by E A Chance
“Not nearly as great as what you did.”
As Riley removed the cloth from Buck’s wound, she said, “I was aiming for his head.”
“You disarmed him. That’s what matters.”
“How’s Adrian?”
“Got hit in the foot. He’ll live.”
When Missy hurried for the med pack, Riley examined Buck. The round had entered on the left below his navel, hopefully low enough to miss his kidneys and bladder. There was no chance it missed his intestines. They had to get him into surgery as quickly as possible.
When Missy returned with the med pack, Riley said, “Get that Jeep down here and we’ll load our patients into it. I’ll do what I can for Buck on the way, but he needs surgery. How far are we from Denver?”
Missy shook her head. “Three hours, minimum, and there’s nothing between here and there. We’ll meet our contact over the border and convoy. He may have more medical supplies in his SUV.”
“It’ll have to do. Get the Jeep.”
The three women loaded the injured men into the Jeep, then Missy drove to the far border and blew through the barbed wire without slowing down.
“I’ll fix that later,” she said as Riley and Dashay stared at her in shock.
Riley did what she could to stabilize Buck, but he needed far more work than she could give. She’d injected him with the last of the morphine, so at least he wasn’t feeling pain.
Coop was out cold and missed all the excitement. Adrian had been shot between his big and second toes. The bones were shattered, but Riley convinced him he’d have a rough but complete recovery.
Their contact was waiting three miles from the border. Riley and company went with him while Missy shot out of there in the Jeep to get Buck to a hospital in Denver. She promised to let them know how he did.
As they made their own way to Denver, Riley fought off the post-trauma panic threatening to overtake her and reminded herself that Colorado Springs was only hours away by car. Their escape had been a harrowing close call, but they’d made it. As they neared Denver and her beloved mountains came into view, she knew it had all been worth it.
Chapter Fifteen
Riley and Coop sat beside Adrian’s bed in the recovery room at a Denver hospital, waiting for him to come out of the anesthesia. Adrian had begged Riley to perform the surgery to repair the shattered bones in his foot since there wasn’t another orthopedic surgeon available. She was exhausted and had been reluctant, but relented for his sake. Now, she was eager for him to wake up so they could get him back to their quarters and prepare for their meeting with President Purnell the following day.
After their ordeal at the border, Adrian had decided to tell the President his story, believing he owed it to Buck and everyone else who’d risked their lives for him. Ian Cole, the contact who’d met them on the western side of the border, had driven them directly to the hospital so Coop and Adrian could receive treatment and promised to arrange an interview with the president. He’d returned that morning to give them the details and take Dashay to their quarters. Coop had insisted on staying with Riley and dozed in the waiting room during Adrian’s operation.
The hospital and parts of Denver Riley had seen reminded her of Charleston minus the impending war, though the nurses assured her that once outside the city limits it was a different story. That news disappointed her, making her wonder what it meant for her children and family. She’d learn the answer soon enough when Ian drove them to Colorado Springs after their meeting with Purnell.
Adrian’s eyes fluttered open, drawing her from her thoughts. Coop leaned over and said, “It’s about time, Sleeping Beauty.”
Adrian gave him a silly grin, still under the effects of the anesthesia. “Where am I?”
“Tell him whatever you want,” Riley told Coop. “He won’t remember.”
“I never get to see patients in recovery. I could have some fun with him.”
The post-op nurse came in, so Riley got up and motioned for Coop to follow, sparing Adrian. “Let’s let her work. I need to check your sutures.”
As they left the room, he said, “You’re not the only doctor who knows how to suture an arm. Mine did an excellent job. You need to eat.”
“I won’t argue with that.” They went to the cafeteria, and while they ate egg salad sandwiches and field greens that Adrian would have been proud of, Riley said, “I spent time in this hospital years ago for seminars and training, but it feels different. Like I’m looking at it through someone else’s eyes.”
“Could it be seeing it for the first time since an apocalypse?”
She shook her head. “More than that. I’m not the same woman from the one who stepped on that plane in January. I remember how terrified I was when the plane took off. If only I’d known what was coming.” She grew quiet and stared at her plate. “Coop, I shot a man.”
He reached across the table and covered her hands with his. “You did, and it was the most impressive act of bravery I’ve ever seen. You saved all our lives.”
“I stood there and watched that man die. Have I become so hardened?”
“There was nothing you could do, and you weren’t the one who killed him.”
“I tried to. I would have.”
“Do you remember our conversation in the DC hotel, a hundred years ago? You asked if I could shoot someone to protect you. I said yes without a second thought. You didn’t think you could because of the healer in you. That sets you apart, but taking that shot came from the healer in you, too. That part wanted to protect us.”
“I hadn’t thought of it that way. That helps.” She allowed herself to picture that moment at the border. “Did you see Missy shoot him? She didn’t hesitate.”
“Buck is Missy’s father, Riley. Dashay told me.” Riley was stunned. She’d imagined a different relationship between them. “Buck didn’t like her joining him on missions, but she insisted. I hope he survives. If he does, that will be because of you, too.”
