by Patricia Fry
"Okay, I'll get two bikes released. We'll haul them up in a truck and ride in, say tomorrow morning?"
Chapter 7'b>
"You're going to what?" Michael nearly shouted.
"I'm going with Craig's partner, Ramon, out to the Elsies' place tomorrow morning."
"On motorcycles?" he asked.
"Well, dirt bikes," she said, grinning demurely.
Michael ran his hand through his hair. "Do you even know how to ride?" he asked.
"Surprise, surprise, yes, I do." She shrugged. "At least I used to."
"That is a surprise." He looked into her green eyes. "Savannah, I learn something new about you every day."
"So are you okay with me going out there with the sergeant on a dirt bike? I want to see if that jerk put my horse back in the corral. Plus, we want to try to help the twin ladies find more adequate housing. Maybe now that their nephew has been caught, they'll agree to move out of there. They don't have running water, for Pete's sake."
"How do they get their water?"
"I guess there's a well that's still producing, but they have to haul the water into the house and out to the animals. I just don't think they're living in very sanitary conditions. That's not right for women their age. Things shouldn't be so hard at this stage in their life. Sergeant Gonzales wants to talk with them about their finances and try to get them hooked up with some local services for the elderly. Since I know them—well, sort of—he thought it would help if I come along."
Michael shook his head. "You sure can get yourself into some interesting situations. Folks would never know you're actually a veterinarian and the mother of a baby, the way you get involved in chasing down rustlers and helping cats teach kids to read and stuff."
She cocked her head and grinned. "I'm multi-faceted—what can I say?"
He studied her for a moment and said, "Just be careful tomorrow, will you?"
****
The following morning around seven thirty, Savannah greeted Helena. "Thanks for agreeing to watch Lily today," she said. "I think you'll enjoy her. She's in a great mood."
"She's always happy, isn't she?" Helena said. "Not like my Roberto. Oh my, he was a sourpuss…cried all the time," she said with animation. "Lily is a sweet, happy baby. I always enjoy her company."
Savannah kissed Lily goodbye and headed out the door. She met Sergeant Gonzales in the parking lot at the sheriff's office.
"I see you know how to dress for the occasion," he said.
"Not much different than for riding a horse," she said, "except I'd be wearing Western boots." She noticed that he wore jeans, a blue-plaid flannel shirt, and a baseball cap. I still can't get over Ramon's heritage, she thought. She remembered meeting him for the first time and questioning his last name. He told her that, his mother came from Norway and his father's grandmother was also Norwegian. She married a Gonzales, hence his Hispanic name and Nordic appearance.
Savannah watched as Ramon ran the two dirt bikes up a portable ramp into the back of an official law-enforcement pickup truck. He secured the bikes, then removed the ramp, broke it down and placed it in the pickup bed, as well. "Let's go," he said.
Savannah climbed into the passenger side of the pickup.
After the sergeant had driven for about fifteen minutes on the Interstate, Savannah said, "Here we are. You can turn up that dirt road. There's room to park. The trail takes off from there." Once the pair was on the bikes, they rode slowly along the dirt road until reaching the trail that veered off to the right. They rode another few miles before Savannah said, "That's their place up the trail there."
Ramon stopped his bike. "Let's leave them here and walk in so we don't freak the old gals out, shall we?"
"Good idea," she said, killing the motor on her bike. She spoke more quietly now. "Don't want them to think we're part of a motorcycle gang." In a few minutes, she pointed. "There's the mean Elsie. Looks like she's milking that goat again." She shook her head. "They must survive on goats' milk and fresh chicken eggs."
"Hello there," Ramon said as he approached Elsie Beth.
She quickly looked up, shading her eyes with one hand. "What do you want?" she asked curtly.
"I'm Sergeant Ramon Gonzales," he said. "I think you know Savannah Ivey."
She glared at him and then at Savannah. "You're a sheriff?" she asked.
"An investigator with the sheriff's department," he said holding out his badge for her to see. "That's a fine-looking goat you have there," he said, in an attempt to make small talk. He peered into the bucket under the animal. "Looks like she has a generous milk supply."
