The Journal: Raging Tide: (The Journal Book 4)

by Deborah D. Moore

  “Where is your home, Pasty?” Jim knew we had to keep the questions rolling, so these two didn’t have time to dwell and clam up.

  “We have a small farm outside of Yardley,” she answered. “For some reason, when they took me from the yard, they left my husband and son alone, which was a blessing and has kept me going. I miss them so much.” Patsy cried for the first time.

  “We will get you back to them, ma’am, I promise you that,” Jim said emphatically. He looked at Andrea, young, scared Andrea. “With your family gone, where do you want to go?”

  Patsy flipped back her now combed hair. “She’s coming with me. She is more of a sister than I could have ever hoped for and she will always have a home under my roof.” Patsy took Andrea’s hand and gave it a squeeze.

  A corporal came up behind Jim and whispered something to him.

  “Ladies, lunch is ready.”

  Since we were only allowed one small meal each day while in captivity, we were all really hungry. Senior staff was ushered to the front of the line. Andrea and Patsy stayed with me and I stayed with Jim, although my false rank of lieutenant allowed me the front courtesy anyway. The meal put together in the mess tent was simple and delicious. We picked up our mess trays and utensils and took the offered scoops of canned green beans with corn, cubed potatoes and carrots floating in meatless gravy, and a roll. The server gave us women two rolls each. The available coffee was thin but hot, and felt good going down. We all ate with relish, mopping up every drop of gravy with the bread. The adrenaline of the day had stoked my metabolism into high gear.

  *

  “If you ladies are ready, we’ll take you home,” Jim said after our trays were cleared away.

  “I was ready months ago!” Patsy exclaimed.

  The troops had come in two transports, one mostly gear and supplies. The Sergeant in charge and the medic had come in a Hummer, while the colonel had arrived in our vehicle with a driver. With his concussion, he was advised to not drive yet. Since we had removed the back seats from our vehicle, we took the other Hummer to accommodate the two women, with me driving, at least at first.

  The Sergeant was nervous with me at the wheel. “Are you sure about this, Lieutenant Smeth?”

  I gave him my best mom-look, which sent him scurrying. I put the vehicle in gear and gave it some gas. Using that foot was excruciating! I didn’t let it show though. I turned west on the access road to get back to Hwy 123 that would lead us to M-28 and to Yardley. Since we had already cleared any downed trees, the going was easy. As soon as I turned onto 123, I stopped.

  “What’s the matter Allex?” Jim sounded grumpy.

  “You didn’t really expect me to drive with my foot in bandages, did you?” I stated flatly. Jim got out his side and I slid over across the radio console so I wouldn’t have to walk. He got behind the wheel. I certainly didn’t mind relinquishing control to him, even with a concussion. I trusted him with my life; I did, I do, and I would again.

  With directions from Patsy, Jim arrived at the village limits of Yardley less than an hour later.

  “Can we sit here a minute?” she asked, drinking in the sight of the colorful painted houses and buildings along the main street. Then she said, “One more block and turn left. It’s the last house on the right, with the white fence in front.”

  Jim pulled into the long driveway and stopped near the house. A young man of maybe twenty-five stepped out, rifle in hand, a little boy of perhaps two clutching at his leg. Jim stepped out first, came around to the passenger side where Patsy sat and opened her door. As she stepped out, the little boy let go of his father’s leg.

  “Mommy!” and he went running to her. Her husband dropped the rifle and followed his son. She scooped the little boy up and her husband wrapped his arms around both of them. It was a tear-filled and wonderful reunion and it choked me up. I hoped for the same when I returned home.

  As briefly as he could, and leaving out most of the painful details, Jim explained what Patsy had endured for the past two months, adding a stern word of warning to her husband to be patient with her.

  The young husband shook Jim’s hand repeatedly. “I can’t thank you enough, Sir, for bringing her back to us!”

  I slid across the seats again and climbed out of the high profile vehicle to open the door for a reluctant Andrea. We both stood quietly beside the Hummer until Patsy was ready to introduce her.

  “Honey, this is Andrea. She was kidnapped right after the quake by the convicts that killed her parents and burned their house down. She’s been my friend, my only friend, for the past two months and I promised to take care of her. She has no home and I said she could live with us as long as she wanted.” Patsy’s husband walked over to Andrea and gave her a hug. They now had a family of four.

  “Patsy, Andrea, we can’t stay. We have to get back to our unit,” I said. They each gave me a hug, and then thanked Jim again for rescuing us. “Oh, before we leave, I have that bucket full of fun things. Please, look through it and take whatever you want or need.”

  It was good to see their happy faces as they selected the sewing needles with colorful threads and fishing line with hooks, small bottles of shampoo and conditioner that Sister Agnes had stuck in there, aspirin, and yeast.

  “Can we take some for the other women in town?” Patsy asked tentatively.

  “Of course,” I replied gently, and they scooped out more of my practical goodies.

  CHAPTER 12

  “I think those two will be okay now,” Jim said as we sped south on 123, looking for that side road to take us back to the troops.

