He knew there had to be survivors they hadn’t reached yet, and hoped those they had spoken to would come across them and invite them to the meeting as well. However, going by what information they had, they’d have to assume that there would be around sixty people.
“What are we preparing in the way of food?”
Elly, Piper, Jake, and Daniel had checked homes that had been marked as unoccupied to look for provisions. Usable food was mostly confined to whatever was canned as rodents or bugs had destroyed anything in bags or cardboard. That still left them with a nice haul, including a couple of canned hams, an industrial sized can of pork and beans, and three cans of Vienna sausages. They found more, including more than twenty pounds of whole wheat flour, and thirty pounds stored in a freezer at a commercial bakery. They wouldn’t be using all of it for the feast tonight, but Piper and Sophie had been hard at work baking a dozen loaves of bread. Frozen vegetables hadn’t survived deep freezers as well as other foods, much of it was dried up, but they had sorted through several bags and had a big bowl of peas, carrots, and corn mixed together.
Jake and Daniel had scouted out the park a couple of days ago and had bags of charcoal and grills taken from backyards, already in place. Picnic tables were rounded up and placed close together and Sean and Joe had gone out too, finding a convenience store that had paper plates, plastic ware, and napkins. Those items had all been untouched by people seeking supplies in the last days.
Another thing that made scavenging here unlike other places was that many of the homes here still had electricity going if the power hadn’t been knocked out for some reason, like lightning hitting a transformer.
That meant the deep freezers held contents that were still useable. Freezer burn probably had affected some of the contents and they’d have to watch out for food that had spoiled if power had been out for a short time, then came back on, refreezing the spoiled food, but they only took from freezers that had something that would alert them if the freezer had been compromised. If there was a carton of ice cream still intact, it was a safe freezer. If the ice cream was all over the inside of a now working freezer, they passed on the food.
Elly bustled in, large bowl of what smelled like stuffing in her hands and set it on the other end of the dining room table Cole had been using as a desk. Cole’s mouth watered. “Where did you get that?”
“Ah, your brilliant and resourceful niece has been saving every scrap of bread, letting it dry and then stashing it in a freezer zipper bag. So, we have several different kinds of bread—sourdough, biscuits, cornbread—all of it is now seasoned with sage and thyme and chicken bouillon cubes.”
“That right there will be enough to draw folks from miles around if they could smell it.” Cole rose and rounded the table to sniff the steam escaping from the bowl.
The kitchen door opened and Cole went to see who had come in. It was still weird living communal style with people they had only met a few days ago, but everyone was getting along well, so far.
“Hey, Cole. My dad has the meat ready to go.” She washed her hands at the sink, then eyed the loaves of bread. “Oh, my god. I can’t wait until dinner.” She grinned. “And something else smells wonderful. I can’t place it, but it’s familiar…”
“Stuffing?”
“That’s it!” Amanda sniffed again. “But there’s something else too.”
Piper came up from the basement door, an apron around her waist, now holding it to form a pouch. Bulges in the pouch made him look hard to guess what they could be. He didn’t have long to guess as Piper emptied the pouch on the kitchen table. Cans of sweetened condensed milk, a canister of cocoa power, and, of all things, a canister of powdered hot chocolate mix covered the surface.
Piper grinned at Cole’s surprise, but then turned to the oven, opened it, and pulled out a sheet pan.
Cole gaped as she set a chocolate cake to cool. “Wow! Piper, you’ve outdone yourself.”
“Thanks, Uncle Cole.” She set her pot holders aside and said, “I’ve been thinking, when things are a little more settled, maybe I could trade baked goods for other food. For instance, I could trade a fully baked cake for a quantity of flour or sugar. Someone else could trade me so much chocolate or vanilla. Another person could trade eggs and dairy.”
“I see what you’re saying. With all of the items, you could bake cakes for all of them if they don’t have all of the ingredients, and you’d get to keep the extra to trade for things like beef or vegetables.”
“Exactly.”
