I turn around, look at Shaun, and joke, “Alright fucker. I’ll start being mean, but only to you.”
“Sounds good bro,” jokes Shaun.
Phil arrives at the entrance to Bo’s ranch.
“We are here,” says Phil as he drives the electric truck through the branches and the overgrown tree limbs that cover the entrance to Bo’s ranch.
“I can’t believe those branches are still covering the entrance so well,” says Phil.
Phil drives the electric truck towards Bo’s house at the back of Bo’s property.
Shaun, Jon, and I see Bo and Barrett’s horses, their animals, their barn, and the large open fields that have a variety of crops growing.
Shaun sees a chicken coop and says, “I really need some more eggs. My protein intake has been way down.”
“Only you would be worried about how much protein you are eating a day. You should be thankful that you have something to eat every day,” says Jon.
“Oh, I am, but I’m just trying to keep fit man. You know how hard it has been for me to stay in shape,” says Shaun.
Phil parks the electric truck next to Bo’s truck in front of Bo’s house.
I see a couple more vehicles parked in front of Bo’s house.
No one is around Bo’s house, but I hear some noise coming from the large barn that is on Bo’s property.
I exit the electric truck.
Shaun, Phil, and Jon exit the electric truck.
“Do you see anyone?” asks Phil.
Suddenly a horse galloping is heard.
The horse has a rider on top of it and it’s sprinting towards us.
“Can I help you fellas?” shouts Barrett as he rides his horse over to us.
“We are here to see Bo. I’m Ryan and we met you before Barrett,” I say to Barrett.
“I remember. We are working on something in the barn. You are a doctor, right? We could use your help. Come with me,” replies Barrett.
Before I can answer Barrett, Barrett takes off riding his horse back towards the barn.
“How is Barrett so big still? That guy is freaking huge,” says Shaun.
“I’m sure they are eating well here,” responds Jon to Shaun.
Jon, Shaun, Phil, and I start walking down a dirt path towards the large barn.
“Come on ladies, hurry up!” shouts Barrett as he sits atop his horse.
“We aren’t on horses jackass,” says Phil.
Shaun and I start moving faster, and it turns into a race.
Phil and Jon continue walking at their slow pace and just watch Shaun and I start sprinting.
“There ya go!” shouts Barrett.
I sprint towards the large barn and Shaun slows down.
I make it to the barn and look back at Shaun, Jon, and Phil.
Barrett hops off his horse and walks over to me.
I catch my breath.
Jon, Phil, and Shaun walk over to Barrett and me.
I look at Barrett and ask, “What are you guys doing in here?”
“You’ll see,” answers Barrett as he walks into the large oversized red barn.
I whisper to myself, “A man of few words.”
I walk into the barn, and I hear some noise at the back end of the barn.
I step closer to the back of the barn and see two people standing and one person kneeling next to an animal.
Shaun, Phil, and Jon don’t know what to make of the people and the strange noises that are being made at the back end of the barn.
I recognize Bo and Nicky, but I haven’t met the other woman that is standing next to Nicky before.
I see that Bo is tending to one of his horses.
“Hey…” I greet Bo.
“Shhhhh!” shouts Barrett and Nicky at me.
I whisper, “Sorry.”
I step towards Bo and notice that Bo is reaching under the horse that is laying down on her side.
“Almond is giving birth. She is having a difficult time though,” whispers Bo to me.
I look at Bo and the female horse named Almond and wonder what Barrett meant when he said that he could use my help.
Phil and Shaun are amazed at the sight of the pregnant horse, but Jon can’t handle the smell.
“I’ll be outside,” says Jon as he walks away from us.
I look at Barrett and whisper, “I can’t help you with the horse. I’m an orthopedic surgeon not a veterinarian.”
The woman that I haven’t met before says, “Almond will be fine. Mother nature will run its course with her. I am the one that needs your help.”
I walk over to the woman and ask, “What is wrong? Are you injured?”