  “In time, yes. They suffered a great deal of trauma though. Being home is a good start,” I said, gazing out the window at the passing trees.

  “Thinking about home yourself?” Jim asked tentatively.

  “Of course, aren’t you?”

  “I don’t have a home, Allex,” he replied, his mouth in a firm, straight line.

  I reached over and put my hand on his arm. “Yes you do, Jim, with us. Moose Creek is your home now, and will be for as long as you want.” He glanced in my direction with a very strange look in his eyes. It was as if he was experiencing some kind of pain. I wanted to ask what was bothering him, however, I know him well enough now to understand he will say something when he’s ready. If not, then he doesn’t want to share.

  *

  We had been gone for over three hours and during that time the compound had been transformed into a small military base. All the tents had been erected, most for sleeping, one with a red cross on the front that I presumed was the medic tent, and of course the mess hall, with its adjoining space for tables. This was to be a short excursion and only enough seating was brought for the men to eat in two shifts. A large fire pit now graced the center of the large yard and it looked like the men were settling in for days instead of hours.

  I had retreated to my tent for a short nap and to elevate my foot when I heard Jim call my name.

  “Are you in there, Allex?”

  “Yes, come on in.” He loomed large in the doorway. These military tents were designed for two people and were smaller than the four man tent we had brought with us that was still in the back of the Hummer. Jim stooped to enter, and then sat on the floor across from me.

  “One of the men took down a deer while we were gone, so there’s going to be a feast tonight,” he said. “Do you feel up to finding that morel patch again? The cook is excited about having morel gravy with steaks tonight.”

  “I think that would be great fun, Jim, and would certainly give me something productive to do. I feel pretty useless right now.”

  “No one is expecting you to do anything, Allex. You’ve suffered a good deal of physical and emotional trauma and you need to recover from that.”

  “Thanks. I’d rather be doing something though. Help me get my shoe back on please.” When I emerged from the tent I saw three young soldiers waiting beside the Hummer, each carrying a basket or a bag. Jim placed his big hands arou
nd my hips and lifted me into the front seat so I wouldn’t put pressure on my foot or ribs. I must admit I ached everywhere from the beatings I endured and it felt good to be taken care of for a change.

  “Pull over here,” I said to Jim not long after we turned onto the dirt road. No wonder we caught the attention of those creeps—we were less than a half mile from the entrance to the camp!

  We emerged from the Hummer, the young soldiers anxious to find the first morel. “Do you know what you’re looking for?” I asked.

  “Not really, ma’am,” one of them admitted.

  “Then just be careful where you step while we find a few to show you.” The warm weather of the last three days had done wonders for the growth. Soon the mushrooms were obvious everywhere and the boys were busy cutting and filling their bags. I found a log to sit on while the others were busy and Jim joined me on my perch.

  “Done picking already?” I teased him. He held out his bag to me. It was nearly half full.

  “I want to save some for us for after we leave here,” he said, lowering his voice and putting his bag in the front seat.

  *

  Dinner was exceptional. The cooks grilled steaks for those that wanted one and had a batch of venison stewed with morels and served over pasta for those who didn’t. I opted for the pasta.

  Later, after everyone had eaten, Jim brought out our cribbage board and we settled into a quiet game in the mess tent with some evening coffee.

  “Care for that fortified?” he asked, producing a flask. I pushed my cup toward him. Our game was interrupted by the medic.

  “How are you doing?” he asked. “Are you having much pain?”

  “My ribs are uncomfortable to say the least, and my foot throbs. All as expected,” I replied with a shrug.

  “Let me give you a Darvocet for the night; it’ll help you sleep.” He placed a single pill by my coffee cup.

  “I didn’t realize you had medications,” I said.

  “I used quite a bit of our stock right after we got to the Soo. The fighting was brutal and we lost many of our men. The Canadians suffered heavy losses too. The injuries on both sides were… disturbing. After the quake hit, the Canuks high-tailed it back to their side leaving their wounded behind.” He shook his head over such an unmilitary action. “I’m glad I had the medicines I did, thanks to Dr. Robbins.”

  My head snapped up at the mention of my husband.

  “You two spent time in Moose Creek, do you know him?” the medic asked.

  “Dr. Robbins died from the flu in December,” Jim said quickly so I wouldn’t have to.

  “What a loss, he was a good man,” the young man said, then left the tent.

  “Are you okay, Allex?” Jim asked me softly.

  “I’m fine, Jim, thanks. Mark’s been gone longer than we were married. I will always miss him, but I know I have to start living my life again. Can I have a bit more of that bourbon?” I washed down the Darvocet, hoping for a dreamless sleep.

  April 23

  “How soon do you want to get going?” Leave it to Jim to get right to the point.

  “Are we continuing on to the Soo?”

  “Yes, I need to debrief those left in charge. We can take our time, though, there’s no hurry now,” Jim said.

  “You never did tell me why you wanted to find this unit. Are you planning on staying with them?” I asked. The prospect was making my chest hurt and it had nothing to do with the cracked ribs.