“That’s a great idea, Piper. I was already thinking your mom could trade her medical care for things she needed. Like how doctors used to be paid with chickens or piglets.”
“Speaking of chickens, Travis tells me they are all doing well, and he, Luke, and Zoë took care of them this morning, gathering enough eggs to make this cake.” Elly examined the canister of hot chocolate mix. “What are you going to do with this?”
“There’s a lot I can do with it, actually. They have powdered milk, so right there, that’s helpful. I could make a chocolate biscuit, for example.”
Elly scrunched her nose. “I’m not so sure about how good that would be.”
Piper laughed. “I know it sounds weird, but it wouldn’t be much different than a chocolate cookie—which I can make when I have eggs. But without eggs, it would be a biscuit and what if I added something savory like chili flakes? That could be good with a spicy chili.”
Cole thought about it and wasn’t sure but in these times, unusual combinations were the norm, so he shrugged. “I’d eat it.”
“Me too,” Amanda chimed in. “If it’s chocolate, I’ll eat it.” She laughed.
“Same, Amanda.” Piper shared a smile with the other woman. “But that’s an idea for later. I thought it would help me thicken a frosting I have in mind for the cake. I don’t have butter or cream, or even powdered sugar, but I have this condensed milk, cocoa powder, a little shortening, and this hot cocoa mix. With a dash of vanilla, I think it’ll make a decent frosting.”
“I’m sure it’ll be delicious.” Elly smiled. “Is there anything I can help with now?”
“No, I don’t think so. Sophie wanted to help more, but she wasn’t feeling so great. She’s lying down.”
Elly shot Cole a worried look then asked Piper, “Is she okay?”
“I don’t know…I think so? My mom is checking on her now.”
Cole drew Elly close. “Why don’t you see about Sophie, and then lie down for a bit yourself? We have a few hours before we have to be at the park.”
She drew back, looking undecided.
“Yeah, Elly. I think everything is done for now.” Amanda spread her arms. “We have enough food for a small army…er, well, I hope it’s not an army, but you know what I mean. All we’ll have to do is transport it to the park and warm it up on one of the grills.”
“Jake said they would get one grill with a small bed of coals just for that purpose. The other grills will be for cooking the beef and grilling slices of the ham.”
“Where’s Hunter? Does he know about Sophie?”
Piper said, “He’s out making sure the animals are all fed and watered a bit early so we don’t have to worry about them while we’re gone.”
Amanda bit her lip. “You know, I’ve been a little worried about leaving this place unguarded. If everyone knows we’re at the park, what’s to stop them from coming in and taking over this ranch too?”
Cole thought about it. “You’re right.” He wondered if Joe would stay back. And maybe Mike. Both men were good with guns and both were level-headed. “I think Joe and Mike would be okay with it if we leave them some of this delicious food. It wouldn’t be fair to them to take it all.”
“I’ll give them huge slices of cake and fill plates with stuffing and vegetables.”
Amanda said, “I’ll have my dad cut them two big steaks just for them.”
“I have time. I could even cook up the steaks just before we leave so they can take
their meal out on the deck while they keep guard.”
“Okay. I’ll go propose it to them.” Cole left and found the men in the barn, chatting while watching a pregnant cow munching on hay. Amanda’s father stood beside them, favoring his left leg, but otherwise, appearing healthy. Will had instructed the other two on the butchering of the steer they were eating tonight.
When he asked them about doing guard duty, they were a little disappointed, but agreed it made sense. They perked up when Cole mentioned the steaks and cake.
Will looked pensive. “Maybe I should stay, too. I don’t want another ranch stolen from me.”
Cole started to agree that three men would be better than two, but thought better of it. “Will, of course, you do what you feel is right for you, but I’m a newcomer here. I think success in uniting this community hinges on you and your family being there.”
“Me? Why me? I know cattle. That’s it. My wife—she was the smart one. She was like you. Amanda’s like her too. You guys will do fine.”
