She shook her head. “I made sure they couldn’t. I took a cedar branch and covered my tracks for the first mile or so.”
Blake sat back in his seat, his hand scratching at his beard. The woman impressed Kris, too.
“You weren’t scared to come out into the woods in the middle of a snowstorm?” Blake asked.
“I grew up in Wyoming. Nothing about the woods scares me. I should have bugged out as soon as I had the chance,” she said, looking down at her hands.
“What’s your name?” Kris asked.
“Lexi. Lexi Yarrow.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Lexi,” Arland said. “What are your intentions here?”
“As I said, sanctuary. I just can’t tolerate being with Meyers anymore. The things they do are...inhuman. I’m hoping my skills will help me find a new community with you.”
Kris could see the scrutiny while the others watched her. She knew she trusted easily, but something about this gal spoke to her, and Laurie practically bounced in her seat.
From across the overhang, Butler’s moan caused all eyes to turn toward him.
“Is someone in need of medical assistance now? I would be happy to prove myself.” Lexi met their eyes, almost pleading.
Laurie tugged on Arland’s arm and he looked toward Blake. “Blake, how do you feel about that?”
Kris watched Blake read the woman in front of them. Lexi held his gaze, not with rudeness, but an openness, a willingness for him to really see her. It made Kris like her even more.
Blake finally turned to Laurie. “You’ll supervise her?”
Laurie bobbed her head vigorously.
Blake nodded at Arland who said, “Okay, Laurie, see if Lexi can help our friend. Kris, why don’t you go along...as backup.”
Part of Kris wanted to stay and hear what the council had to say, but she knew Blake would fill her in later. She rose and left the circle with Laurie and Lexi.
Everyone stared at them as they made their way toward the fire where Butler slept fitfully.
“I’m guessing you don’t have new people joining all the time?” Lexi said light-heartedly.
“Most of us are from the community those marauders you were with just took over. We were all neighbors,” Laurie said.
“Oh,” Lexi said, and for the first time Kris heard hesitancy in the strong woman’s voice.
“We’re newcomers, though.” Kris smiled with encouragement.
“The big guy is your husband?”
Kris laughed at the description. “Yeah, Blake. The people here call him The Survivalist. It’s a long story.”
“I hope I have long enough to hear it.” She snuck a glance back at the council.
“I can’t see them turning you out in the snow.” Kris stopped in front of the fire where Butler moaned.
Lexi gasped and fell to Butler’s side.
“You know him?” Laurie asked.
“Yes. He was one of the only men who treated me with respect in that group and would protect me when needed. I thought he was dead.” Lexi touched his cheek and Butler’s eyes flew open. “Ben. It’s Lexi.”
Butler started to crawl away and looked frantically around.
“Chantry...,” he whispered.
“Blake is okay, thanks to you. You’re safe here. Laurie patched you up. Just rest,” Kris said, pulling the blankets back up around him.
Once he settled, Kris eyed Laurie before they both turned to watch Lexi and the mixture of emotions that flooded her expression.
“He looked scared of me,” Lexi said.
“Maybe seeing you made him think he was back with Meyers’ group?” Kris said, but she would watch this woman closer. Butler’s reaction wasn’t what she had expected for the woman she had easily felt connected to.
“That could be it.” She blinked rapidly. “What happened to him? How is he here? Meyers thought you guys threw him off a cliff.”
Kris watched her warily. If the woman was a spy for Meyers, then she could give intel that would be a death sentence for the family he had tried to protect by faking his own death.
“He saved my husband’s life,” Kris said tentatively.
“Gun shot through his midsection,” Laurie said. “I patched him up the best I could.”
Lexi nodded. “I know that look. I understand that it will take a while for you all to trust me. It is how I said, though.” She looked down at Butler with a glow that Kris could only read as love or deep caring. “We had talked about escaping many times. When he...when I thought he had died, I decided to escape on my own.”
