Page 20 of Inglorious (Unwanted Bastards MC #1)

Inglorious

N anci was looking at six recruits for prospects today.

I wanted to hang around, but knew I wouldn’t be welcome.

Instead, I headed out to see how construction was proceeding.

Rock was on site checking what had been accomplished so far.

I moved to where Rock was pointing something out on a plan and shaking his head.

“What’s up?” I asked.

“The saloon doors. The original building had swinging doors. However, when you close at night, they aren’t workable,” Rock replied.

“Why not install sliding doors that lock behind the swing doors?” I suggested.

Rock looked at the doorway and headed inside.

I followed.

After checking the framework, he nodded. “We could build a fake wall, and the doors can slide into that. That wouldn’t affect the aesthetics.”

“Let’s do that.”

“That’s a plan. How are you doing?” Rock asked, his eyes studying me.

“Okay.” I didn’t want to discuss my therapy or problems with anyone but Janet right now.

“Glad to hear that. The stream for the trout farm has been widened where you requested, and all blockages removed. Are you aware it’s fully stocked? Dude, the fish are climbing on top of each other. Where they ain’t been farmed for years, they’re big sizes too.”

“That’s great news. Gotta admit, I was worried we might have to clear it out and restock.”

“Nope. That will be some mighty fine fishing. You’ll certainly get customers with them. The fishing shack is nearly restored as well.”

“Have the electrics been run to it?” I asked.

Getting wiring there had been a major problem when planning the restoration. The building had no electric, and running the cables to it had caused serious issues.

“Yes. The electric company had already done that, so it’s just a case of connecting everything. You’ve plenty of sockets for fridges, lights and shit. The shack looks good even if I’m the one saying so,” Rock said with pride.

“Cheers, I’ll take a walk later. After the saloon, did Nanci give you the next job?”

“No. Those two were priorities. What are you thinking?”

I considered the hotel, but honestly, without shops, that was pointless. There’d be no reason for anyone to stay.

“Start on the strip of shops. If we can open them, we offer the tourists something. There’s the jail, but if we have prisoners banged up, sightseers can only view reception.

After all, we plan to have that as a working sheriff’s office.

Add to that, they can’t enter the clubhouse.

There’s only the trout farm and the saloon to visit currently.

Those two won’t bring enough visitors in.

The doctor’s office and clinic will clearly be operational and unavailable to tourists. Maybe put a team on the stables?”

Rock nodded thoughtfully. “That makes sense. They’ll allow you to store horses for guests to hire.

The blacksmith is probably a good idea. If it’s a working one…

people will come. There’s that guy who is sharing Harley’s smithy.

He might know of someone, as there ain’t many blacksmiths around.

Are you looking to move your current stables here? ”

I nodded. The smithy made logical business sense. “Put the team doing the shack on the blacksmith when done, and the team finishing the saloon on the stables. Then move into the shops. And no. The other stables are established; it would be a mistake to move them.”

“Thinking about it, we’ll have a team free soon, which can start on the shops.”

“How much extra will that cost us?” I asked dryly, and Rock chuckled.

“Funny enough, nothing. If you recall, we initially charged you for four teams, but as building stopped, we reallocated them elsewhere. We’re just putting a team back in place that should already be here,” Rock replied.

A strange sensation hit me as I looked around Main Street.

When I’d seen Merritt, we’d been looking for somewhere to start afresh.

Our old clubhouse had too many bad memories attached, and it often felt like they were haunting us sometimes.

Everyone knew Merritt was up here. Merritt had been a ghost town that lookie-loos liked to come and see.

It was a rite of passage for teens to come and scare each other with ghost stories.

The fact that the state was selling it off seemed a sign.

I liked the isolation the Hills afforded us, but we were a ten-minute ride to civilisation.

Sure, the buildings were falling down. Half had collapsed, but they were repairable.

Somehow, in another miracle, the biggest hotel slash saloon had been sturdy and survived time.

Immediately, I’d claimed that for the clubhouse and brought in Apache and Rock to complete the designs to restore the town.

It had been a year of drawing up architectural plans, followed by two and a half years to push them through.

We’d finally got approval when we announced Unwanted Bastards intended to open a fully functional doctor’s surgery and clinic.

There were several communities around here that desperately needed a doctor.