Elsie moved the bucket out from under the goat, turned her loose and then, with effort, got up off the small stool. "I asked, what do you want?"
We came out to see if you and your sister need anything, that's all."
"As you can see, we have everything here we need," she said moving her arm in a sweeping motion. "And we have help. We're not desolate out here, ya know."
"Uh ma'am," Ramon said, "we're holding your nephew, Harlan, and he won't be coming back here for a long time. I think you'd be…"
She interrupted. "You've arrested him?!" she yelled. "What for, may I ask? We need him here. He knows how to get the things we need," she said.
"There was a warrant out for his arrest, ma'am," Ramon explained. "He's accused of stealing valuable livestock. We believe he's also been pilfering items from local businesses."
"Hi Savannah."
Savannah looked up and saw Elsie Sue coming toward them. "Hi there," she greeted. "Come meet Ramon Gonzales. He's here to help you."
"I told you we don't need no help," Elsie Beth hissed.
"Elsie Beth," her sister said, "we could so use help." She turned to Ramon and Savannah. "What kind of help are you offering?"
"Ma'am, I think you two would be safer and more comfortable living in town or closer to town." He looked around. "You don't even have transportation, do you?"
Elsie Sue shook her head.
"We could find you a nice apartment within walking distance of stores and banks. You'd have running water, a real bathroom, access to bus service and healthcare services. You could buy milk at the grocery store."
Savannah noticed Elsie Sue's eyes begin to sparkle. "Can we bring our animals?" she asked.
Ramon looked around at the goats and chickens. "What all kind of animals do you have?" he asked, "…besides these?"
Elsie Sue responded excitedly. "A dog and a raccoon. Oh, and cats." Her smile turned into a frown when she said, "We had a horse, but she run off."
"It's possible that you could find a place that takes farm animals, but if you want to be in town, you may have to give up some of them. You might be able to keep the dog," Ramon said.
Elsie Beth continued to glare. She set her jaw and said, "We're not going anywhere. This is our home."
"Think of your sister," he said. "She doesn't appear to be faring as well in this environment as you are."
Elsie Beth looked at her sister. She remained silent.
"Ma'am, I'd like to take a look around," Ramon said. When there was no opposition, he walked toward the house, stepped carefully over the broken steps onto the small porch and disappeared inside the house. When he returned, he said to Elsie Beth, "There are services for the elderly that assist with housing. I can put you in touch with some of them and help you through the process."
Elsie Beth glanced around the old homestead, then looked at her sister. Finally she said, "We came out here to help our nephew. He wasn't doing well in the facility where he was; he's more comfortable out in the open air. He found this place and we moved in. We took care of each other. But if he's in another facility, there's no reason for us to stay here."
"No it doesn't appear that there is," Ramon said. "In fact, I'm going to have this place condemned. Then it will be illegal for you to be here. So you really must leave. I can help you to find a suitable place to live."
She gave the sergeant a blank stare—and said no
thing.
"Okay, here's what I'm going to do. After looking over this property, I'm mandating that you be out of here by the weekend; can you do that?"
"I don't know. We don't have reliable phone service out here."
"I can help with that," Savannah said. "In fact, I'd be glad to help you haul your things out of here. How much do you want to take with you?"
Elsie Sue moved closer to where the others stood. She looked around, fear on her face. "The animals… We must save the animals," she murmured
Savannah reached out and took one of Elsie Sue's hands. She noticed tears welling up in her eyes. "We'll save the animals. Don't you worry about that," she said. "I'll be back out here with help on Wednesday. That's my husband's day off. We'll help you haul your things out. In the meantime, Sergeant Gonzales and I will see about finding you a place."
Elsie Beth shook her head. She looked Savannah in the eye. "We have a place."
"Well, I can see that," Savannah said. "But as the sergeant told you, you have to move out by the weekend. It's been condemned."
"No," she said sharply. "Not this place," she said scowling. "We have our own place in town. You don't have to find us a place. Just take us there, would you?"
"Sure, we can do that. No problem," Savannah said. "I'll see you here on Wednesday. Can you be ready for us?"
