by D C Little
“I have a wife and a son back in the city,” Butler said.
“Why would you leave them there?” The horror in the boy’s face sent chills running down her spine.
“I was forced to join the coalition.” Butler looked away, but put his full attention on the boy after a moment. “We faked my death so they could be protected. I couldn’t do what they asked me to anymore. It was too...”
A visible shudder made Ryan slip a little in his skis. “Yes, I know what they do. I’m sorry your family is still there...if they are still alive.”
“What do you mean by that?” Butler blew out a breath, and Kris wondered if he had to quell the urge to shake more out of the boy.
“I just mean, I...” Ryan backed up into Lexi again.
Kris saw the glare pass between Lexi and Butler, and her stomach churned. This would be a precarious new balance for the awkward, different kind of relationship they had.
“Come on, let’s get you settled in your new home.” Lexi started trudging through the snow toward the trail that led into camp, motioning for Ryan to follow.
Blake went up to Butler and placed a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll get more information from him, but maybe you should ask Lexi to talk to him. I think the boy is scared of you.”
“I’m not scary,” Butler growled.
Kris choked on a laugh, covering it with a cough, then followed Tucker who ran down the trail after his new friend. It amazed her how he could move so fast in the cumbersome snowshoes. She secretly couldn't wait until they made more skis. Her inner thighs and groin were always so sore after trudging around in the wide stance needed for snowshoes.
She let her worries be swept away on the slight breeze that blew from the valley and up onto the ridge. Home. Her own pine needle bed, her own fire, in her own bark dwelling. Part of her almost laughed, but it was home, and right now it was exactly where she wanted to be.
~11~
Blake woke before the sun like always, but with the warmth of his wife and children next to him, he merely stretched and wrapped his arms around his family. He had no reason to get up and no desire. Tucker slept on one side of him while Kris slept on the other with Mercy.
Soon Tucker could sleep in his own bed, but with the cold nights, he needed to share warmth. Spring should be coming any time, then life would really get going. They could bring the cattle up, plant their gardens, go on hunting trips. Day trips only, though. He was done having to leave his family.
One more time.
His guts twisted with the thought, but he knew he had to be the one in charge of bringing the herd back. If he could delegate it, he would, but it was too important.
Butler had done well staying with Kris even with her crazy decision to up and leave camp for the unknown. Blake blew out his breath. He promised himself he would let that go. Her soft heart couldn’t have turned away, and it all worked out, but still...
The thought wouldn’t leave him alone, and his legs itched to move. He pulled a mumbling Kris closer, kissed her lips, and then pulled his arm out from under her. He also untwisted himself from Tucker, but his son’s eyes shot open.
“Where are you going? Want me to come?”
“It’s okay, Champ. Get some more rest. It’s not even light out yet.”
Tucker’s eyes fluttered, but eventually he fell back into his rhythmic breathing. As silently as he could, Blake gathered his things, donned his coat, and slipped out into the crisp air. The snow had hardened overnight, making walking treacherous, but he needed to move.
Early mornings were good times to check the fire in the camp’s center. They did their best to keep the coals going all night so they didn’t have to relight it every morning for breakfast. Dawn, or right before, always seemed like perfect time to build it up. He took it on as a silent responsibility. Really, it was an excuse to get up and move around before the rest of the camp stirred.
Plus, Blake smiled as he saw the dark form huddled over the fire, he quite often found his friend there, too.
“Morning,” Blake said as he approached Arland.
Arland gave the embers one more blow as it lit into flame before turning toward him. “Morning, brother. You rested up from your travels?”
Blake shrugged. Travels were good for him. The stress of not knowing if his family was okay, was not.
“You over being angry about it all?”
“They’re safe. That’s all that matters.”
Arland nodded. “I was sorry to hear the boy’s dad didn’t make it.”
“Yeah, hard life for the kid.”
Arland grunted as he sat on the log next to the long fire pit. “It is. Lexi says she’s taking him on.”
“Yeah. She promised his father.”
“I think it will be good for her, though the boy might rather have a family?” Arland raised his eyebrows.
“He is welcome, but I think both Ryan and Lexi are content with the arrangement. Besides, Tucker has already offered him his brotherhood.”
“Good kid.”
“Yeah, couldn’t ask for more.”
“So,” Arland stretched out his hands to the fire. “Tell me more about these cattle.”
Blake spent the time until light filled the sky and the camp awoke telling Arland about the cattle and his thoughts on how to raise them. He appreciated how Arland always heeded his advice, though Blake knew he would get his way even if he had to force the issue. Having Arland being so agreeable simply made it easier.
“It’s a great find, Blake. Having a steady source of meat will really help us thrive.” Arland stood as others started toward the fire. “Let’s bring it up at the council meeting today and find some replacements to give David and Brent a break.”
“Yeah, I’m sure David is regretting his decision by now.” Blake chuckled. It would be a miracle if Brent still lived by the time replacements made it to them.
“Looks like you’re wanted,” Arland said, nodding toward Tucker who ran toward them.
Well, the boy slipped and slid, more than ran on the icy trail into camp.
