“Shut up you dweeb,” Jack said good-naturedly. Banter – these men were grand friends I could tell. What I saw was telling, however. They all three looked at each other when I talked about the black vehicles – they knew. I didn’t press though - not the time.
“Gentlemen, I really do wish you’d come have a few meals with us,” I implored. “We would certainly enjoy your company for a few days. I’m sure Dave and I can arrange to take you to Laramie, even Cheyenne, so you can make transportation arrangements. We’ll even help.”
The three looked at each other and Jack said, “Boys, we ain’t had a home-cooked meal in I don’t know how long. He’s got my vote.”
“Mine, too,” Jeff said. “I could use a bucket of hot water to clean up with, too.”
“I can do better than that, sir. I can draw you a whole bath if you want,” I said with a smile.
“The hell you say,” Jeff, Ski, shot back.
“No sir, hot and cold running water, electricity and heat,” I assured him, “all the comforts of home. And I bet Ruth and Julia will cook up something grand for a welcoming meal as soon as I get word to them. And if you enjoy liquor, I’ll pop open a bottle of eighteen-year old scotch tonight.”
“You think you have enough hot water for all three of us to get a bath?” Nemo asked.
“And scotch?” Ski added.
“I’m positive both can be arranged,” I told him with a smile. “So, how about it gentlemen, you coming over for a bath and a few great meals and drinks?”
All three agreed and gave me another handshake. I told them how to get to the road by the quickest route overland and told them I would ride to the house and get the truck and come get them. “When you hit the road to the south, turn right and I’ll be along in just a bit to get you.” I got back in the saddle and turned Dusty to the west and said, “I’ll be seeing ya’ll in just a while, okay?”
Nods and ‘yeses’ from all three and they moved in unison, getting into single file and walking to the south towards the road. I gave Dusty a small kick and off he went, knowing we were headed home to a bucket of grain. I think we made it home in record time. I put him in his stall after putting his tack up, refilled his water, gave him two flakes and a half-bucket, and practically flew in the house.
“Ruth!” I yelled. “You’re not going to believe it.”
She came running down the stairs and sliding to a stop near me said, “What?”
“I’ve invited three guests for dinner,” I told her with a smile.
She stood there looking at me, uncomprehending. “Say that again,” she said in a slow, disbelieving tone.
“I met three men out riding and invited them for dinner…and to stay a few days if they’d like. They’re names are Dan, Jeff, and Jack. Dan introduced himself as Nemo, but I don’t know why yet. Anyway, I’m going to go get them in the truck as they’re on foot. Want to tag along?”
She dropped the towel she was carrying and followed me out the door to the garage.
“Sam, come on girl, let’s go,” I yelled for Sam. She came running as she always enjoyed a ride. We climbed in the big truck and pulled down the lane. I turned right on the road, drove around the corner, and began looking for the trio. They were walking down the road, single file, heading toward us, just this side of the quarry.
They stopped as we approached and all three held their weapons ready. I slowed and waived with my left hand. I looked and Ruth’s eyes were wide and under her breath said, “You weren’t kidding.”
“Hang right here gentlemen and I’ll go down and turn around and pick you up,” I told them.
Dan said, “We’ll be right here.” Jeff and Jack both tipped their hats at Ruth and smiled.
I drove down to the quarry, turned around and sped back to where the three waited. I got out as did Ruth and Sam and did the introductions. All three removed their hats when Ruth came around the front of the truck. Dan and Jack had full heads of hair and Jeff was bald on top. All three had ponytails. She shook hands with each and gave me a look. Sam went haywire, with her tail wagging and the three of them petting and scratching her behind the ears. Besides Dusty, Sam was our best judge of character and she loved all three at first sight.
“Okay, enough, enough,” I said. “Sam, get in the truck and she jumped in the front. The three men sat in the bed, saying they didn’t exactly smell good enough to sit inside with a lady.
Ruth said, “Thank you, gentlemen, but I’ve smelled much worse than you in the past five years or so. Hop in and we’ll get you cleaned up and fed in no time at all.”
