Chapter 28

Later, they were called to breakfast. The women had set up the bar again, so everyone grabbed a plate and went after their choice of foods. "I'm going to miss this great food," Captain Madison said as he filled his plate. He raised his voice a little, "And to all you ladies who cooked and made us feel like family, I want you to know that we appreciated it. But if I keep eating like I have since we got here, I'll have to start running with you in the mornings; otherwise, I won't fit into that pilot's seat," he joked.

"Oh, so you like our southern cooking?" Helen said, her voice teasing, now including herself in with the southern women.

"I even liked the spinach. I always try to eat a little of it if it's on the table. I guess it's a bit of the Popeye syndrome, or something. My mom always told me it was good for me, so I forced it down when I was a kid."

Helen sniggered a little, then the girls picked it up. Madison just looked quizzical.

"Those were turnip greens with a little kale mixed in," Laura said as she walked past him with a plate of food in her hand, headed for the table.

"But, I don't like turnip greens... That couldn't have been."

"Let's just say that those didn't come out of a can. I wouldn't eat the ones from a can, either," Diana said as she walked past the captain.

A few minutes later, Jennie led the prayer of thanks.

"Oh, by the way," Madison said, "Kathy and I stopped by a little country restaurant yesterday morning. It's called, uh..."

"... Martha's," Kathy supplied.

"... The food was pretty darn good. The owner/cook/waitress said she recognized the Escalade. She told us to ask the pretty ladies to stop by, and..."

"... to bring that 'hunk' of a driver with you," Kathy broke in, grinning at Jeff.

"She introduced us to grits," Madison continued. "She said she used to live in the south, and has a number of her customers eating the things now."

"I thought they were good," Kathy said, "but Bill was less than enthused with them."

"There's some at the far end of the bar, there," Diana teased. "Sure you don't want some, Bill?"

"I don't really dislike them. They're just a little too bland for me. But that's about the only thing that I don't like about southern cooking, even your turnip greens," he chuckled.

Jeff has already gotten Diana aside and told her about inviting Madison and Kathy for next weekend, and why. "Maybe we should have a pool party while you two are here on the weekend," Diana said. "I have a butcher who has a deal with a local rancher for some of the best meat you have ever put in your mouth."

"Amen to that." Dave said. "I don't know what that guy does to his beef, but she's not kidding about how good it is."

"We were just a little worried about imposing on you people," Kathy said. "You've gone out of your way for us. Loaned us your great vehicle, fed us, entertained us, even allowed us to come to your special event. And again, that was a beautiful wedding, and we were touched that you would invite us. We could just pick Mr. Wainwright and Margaret up next Monday..."

"You two better be careful. When you cross her, she tends to come sit in your lap and lecture you," Dave said as he got up for fruit to go with his breakfast.

"Well, they don't call me the boss bitch for nothing," Diana laughed. "Seriously, you two are always welcome here, and that's not just a standard remark with nothing behind it. You have a standing invitation, and a sincere one — any time. Oh, by the way, why don't you bring your daughter with you? She would be more than welcome, unless of course, you wouldn't want her around our plural marriage. We would understand that. But if you do decide to bring her, I'm sure that she and the girls would have a ball with the video games, or even the ATV's, if you allow her to ride them."

Bill looked at Kathy. "I did mention to Kathy that I thought Linda would enjoy the Rockies." He glanced over at Wainwright as if to ask permission.

"Don't you dare ask me. I'm not in charge of that plane. I think it would be good for her to get away for a weekend, not to say anything about getting to be with her dad. I know you haven't had much time with her lately."

Bill looked at the smiling faces around him, and just before he responded, Arlene said, "Captain Madison, we're Jeff's wives, but we're still teenagers, too. We'll make sure she has a good weekend, and feels welcome. Besides," she joked, "we would love to introduce someone new to that thrill hill. She'll love the sensation when you go airborne on the four-wheeler."

Madison didn't look as pleased as Arlene, however.

"She's just messing with you, Bill." Well, I think she's messing with you, Jeff added to himself remembering how the girls drove those things.

"I'm sure she would be delighted to come. And she could use some time away from home," Madison added. "Thanks. We'll plan on it."

Laura got up to whisper into Jeff's ear for a moment, then turned to the rack of keys on the wall. Taking a set down, she handed them to Madison. "There's a brand-new green Escalade in the garage. Just park it and keep the keys. Then you'll have a vehicle waiting for you Friday when you come in. I don't know what the general aviation side charges for parking a car, but just pay for it with the credit card in the glove compartment. It's our corporate account."

