Chapter 42

Merigold
I managed to make it through most of the week without too many issues. I still had a lot of nausea but not as much vomiting. I only fainted once. But I was still getting dizzy. I was tired all the time. I had no energy. I was able to eat little plain meals and a lot of toast and crackers.
I'm at the clubhouse sipping water waiting for Casper and Vice. I have my portfolio ready and brought paper and pencils ready. But really I want to put my head down and take a nap. And I have only been up for two hours. Viper sits down beside me. He has been busy with club stuff and the business they own that I haven't seen him much lately.
He throws his arm over my shoulder and pulls me close. " Hey, sis." I snuggle into his shoulder " Hi big brother." " What's this?" he asks, pointing to my portfolio. I slid it to him and gestured for him to open it. He flips it open and looks over each page. " Are these all yours?" I just smile and nod. I know he has seen a few when I did the proposal for the back bay. He liked them.But this one has all my work and sketches I have been working on.
Including the one I have for the Raider tattoo. " Merigold I know I saw the one you did for Tank and the one on your back. And I'm impressed. But Merigold, these are incredible." he says. He sees the one I wanted to talk to him about. He points to it. “ For dad?” he asks. I just nod. “ Like I said. Incredible. And I will be proud to wear it.” Viper says. I can’t help but smile. He always makes me feel good.
"What's incredible?" I turn and see Casper beside me. Viper stands to shake his hand. Viper sits back down and Casper takes the seat across from me. Viper slides my portfolio across the table to him and points. " These are what's incredible."
Casper flips through the pictures. " Merigold, I have to agree. I've never seen so much detail. You are very talented. I'm surprised that Viper hasn’t put you to work in the shop. Add a detailing spot with her work and you would be rolling in the dough." Casper says. " That's very kind of you. Thank you. I actually do have a bay at his shop that I can use. It is in the back away from the mechanics. It has only been set up for a few weeks now. So I'm guessing you are still interested in one of my designs." I say.
" One. No," he says. I tried to hide my disappointment but I guess I didn't do it very well because Caper put his hand on top of mine. " I want more than one. And I'm sure once I show my brothers they will keep you busy for a while." I smile.
We sat for an hour discussing what he wanted. He wanted a design for his bike with the Red Devils logo and his position. He also wanted a tattoo. I did a preliminary drawing of both for him and discussed when the final would be done. " Merigold, I want you to paint my bike," Casper says. " Don't you have someone in your club that can do it?"
"We do but he is nowhere near as talented as you are," Casper says. " How about we get the designs done and go from there? But I will think about it. You would have to bring your bike to me. And it could take a few days before it gets completed." I informed him. Casper agrees " I look forward to seeing you again, Merigold'' and kisses my hand. " See you soon Casper."

I gather my things to get to the auto shop. I need to do some more work on Tank's bike so I can get it back to him. He hasn’t said anything but I can see he is getting antsy not having it. That is something I have noticed with these guys. Their bike is like an extension of them. I swear some of them take better care of their bikes than they do themselves.
When I pull in I notice the parking lot is a lot fuller than normal. I usually get straight to the back and get started on my work. But today curiosity is getting the better of me. It has never been this busy. I walk in and the waiting room is packed and there are two people at the reception desk.

I politely make my way through the people to get to the desk. I wait until Mrs. Cruz is done with her customer. Before I can ask her what is going on Thor comes out of the office. “ Merigold, glad you are here. There are people waiting to talk to you.” I immediately get concerned. Thor looks almost panicked. I go over to him. “ Thor, is there a problem?” He shakes his head “ No. There is no problem. You just have some people who want to talk to you.” He says pointing to the waiting room. I’m not sure what to think but I know I can’t keep these people waiting forever.

“ Ok, let’s start with who came in first.” I say. Thor reaches over the desk and pulls back a stack of papers. He flips through them before settling on one. “ Mr. Thornton.” A guy dressed in slacks and a pressed polo shirt comes forward. “ Mr. Thornton you asked to see Merigold Stevens. Here she is.” Thor says, putting his hand on my shoulder. Mr. Thornton beams at me. “ Mrs. Stevens it is a pleasure to meet you.” he says, shaking my hand. “ How can I help you Mr. Thornton?” I ask. “ Please call me Rich,” he says. He continues with “ I work at the local V. A. Mrs. Merritt came in the other day and told us she was working here. But more importantly she is working for you. I had to come see you.” “ That is very kind of you. But why?” I ask. “ Mrs. Stevens there is a website for vets where your work on prosthetics is posted by some of your former clients. Since you were based in Alabama most of the vets we work with haven’t had the chance to use your services. When I found out you were here I had to come see for myself. I wanted to see if you would be interested in taking on some work for us.”

Oh. Wow. I’m on a website. That is so cool. I know I was on Alaric’s website for the tattoo shop. And Mac’s website. But I didn’t know there was another site out there. “ I will work with any vet who wants to. You didn’t have to come see me. Just send them here and we can set up an appointment.” I told him. “ Thank Mrs. Stevens. I will. But how do you feel about coming to the V.A. and talking to those who may not be able to come in. “ I know some can’t travel for various reasons.

Back home I made monthly trips to the V.A. for those who couldn’t come see me. I even set up teleconferences to help. “ I have no problem with that. I can even do video conferences if that helps.” Rich gives me the information about the V.A. I give him my phone number and my website address where he can help set up video conferences. When he leaves Thor gets the next client. Turns out he is from the V.A. aswell and wants some tattoo work. I take him to my bay and we work through some designs. I don’t do the tattoos myself so I sent him to Tank to get it done. The rest of the afternoon goes much the same way. Several want tattoos but there are a few that want their trucks and cars done. I set up appointments for them to bring them in for me to look at and for me to draw up mock ups for them. When working on vehicles I need to see the area I’m working with.
Finally, everyone is gone with future appointments. Turns out most of the lobby was for me. I kind of feel bad for the mechanics but there is nothing I can do. Maybe when the trucks and cars come in I can put some work their way. I’m about to get to work on Tank’s bike when Thor walks in. I don’t stop what I’m doing knowing he will talk while I work. Sometimes he just likes to watch me work.
“ That was quite a bit of business you managed to drum up.” Thor says. I look over my shoulder at him. I didn’t like the tone he was taking. “ Look Thor. If you have a problem with it, take it up with Viper. I didn’t ask for those people to come here. Hell, I hadn’t even advertised yet. That was all word of mouth from my previous work. I’m not sorry it bothers you.”
“ Shit, Princess. That isn’t what I meant. I’m sorry. I don’t have a problem with the business you bring in. That was the busiest I have seen the shop in years. I just wanted to say I am impressed. Even more so to know all of it was just from people talking. If there is anything I can do, just let me know.” Thor says.
I walk over and hug him. “ I’m not mad, Thor.It’s ok. But the only thing you can do right now is let me finish Tank’s bike. Before he starts going through withdrawals.” Thor laughs and leaves me to get done.