Yes, I drove a little fast, back to the lane and slowed as I turned. I purposely went slow to let the men get a good look at the place. I pulled up next to the steps going into the house. The three jumped out looking spry for their ages, and I knew all three had to be in great shape.
Jeff was first to speak and asked, “What’s that up there?” pointing up the north mountain face.
I looked and he was apparently referring to the windows for the Underground. Ruth and I looked at each other surprised and I said, “That is what we call the Underground and I’ll show it to you in a while. First, I’d like to welcome you to Paradise Valley. That’s the barn, that’s the garage and shop, and if you’ll follow Ruth and me, we’ll show you the house. Come on in, gentlemen.”
All three took off their hats and wiped their boots, set their rifles and backpacks on the porch before entering. Once inside, they looked around and eyes were wide. The fireplace had a roaring fire going and Jack was the first to go over to enjoy the warmth.
“Ruth, would you make a fresh pot of coffee for our guests?” I asked her. All three of their heads whipped around and watched her with rapt fascination. They hadn’t seen someone make a pot of coffee with electricity in I didn’t know how long.
She looked at them and smiled and said, “It’ll be ready in about five minutes. You men enjoy the fire while you’re waiting.” She turned with a huge smile and got out three mugs for the brew, looked back at the three and said, “Any of you want cream and sugar?” The look she got was priceless. The three nodded at her. She turned and got a small cup of milk out and a bowl of sugar, some spoons and set them on the table for the three.
“Since its still morning, may I offer the three of you some breakfast, say sausage, eggs and toast with peach or strawberry jam?”
The three stood there staring at her, mouths gaping, not saying a thing, the look of disbelief on their faces was understandable, considering the circumstances. They probably felt like they were in a dream and needed awakened from a probable nightmare.
“Gentlemen, she’s being honest. Fresh eggs we get from the chickens every morning, sausage from the supply I make from butchering a pig every now and then, and the toast is from bread that I make weekly. And her peach or strawberry jams are worth dying for.” I indicated with a wave of my hand and said, “Please have a seat and we’ll make you a good breakfast.”
They moved so fast you could see the dust settle behind them. Their mouths were watering, I could tell since their Adam’s Apples were bobbing. Ruth got busy and without asking, made them three sausage patties and three eggs each. Toast was browning so she poured each a mug of coffee and set the mugs in front of them. It was almost comical as I watched the three looking at each other as if asking ‘what do we do next.’ Jack was first to react and picked up a spoon and put two heaping spoonfuls of sugar in his mug then poured a dab of milk in and stirred the mixture. Jeff and Dan watched him with interest as he raised the mug to his lips and sipped the mixture. The result was magical. He sat back with his eyes closed savoring the taste, giving a long, drawn out ahhhh.
Jeff and Dan rapidly followed suit and in a quick moment, the three were enjoying their coffee. I poured myself a mug and used the last of the pot to fill Ruth’s, then put another pot on to perk. Ruth placed the peach and strawberry jams on the table – Ski opened one and smelled the aroma - then set knives, forks, and napkins in front of each of them
. She fixed the plates, sat one in front of each then stepped back. The three looked at her.
I said, “Gentlemen, we usually pray before meals and if you want, I’ll say a prayer of thanks.” All three said please do, so I said a blessing for the meal and for their visit. “Dig in men.”
It was a remarkable sight. The first thing each did was to spread jam on their toast and bite into it. You would have thought it was their first bite of something so delicious. That only lasted a second however, as they almost immediately tore into the rest of the meal. When they finished there wasn’t a morsel – and I mean not a morsel - found on their empty plates. I refilled their mugs with fresh coffee and Ruth, and I cleaned up their dishes.
“Ma’am, that was the best meal I’ve had…literally in years,” Jeff said. “Thank you so much for taking the time to fix it for us.”
“Yes, ma’am, thank you very much,” Jack followed.