Bo says, “She is just about ready to go. I can feel the head of the foal. You probably don’t want to see this part.”
I look at the woman and ask, “Can we go outside?”
The woman answers, “Yeah, that’s a good idea.”
Barrett stares at me as I’m talking to this woman.
The woman notices Barrett’s stare and says, “Calm down honey bear. I’ll be fine.”
The woman kisses Barrett and then walks towards the exit of the barn.
I follow the woman, and we both exit the barn.
Shaun and Phil stay to watch the birth of the foal.
I introduce myself to the woman and ask her what is bothering her.
“I am Darby. I am Barrett’s fiancé. I got wounded a couple days ago, and I think the wound needs stitches,” says Darby to me as she pulls down the left sleeve of her long-sleeved flannel shirt.
I look at Darby’s left shoulder and see that she has a bandage on it.
I say to Darby, “I’m going to remove your bandage now. I won’t touch the wound, but I have to see what it looks like.”
I remove the large bandage from Darby’s left shoulder and I see a large laceration running across her left deltoid muscle.
I ask Darby, “What happened?”
Jon walks over to Darby and me.
“It’s not a bite. I was grazed by a bullet. We were attacked by a group a couple of days ago... Figures, the first time I try to leave my community we get attacked,” answers Darby.
I look at Darby’s wound and say, “Damn, you are really lucky that it was only a graze.”
I examine Darby’s wound further.
Barrett walks over to me and doesn’t like me touching Darby’s shoulder.
I can sense Barrett watching my every move.
I look at Barrett and say, “Your fiancé is going to be fine Barrett, but I will need to stitch her wound closed though. I don’t want it to get infected.”
“We have a couple of suture kits in the house,” replies Barrett.
Shaun, Phil, Nicky, and Bo come walking over to Darby, Jon, Barrett, and me.
“How’s the horse?” asks Jon.
“Good, everything is good. Mom and her baby are looking good,” answers Bo.
“Let’s get up to the house so I can stitch up your arm,” I say to Darby.
Barrett gently pulls Darby’s flannel shirt sleeve back over her left shoulder.
Barrett and Darby start walking towards Bo and Barrett’s house.
Bo asks Phil, “What brings you fellas here?”
I look at Jon and say, “Come with me.”
Jon and I start walking towards Bo and Barrett’s house.
Phil looks at Bo and answers, “We have a deer for ya. We would like to trade some deer meat for some eggs and anything else you are willing to trade.”
“Where is the deer at?” asks Bo.
“In our truck,” answers Phil.
“Is it still good? I don’t want no rotten deer carcass,” says Bo.
“Let’s go check it out. We parked by your house,” replies Phil.
As Jon and I continue walking back to Bo and Barrett’s house, I take in the great view of the ranch, the open fields, the fenced in areas, the chicken coop, the cows walking around, and the crops growing.
“It’s pretty great here. I can�
�t believe this place is so tucked away. It’s like it’s not real, and we are imagining this place,” says Jon.
I playfully punch Jon in his right shoulder and ask, “Did you imagine that?”
“I felt that for sure. Some days I wake up and wonder if this is all a dream. A bad dream,” answers Jon.
“I know what you mean. I still can’t believe what Tampa Bay has turned into,” I reply to Jon.
I hear the rumble of a small engine.
I turn around and see Bo driving a four wheeled four-seater utility vehicle towards Jon and me.
“Sorry guys, no room!” shouts Phil as Bo drives by us.
I smirk and shake my head as I see Shaun, Phil, Nicky, and Bo drive by us.
Jon and I make our way to Bo and Barrett’s house.
“Finally!” jokes Shaun as Jon and I walk up the front porch steps of Bo and Barrett’s home.
“You doing okay Jon? You puke?” asks Phil.
“I didn’t puke, but I was close to puking. That smell messed me up,” answers Jon.
“What? You don’t like the smell of horse shit in the morning?” jokes Shaun.