“You’re going to break something,” Blake said as he met him. “What’s the rush? Is Mom okay? Mercy?”
“They’re fine. I want to go say good morning to Ryan.”
Blake breathed easier as he stood all the way up. “He might need a little extra sleep.”
“Lexi said I could come over first thing.”
Blake looked back toward the camp. Butler and Rob exited the dwelling right then. “Okay,” he said.
Tucker yipped and took off again.
“Tucker,” he called out, noticing most the camp looked toward him as he did. He sometimes forgot he lived in such close proximity with others. “Slow it down. We don’t want any broken bones.”
“Okay, Dad!” Tucker slowed to a fast walk, not looking back as he made his way quickly toward his new friend.
Blake shook his head, watching as his son ducked into the dwelling before heading back to Kris and Mercy. At least for his son, living in the community was a good thing.
****
Kris shifted on the log in the meeting house, happy that Hannah had been available to watch Mercy during the council meeting. Her daughter was getting heavier by the day, and more wiggly, making wearing her more and more difficult. She would be walking soon, and then life would be changing again.
“Does no one else worry about bringing in a stranger to camp?” Mitchel asked.
“He’s a kid,” Laurie said with an edge to her voice.
Kris brought her attention back to the group in front of her.
“Of course we have to weigh the risk when adding anyone to the camp,” Arland said. “We will vote, but I don’t see an issue or another option.” He turned toward Mitchel. “Would you be able to sleep at night knowing you turned a child out into the woods to live on his own?”
“Well, of course not. I’m not cruel. I’m just wondering if finding the kid’s extended family might be better.”
Blak
e lifted his head then. “Are you volunteering for that mission? Because that would not only be foolhardy, but more than likely futile.”
“Not to mention, then there is the potential for information about where our camp is being leaked to the wrong people,” Pastor Rob said.
Everyone sat up straighter as the thought sunk in.
A tingle of fear swept through Kris, almost as if she could feel the reality of that statement. This place was their haven because no one else knew about it. If the outside world found out...
She shuddered and many others around her did as well. The thought didn’t sit well with anyone, she was sure.
“The kid stays,” Blake said as if that were the end of the discussion.
Her husband was used to commanding men, and the democratic group didn’t always go over well with him. He had improved, and a warmth spread through her as she thought of all the growing he had done.
“We will vote, of course,” Arland said, easily as if he didn’t want to step on Blake’s toes, and yet assertive enough that the group listened. “All in favor of the boy staying and being adopted by Lexi.”
“Whoa, that’s two different things,” Mitchel piped up again.
Kris watched the man, wondering what had gotten into him.
Arland sighed. “One at a time then. Who is in favor of the boy staying?” Everyone’s hand shot up immediately, even Mitchel waved his hand up. “Good, Ryan stays.”
“We should discuss who the boy stays with. Why should he be with Lexi? She’s an outsider and has no husband to provide for her.” Mitchel crossed his arms.
“All the more reason to have an adoptive son,” Blake said.
Kris saw her husband stiffen and his hands clench into fists.
“He’s a kid. He can’t provide for her. That’s just another mouth for others to feed.”
“Wait a second,” Laurie started. She normally didn’t talk, so Kris knew how worked up she was about this. “We are a community. We provide for each other and everyone does their part. Without Lexi we would have lost many people to injuries. She more than earns her part in the community.”
“And the kid hunts, so therefore he will be an asset.” Blake pushed to the edge of his seat.
Kris knew he was eager to talk about the cattle, and the silly argument made him as uneasy as it did her.
“You should see them,” Pastor Rob spoke up. “Ryan feels a connection with Lexi, and she him. The poor child has lost his family. If he feels safe with Lexi, why should we decide there’s something better for him?”
Arland looked closer at Mitchel. “Is there something that is bothering you, friend?”
Mitchel shrugged and sat back, his arms crossing and a scowl on his face.
“I’m going to make the executive decision that Ryan stays with Lexi. We could hold an official adoption ceremony after the boy has proper mourning time.”
Kris warmed at Arland’s words. A proper adoption would be so good for them and help Ryan to feel like a solid part of the community with something steady to grasp onto.
“Can we talk cattle now?” Blake asked, so close to the edge of his seat, Kris feared he would fall off.
“Yes.” Arland nodded.
“By the way,” Pastor Rob said. “We all enjoyed having some beef the last couple nights.”
“There’s nothing like it, is there?” Blake said, a smile tugging at his cheeks. “So, here’s my plan...”
Kris’s attention faded as Blake described the plan he had told her about probably a half dozen times over the last couple days. She was excited about having the meat, but her mind couldn't pay attention.
So much was going on. Mitchel’s moodiness smelled fishy. Something was going on there, and she had no idea what. Her chest fluttered with the uneasiness of it all. As happy as she was that Lexi would have someone to focus on, she worried about both her friend and Ryan. That boy had gone through so much, and if Mitchel had something negative to say, what would the rest of camp be saying or even doing? Kids could be really mean, especially Brent's son.
As if her thoughts created the altercation, she heard Tucker’s yell. She would recognize it anywhere.