“It was the best meal we’ve had in years, ma’am; thank you both for your hospitality,” Dan said with a smile. The three sat back in their chairs and enjoyed the coffee.
“Who wants to be first in the shower or for a bath?” I asked. All three raised their hands. I couldn’t help but laugh and said, “We can accommodate all three of you. We have a guest bedroom and our master bedroom, and both have bathrooms with tubs.”
“You two go first,” said Dan looking at Jeff and Jack. “I’m going to have another cup of coffee and talk with Ruth and Doug.”
“Come on, guys, I’ll show you where to go,” I said. “We’ll wash your clothes too, so if you want, I can show you to our storeroom where we keep clothing and you can pick out some new duds to wear when you get out of the tubs.”
“That would be real nice, Doug,” Jack said.
“How about all three of you follow me, and I’ll show you the Underground as that’s where the clothing is. Come on, let’s go,” I said with a smile and led them to the entrance to the stairway. “We usually don’t show the Underground to folks we don’t know, but since that was the first thing you spotted, that’s a moot point I’d say, so welcome to the Underground. Follow me.”
I gave them the grand tour and they were suitably impressed with our accommodations up there. I turned them loose in the storeroom and told them to take what they needed. True to their natures that I had already found to be honorable, they each took one set of clothing. I told Dan to stay up here and use the tub if he wanted and I’d take Jack and Jeff down to the other bathrooms. “I told you we could accommodate all three of you at once. Go ahead and take as much time as you need.”
Nemo opted to stay up in the Underground, so I showed him how to work the jet tub, and Ski and Keger followed me down to the other bathrooms telling them to take as much time as they needed.
I went back to the kitchen and made sure the pot of coffee was ready. Ruth hugged me and said, “You need to let Julia and Dave know and tell them to get over here for dinner. Let’s say around four, and I’m thinking steak with all the trimmings. Tell Julia to make her deviled eggs and a salad and I’ll take care of the rest.”
I went into the library and got in touch with Julia first and I could hear her yelling for Dave to get in there. I told them what had happened, and they were clearly excited. Julia said she would get on the eggs and salad right away and they would be over in about an hour. I figured that would be good as the men would probably be in the baths for at least that long.
Dan was first to come downstairs. “I feel like a different person,” he said to Ruth and me. “Thank you both for your hospitality. It’s been a long time since we’ve been treated like this. I can’t thank you enough for your thoughtfulness and generosity.”
“You’re very welcome,” Ruth told him, beaming. “Would you like another mug of coffee?”
“Oh, please, ma’am, that’d be nice,” he answered beaming.
Jack was next and came down the stairs, yawning. “That was fantastic,” he said and stretched. “I could use a nap now.”
“I’ll put more logs on for you,” I said, then, “Please lean back in one of the recliners and nap if you’d like.” I put two more logs on the fire and went back to the kitchen.
Jeff was coming down the stairs as I poured Jack a mug. Dan sat at the table with Ruth. I heard a horn honk and it was the Malone’s, so I pushed the button for the gate and said, “You guys are in for another treat. The Malone’s, Julia and Dave, are here and I guarantee you they’re going to freak out when they see you so get ready.”
I handed Jack and Jeff their mugs of coffee and went to the door. Jeff had joined Jack in the other recliner, and they were enjoying the fire and coffee. I opened the door as Julia and Dave came up the steps and said, ‘They just came down from cleaning up. Come on in.”
All three got up and came around for the introductions. Afterwards, we all sat in the great room around the fire, sipping coffee and chatting. I told my story first with Ruth adding her part then Dave and Julia related their stories. We told them about all our battles, about Erskine, Sam Burke, Doctor Roche, Chet and that the doctor was the guy we assumed oversaw the men that went around in black vehicles.
That’s when the three of them looked at each other. The same look I saw back at the creek, so I said, “You know something about the black vehicles?” more statement than question.
It was a moment, and Dan was the one that spoke. “We’ve had a few run-ins with them ourselves. They’ve fired on us twice, both times without warning. We ran once and fought once. We won, they didn’t. Tell us again about that ambush you set.”