“It’s not about intelligence, and you’re no slouch in that department. It’s about people. Even if you don’t know these people personally, what you say will resonate with them. Your story of survival will be closer to their own. What I say won’t carry a whole lot of weight with these folks, but you—you’re their neighbor. What you do and say will matter to them.”
Will looked undecided, his eyes darting from Joe to Mike as if seeking their input. Mike just nodded, but Joe said, “I think Cole is right. What he won’t tell you is that he’s good at bringing people together because he understands other people’s strengths and weakness right away. He’s a good guy and people will listen to him, eventually, but he could use your help in getting acquainted with them.”
Cole blinked in surprise, humbled at the vote of confidence.
Shrugging, Will agreed. “But I’m no talker so don’t expect me to say anything.”
“I don’t expect a speech, but maybe an introduction?” Cole lifted a hand, his thumb and first finger a few inches apart. “Just a short one? And I’ll even give you my slice of cake—although I might follow behind you and lick the plate clean.”
Will laughed. “Fine. And you can keep your slice of cake.”
Cole put on a clean shirt. It was one he’d packed a year ago when they had first left for the island but hadn’t ever worn. It was just a plain white Oxford. It was his go-to shirt for most occasions. Oddly, the shoulders were tighter than he recalled, and the front, looser. He changed into a well-worn, but clean pair of jeans, marveling at the softness imparted by machine washing and drying.
Elly also changed clothes, but had a harder time finding something to fit. “My belly is just too big now.” She wore a pink, stretchy long-sleeved top over some kind of black stretchy pants that accentuated her new curves.
“You look great. I mean it.” He smiled when she rolled her eyes at him.
“You’re just saying that.” But she smiled to soften the comment. “Oh, and Sophie is fine. She said she just had some tightness. Jenna said it was Braxton-Hicks contractions. All normal. She had her drink some water and lie down. She’s still planning on going tonight.”
Cole nodded as he rolled his sleeves up to just below his elbows. He worried about bringing pregnant women to this meeting. What if there was violence? He had no clue how tonight would go. It could be nobody would show up and they would eat and come back here.
He picked up his holster, hesitating. Would it be better to go unarmed? Would it scare others away? They hadn’t discussed it but they all carried a sidearm. With no law, they had to. Sighing, he strapped it on.
Everyone pitched in loading the food, all of the lawn chairs, and Piper found a Frisbee she and Trent had packed what seemed like a lifetime ago. Cole wished they had the volleyball net they’d left at the island. He wanted a fun atmosphere. When they reached the park, he didn’t see anyone but Jake, Derek, and Daniel. They had gone ahead early to get grills going, set up folding tables, and bring coolers of drinks. Cole still couldn’t get over that they had actual ice. Of course, they had plenty of ice on the island all winter, but he’d missed having it last summer and fall and while traveling.
As he parked, he paused for a moment to take in the scene. They had scrounged up eight tablecloths. Four white, two red, and the last two, yellow. The colors looked festive and cheerful.
The kiddie pool that they had found the day after Travis had joined them was set up to one side, just a few feet from a hand-pump. He couldn’t see if it was filled, but a blue plastic bucket lay discarded near it, so he would bet it was. It must have been something Jake and Derek had done earlier. The kids would love that.
The scene pulled memories from Cole’s mind. Memories of Fourth of July picnics, block parties, and birthday celebrations with his family and neighbors when they all ate too much, got sunburned, or sprained an ankle playing softball like they were still eighteen years old. Then having a cold beer and laughing over it at the next picnic. It was difficult to accept that this picnic was different. He sighed.
“What’s wrong?” Elly shot him a look.
“Nothing. Just worried how things will go.”
“It’ll be fine.” She leaned over and gave his cheek a kiss. “I’m going to go put this bowl of veggies to heat up.”
Cole nodded and started lugging pans of sliced ham to the grill to warm, and went back for the baked beans. They were already baked and the pot, still hot. He had to use potholders to carry it to one of the folding tables that was set-up for food.
Elly nodded to the spread. “I thought everyone can serve themselves buffet style.”
Piper arrived with Sophie and carried a large basket covered in kitchen towels. “I sliced the bread.”