Bill opened his mouth to protest, worrying about how much it might cost to park for five days, but belatedly realized how trivial the amount would be to these people. Instead, he said, "Thanks. That would be great. We really appreciate it."

The security system went off with a quiet "bong." The picture on the big monitor above the cabinets at the other end of the kitchen switched its view to the bottom of the driveway where two Sheriff's vehicles had just turned in. Shortly the shot zoomed in on the first vehicle's windshield. Light reflection off the glass restricted the view of the deputy at the wheel, but the system changed something and his image suddenly became crystal clear with only a hint of the windshield showing.

A green rectangle surrounded his face, and "UNKNOWN #1" formed in red under the deputy's image. The same thing happened to the other vehicle and driver, this one a woman, with "UNKNOWN #2" displayed.

Wainwright looked at Jeff. "They sent two deputies. Have you done anything I don't know about?" he joked. "Every time I see those folks, they're bringing me papers that I sometimes don't like."

Jeff chuckled. "I doubt if this is bad news. We bought the Sheriff's Department some vests a while back, and I haven't seen any of the deputies since then. As the cars drew nearer the top of the drive, he got up from the table. "I'll go meet them."

Startling everyone, Diana said, "Bring them in for breakfast if they haven't eaten. Otherwise, just bring them in to get acquainted."

I would have thought that she wouldn't want the deputies to find out too much about us. Plural marriages are frowned upon most everywhere. But heck, inviting them in seems right to me too, Jeff thought as he acknowledged his wife and left the kitchen.

The deputies pulled through the front circle and parked. Getting out, they stood for a moment looking at the massive building.

"Are you sure this is the right place?" deputy Cramer asked deputy Goodman.

"Well, you saw the mailbox, just like I did. But shit, I was expecting a house. This thing is..."

"Whatever it is, it looks expensive," Cramer said, urging her companion to go on up the walk.

As they started to ring the bell, the speaker beside the door said, "Just come on in and take the elevator to the next floor. Someone will meet you," the female voice finished.

"Damn," Goodman hissed as he opened the door to find opulence in the vestibule, with furniture that he couldn't even guess at the price. A discrete registration desk took up one back corner with a deep wine carpet that was different from any the deputy had ever seen.

"There's the elevator," Cramer said.

"Damn," Goodman said again. "They have a fucking elevator to get into their house?"

As they got on and the elevator door closed, she said, "That's good Goodman. Now you've just proven you redneck status to these people. Ten to one they have heard everything we've said. I'm not with him. He's on his own," she said to the walls of the elevator, raising her voice and laughing.

Just as Goodman glared at her, the elevator door opened. As they stepped out into a hallway that seemed to go on forever, they saw Jeff walking toward them. "That looks like the guy the Sheriff described at roll call. Shit, Goodman, don't you fuck up and say something stupid. We shouldn't even be here. This was a bad idea," she whispered out of the side of her mouth while they waited for Jeff to approach.

Deciding to preempt Goodman before he embarrassed the both of them more, as Jeff drew near, the female deputy stuck out her hand. "Good morning, Sir. I hope we're not imposing by coming by without calling first. This is deputy Goodman, and I'm deputy Cramer."

Jeff shook hands with both of them, noting that the male deputy's hand was sweaty. "I'm Jeff Matthews. What can I do for you?" he said. Before they could answer, he went on. "Oh, and my wife said for me to invite you to breakfast with us if you haven't eaten yet." She has got to be the prettiest deputy I have ever seen. She would even come close to my wives.

"Sir, we didn't come to impose on you. We had a call not too far away from here. Goodman got sent to back me up, and when we finished, we got to talking, and we decided to drive up here to thank you for the vests."

"Well," Jeff answered, brightening, "You're certainly welcome. Now come on down to the kitchen. We're midway through our meal. There's plenty of room and plenty of food. Have you eaten?"

"Uh, no Sir," Goodman said finally finding his voice. "We left out of roll call to answer the call, but we were going to check out to eat in a little while at one of the restaurants."

"Come on. I insist. My wife will kill me, if you don't." Seeing their hesitation, he grinned and said, "Hey guys. I used to be a reserve in a small town just outside Atlanta. I shot on their pistol team for a while. Please don't stereotype us, just because of what you're standing in. We've worked hard for a living for years. We just lucked out. Now come on down to the kitchen where we eat the most of our meals, and meet everyone. I guarantee that you're welcome. I've got some questions to ask you, anyway."

The two deputies looked at each other. "You talked us into it, Sir," Goodman replied, "but could we use your phone so we can check out to eat? That way we won't get a call in the middle of breakfast. They had rather we didn't put that on the radio."