She shot up and out of the meeting. The sun blinded her for a moment, but she kept running toward the sound of her son. When the black spots faded, she stopped in shock. Tucker sat on top of Darius and pummeled his chest.
“You leave him alone! You mean brat!” Tucker shouted as he pounded the other kid.
She shook herself and ran over to pull her son off the older boy. Ryan beat her to it. He pulled Tucker off, and helped Darius up.
“That was mean of you to say,” Ryan told the boy, and then turned to Tucker. “We don’t solve problems by fighting.”
“Did you see that? The Survivalist’s son is a bully!” Darius shouted.
“He’s also half your size,” Scott said. “And you deserved it.”
“You wait until my dad gets home!” Darius stormed off toward his shelter.
Kris pulled Tucker to her, glanced around at the camp watching, and bent down to whisper in Tucker’s ear. “To the dwelling, now.”
Tucker ducked his head, “But he was being mean to Ryan.”
Ryan stuck his hand out and stopped Tucker. “Hey. Thanks for sticking up for me, but kids like that just need to be ignored. It’s not worth fighting over.” He slipped his arm around Tucker’s shoulders. “I’ll walk you back to your house.”
Kris glanced at Lexi, and they both turned to watch the boys walk away. There would be a lot to answer for, but Ryan surely impressed everyone. The boy had some good negotiation skills. These next few weeks would cause some interesting dynamics around camp.
~12~
Blake watched his son playing with his sister while he carved at the long piece of wood he hoped to make into a ski. He didn’t know if he should be angry or proud of Tucker. In a way, he guessed both.
Tucker had stood up for his friend, but he used his fists when he didn’t need to. Tucker kept glancing at him. If his son was anything like he was as a boy, right now he waited with baited breath for the punishment he knew would be coming.
Blake had ignored Tucker since coming inside. Kris had met him before he entered to give him the rundown of the altercation. She seemed as nervous as Tucker. Was he that much of a bear?
Something had to be done. Tucker couldn’t go around using his fists to intimidate people or attack without need. He sighed and put the board down. His son watched him with wide eyes, so like his mother’s.
“Bring your bow,” Blake said as he slipped into his coat.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the look exchanged between mother and son. Then Kris fixed her stare on him. He turned his back toward Tucker and winked at his wife. Though he thought about letting her stew while they were gone, he knew he would have a nicer welcome if she trusted that he would treat Tucker kindly.
He would. He couldn’t help but be proud of him. It must have been an amusing sight, seeing such a slight kid on top of a big bully. The word was that Darius hadn’t been hurt, so really the brat probably got what he deserved, but he couldn’t say that to Tucker.
His son had to learn that there were times to use his fists and times to refrain.
Tucker gulped as he passed his father and went outside the dwelling with one last look at his mom. He acted like a man going toward death row. Blake nodded at Kris before following his son out.
Even with as far from the camp their dwelling was, he felt eyes watching them as he led Tucker into the woods. Shame poured off Tucker, and Blake wished he could take it off his shoulders, but this was a part of the lesson.
Living in a community made things different. Not only did it mean using words rather than fists, even when the fists were deserved, but it also meant paying for mistakes times fifty, for every eye watched to see how it would be handled.
At the edge of the forest, Blake pulled at a green branch from an alder tree. It was only as big around as his finger.
“Cut this branch off,” he told his son as he glanced at the people still watching them.
Tucker pulled his knife out of its sheath. Using the serrated back edge, he sawed at the branch until it broke off.
“Now strip it until it’s clean.”
Tucker’s hands trembled but he did as he was told, keeping his back to the camp.
When he was finished, Blake took the switch and gave it a few good whips. “This will work fine. Come on.”
When he glanced one last time at the people in camp, he saw Ryan standing at the edge, fists clenched at his sides. Blake nodded toward him and then led Tucker into the woods.
“Dad, I...” Tucker started, emotion making his voice quiver.
“Sit,” Blake told him once they had gone almost all the way to the creek. “Now, tell me everything.”
“Darius started it. He’s such a bully. Always is. Even after you saved his life.”
“Son, we aren’t blaming or calling names. Just give me the facts.”
“The fact is, Darius was being mean to Ryan. He called him an orphan and said he didn’t belong anywhere.”
Blake bit the insides of his cheeks in order to keep himself from reacting. He would have wanted to pummel the kid, too. “What happened then?”
“Well, Ryan turned away, but I saw tears in his eyes, Dad. It wasn’t right to say that! His dad just died. I got all hot inside and it was like someone took over my body. I knocked Darius over, and I hit him. A lot.”
Blake kept his stare steady, and Tucker hung his head.
“I know I shouldn’t have attacked. We only defend, but he hurt my friend!” Tucker brought his gaze up then, and Blake saw that defiant, stubbornness that filled his mom’s eyes when she defended what she felt was right.
“Thank you for telling me what happened.” Blake stood up and brought out the switch. “Do you see this branch I had you cut?”
“Y...yes,” Tucker said, his eyes widening.
“When you cut it, it wasn’t as easy as when you cut a dead branch for firewood, right?”
Tucker shook his head. “It took a lot more work.”