Sophie brought the cake and sent Cole a panicked look when she stumbled on a stone. She recovered her balance with a little laugh. “Piper would have killed me if I dropped the cake. I told her she shouldn’t trust it to the pregnant girl who can’t see her feet.”
Cole laughed and took the pan from her. “How are you feeling?”
She waved a hand. “Oh, I’m fine. Ready to have this baby though.”
“Not yet you aren’t!” Jenna approached the table, bearing a bowl of fruit. “No baby for you for at least another three weeks. Then you’ll be at least thirty-nine weeks. Forty weeks would be even better.”
Cole looked at the fruit. “That looks delicious.”
Jenna shrugged. “It’s only canned fruit cocktail, but it smells good. Sean found an industrial sized can at a school.”
By quarter to five, Cole noted everyone who was coming from his group and Amanda’s was there. Food was heating and the brisket Amanda had cooked over a low fire on the grill back at the ranch had been transferred to the third grill at the park. There was nothing left to do but wait for others to show up.
Cole sat in a lawn chair and Sean ambled over and offered him an ice cold bottle of beer. “Surprise! I found a few cases but kept it a secret.”
“Oh, man. You are the best brother ever!” Cole took the bottle, twisted the cap, and watched as a sliver of mist swirled from the mouth of the bottle.
Sean took the chair beside his and held his bottle out. “Here’s to a great meal and, hopefully, new friends.”
“New friends,” Cole echoed, clinking his bottle to Sean’s. He took a long swig, closing his eyes as the carbonation prickled his mouth and slid down his throat. “Ah, that tastes unbelievably good. I don’t even know this brand and it doesn’t matter.”
Sean laughed. “I only brought one case though. I figured you wouldn’t want a bunch of drunks, but offering the people who show a nice cold beer? That has to count in our favor, right?”
“You’re brilliant. And your daughter is too. That cake will win over anyone not convinced by the beer.”
Beaming, Sean took another sip from his beer, then straightened in his seat. “Here comes a car.”
29
Cole stood, unsure whether t
o keep the beer or set it down. He opted to set it on a picnic table. Sean did the same.
The car slowed, started to back up as if they were going to leave but after a hesitation changed directions and crept forward. The driver’s window rolled down to reveal a woman of about thirty. Long, dark hair framed her gaunt, tan face. “Is this the meeting?”
Cole didn’t remember her but Hunter and Derek could have invited the woman. He smiled. “Yes. It sure is. Welcome.”
Elly approached, her smile warm, a hand resting on her belly. “Hi. I’m Elly. Why don’t you join us?”
The woman’s eyes flicked to Elly’s hand and where it rested, then past Elly to where Sophie sat at a picnic table. The tension in her mouth eased into a smile. She nodded. “Okay.”
Before she had parked, a pick-up truck roared into the lot. Cole braced for something, not sure what, but he took a step forward, shielding Elly.
Hunter trotted over beside Cole as the truck sped into a parking spot. “I think I know who this is.”
The door flew open and Hunter grinned. “Hi, Garret! Glad you could make it.”
“Hunter! I wouldn’t have missed this for the world. Been counting the hours.” He slammed the door and strode towards them, his hand out to Cole. “I’m Garret Richards.”
Cole couldn’t help but smile back at the man. His enthusiasm was infectious. “Cole Evans, and it seems you’ve already met my son, Hunter.”
“It’s a pleasure, Cole. And you raised a fine young man.” He turned to Elly. “Mrs. Evans?”
Elly shot Cole an amused look, then shrugged. “Yes, sir. Please, call me Elly.”
The other woman approached, a young teenaged girl and a boy of about twelve following her. All three looked frightened half to death.
Cole waved Sean closer. “Garret, this is my brother, Sean.” With the man delivered to Sean’s care, with a beer offered and gleefully accepted, Cole turned his attention to the woman.
Elly had already approached her. “This is my husband, Cole. He arranged this meeting.”
Sympatico Syndrome Trilogy Box Set Page 79