Chapter 60

After spending a few minutes introducing his wives to Kimmie and helping them get acquainted Hawk went looking for Andy. He found her still somewhat teary-eyed, but in far better shape than she had been when they arrived. Mike and an unknown chestnut haired girl were supporting her as they watched one of the hospital orderlies pushing Jason’s gurney though a set of double doors. From Kimmie’s description, Hawk knew this was Mike’s ‘growth, ‘ who was also known as Jan. “Any news?” Hawk asked, as he joined the three.

Andy replied, “I was able to get the doctor from the airplane to let me see Jason’s x-rays. His leg is a mess, but it’s fixable. Unfortunately, he’s going to be in a great deal of pain for a while, and the physical therapy will likely take six months to a year.”

“Andy, overall, that’s positive. Why the continued anguish?”

“Hawk, I’m concerned how he’s going to feel about being more restricted in what he’ll be able to do physically. He loves all that outdoor physical activity. Also, at this point, I just don’t know what to do about the wedding. He’s going to be in a lot of pain, and of course the honeymoon will be delayed, but does he want us to proceed with him in this condition?”

Hawk gently pulled Andy to the side and quietly asked, “Andy, by ‘outdoor activity, ‘ are you talking about his rescue and special ops activities?”

“Yes, but I wasn’t sure how to word it. I know they’re important to him, and for a long time I’ve suspected they helped give him a reason for living.”

“Then that concern is easy to deal with, because he told me before he left this was his last operation. He also said if he could’ve done this any other way he wouldn’t have gone on this one. He said he was tired, but I think it was more than that. I think he now has something else to live for, and that’s you and the baby.”

“Hawk, that’s good to hear, but I don’t even know for certain if I’m pregnant.”

“Well, he’s definitely certain about it, and he’s just as certain it’s a boy.”

Remembering the prophecy given her just a few minutes earlier Andy replied, “Then it’s probably true; Jason is seldom wrong.”

“Andy, are you being sarcastic?”

“No, just truthful. That man’s sense of the world around him is uncanny.”

“You’ve known him far longer than I have, but I can’t disagree with you. He’s one of the most unique individuals I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. I remember at the tribal council meeting he could almost sense where the listening devices were located. In addition, he seemed to instinctively know who in the group was the traitor.”

Andy smiled warmly as she looked up into his eyes, and said, “OK, Hawk, you’ve eased my mind in that area. Now, what do I do about the wedding?”

“My suggestion would be to discuss it with Maria and Brenda, but I suspect they’ll tell you to move forward until you have reached a problem that’s insurmountable. He might be in a wheelchair, but I seriously doubt the ceremony will have to be canceled. Besides, I think he’s already done the job the honeymoon is intended to accomplish.”

Andy blushed at his teasing before looking at Hawk hopefully, and asking, “Do you really think we should continue with the plans?”

“Andy, I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t feel that was the situation, and I know it’s something Jason really wanted.” Being reminded this was something Jason really wanted caused the tension to just fall from Andy’s face. Andy smiled reassuringly at Hawk before rejoining Mike and Jan.

Then, as if a switch had been thrown somewhere in her mind, Andy suddenly grabbed Jan’s hand, and said, “Come with me and meet my future granddaughter and Hawk’s wives.” Hawk watched the two women walk away carrying on an animated discussion, he could just imagine the conversation that would be following that statement.

Hawk turned to Mike, and asked, “So that’s the growth you’ve acquired?”

Mike chuckled, and said, “So, your guest told you the story?”

“Only parts of it. From what Kimmie described Jan just about had a brand on you before you even met Kimmie.”

“That’s a fairly good description of it. What’s really weird, Hawk, is that other than Maria, I’ve never been able to really talk to a pretty young woman before, much less a beauty like Jan. Yet, it seemed, almost from the beginning, she was teasing and flirting with me to the point I lost all my fears. Of course, I gained a few more as we talked, but we did talk. I thought I could turn off her romantic notions with the description of a trail ride on horses, cooking on an open fire, and camping in a tent. She didn’t even blink an eye. She just wanted to know when we would be leaving.”

“You know, Mike, she kinda sounds like a keeper.”

“Your guest said the same thing, though she was a bit more emphatic. On top of that, Andy just had some sort of spiritual event and told Jan ‘our daughter’ would be matched up with her and Jason’s son.”

“Did that freak you out?”

“Not like it could have. I don’t know, but for some reason it sounded ‘right.’ Of course, that doesn’t mean I’m going out tomorrow and marry her, but I’ll give the relationship every opportunity to develop.”

“Good for you. I definitely think that’s the right attitude to take in this situation.”

“Thanks, Hawk. I can definitely use the support and wisdom.”

“When it comes to dealing with women, Mike, I’ve found the wisest thing is to say ‘Yes, Ma’am.’ Beyond that, I don’t know squat, but it sure helps to have Brenda and my little Chipmunk to help keep me on the straight and narrow.”

Behind the two men Jan remarked, “You know, Maria, your husband may be the smartest man I’ve ever met.” Mike and Hawk turned around, and discovered the five women (Andy, Maria, Brenda, Jan, and Kimmie) standing there. The two men became embarrassed when they realized the women had heard Hawk’s comment and were teasing them about it.

Finally, after about ten minutes of teasing, mixed with some flirting, Hawk asked, “Andy, do you know the schedule concerning Jason?”

