man! Are the angels and Dolly with you? I told my old lady Brenda here all about you and them. Hey, Bull, Streak, Flash! It’s Aristotle and the angels and Dolly are with him. Everyone gather up, man, and let’s go say Hola to everyone, dudes!

They all had wives or girlfriends and all had at least one or two kids, but they got grouped up and walked back down the beach with Pardner and walked right up to all the girls and Pardner introduced them to Agnes, Star, Sugar, Candy, and Buffy, then said, You remember, Melony, Sue, Susie, and Cindy, I am sure. Introduce your families, Bo.

Bo did, starting with his old lady Brenda, then his kids and each of the wives or girlfriends of the other stoner surfer boys, and all their children as well. Brenda was apparently the only wife who could talk or at least she was the only one that did speak.

She said, Bo says you are the toughest and smartest man he has ever seen or even heard of.

Well that was nice of him to say, but it just goes to show he needs to get out more, Pardner said humbly.

Oh no, he is out all the time and has heard of lots of men, Brenda said, proving that pot can affect the mind of a woman just as it can the minds of men. Then she added, He said you let him use your van and your old ladies. That’s too cool, man. What a Bitchen thing to do, Aristotle. Far out! There are not enough people like you in the world, man. That was a righteous thing, Man! Brenda finished.

Pardner said, Thank you. Then looked at Melony and she had calmed down some and asked Brenda when the new baby was due.

Like the last week of October, man! Unless I counted wrong, this little biddy is going to be early.

What did your OBGYN say? Melony asked.

My oggbin, says between the 7th and the 9th of October? I don’t exactly know how they figure it at the county, but I gave them a bunch of dates, you know, when I had my last period and all the times I had sex and all that, then after all the tests that is the date they gave me, Brenda said, sounding confused.

Hey, man, the waves are starting to break to the right dudes! We gotta go, man. It was too cool seeing you, man. Take care of the new angels, dude. You are the man!

Bo and his entire tribe went back down the beach to where they were before and Melony looked at Pardner and said, I am not exactly sure just what you wanted to accomplish with that little stunt, Mister. She paused.

Agnes said, Sweetheart, don’t screw this up!

I won’t, babe. I was just going to tell the man I love that he just showed me again why I do! I made too much out of a little kissy feely back there in Cabo and let it build to something more in my mind, and it just now became obvious to me that my mind is a very disturbed place to be! She smiled and kissed Pardner and added, "Now, Sir, if you will please go back over and sit down, you are scaring the game away!

Deion, please take him back over there and keep him busy while I torment these young men here a little more. I have a couple on the verge of collapse and hate to let up on them just yet! Melony teased and laughed out loud, and it was music to Pardner’s ears as she had not laughed in