“To the people who had killed him?” Laurie asked.
Lexi shrugged. “I knew your people were only protecting themselves. Besides, nothing could be worse than what I have seen this last year.”
Kris chewed her lip. She couldn’t imagine what she would have done in that situation.
“So, you already have a doctor.” Lexi looked down at her gloved hands, holes showing her skin.
“I would call myself more of a healer. I am a midwife,” Laurie said.
“She saved my daughter and me.” Kris uncovered Mercy’s face. Seeing her awake, she pulled her out of the wrap and Mercy immediately started babbling.
Lexi started to reach a hand out, but she pulled it back to wipe the tears streaming down her face.
“Are you okay?” Kris asked.
“I’m sorry. I’m exhausted. Walking through the snow all night by myself and wondering if someone would find me...I just need a good sleep.”
“What about Butler?” Laurie asked. “I really don’t know what I’m doing with a wound like this.”
Lexi looked up at her, gratitude keeping her eyes moist. “May I?” She pointed to Butler.
“Please,” Laurie said.
Lexi lifted up Butler’s shirt, gently touched around the bandage, and then did her best to look at the exit wound on his back.
“Seems to be holding up well. Time will tell, I guess.” She lovingly tucked the blankets around Butler.
“Would you mind if I lay close to Ben? We could share warmth.”
Kris hesitated. She looked to Laurie who shrugged. She couldn’t help but trust the woman. Something about her seemed genuine. “Of course. It would be good to have someone keep an eye on him anyway.”
“Thank you for your kindness.” Lexi smiled before pulling out her blankets and setting them up alongside Butler.
“This world needs a lot more kindness these days. Get some rest.” Kris rose with Laurie following.
“Thank you for looking at him,” Laurie said.
“Thank you for saving him.” Lexi smiled.
“I’m going to check on Tucker,” Kris told Laurie.
“I’ll be there in just a few. I need to persuade the council to let Lexi stay. We need someone with more medical experience than me,” Laurie said quietly, for Kris’s ears alone.
“I wish you luck my friend,” Kris said. With a glance at the council, she continued toward her son.
Tucker had pulled out a book from his bag and was reading it to Ethan and a few other kids. They sat mesmerized by the story. The scene gave her a little sense of normalcy. Kids lost in a book. Now that was something she understood.
“He’s a terrific reader for being so young,” Hannah said as Kris approached.
“He started at three. Surprised me. He hasn’t stopped since.”
“That’s impressive. We need to keep that education going,” she said, nudging Kris.
“Yes. Once we are settled, let’s bring the idea to the council.”
Hannah smiled at her, and then her gaze fell past her and her smile deepened as a slight pink rose to her cheeks.
Kris glanced over her shoulder and saw Tyler looking at them. “Go on. I’ve got the kids.”
“You sure?”
“I’m sure, Miss Lovebird.”
“I really like him. He’s kind and gentle, but protective and manly all at the same time.”
“He’s a good guy, Hanna
h. I’m happy to see life continuing even in the midst of this chaos.”
“I don’t think it could ever stop, Kris. Not with things like this.” Hannah squeezed Kris’s hand before walking past her toward Tyler.
Kris only watched for a second, but long enough that she longed for those sweet days when she fell in love with Blake. Would a relationship beginning in such turmoil last? Would it be stronger? Hers and Blake’s certainly had become stronger, but the foundation had already been built.
She sighed as she sat down and let Mercy bounce on her legs while she listened to her son read to the other kids. If she stopped thinking about how things used to be and focused on just the wonderful moments like these, she could almost feel at peace. She wondered how long it could last, for every moment had to end at some point.
~9~
Blake woke instantly, shooting to a sitting position before the pain in his side stopped him. The guttural scream sounded again. He pushed to his feet, following it in the ember-lit overhang. When he realized the sound emitted from Butler, he pushed through his pain and ran toward the man who saved his life.