Both sisters nodded.
Ramon started to head off the property when Savannah said, "Wait. I want to see if my horse is back in that corral. It's not far," she said.
The trio watched as she sprinted toward the path and disappeared in the brush.
It's just around this corner, she thought. Please be there, Peaches. Please, please, please. When she reached the small wire corral, however, she found it empty. There was no horse in sight and the water trough was drained dry.
"Damn," she said, turning and heading back to the shack. "Sergeant, would you help me haul some water out to the corral? If the horse is in the vicinity, she'll need water."
Ramon glanced around the property. "Sure," he said. He looked at Elsie Beth, and asked, "What do you use to take water out there?"
She pointed. "We put those buckets in the wheelbarrow."
"Primitive," Ramon said under his breath. "Okay, Savannah, let's do it."
"Thanks," she said with a weak smile.
After they'd filled the trough to the halfway point, the couple told the sisters goodbye and walked toward their dirt bikes. Ramon said, "Hey, nice that the old gals have a place in town. They probably already arranged for housing assistance. Good for them." He shook his head. "Sure hope it's in better condition than this place." He glanced at Savannah. "Maybe they're used to living like this…who knows?"
"Yeah, like the Beverly Hillbillies," Savannah said, chuckling.
****
That evening after Michael got home from work, Savannah greeted him in the living room. "Would you like a glass of wine, honey?"
"Uh, sure." He looked at her suspiciously. "What's the occasion?"
"No occasion."
Once the wine was poured in their prettiest wine glasses, Michael asked, "Hey how'd it go today? Did you evict the old gals—the two Elsies?"
"Yes, we did, actually." She smiled at him.
"What?" he asked, frowning. "You have something up your sleeve, don't you? What is it?" he asked. He reached over and poked his finger into the sleeve of her t-shirt. "Let me see if I can find it," he said.
"Stop, that tickles," she said, wriggling to get away from him.
He took her wine glass and set it on the coffee table next to his, then turned toward her, a playful grin on his face. "Tell me what it is," he said, pushing her down on the sofa and continuing to tickle her.
"No, stop," she said, laughing.
Just then they heard Lily start to cry. They looked over at her as she lay on a blanket on the floor surrounded by her favorite toys. She stared back, tears welling up in her little eyes.
"Oh, we've frightened her," Savannah said, rushing to pick Lily up. She held the baby close and spoke soothingly to her. "She thinks we're fighting," she said.
"Oh no, baby girl," Michael said, snuggling his face against her. "We're playing. It's okay," he murmured. "Mommy and Daddy were playing."
Once the baby was calm, Savannah sat with her on the sofa. "I guess we'd better behave. Our daughter doesn't appreciate drama." She looked at Michael and said, "Well, I do have a project for us on Wednesday."
"I knew it! I knew it!" Michael said.
"Shhh, don't shout," Savannah warned.
Michael softened his tone. "So what do you have in store for me, pray tell, wife of mine?" he asked, patting her knee.
"How do you feel about moving?" she asked.
He pulled back as if in shock and asked, "You want to move?"
She laughed. "No."
"You want me to move?" he asked.
"No Michael. But I know some people who need to move and I…told them we'd help."
Michael thought about it for a moment and then said, "Sure. I don't mind. Does Craig need help moving his stuff into Iris's place?"
Savannah hesitated and then said, "No, it's some elderly folks that need the help."
"Yeah, I'm always willing to help." He then straightened his posture and narrowed his eyes. "Wait a minute here. Are we talking about two elderly sisters who happen to live out in the boonies, two miles in on a hiking trail?" When he saw the affirmation on Savannah's face, he said, "Awww, honey. No."
She nodded. "Yes, Michael. I told them we'd help. Honey, they have no one else."
"But Savannah…" he said. He took in a deep breath and let it out. He shook his head. "Well, it would be an adventure, wouldn't it? Oh boy, honey, you can sure get me into some interesting situations."
Savannah leaned toward Michael and kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks hon," she said before standing and heading toward the kitchen with the baby.