  “No, Allex, I’m not.” He set a fresh cup of coffee in front of me. “I’m still the senior officer and I need to check a few things before we head back to Sawyer. We’ll have to spend a few days there while I make a full report to send to Washington and then we can finish our trip and head for home.” He looked up as the tent flap opened. “Sergeant,” Jim said, “please join us. I need to speak with you.”

  Sergeant Michael Pitchner helped himself to the coffee that was always available and sat next to me so he could face the colonel.

  “Your men looked settled in. Are you planning on staying here for a while?”

  “Yes, sir, if that’s alright. I thought it would be good for the men to practice some maneuvers in a real woods setting,” Pitchner said.

  “I think that’s a wise decision. I don’t know what your orders have been, Sergeant, but I’ve got new ones for you. I want you and your men to scout the area from Lake Michigan to M-28 and eradicate any more of these escaped prisoner settlements. Protect the civilians, Michael. However, if you find civilian compounds that are as sleazy as this one, take care of them. Understood?”

  “Yes, Sir! The men will be pleased to be doing something worthwhile, Sir.”

  “The lieutenant and I will be leaving this afternoon for the Soo and I will make your orders official when we get there. From there we’re headed back to Sawyer. Get back to the Soo whenever you need to resupply. Stay out as long as you need though. You’re ranking officer, son, do me proud.”

  At that Sergeant Pitchner stood and saluted Jim. “Yes, Sir!”

  *

  There wasn’t much to pack in our Hummer, since we hadn’t unpacked anything besides some clothes and our sleeping bags. I did notice Jim slipping his bag of morels into the cooler. We were ready to hit the road at three o’clock. As we started to roll, all of the soldiers stood and saluted us. It was a very touching farewell.

  *

  “If it’s okay with you, Allex, I say we spend one more night on the road before arriving at the Soo,” Jim said.

  “Sure. Any particular reason why?”

  “I think one more quiet night would be good for you. Once we hit the next camp, I’m going to be busy for a few days and we won’t see much of each other,” he told me. “It makes me nervous leaving you alone with a bunch of men. I’m serious, Allex! You’re a beautiful, strong woman and an officer – the ranks will be hitting on you, guaranteed.”

  “I’ll have to practice being aloof and disinterested then,” I reassured him. He still looked concerned.

  *

  By seven o’clock we were setting up our tent in a vacant National Forest campground. The tent was up, our sleeping bags were on top of the air mattresses, and I had the camp stove set up.

  “Let’s build a campfire for tonight,” Jim said. “It’s looking like a clear sky so the stargazing should be good later.” We both hunted around for wood and piled it around a ready-made pit.

  “What would you like for dinner?” I asked. “We still have plenty of what we started with. What with finding that house behind Walstroms, the kids, then the Goshens, we’ve hardly used anything.”

  “You might want to check the cooler,” he said. “Kora left us a surprise.” I pulled out the bag of morels, and found two still chilled, very large ribeye steaks!

  “No wonder you wanted one more night on the road! Beef steaks, sautéed fresh morels, and wine. I think this calls for that 1996 Cap d’Haute,” I said. “I wonder if that house we stayed at is still secure.”

  “Well, we will certainly stop there on our way back. With the 695 bridge out and the hairpin blocked, we have no other route. Besides, we left a great deal of food there that we need to take back to Moose Creek,” Jim said. “Here, let me open that.”

  I took my fresh cup of dark red wine and surveyed the fire pit. “If we can tip three of these rocks up on end near the center, we can build a fire in the middle and I can balance the fry pan across them to cook the mushrooms and then use the grate from the stove on top to grill the steaks over the open flame.”

  *

  The steaks were rare and juicy and the morels delicate. We opened a second bottle of wine and watched the stars into the night.

  “I’ve been all over the world, and I’ve never seen the stars look like this,” Jim said.

  “It’s the absence of ambient light. Most places are plagued with what’s called ‘light pollution’, which makes it impossible to see the night sky as it truly is. It’s one of the reasons I moved up here twenty years ago.” I sigh
ed, remembering my first days in the Upper Peninsula woods. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”

  During the night I was awakened by strange sounds outside the tent. I reached over to nudge Jim, and found his bedroll empty. He was already up and I could feel his presence near the door.

  “Any idea what’s out there?” I whispered, a bit nervous. Most animals didn’t bother me, not even bears. Wolves, on the other hand, I know can be vicious.

  “Just some raccoons after the meat fat that dripped on the fire pit rocks,” he said, closing and securing the tent flap. He doused the flashlight and I heard him zip his sleeping bag. I had seen the flash of his Beretta before the light went out and felt reassured.

  CHAPTER 13

  April 24

  The morning sky hung heavy and gray with impending rain. We broke camp quickly to get our gear and the tent packed before it could get wet.

  I heated some soup on the camp stove and served it in our coffee mugs. “Not exactly the breakfast of champions, but it’s hot and should last us until lunch.”

  “It’s still more than I’ve had some mornings,” Jim commented.

  “You seem distracted, Jim. Is there anything wrong? Anything I should know about or that I can help with?”