A shadow loomed over his friend as light lit his cut open stomach. The person sitting over Butler turned toward him and a headlamp blinding his vision. Blake threw up an arm and pushed toward the light, a growl emitting from his throat.
He grabbed both of the person’s wrists until the bloody scalpel dropped to the ground.
“Please,” a female voice cried out. “Let me fix him.”
Blake tore off her headlamp, blinking his eyes until he could see Lexi’s face through the dark spots. “What do you think you’re doing?”
He heard the camp waking up around them, and soon Laurie and Arland stood next to him.
“He had internal bleeding,” she pleaded. “Let me go and I’ll show you. Please. The more blood he loses, the smaller the chance he survives.”
Blake let go of her wrists, and she immediately went to work. He shined the light onto the slice she had made in Butler. Laurie kneeled next to her.
“See the discoloration here and here?” Lexi pointed and looked at Laurie. “If I don’t stitch it up, he’ll die.”
“Is your equipment sterilized?” Laurie asked.
“Yes, I still have medical supplies. One good thing about Meyers.”
“Blake, give her back the headlamp. Arland, grab my medical bag. We need to get him to relax.”
“I gave him a sedative.”
“He screamed.” Blake said through clenched teeth as he handed her the headlamp.
“There are some things that make it through these light-weight sedatives. If you want to help, you can hold him down.”
Blake hated the idea of holding the man down, but if it meant he lived it would be worth it. If he could trust the woman to save him. Kris had shared that Lexi and Butler had known each other, but how well and with what intentions he didn’t know yet. He needed his comrade to wake up so he could clear the air.
It felt like forever while Lexi worked with practiced hands, and Laurie assisted. Every once in a while Laurie would meet his eyes and nod. If she approved of what the woman did to Butler, then maybe they could trust her.
Lexi sat back as Laurie gooped the black salve on all of Butler’s wounds and then bandaged him up.
“Will he make it?” Arland asked.
“We’ll know more tomorrow.” Lexi looked up at him. “I’m sorry. I should have woken you before operating...I just got so scared. It needed to happen right away. I worried you wouldn’t trust me to do it. That discussion might have taken too long.”
“I didn’t know,” Laurie said, staring at Blake, horror and guilt dancing like the flames reflected from the fire in her eyes.
“You did your best.” Blake reached out a hand to her. “I appreciate that.”
“My point has been made,” Laurie said, her eyes now leveled on Arland. “We need her.”
Arland glanced at Blake. “We give her a chance to prove herself, but no unnecessary intel.”
“Thank you,” Lexi said, her head lowering and body shaking. She reached out and caressed Butler’s face.
Maybe Kris was right, but she trusted easily. If Butler made it out of this and he cleared Lexi, then he would give her a chance.
~*~
Kris adjusted Mercy as she took off her pack. The sun sank low in the sky, but Blake felt sure they were almost there. The people of the camp sat on the now snow-free ground to rest while he and several others went ahead to check. It had been a grueling two days of hiking, but they had prevailed. It had been a smart move to wait until most of the snow melted, at least in the lower elevations.
Tucker sat next to Ethan, chewing on a piece of jerky. He watched Butler with a curious expression. She would have to remember to ask him what he saw. When she turned her attention to Butler, she saw him settling against the tree, his face pale, but dark blue eyes light and happy.
After Lexi had performed emergency surgery, his recovery had become quite rapid. With a combination of the pharmaceuticals she had and the addition of Laurie’s herbs, he had been strong enough to make the journey not even a week later.
Lexi smiled at her before squatting next to Butler, giving him a drink of water. Kris could see the affection between them. She couldn’t say love. Butler remained faithful to his wife, but the two had a bond that gave each other strength.
She thought about Blake, out there, pushing through the exhaustion she knew overwhelmed him. He was still healing as well, not that he let that on to anyone. He had a drive, a mission to complete, so she understood his need to get there tonight if possible.