The promise of jobs also helped, as we would employ many of the local people.

As soon as Rock and Apache had the go-ahead, work had started on the clubhouse and the sheriff’s and doctor’s offices.

The fact that we were allowed to have a sheriff here was also a bonus.

He would be required to back up Rapid City, but Merritt would be his principality.

“It’s amazing watching something come back to life,” Rock murmured, and I caught his eyes. That had a double meaning there.

“Yeah. I’ll let you be. Bringing in a third team is great.

I’ll inform Nanci. If you can get the fourth team to work on the houses…

that would be fantastic,” I prodded, and Rock laughed.

One small section we’d planned to use as the houses for the club.

The houses were bigger there and suited a family.

Out of the three hundred houses, I’d planned to keep sixty for the club.

Not that I envisioned having sixty members, but as men grew old and new prospects arrived, houses would be needed for them. Sixty should be enough. Until they were filled, we could rent them on a short-term basis.

“As soon as one becomes free,” he replied, and I headed out.

When I entered the clubhouse, I stopped and stared in surprise at the person standing there with Nanci.

“What are you doing here, kid?” I exclaimed as the teenager turned.

“Hey, dude. How are you doing?” Joe asked. I studied Joe from head to toe. He looked well. Joe lived next door to my grandparents’ home. He’d been eight years younger than Rhea but had adored her. Joe had followed Rhea like a puppy until she left twelve years ago.

“I’m cool. What are you doing here?” I repeated and offered Joe a half smile.

“Heard you’re looking for prospects and thought I’d apply,” Joe replied. I held Nanci’s gaze. This would be awkward. Joe was a shoo-in. I knew Joe personally, and the kid had become a good man.

“Well, I’m guessing you two know each other,” Nanci said.

“Joe grew up next door to my grandparents,” I explained.

“Aw, you watched him grow up?” Nanci asked with a hint of teasing.

Offended, I scowled. “Nanci, I ain’t that old.”

Joe laughed. “Older than me.”

“Shut up, kid.” I wondered how to phrase the next thing I wanted to say. “If you’re looking for recommendations, Joe has mine. Nanci, I wouldn’t hesitate taking him as a prospect.”

Nanci’s eyes warmed as she realised I wouldn’t attempt to dictate her choice, and I saw Joe glance between us. He spotted Nanci’s patch, and his gaze flicked to me, puzzled.

“Ain’t no secret, Joe. Kid, I hit the bottle hard after what happened. Shit took its toll on me and the club. Nanci is covering president while I heal. She deserves every respect possible,” I informed Joe.

“Mum and Dad heard. They reached out to you, but you never responded. The family felt for you, Inglorious,” Joe replied.

“Thanks. Before you leave, catch me. I’ll be around. I’ll take their numbers and give them a call. Maybe pay a visit next time I’m that way.”

“Mom and Dad would enjoy that.”

Nanci looked startled. “Sorry, I didn’t realise you were in contact with your grandparents.” “Why wouldn’t I be?” I asked, confused.

“Honestly, I’ve no idea,” Nanci admitted.

“Good to see you, Joe. Catch you in a bit,” I said before walking away.

Nanci

I stared after Inglorious. Why was I so surprised that he was still in touch with his grandparents?

“Are you okay?” Joe inquired, and I nodded.

“Yes, you didn’t mention you knew Inglorious.”

“No. I was unsure if I should.”

“Someone recommending you is a massive help in joining the club. In fact, I don’t even need to interview you. Joe, I can offer you prospect based on Inglorious’s recommendation. But I’d like to get to know you. Let’s grab a coffee and have a chat,” I suggested.

Joe was a lovely guy. I was impressed with his manners and his goals in life.

Joe had trained in hospitality and wanted to own his own hotel.

My mind instantly went to the second hotel, which was a possibility for Joe.

Inglorious had been correct in his assessment. Joe would be a real credit to the MC.

◆◆◆

Six hours later, I leaned back and wondered what the fuck was wrong with some people.

One guy had point-blank refused to take me seriously, so I booted him out.

Another had wished to know where the club whores were.

Worse, he actually believed I was president of them.

Fuckin’ fool. The third had been monosyllabic.

He’d not spoken more than two words, and the fourth was an idiot, to be polite.

He thought being in an MC meant dirty money, women, and doing what he wanted when he wanted.