“The deer is in decent shape. I’m glad you brought it over today though. We can definitely salvage some good meat. Who shot him?” asks Bo.
I answer, “TJ. Around his dad’s house.”
“Where?” asks Nicky.
I answer, “Around MacDill, in a neighborhood.”
“I bet it was the same deer that keep running around downtown,” says Nicky.
“Let’s get this buck loaded up onto the 4x4, and I’ll take him into our butcher room,” says Bo.
Barrett walks out his front door and says to me, “We are ready for you doc.”
I walk into Bo and Barrett’s house.
Darby is sitting in a chair at the dining room table.
“Let me wash my hands first,” I say to Darby.
I wash my hands in the kitchen sink of Bo and Barrett’s house.
I walk over to the dining room table and see that Barrett and Darby have everything I need to stitch Darby’s wound.
I put on the extra-large pair of latex gloves and see that Darby’s wound will need several stitches.
I hear Bo drive his 4x4 away from the house.
Jon walks inside Bo and Barrett’s house.
Barrett looks at Jon as Jon walks towards me.
“So, what’s up Barrett? How are things around here?” asks Jon.
Barrett just stares at Jon and doesn’t answer.
I notice that Barrett doesn’t answer Jon and that annoys me.
I turn towards Barrett and ask, “Do we have a problem here Barrett?”
Barrett stares at me and answers, “Just finish with the stitches.”
I reply to Barrett, “We are here to help and work together. There is no need for hostility Barrett.”
Barrett steps closer to me, and I stand up from the dining room table.
Barrett is a large man. He is over six feet six inches tall and probably weighs about 255 pounds.
Jon starts to worry that Barrett and I will start fighting.
Darby says, “Enough honey bear. I know you are overprotective, but let’s calm down. Bo vouches for Ryan and his group. We need to trust Bo’s judgement.”
Barrett doesn’t say anything and just stares at me as I stare back at him.
“We mean no harm to you, your fiancé, Bo, Nicky, or this place. We are here as friends,” I say to Barrett.
Darby stands up and places her right hand on Barrett’s left shoulder.
“Let Ryan stitch me up and then you can kick his ass,” says Darby to Barrett.
I don’t know how to take Darby’s statement to Barrett.
Darby smiles and looks at me.
“I’m only kidding. No one is fighting today,” says Darby to me.
I look at Barrett and say, “You should trust us Barrett. We are good people.”
“We’ll see how good you are,” replies Barrett.
Barrett looks at Darby and says, “I’m sorry my love. I just wish I could stitch you up myself.”
“Let the professional do it,” replies Darby.
Darby sits back down at the dining room table.
Barrett looks at me and says, “Sorry doc. Take care of my lady for me.”
I reply to Barrett, “I will, she is in good hands.”
Barrett says, “I’ll be right outside if you need me.”
Barrett walks towards Jon.
Jon stares at Barrett.
“Come on little man, let’s go outside,” says Barrett to Jon as Barrett grabs the back of Jon’s neck with his large right hand.
Barrett and Jon exit Bo and Barrett’s house through the front screen door.
“Well, that was a bit much. I’m sorry about Barrett, he is very overprotective,” says Darby.
I reply to Darby, “I totally understand. I am protective of my wife also. I know how it can be. He must love you very much.”
I start to stitch Darby’s wound closed.
I talk with Darby and find out about her job at the zoo and her community.
“Please don’t tell anyone about our community. We like to remain hidden and safe,” says Darby.
I reply, “I won’t tell anyone. I know TJ was there before and he only told us a little bit about your place.”
“We have made great progress there, but the military keeps coming closer and closer to our walls. I fear that it’s only a matter of time until they try to get in,” says Darby.
I reply, “I hope you have an escape plan. If the military wants in your community, they will get in.”
“We never talked about that really. I guess we would stay and fight whoever attacks us,” replies Darby.
I finish stitching up Darby’s wound and place a bandage over the stitches.
“Thank you, Ryan. I appreciate your help,” says Darby.