Jeff said, "Sure. Come on down to the living room. You can use the phone there."

When they stepped through the doorway, they just stopped and stood. He had to call them twice before they acknowledge him. "There's a phone on the table there that you can use. I'll be waiting in the hallway for you."

When Jeff left, Goodman grabbed Cramer and whispered in her ear. "Shit, look at this place. This is a living room? You could play a basketball game in here. And that's the biggest piece of glass I've ever seen. Shit, I'll bet they gave more for that TV than I did for my car. What the hell kind of place is this, anyway?"

"Crap, I don't know. There's a desk marked 'registration' where we came in. Maybe it's a hotel, or something. Call in; he's waiting for us."

As Jeff stood in the hallway, waiting, he was almost sad. Even though he was well away from the door, he had heard enough of the deputies' conversation to bring back memories. We've become accustomed to even this beautiful place. When we first got here, I was so messed up emotionally, that I really couldn't appreciate the retreat. And now that we've been here a while, it just seems like home. But just a little while back, and I would have been just like them — overawed at this profusion of wealth. They were nice enough to come by to personally thank us for the vests, but now they're probably wishing they hadn't. But Diana will pick up on it and do everything she can to make them welcome.

A couple of moments later, Jeff and the deputies walked into the kitchen. As Jeff introduced them, Goodman looked around the room. Cramer is the best looking woman I've ever laid eyes on — well, was until now. Damn, is there a good-looking woman left in the state? They must all be here this morning. Oh, shit. I'll say something stupid for sure, just like I act around Cramer. Oh shit. Quit thinking about the women. If my dick gets hard... Listen to their names. Memorize their names. That might help.

"... And last, but certainly not least, this is Dave and Evie, my project manager and his assistant. They live here with us and are part of our extended family," Jeff finished.

Arlene and Ann got up and went to the steam table when Jeff said the deputies had checked out to eat with them. As Jeff and Diana escorted the deputies over, the girls handed them plates, asked what they wanted to drink, then left them alone. As they worked their way around the table to the back side, Goodwin quietly said to Cramer. "They act like nice people. The only rich people I've been around was on duty, and they made me wait in some kind of vestibule for fifteen minutes before they graced me with their presence to make out a stolen car report."

"Yeah, and I'll bet those bastards wouldn't give a hundred grand for all of us to have these top-of-the-line vests, either," she hissed back. Looking at his rounded up plate, she said, "Damn, Goodman. Are you going to eat all that?"

"Put some more food on your plate," he quietly said. "Look around you. Do you see any maids running around in cute little uniforms, or anybody that looks like a chef? Ten to one these people just cooked this food. They don't have much of one, but that accent is southern. Southern people like for you to eat their cooking; it's a sign of respect, or something. You'll insult them with that little bit on your plate," he finished as he spooned on more scrambled eggs and added another hotcake to her huge platter she had been handed for a plate.

Cramer stood stunned for a second. Goodman always stepped on his tongue around her, but she thought he might just be right. When they got back to the enormous table, something had happened. There was now a vacant place on each side between two teenagers. They were ushered to their seats and the girls poured it on, laughing and cutting up with them.

Diana brought more coffee for her husband, then whispered in his ear. "Those two won't know what hit them, but I'm afraid that Goodman won't be able to stand up when they get through with him. I'll get the girls away from them for a while before they're ready to leave. Give things a chance to go down," she quietly said, kissing him on the cheek and continuing on her rounds.

When conversation died down, Goodman spoke up. "Mr. and Mrs. Matthews, we want you to know that we appreciate your inviting us to eat with you. The food is delicious, and there's so much of it, that we don't have room to even taste half of it. But the reason we stopped by was to personally tell you thank you for the vests. I apologize if I've acted a little like a country bumpkin. I was raised on a ranch not too far from here, and well, this is a truly beautiful place. I know the sheriff will probably send you a letter, but we wanted to make it a little more personal than that. Then you welcomed us into your beautiful home. Again, thank you."

Cramer sat looking across the table at Goodman. Wow. Maybe there's hope for this guy after all. But when I talk to him, he can't say his name without stammering.

After acknowledging the thanks, Jeff changed the subject. "Do you have a pistol team in the department?"

Goodman glanced at Cramer, and she answered. "Yeah, we have one. I'm on it and I'm the best shot. Which means that we're locked in at the bottom of the score sheets. Because I can't shoot worth a crap," she laughed.

"Actually, she's pretty good," Goodman contradicted. "But the department can't afford to help them much. One of the deputies has a small press, and they've been loading their own ammo, but even then, they don't get much practice."