She got up and walked to a southern facing window. When Coop came up behind her, she said, “My father is a ninety-minute drive in that direction. My mother, my children, my sister. I’m almost there, Coop. What will I find?”
He wrapped his arms around her and their child. “Your children waiting to welcome their mother with open arms. I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.”
Adrian sat with his injured foot elevated on a stool as he waited with Riley, Coop, and Dashay outside the President’s office in the Colorado capitol building, doing his best to appear calm. Riley saw through his façade.
She put a hand on his arm to calm him. “Stop fidgeting. The President just wants to talk to you. He’s not Yeager.”
“I don’t know how I let you pressure me into this. I’m about to confess my most shameful secret to the president of a country.”
“Picture him as a plant,” Dashay said, and burst out laughing.
“Not helpful,” he said, and crossed his arms. “Telling the truth about Kearns won’t make the slightest difference and you know it. We’re wasting time. I just want to find my family, get a nice piece of land with a garden, and peacefully live out the rest of my life.”
“That’s for tomorrow, and we didn’t pressure you,” Riley said. “Meeting with President Purnell was your decision, but you owe this to us and the rest of humanity. You just have cold feet.” She reached down and adjusted the wrap on his splint to distract him. “How’s the pain?”
“Throbbing. The pain meds haven’t kicked in yet.”
She patted his shoulder. “They’ll take effect about the time your interview starts. You won’t care about anything then.”
“Aren’t you going to ask about my pain?” Coop asked, rubbing his arm through the sling.
Riley shook her head. “You told me in the car it doesn’t hurt.”
He winked at her. “I lied.”
The door to the President’s office opened and his chief-of-staff walked out. “Come with me, please,” she said.<
br />
Riley helped Adrian with his crutches, then followed the others into the President’s office.
He stood when they entered, and said, “Welcome to the Western States of America. We’re honored you’ve joined our great nation.”
He was a distinguished looking African American man of about fifty-five. Buck’s age. Riley smiled at picturing the contrast between them. But though she still hadn’t come to terms with the secession, she considered this man was every bit as courageous as Buck.
“Thank you for taking the time to see us,” Coop said, and extended his good hand. The President shook it and motioned for them to sit. After returning to his seat, he said, “I’m sure you have questions, but unfortunately, my time is limited today. I’ve been informed of your heroic sacrifice to get here, and I’m eager for the information you have. Dr. Landry, tell me about your encounter with Aileen Kearns.”
Riley noted that he didn’t call her President Kearns. Adrian sputtered a few times, then settled in and recounted his story in more detail than Riley had heard the three previous times.
“This is astounding,” the President said. “When the US citizens hear of this, they’ll rise against Kearns and solve our problem for us.”
“I’m not sure I’d agree, Mr. President,” Adrian said. “While there isn’t much love for Kearns, most people are afraid and just doing their best survive. I’m not sure those living in the eastern US are even aware of your country.”
“They are,” the President said. “We began sending teams east to disperse leaflets to get the word out over two months ago. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. That’s partly the reason more people are attempting to cross the border. At least, the ones not being held in Kearns’ internment camps.”
“Internment camps?” Dashay asked.
“Our term for her ‘Residential Zones.’ Reports of what goes on in those camps from people who have escaped are disturbing.”
“We’ve heard some of those stories, too,” Riley said, “but you clearly have more updated information than we do.”
“In some respects, but I’d like to hear of your ordeal getting here when I have more time. My aid will schedule it. In the meantime, I’d like you to remain in the capital as our guests. I have a proposition I need to discuss with you, Dr. Landry.”
“I’m flattered by the invitation, but I need to search for my family,” Adrian said. “I believe they’re in Texas, so I have a long way to go.”
The President stood, signaling the meeting was over, so the others followed. “You can’t travel until that foot is healed. Stay in Denver and hear my proposal, then I’ll provide you with transportation and resources to locate your family and bring them here.”
Adrian reached out to shake his hand. “Thank you. That’s a generous offer. I accept.”
The President turned to the others. “And the rest of you?”
“Thank you, but we can’t stay,” Riley said. “I have two children and my parents waiting in Colorado Springs. I haven’t seen them since the first of the year.” She put her hands on her belly. “And I need to get home before this one arrives.”
“Then, I won’t keep you. Ian Cole will arrange your transportation home. Best of luck to all of you and go with our deepest thanks.”
The door opened as if by magic and the president’s aide entered. “I’ll escort you to your driver,” he said.
None of them spoke as they followed the aid to the main entrance to the capitol where Ian was waiting for them.
As soon as they were all seated in the car, Riley said, “Excellent job, Adrian. That wasn’t so terrible, was it?”
Adrian grinned at her. “Not at all, but I’m glad it’s over. That was a far cry better than my encounter with Kearns.”
Dashay tapped him on the shoulder. “I wonder what this proposal of his is?”
Adrian shrugged. “He probably expects me to parade around spouting propaganda. I refuse to do that.”
“He’s got people for that,” Coop said from the front seat. “He probably wants you as a scientific advisor.”
Adrian rubbed his clean-shaven chin. “I hope that’s what it is. I’d gladly do that. I could bring my family here and settle on the outskirts of the city. It would be a pleasant life.”