He had told her the other night that she gave him strength. Kris had almost laughed until she saw the seriousness lining his eyes. She nestled into him then, whispering that he was her strength, too. Having someone to lean on during these times could mean the difference between life and death. She saw that in her and Blake, in Arland and Laurie, in Butler and Lexi, and even in the newly budding Hannah and Tyler.
Kris hugged her daughter to her. She hoped that she and Tuck would find that person that helped them find their own strength that lived inside. A breeze picked up, the birds chirped cheerily, and Kris closed her eyes to embrace the moment as peace filled her. She felt like home called.
A half-hour later Blake strutted back into the rest place, a wide smile brightening her world. She hadn’t seen him smile like that for such a long time. Immediately, a surge of happiness filled her. He had found New Forest Glen.
“Pack up, Tucker,” she said, her voice lighter than she had heard it in months. “We’re going home.”
Blake brought her into his arms. “That’s right, my love. We are going home.”
~*~
Blake took Kris’s hand and helped her up to the ridge. He had her leave the cart on the trail below where the others caught up. Tucker scrambled up to stand next to them. Blake wanted his family to see their new home from the best vantage point.
“Oh, wow,” Kris whispered, her eyes scanning across the valley now bathed in an amber alpine glow.
Blake wrapped his arms around his family while he admired the view as well. The green foliage that covered the ground would provide fresh nutrients, the stream that passed on the far side would give them water for cooking and cleaning, the spring closer to the end of the valley would give them consistent drinking water, and the evergreens and deciduous trees would give them substance, shade, and shelter.
There was more than enough room for everyone to spread out or huddle close together, whatever they decided. As for them, he already had the location for their dwelling in mind.
“See that sloping ridge line there?” Blake pointed, showing his family.
Both Kris and Tucker nodded and Mercy cooed.
“That’s where I would like to build our dwelling,” Blake said.
“It’s beautiful, Blake.” Kris leaned into him.
“It different than I thought.” Tucker toed the ground.
&nbs
p; “How, Champ?”
“I thought the ridges were higher that way, and the creek was bigger, and it ran through the middle and then down into a canyon out of camp.”
Tucker explained in such detail that it sent a shiver through Blake, almost knocking out his great mood and confidence. His son’s vision hadn’t changed before, why would it be so different now? Instead Blake shook his head and focused on the moment.
“Sometimes things look different in our minds, son. Are you not happy with this location?” Blake asked, sweeping his arm at the wide valley below them before resting it across his son’s shoulders again.
Tucker squinted in the direction Blake had showed them he wanted their dwelling. “It’s great, Dad. I can see the tree where I’m going to build Mercy’s swing.”
“You’re building her a swing?” Blake asked, steering them back down to where people started to gather on the trail.
“Yes. I have it engineered in my mind already. Ethan is going to help me. We won’t be able to make the rope until spring when the grasses grow tall, but she will have it in time for her birthday.”
Blake stopped walking to look at his son. “You are amazing, Tuck. Mercy is lucky to have you as a big brother.”
“We are lucky to have her,” Tucker said, looking at his little sister who stretched out a hand from her wrap to him.
“Yes, we are.” Blake brought them all into his arms. “We are so lucky.”
“I agree,” Kris said.
Blake led their people down the trail, through the narrow opening of the valley and into the wide open just as the first star popped out. He stopped to point at the shining beacon of hope. Tucker’s eyes squeezed shut as his lips moved in a silent wish. Blake closed his eyes to make his wish, too.
Looking at his family and the people milling around New Forest Glen, he realized that his wish had already come true. They had made it, found their sanctuary, and would have peace and abundance...God had led them to their promised land.
He would do his best to ensure none forgot the faith that it took to get them here.
*********
I hope you enjoyed the Chantry’s trek into the wilderness to find the new location of New Forest Glen where they learned that survival was a team effort.
Grant Us Mercy (Book 5): Grant Us Mercy Page 9