“I'd say put that animal on a leash but I don't think they make them that big. Man, I could ride him like a horse he's so big.”
“Tell me about it, old man. I think he broke my toe.”
“Well, then I guess you'll have to stay here while me and JD check out the fort.”
“Don't you worry about me, old man. I've been stepped on by a horse before, I'll survive. Where's Randy and Riley?” Mason was standing and trying out his foot. We all jumped when we heard another loud crash from inside.
“I think I'll just wait in the truck.” I said, as I headed that direction. “That monster might get thrown out of the house soon and I don't want to be in his path.”
I had company in the truck while we waited for Randy and Riley. We made a good decision when Hazel threw open the door and with a broom, swept the monster out the door. Baby sighed big, walked in three big circles and settled down for a nap. When Randy came out, he nearly tripped over Baby who didn't move an inch. Riley walked wide around him and both men piled into the four wheeler and we proceeded to the fort.
The drive to the fort was a short one as well as gorgeous. Mountains climbed into the sky all around us, some still topped with snow. The sky was pale blue, with fluffy clouds moving slowly around the mountains and down the valleys. Birds floated on the wind stream, their wings outspread. We followed a stream that we never crossed and when we came around the last bend, there the fort was in all its glory. I see what Hazel meant when she said the owner had more money than sense. It was huge and sat in a clearing surrounded on all sides by mountains and trees. I think is was bigger than a super Walmart and parking lot combined.
We pulled into the parking lot outside the gates. Log everything prevailed...rails, signs, parking lot outlines and benches. I don't know how many trees that guy killed to make things look 'rustic' when only a few would've worked. Randy jumped out of the four wheeler and opened one of the gates for us to drive through. Riley followed us into the enclosure where I sat dumbfounded at what I saw.
“Wow,” Duke muttered.
“Yeah,” I answered.
The office I saw when I piggybacked Mason was to our left, the gift shop to the right. Log buildings and corrals continued down the front of the fort to just corrals down each side. A catwalk ran around the inside of the walls with a enclosed guard tower on each corner. Trees abounded which surprised me, along with a spring on the right side, a large building sat lonely in the center near the back. I would later find out it was a school house. All along the back of the fort were cabins with two large ones on each side of the fort. I could barely see the tops of three wind turbines sitting idle outside the walls.
“The walkers bodies are in a ravine at the end of the valley. The animals too.” Mason said, seeing me look for the bodies of the walkers. “Gotta thank God for those ravines. I'll see if I can find some lime to throw on top of them since they're to the west of us. Wind direction is going to play a big part in where the animals are corralled.” I couldn't agree more.
I'd already seen the area in the front of the front when I piggybacked so I was more interested in the other structures. I walked up the three steps to the school house and found the door opened easily. I walked back in time when I entered. Old school desks sat in front of a black board with the teachers desk just in front of it. Pictures children had drawn were tacked to the wall while a pot bellied stove sat to the rear near a small pile of firewood. Pegs for coats and stocking caps lined the other wall above a small table with a pitcher and basin made of enamel. It was just one room, and I had no clue what we could use it for. Maybe storage.
I glanced out the window and saw the many benches situated under the trees in park like area between the school house and cabins. A small pond boasted a few fish and rocks were situated in various places so you could sit and admire your surroundings. Informational signs about living in the fort 150 years ago were situated all over the place.
I walked out the back door and visited the chicken coop. I finally approached the large building on the corner near the back. The sign above the door said it was the 'Officers Mess Hall' and inside there were tables set up around a huge fireplace. It had been used for a cafe' because behind a moveable wall was a kitchen with fridge, stove and sink. The pantry was full which made me feel a lot better. There was no back door which didn't make me feel better. I was all for an alternate escape route especially since the walkers. There were hardly any windows either. The big picture window at the end of the room looked out on the parade grounds as did the one near the door. That was all the natural light there was. Nope didn't like this place at all. Too much like a cave or underground research facility. I left rather quickly to investigate the remaining cabins.
The cabin next to the officers mess hall had two rooms. Big picture windows in each room allowed some light. It had heat vents so I knew it was heated in the winter but in old times the fireplace in the mess hall would heat this room while another fireplace in the main room would heat it and the room in the next cabin. I found that to be the case in all the cabins along with a two burner hot plates, small microwaves and tiny fridges. The bathrooms in each cabin were basic but serviceable. I didn't see a single cabin I wanted to live in so I don't know what Mason was talking about.
Speak of the devil there he was coming out of the long narrow building at the opposite end from the Mess Hall. It had a sign that read 'Mess Hall' and didn't have a huge picture window in it. I didn't even want to go inside.
“It would make a great clinic and living quarters for Joe and Sandy. The Officers Mess hall would be a great dining room and kitchen. I think if I pull the Dukemobile along side that small building over there with the wind turbine batteries, I could kill two birds with one stone.” Duke said. I followed the point of his finger and saw the small building in question. It was near enough the dining room that he wouldn't have much trouble in the wintertime. “I could hook up to the electrical grid for heat and be close enough if anyone needed anything. I love it.” He brushed his hands together, grinned real big and sauntered off towards the wind turbine building, whistling of all things. I've never heard him whistle. Mason walked up beside me and watched him too. He looked at me funny and we both started to laugh.