“Whatever Purnell wants,” Riley said, “this better not be goodbye. We’re family now, and Colorado Springs isn’t far. My father would love your advice for his little farm.”
Adrian squeezed her hand. “Of course. I’d never abandon my little sister.”
Riley turned to Dashay. “And you? What are your plans?”
Dashay looked at her without those striking dark eyes. “I was hoping to go with you and Coop, if you’ll have me.”
Riley squealed in delight and threw her arms around Dashay. Ian glanced at her in the rearview mirror. “I’m so glad. You’re family, too, and I’ll need you when the baby comes. Emily’s going to love you.”
Dashay kissed her cheek. “We’re going to have some fun, girl.”
“I’ll get you a job as my surgical nurse, if the hospital is still standing.”
Coop turned toward her and smiled. “If not, we’ll build a new one.”
As Ian pulled in front of the apartment complex where they were staying, Riley said, “Is this real or just a dream?”
Ian got out and opened her door. “As real as I am, Dr. Poole. This is the part of my job I love, reuniting families. I’ll be here at eight in the morning to take you home.”
Riley’s gut tightened as familiar sights sped past her window on the way to Colorado Springs. She’d fought to reach this moment for so long, but now that it was here, she was riddled with fear and doubt. What if her family hadn’t survived? She and Uncle Mitch hadn’t ever been able to reach them on the ham radio. A hundred things could have caused that, but Riley feared it was because no one was alive to answer their call.
Coop took hold of her hand. “I can see the thoughts spinning in your brain. Your family is fine. Your children love you and will be overjoyed to see you alive and safe.”
“Listen to your man,” Dashay said, then turned toward the window. “This area looks pretty much untouched. This is what you’ve survived for. It’s going to be brilliant.”
“Dashay’s right,” Ian said. “I haven’t been to Colorado Springs since the CME, but I’ve heard reports that they weathered it well, in large part because of the strong military presence.”
Riley wiped her cheek with the back of her hand. “Thank you. That helps. I have a terrible habit of always expecting the worst.”
She gave Ian the last few directions to reach her father’s farm, and when they finally turned onto the long driveway, she stared out the window in amazement. Nothing had changed, and she was tempted to jump out and run the last hundred feet to the house.
As Ian pulled the car into the space beside her father’s truck, Emily came around the corner of the barn carrying a compost bucket in each hand. She dropped the buckets when she saw the car and stared at it in alarm. Riley froze, unable to tear her eyes from her beautiful daughter. She’d grown six inches, and her fiery red hair curls nearly reached her waist, but she was still her Emily.
Riley’s hands trembled as she released the seatbelt and reached for the door handle. She was on the far side of the car from Emily, so she could see Riley when she climbed out and started for her. When she emerged from behind the car, Emily’s eyes widened, and she took a few steps toward Riley.
“Mom,” she said, just loud enough for Riley to hear.
Riley managed a slight nod. Emily screamed and started for her. When she reached her, they threw their arms around each other and sank to their knees, sobbing on each other’s shoulders.
Riley heard the screen door slam and looked up to see her mother racing down the steps. “What’s going on out here, Emily?”
Emily looked up at her grandmother. “It’s Mom, and she’s fat.”
Emily helped Riley to her feet, then stepped out of her wa
y.
“Hello, Mom. I’m home.”
Marjory studied her in confusion. “Home, but not fat. Pregnant.”
Riley held up her hand to show her wedding ring. “And married.”
Marjory moved to her in three strides and pulled Riley into her arms. Through her tears, she said, “I don’t understand any of this, but you are the most beautiful sight I’ve seen since January.”
Riley clung to her mother, feeling her strength and love pour into her. When she could pull herself away, she said, “Didn’t Julia tell you about Coop and the baby?”
Marjory’s raised her eyebrows. “Julia? She’s not with you?”
Riley put her hands to her face. “We got separated. She’s with Uncle Mitch and his family. We got delayed. They should have gotten here long before us. This is terrible news.”
Riley heard the car door close and Coop came up behind her. He held his good hand out to Marjory. She hesitated a moment before shaking it.
“I’m Riley’s husband, Dr. Neal Xavier Cooper III. I go by Coop.” He let go of Marjory and rested his hand on Riley’s shoulder. “What’s wrong, babe?”
“Julia’s not here. They never made it.”
“Don’t panic yet,” he said. “We got held up. They could have, too.”
Riley turned away, shaking her head. “You know where they are. Kearns’ people got them. We have to go back. I have to find Julia.”
Emily stepped next to Coop and Riley, then crossed her arms and stomped her foot. “Someone tell me what’s going on, right now! You lost Julia and you’re married, Mom? You’re having a baby?”
Coop turned and grinned at her. “Right on all counts. You must be Emily. I’m Coop.”
Emily eyed him for a moment. “Yeah, I heard. Where’s my sister?”
The screen door slammed again before Coop could answer, and Jared stepped onto the porch. He was taller, too. Tanned and confident. Not her baby anymore. He started at her in stunned silence. Riley started for him, but he did the last thing she expected. He turned and went into the house. Riley quickened her step, but Marjory caught up to her and put a hand on her shoulder to stop her.