“From what I was told they’ll take the MRI and analyze it. Then, if there are no observed complications, they’ll take him straight to surgery.”

“Any idea how long all of that will take?”

“From past experience, I would say it’d be a minimum of six hours before we’ll be able to see him.”

Hawk looked at his two wives, and asked, “Do you think we can get some work done while we’re waiting?”

Brenda replied, “Hawk I’ll defer that decision to Maria, as Jason is her grandfather.”

“What did you have in mind?” asked Maria.

“I’d like to review the resumes and interview information from San Diego. I’ve a lot of ideas running around in my head, and I’d like to get some people started on some of them. This will free me up to better deal with individual issues as they arise.”

“Do you want the rest of our group involved?” asked Brenda.

“At first, I thought about just reading through the resumes alone, but I suddenly realized I’d get more done by discussing the various candidates with those who’d met with them while I was reading through each candidate’s file. Also, as we talk I can probably delegate some projects to members of the team. I won’t necessarily expect that person to carry things through to the end, but they can handle some of the initial issues.”

Maria nodded her agreement, and asked, “Do you want to go back to the ranch?”

“Actually, I was thinking about getting a suite in one of the hotels down the street. The Crown Plaza and the Hyatt Regency are both less than two miles from here. We can get a large suite for us, and individual rooms or smaller suites for the others. What do you think?”

Maria looked at Mike, and asked, “Mike, I know you’re part of Grandfather’s group. Can you get some security set up?”

“I’ve already got one team on the way here, and another on standby. I can have the hotel and this hospital covered within thirty minutes.”

Taking charge from Hawk’s lead Maria replied, “Then make it happen. Brenda will tell you which hotel.”

“Yes, Ma’am!”

Brenda responded to Maria’s statement with, “I assume you’re delegating the hotel to me?”

“If you’ll handle it, I would appreciate it.”

Brenda responded with a smile and a ‘thumbs up, ‘ but as she pulled out her phone to call information Hawk handed her a credit card. As she looked at it he said, “Use this to make the reservations. You might get a much better response.”

“It’s black! I’ve seen gold and platinum cards before, but I’ve never heard of a black credit card.”

“Dan gave it to me when we met in San Diego. It’s a special Visa card issued by one of the Swiss banks.”

“What does the black signify?”

“Unlimited credit. Its number is also special, as it’s the only card that begins with a zero.”

“Wow! That will certainly open some doors, but what happened to the idea of a low profile?”

“Jason and Dan decided the past is now so buried we don’t have to be quite so careful in that area. There will still be a need for security and for me to work in the shadows, but for different reasons.”

“OK, then let me start making calls. Also, with this large a group we may need to spread the group over several of the downtown hotels.”

“Only if you have to,” ordered Maria. “The more they’re scattered, the bigger the security nightmare.”

“Yes, Boss Lady,” Brenda teased. At the same time she silently acknowledged Maria’s comment was absolutely correct.

Maria replied, “While you’re doing that I’ll call Lee Marten and see if he can get everyone headed this way, as well as reminding them to bring all their files and notes.”

“Don’t forget to tell him Bill is flying, so he won’t be available as a driver.”

“Thanks, I’d already forgotten. We may have to get a security team from the reservation to bring them. I’m not sure there’s anything there for them to drive.”

Hawk countered, “Chipmunk, I think their lodge has a shuttle running to Sky Harbor. It isn’t that far out of their way, and I’m sure the lodge would do anything you or Jason asked.”

“Excellent, I hadn’t considered that.”

Hawk added, “Also, please ask Lee and the others to also bring any notes or ideas they’ve developed concerning the company and what needs to be done to get it moving quickly. That’s in addition to their notes on the various applicants.” Maria made a note on her list and acknowledged her husband’s request with a smile and a nod. When his two wives stepped away to make their calls, Hawk asked Andy, “What do you want to do?”

“Get something to eat and then hang around here. I want to be with Jason as soon as possible after he comes out of surgery.”

Turning to Kimmie, Hawk asked, “How about you. What do you want?”

“A good meal, some rest, and not to be left alone. I’m still going through a lot of emotional battles at the moment.”

“I imagine you are. How would you feel about staying with Andy for the moment? Later there’s a young lady I want you to talk to. I think you and Dawn can relate to each other on a level no one in this group can reach.”

“Sure, I don’t have a problem staying here with Andy, but what’s so special about this Dawn?”

“She was one of those teens recently freed from slavery in California.”

“Oh!”

It was shortly after noon when the King Air 200 piloted by Bill Bryce approached Russ McDonald Field at Heber City, Utah. As the plane began its descent Bill was captivated by the view that unfolded before him. The airport sat in a lush green valley between two sets of snow-covered mountains; the single runway was pointing like an arrow to a large blue mountain lake in the distance. He was so impressed he requested permission to make a loop around the airport before landing.

“Got to you, didn’t it?” asked the air traffic controller.

“It sure did, and I wanted to share it with my passengers.”

“I understand. It gets to me every time I land, and I’ve made hundreds of them. Permission granted. The only traffic at the moment is a couple of one seventy-two trainers at fifteen hundred, one on each side of the runway. There’s a Lear due here in about thirty minutes, but you should be on the ground by then.”

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The Hawk and the Chipmunk

Mike Lowe aka The Scot

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