“Where's this place you thought would make a great little love nest for us. I haven't seen anything that I like so far.” I asked.
“Come here,” he said and taking my hand led me off the sidewalk onto the grass then pointed up. I looked up because I was really curious now and saw the guard house. The door opened onto the catwalk which had stairs leading down the outside of the clinic walls. I frowned at him and started up the stairs. Mason was hot on my tail, excitement rolling off of him in waves. I waited for him at the door then walked slowly inside expecting...well, I didn't know what to expect.
I was pleasantly surprised. A small loveseat sat near the window to the right of the door where you could look out and see the whole fort spread out before you. In the distance was mountains almost blue with spruce and snow sitting like whipped cream on top. Too the left of the door sat a small fridge and microwave on top of a counter. It was under a large picture window facing the east. The fort was gone in this view and two valleys lay separated by a small mountain range, creeks running through both of them. Pine and spruce trees mixed up with aspen and lodge pole pine made a tranquil setting for the small herd of deer laying in the valley on the east. Eagles swooped and swayed in the light breezes while butteries by the hundreds fluttered all over the place.
Against the far wall was the bed underneath a huge picture window, facing the south. Another beautiful view presented itself and I nearly cried it was so pretty. Next to the bed was a large closet nestled next to the full bath designed like an old outhouse. Next to it was an armoire. I was in love. The windows with no obstructive views would let in a lot of sunlight during the winter and I would be able to see the stars at night. Yep, this was the place.
I turned and found Mason standing very close
so it wasn't a stretch to put my arms around his neck and hug the stuffing out of him. He chuckled and squeezed me back, nuzzling my neck and making things down low wake up. This may not be the time but it sure as hell was the place, still we needed to act like grownups, so with a sigh I stepped back and grinned like a crazy person at him. He looked just as crazy back at me.
“You the man, jar head. I love it.”
“I knew you would. All these windows had me as soon as I walked in the door. There were no walkers in here, so it's not going to stink.” He said, walking to one of the windows. Leave it to Mason to talk so pretty. I walked up behind him, put my arms around his waist and rested my chin on his shoulder. “I think it's a dandy place and I think the whole fort will work of us. The kids can play freely and not have to worry about anything. There's room for some stock and if we need more electricity we can always get another turbine. I'd say we were home, Mace. Finally.”
When we walked out on the 'terrace' I looked down and saw Randy, Duke and Riley coming up the steps. “There you two are,” Randy said, “we thought we'd better come looking for you. The others at the lodge are getting worried so we thought we'd start back. That is, if you two don't mind. Hey, it's pretty up here. Is that a cabin?” he said, pointing to my new place.
“Yes, OUR cabin has officially been claimed. So stay out. You pick a cabin yet?”
“Naw, I thought I'd better let Lacy do that or she'll kill me.”
“Yeah,” Riley said, “I'm gonna let George decide which one she wants too. Mama didn't raise no fool here. I don't care anyway. What do you'll think of the arrangements. Think this will work for us?”
“I do,” Mason said with a nod from me. “It has everything we need and security. We don't even have to build any walls unless we want to expand and I don't see that happening any time soon. We just need to find out what supplies we need and start making a run into Kalispell for them. I'd say we could move in anytime if we had enough food and supplies.”
“Okay, so why don't we go back and get everyone and bring them over and let them see for themselves, then meet at the dining room to talk about it?” It was agreed to in a hurry and in no time we found ourselves back at Hazels rounding everyone up. The kids were excited about getting out of the building. Since we had no fences in place they had to stay inside. All those kids inside for three days was getting on everyone's nerves. Even Baby had taken to hiding and with the size of that dog, that was saying something. I managed to talk Hazel into going with us. Flynn picked her up and gently put her in the front seat of the Dukemobile. She was smiling real big when we pulled out of the parking lot. That smile got bigger when she saw the fort.
Containing the kids until the gates were closed was a job cause they were ready to explore. When we finally released them, kids ran everywhere. Eventually, Sarah and Melody had given stern orders about not leaving the fort or getting on the catwalk. With all the running and screaming it looked like they didn't care. Most gravitated to the school yard to play on the swings, slides and jungle gym equipment. I noticed Randy went with them to watch because he'd already looked at everything.
I wandered around the outskirts of the fort, looking in the gift shop, cafe, office and guard shack. The office and managers apartment would make a nice place for someone but it was clear across the parade grounds from everyone else so I wasn't sure who'd want it. The gift shop and cafe could be a nice place for storage but still it was so far from everyone that it was unworkable. I'd let the guys decide what they wanted to do with the place.
I noticed Mason, Flynn and Clint on the catwalk and wondered what they were up too.
