Last Mile

“That’s really sweet,” I murmured. It was hard imagining how the version of Rev that Annabel painted could also serve as the president of an MC. He seemed more like a college professor than a gun-toting vigilante. Once again, I realized that my preconceived notions were far off the mark.

“He’s the most amazing man I’ve ever known. That’s why I didn’t want to wait anymore. Rev thinks we’re waiting two more years for me to finish vet school and start a practice before I have my eggs harvested. But since I’m not carrying the baby and we have tons of helpers around, I see no reason to keep him waiting any longer.”

“Well, I have to say that my gift certainly pales in comparison to that,” I teased.

Annabel laughed. “Don’t worry. He doesn’t get to know about the eggs until later tonight when we’re alone. He has a simple gift from me in the pile.”

“That’s good to know.”

Willow returned with her arms laden with ketchup bottles. “Is this enough?” she asked as she started setting them down on the table.

“Yep. I think we’re good,” Annie said.

Once she was free of the ketchup, Willow turned her attention to Annabel. “Has Poe come by today?”

Annabel grimaced. “Shoot. I totally forgot to feed him today.”

Willow’s face lit up. “I’ll go feed him.”

“Thanks, sweetie.”

The next thing I knew, Willow had grabbed my hand. “Come on, Sam. I want you to meet Poe.”

“Okay,” I replied. Considering all the stories that Bishop had told me about Poe, I was pretty anxious to meet him. “See you guys later,” I called over my shoulder.

“We’ll let Bishop know where you are,” Alex said.

“Thanks.”

Willow dragged me down the hill at almost warp speed. I barely got a chance to take in the compound that I had read so much about. Of course, I had seen pictures in the files, but it wasn’t the same as seeing it for myself. It made everything so much more real to see it in person. It once again emphasized the fact that the Raiders were people.

When we reached the cul-de-sac, we veered off to a house on the left. Instead of going up the stairs to the front porch, Willow took me around the side of the house. The backyard ended where the woods began.

In a singsong voice, Willow called, “Poe! Come out, come out, wherever you are, Poe!”

I watched in amazement as some of the bushes at the edge of the woods began to rustle. Within a few seconds, the large rack of a deer became visible through the foliage. Willow clapped her hands. “Come on, Poe. Come and get your corn.”

She then abandoned my side to go up on the back porch. When she reappeared, she had a cupful of dried corn in her hand. “He loves this stuff.”

“He does?”

Willow nodded. “It’s funny to listen to him eat it, too. He chomps it so loud,” she said with a giggle.

I couldn’t help laughing at both her enthusiasm and the fact that I was about to meet the pet deer of hardened bikers. It was all just too bizarre. It was sure as hell not something I would’ve found in any of the files on the Raiders, nor would anyone at the bureau have believed me if I told them.

Poe started slowly out of the woods, putting one long leg in front of the other. But then, as if he sensed a stranger, he momentarily faltered. Willow shook the cup at him. “Come on, Poe. Samantha won’t hurt you.”

His love of corn overrode any remaining fear. He quickly made his way across the backyard. When he was in front of us, Willow reached over and scratched along the ridge of his nose, which he appeared to enjoy. Then she poured out the cup’s contents onto the grass in front of her. Poe immediately dipped his head and began to eat. At the loud crunching, Willow laughed. “See?”

I smiled. “Pretty funny.”

As Poe continued to chomp on the corn, Willow asked, “Wanna pet him?”

“You think he’ll let me?” I questioned.

“You won’t know unless you try.”

“True.” I reached out my hand and brushed it down Poe’s flank. “Interesting.”

“What is it?”

“He feels different than I thought he would. He’s soft but not as furry.”

“His coat is pretty thin now that it’s summertime. It’ll thicken up again in the fall,” Willow said matter-of-factly.

I grinned down at her. “My, my, aren’t you the deer expert?”

“After Aunt Annabel rescued Poe, she and Uncle Rev bought me lots of books on deer.”

“I hear Uncle Rev loves to read.”

Willow nodded. “Yeah, he loves books almost as much as my mommy and I do.” She ran her hand down Poe’s spine. “Aunt Annabel knows the most about animals because she’s in vet school, but she likes all kinds of books, too.”

“I’m glad to hear you say that. I got Uncle Rev a book for his birthday.”

“He’ll love it.”

“But I didn’t tell you what it was about.”

Willow gave me a little huff. “You don’t have to. He loves all books.”

“Yeah, well, what if it’s a book about doll collecting?” I countered with a smile.

Wrinkling her nose, Willow said, “No. He wouldn’t like that one very much. He would probably end up giving it to me.”

I laughed. “You don’t have to worry. I skipped the one about doll collecting and got him one about military strategies in the Revolutionary War.”

“It sounds boring, but I know Uncle Rev will love it.”