I examine Darby’s arm and reply, “You are welcome. I just hope Barrett will trust us now. We are here to help. We just want to be able to help each other.”
“We will help you, I will talk with Barrett,” replies Darby as she buttons up her flannel shirt.
CHAPTER 6
WHAT A DEAL
“I still can’t believe Bo and Barrett gave us all this stuff. What a deal,” says Shaun as Phil drives towards the Big Club.
“I wonder what Darby said to Barrett,” I say.
“I don’t know, but that chick is hot, and I loved her Australian accent,” says Phil.
“Nicky is pretty hot also,” says Shaun.
“I guess hot chicks like cowboys still,” I say.
Phil pulls up to the Big Club entrance and something feels different about the entrance.
I notice a couple of large black marks on the exterior walls near the entrance of the Big Club.
“Are those bullet holes?” asks Phil.
Phil parks the electric truck at the front entrance of the Big Club, and two guards come running out of the main entrance.
“Stop right there!” shouts one of the guards as they point their assault rifles at us.
I look at the guards and notice that it’s Jakobe and another Haven guard.
“It’s us Jakobe!” I shout.
Jakobe notices that it’s me, and he lowers his rifle.
Jakobe looks at the other Haven guard and says, “It’s okay Wesley, it’s Ryan.”
Wesley lowers his rifle.
“Sorry sir, we have just been on edge lately. We have had some attacks on this place recently,” says Jakobe.
Jakobe tries to open the metal fencing at the main entrance of the Big Club, but the metal is stuck, and the fencing looks to be damaged.
I help Jakobe open the metal fencing and see that someone broke the metal fencing.
“What happened here?” I ask.
“We should talk inside, the people might come back and try to attack this place again,” says Wesley.
I walk inside the Big Club.
Phil, Sh
aun, and Jon bring in all the items and crops that Bo and Barrett gave us.
“I’d put most of that in the fridge,” I say to Phil, Shaun, and Jon as they bring in the items that Bo and Barrett gave us in to the Big Club.
I look at Jakobe and see that he has a black eye.
“What happened here Jakobe? What happened to your eye?” I ask Jakobe.
“My eye is okay, but we were attacked here recently. There were two trucks full of people, and they tried to get inside. They shot into the walls and threw burning bottles of alcohol at the store,” answers Jakobe.
“We shot a couple of them and the trucks drove off,” says Wesley.
Phil walks over to me.
“Everything okay Ryan?” asks Phil.
“No, this place was attacked,” I answer Phil.
“When?” asks Phil.
“Two days ago,” answers Jakobe.
“Any idea of who attacked this place?” asks Phil.
Jakobe and Wesley hesitate to answer.
I notice the hesitation that Jakobe and Wesley give.
“I think it was the Conquerors, but I could be wrong,” says Jakobe.
I ask Jakobe, “Did you let William know?”
“No, we have been radio silent since you told us to be,” answers Jakobe.
“You could have broken the radio silence if you were under attack. You could have died,” I say to Jakobe.
“It just happened so fast, but no one was injured though,” says Jakobe.
“When is someone from the Haven coming here again?” asks Phil.
“Either today or tomorrow,” answers Jakobe.
“Okay, let’s lock this place down. No one comes in or out unless it’s us or someone from the Haven,” I order.
Jakobe and Wesley close the metal fencing at the main entrance and then lock the thick metal entrance door of the Big Club.
I pull Jon, Shaun, and Phil aside and say, “I’ve been thinking about this place. I think we need to take everything valuable from here and move it to Citrus Oaks and the Haven.”
“You want to do this today?” asks Jon.
“Not today, but in the near future. Probably after we settle the whole Grove situation,” I answer.
“But that could take days if not weeks. Do you really want to wait that long?” asks Phil.
“Not really, but I don’t think we can take everything in here today. We’ll need more trucks,” I answer Phil.
Fight 4 Us (Book 9): Settlement Page 6