All four of us told about our set up of the ambush, how it went and the aftermath, highlighting on the drone conversation with the doc.
“Sounds like what the Vietcong used on us in Nam,” Jeff said.
“You were in Vietnam?” Ruth asked.
“Yes, ma’am, all three of us are Marines and served together over there,” Jack told her. “We ran into an ambush like you described once. It didn’t go well either.”
“I learned about the ambush on the internet when I was researching how to build the Underground and ways to improve my defense of this place,” I told them. “It just stuck. I learned about several kinds of ambush types then. Dave here, told me about how I could improve my defense and bug out methods if needed. I’ve improved on several things based on his recommendations.”
“What can we do to help?” Dan asked.
“Yeah, we want in,” Jack agreed.
“I’m in and ready for some payback,” Jack said with determination. “They scared the crap outta us a few times.”
The four of us looked at them. These guys were serious.
“We’re expecting another battle soon and in the process of preparing for it,” I told them. “I’m sure we’ll see them again. They may attack with another drone as the last one almost got me with a missile. It damaged the Underground and knocked me silly for a while.”
“If we were getting Purple Hearts, he’d be getting two of them,” Dave said pointing at me. “I think he takes too many chances when we’re being shot at.”
“Thanks a lot,” I said.
“He’s right,” Julia, agreed with Dave. “You take too many risks out there.”
Ruth sat there meek and silent.
Dave looked at Dan and said, “Back when you were Marines…”
“We’re still Marines,” Jeff cut in. “Once a Marine, always a Marine, there’s no turning it off…ever.”
“Sorry, I didn’t know that,” Dave apologized. “Anyway, what I wanted to know is, do you know of any other ways we can improve our defense. We’ve thought about offensive tactics and we think we have a few good ones, but there’s always room for improvement based on new views and ideas. Would you three be willing to take a look at both of our places and give us come advice on how to enhance our preparations?”
“We’ll do better than that,” Jeff said, “we’ll be hanging around for as long as you’ll have us and that means fighting with you.” D
an and Jack voiced their agreement.
“This is great,” Dave said. “We have Marines on our side. Now we’ll show ‘em.”
“Don’t get your hopes up too much,” Dan said. “They have technology on their side it sounds like, what with the drones you mentioned. They could be looking at us right now for all we know.”
“Sounds like we need to have a sit down and have a conference,” I said, “but not tonight. Tonight, we celebrate. Gentlemen, tonight you’re having a feast. Steak, baked potatoes, deviled eggs and salad for dinner, and the bar is open, and drinks are on us.”
“Steaks…you said steaks?” Jack asked.
“Yep, how do you like yours?” I asked back.
“Medium rare, please,” he answered.
“How about you two?” I asked Jack and Dan. They answered the same, so we were having seven medium rare steaks for dinner. “Why don’t you three go take naps and rest up some and we’ll get things rolling for dinner. What kind of drinks would you like with dinner?”
“What do you have,” Dan asked.
“Name it,” Ruth answered him. “What ever you want; Doug has some very fine scotch.”
“Scotch…you said that earlier and I haven’t had scotch in I don’t know when,” Jack said.
“Scotch it is,” I said. “I’ll break out a new bottle of the eighteen-year-old for this special occasion. You three go on up and take a nap. We’ll get things ready.”
Jack and Jeff went to the Underground, and Dan went out on the front porch, sat in one of the Adirondacks and looked out over the valley. I followed him out and said, “The view is much more beautiful up on top of the Underground, out of the eastern portal. I have two Adirondacks up there and you’re more than welcome to go up and enjoy the peace and quiet.”
“That would be nice,” he said. “I like high places. I think I’ll take you up on that.”
“There’s a mink blanket in the den on the couch,” I told him. “Take that out with you and you can curl up in it if you’d like and take a nap – I do that from time to time.”
I'm Tired of Zombies | Book 2 | Full Scale War Page 28