****
Wednesday morning, Savannah and Michael drove out to the twins' shack in Bud's extended-cab pickup truck.
"Here's the turnoff," Savannah said.
Once they'd parked, they unloaded a large utility wagon, set two small pet carriers inside and threw in a few bungee cords and a couple of lengths of rope. Then they walked the trail to the shanty, stopping every once in a while to untangle the brush from the wagon.
"Gads, I hope they don't want to take all of those chickens," Savannah said, "…and the goats."
"I thought that's what you brought the carriers for," Michael said.
"Well, they won't hold many critters. I was thinking more of the raccoon and Elsie Sue mentioned cats. We may have to make more than one trip."
When they arrived at the shanty, they found things pretty much as usual, only today there was a small, orderly pile of boxes and bags sitting next to the porch steps.
"Hi," Elsie Sue called when she saw the couple walk into the yard, pulling the large wagon.
"Good morning. Are you ready to go?" Savannah asked in a cheery tone.
"We're just about ready," the elderly woman said. "I've got to catch Bandit and Gracie." She frowned. "Elsie said I can't take any more of ‘em."
Michael looked around. "So how many animals do you have out here?" he asked, a serious look on his face.
"Not many," Elsie Sue said.
Michael thought for a moment and then said. "Okay, Ms. Elsie. Why don't you show me around? I'd like to meet all of your animals. I'd like to know what we're dealing with."
As Michael followed Elsie Sue, Savannah took the trail to the corral, hoping she'd find her horse there. Again, the pen was empty. When she returned, Elsie Beth was laying an armload of hanging clothes over the stack of boxes. "Good morning," Savannah said.
Elsie Beth glanced up at her. Didn't speak.
Savannah noticed Michael and Elsie Sue walking from the north side of the shack. "We'll come back and make sure the rest of them are taken care of," he was telling her.
"Oh, we can take them to our other
home," Elsie Sue said.
Michael appeared to be rather overwhelmed at the moment and Savannah decided to intervene. "So what is the count on the animals?" she asked.
Michael took in a breath, exhaled and said, "Would you believe eight goats, who knows how many chickens, and a cow?" He then said, "Oh yes, and maybe a dozen feral cats, a raccoon, and a dog."
"Well, at least one goat and the cow can go back to the Teagues' place," Savannah said sternly. "I'll take pictures for Bonnie to identify."
"Help me catch Gracie, would you?" Elsie Sue said. "She needs me."
"Who's Gracie?" Savannah asked.
"My cat," she said. "She's the fluffy Siamese." She turned toward Savannah, her eyes lighting up. "Harlan almost got me another one—I would have had a matching pair," she said excitedly. "He found it wandering around, but a wolf scared the cat away and he didn't get to bring it home." She made eye contact with Savannah before saying, "I'm glad he didn't bring that snarly cat to me. It scratched Harlan all up. Elsie had to doctor him. He had some awful gashes on his arm."
Savannah and Michael looked at each other. Savannah grimaced.
"Come on," Elsie Sue said. "Help me get Gracie, will you?"
"Oh, she's beautiful," Savannah said. "…or she used to be." She made eye contact with Elsie Sue. "You know she looks like a purebred Himalayan." She wrinkled her nose. "She needs a bath. How could you let her outside with that great coat?" she scolded.
Elsie Sue looked at her defiantly. "'Cause she wanted out, that's why." As the elderly woman moved toward Gracie, the cat crouched and looked as if she would dart. But Elsie Sue had the situation under control. Suddenly, she unfurled a small net she carried in her hand, tossed it into the air and it landed covering the little cat. Elsie Sue rushed to the cat and picked her up, quickly removing the netting. "Gotcha," she said. She addressed Savannah. "Now where's the cat box?"
Savannah stood stunned for a moment and then walked to the wagon, retrieved a carrier, and helped Elsie Sue put the dirty, matted Himalayan inside.
In the meantime, Michael and Elsie Beth loaded the utility wagon. "We'll lead some of the goats," she told him. "We'll have to get a stock truck for the cow and the rest of the critters."