Jeff raised his voice: "Computer! Range!"

The big monitor shifted to a view of the range as the computer acknowledged with a higher pitched "bong."

"Computer! Zoom 2." The range filled the screen.

"They've even got turf," Cramer said aloud without realizing it, then "Hey, you've got trees. And they look like factory-made. One of our deputies welds, and he made us one, but you have to pick the plates up off the ground and put them back on the arms after you shoot."

"These reset themselves," Arlene said, sitting next to her. "You should see Dad shoot them with his fast draw rig."

"You shoot in the Cowboy Action?" Cramer asked, turning to Jeff.

"Well, I used to a little, but not anymore. But if you would like to bring your team up here, we could work something out for you to use the range from time to time."

That got her attention. "It will be a couple of weeks for Anderson to make us enough ammo in his spare time. But I know the guys would like to practice on the plates."

"We're shooting on the range right now, and will be for another week or two, pretty constantly. I want all my family to be able to defend themselves. But after that, we would be glad to have you. Just jot down our number before you leave, and give us a call when you're ready."

"Mr. Matthews, we would really appreciate that. Shooting those trees would help us a lot, and gosh, you have all kinds of stuff out there in addition to a conventional range."

Jeff chuckled. "It's so new that we haven't even shot everything out there. Evie and Dave just finished it a couple of days ago, and now, Evie is starting an indoor range in the basement."

Goodman grinned at Jeff. "Before long, it's going to be really cold up here, not to mention how deep the snow is going to get. That indoor range will really be nice then."

A little later, the deputies announced that they had to leave, thanked the Matthews again, used the phone to put themselves back in service, and were gone.

The women got up to take up the food while the men stacked the dirty dishes in the sinks. "We saw you looking at her, Jeff," Diana teased, "but she truly is a beautiful woman."

"Mother," Arlene said, drawing out the word. "He has seven wives now. He doesn't need any more."

"Boy, that's for sure," Jeff laughed, which earned him a mock frown from the women.

"Oh, does that mean that you have problems with the ones you have?" Laura teased, but Jeff wasn't dead sure that she was teasing.

"I have seven beautiful wives that I love dearly," he quickly said. "And I'm getting out of here before I get into trouble."

"And we've got to go," Bill said, laughing.

"Thank you so much for inviting us," Kathy said, "And I guess we'll see you Friday night."

"Not, too late, either," Wainwright said, looking at the captain. "And tell that young lady that I'm looking forward to seeing her. It's been too long."

Shortly, they were watching the image of Laura's Escalade as it went down the drive. Evie and Dave left, claiming they were already late.

Jeff looked over at Frank. "I'm going to be an hour or so discussing something with my wives."

Frank grinned at Margaret, "We could probably find something to take up our time until you're ready for us on the range," he said.

Margaret blushed, but got up and left with him, arm in arm.

"Well, I've got some phone calls to make," Fred said, grinning at Jeff.

The women gave him a look, but Jeff just poured himself another cup of coffee and sat down to wait, having learned that helping past sitting the dishes in the sink was usually considered as being in the way.

They did their magic in the kitchen, then walked up to him as a group. "Well?" they said in unison.

Jeff groaned. If they practiced it, he hadn't noticed it. He reached down and flipped Diana over his shoulder, then grabbed Arlene around the waist and pulled her against him. "Let's all go to our bedroom where we can relax and be together. I have an apology to make to Diana and Arlene," he mysteriously said as he walked out the door, all his wives following, looking at each other with questioning looks, Diana trying to get him to put her down.

In the bedroom, he put Diana gently on the bed, then tenderly kissed each of his women. "Everyone, get comfortable," he said. "This will probably take a while. I want to tell it all."

They wound up with Jeff sitting against the head of the bed, Diana and Arlene sitting beside him snuggled in his arms, with the others gathered close by, some sitting, others lying on the bed.

"What's this all about?" Diana asked. "You haven't done anything to apologize for. We were just teasing you about the pretty deputy."

"Oh, it's not anything about her. This goes back a ways, and well; let me try to start at the beginning. Unfortunately, there are some key things that I won't be able to talk about, but here goes.

"In case some of you haven't noticed, the healer has been on my shoulders all morning, spread out under my shirt." Everyone nodded, acknowledging, although most of them hadn't noticed. "Well, anyway, she and I had a long conversation this morning. Now, lest I misdirect you, let me hasten to clarify that. The healer is alien, as I've reminded you before. She doesn't use words per se, nor does she have a 'conversation' with me, as we would normally use the word. But I don't have a word for what we do."