Not much, Brat, just discussing the weather. It wasn't a surprise that he was reading my mind. I could feel him sitting in the back of my mind nearly all the time now. It was a nice feeling. The women are checking out the cabins. What are you doing?
Wondering what we're going to do with the gift shop and cafe. They're so far away from everyone else that I don't think they'll be of much use.
We'll worry about them later. We're just waiting for the ladies to decide which cabins they want and then we'll meet at the dining hall.
Okay, I think I'll just mosey that way myself.
I stopped at the playground and watched the kids for a few minutes. When I notice the women going into the mess hall, I joined Randy and we arrived at the same time. I noticed Mercy sitting near the window so she could watch the kids so I sat nearby. Sarah came from the kitchen, writing on a piece of paper. Lists. Always with the lists. We seemed to live for lists. Since you couldn't just run into town for something on a whim you had to make a list. It helped immensely if you could remember to take them with you but if you didn't you could bet someone else had one.
“The kitchen will do but I'd like to have a bigger refrigerator. The pantry is smaller than our other one but it will do if we work on the shelves. There's enough dishes and pans so all we need is food.” Sarah said, still concentrating on her list.
“The clinic will work, I just need some supplies and I can transfer some form the mobile unit. I would like to make it into a sort of ambulance if needs be.” Joe was busy with his list too.
“I think this will work just fine for all of you. I just love it here.” Hazel said, as she looked out the window. “The kids will grow and everyone will be safe.” She nodded like she was agreeing with herself and I agreed.
We all looked toward Howard, who shrugged. “Sam and I can use the blacksmith shop for a garage because it has a lot of tools already. I think we need several snowmobiles and a couple of four wheelers but other than that it looks like it'll work. The office and apartment next to it will work for us to live in and before you ask we don't mind being away from the rest of you. Not that we don't want to be near you but I think it would work just fine for us.”
Randy approved of the corrals and said they were in good shape so we could start gathering animals as soon as we were ready. We needed to find fodder for them but there was enough room. Everyone became busy making lists except me. I noticed Mason wasn't writing anything so we were the hold outs. I had my new home in mind and couldn't decide whether to put up curtains or not. I know, I know. I should have been thinking of other things but I was too excited. I decided to wander the grounds some more while everyone was busy writing, so I walked to the swing set and sat in one of the swings, rocking and waiting. Soon Mason joined me.
“I see what you mean about how closed in that place is. You've spoiled me for the great open spaces.” He swung slowly back and forth will me while we enjoyed the quiet. A small breeze came up and ruffled my hair which made me smile. I remembered how I'd sit in the tree swing in the yard of the lodge and turn in circles until I'd wound the rope up tight then let go, twirling around until I was too dizzy to stand.
“I'm gonna love this place, Mason. It's gonna be home for us. We can use the school house for just that, a schoolhouse. We can relax for the first time in almost a year. I'm tired of roaming, and to tell the truth I'm just plain tired. If we all agree, I think we can move in tomorrow and plan on a supply run the day after.”
“Yep, I agree, that is if they finish their lists by then.” Then we both chuckled at that. We waited patiently in shade of an old oak tree, just a swingin'.
Chapter 14
Hazel came out to our little park area while we were admiring the view. She hobbled with her cane to a bench and sat down like the weight of the world was on her shoulders. Taking a deep sigh, she smiled at us then looked around.
“It's sure pretty here. Kind of funny that I tried to talk that idiot into investing his foolishness somewhere else. When I realized he was gonna do it no matter what I said, I made him promise to leave as many trees as possible.” She chuckled then said, “I think I must have been a dog in a past life, cause I sure do like my trees.”
I was going to say something but she seemed to want to talk so I let her. Mason was quiet as he swung slowly next to me.
“Anyway, his daddy was a trial fr
om the time he was born. Always getting into trouble in one form or another until we moved here from New York. We had our hands full that first year, then he finally settled down with a little extra help from our friend, John Wayne.” I gasped because he was my hero and to know she knew him made my day. She smiled at me. “Old Duke was a presence that's for sure. One summer he asked to take the boy to Utah where he was making a film and Gary jumped on the offer with both feet. When he came back all he could talk about was cowboys and indians. I think he started drawing plans for this fort about then. When his son was born, he instilled in him a love for the wild west and he was thrilled to stay with us to work the ranch. I didn't know what he had planned for this little part of the world until after he had a contractor. Then the fight was on, let me tell you. I finally gave up and extracted a promise from him to leave as many trees as humanly possible. He did a good job, I think.”
“He sure did, Miss Hazel. It's downright beautiful here. I think it's gonna make a wonderful home.” A racket above me announced the arrival of Monster, our Capuchin monkey who adopted us in New Mexico. A cute little monkey, our Monster, but he liked me even less that I like him. It worked for us as long as we stayed away from each other. I looked around and finally found Bubba sniffing the ground around one of the corrals. He was going to be bone tired by bedtime. We'd left Baby at the retreat to guard the place mostly because no one wanted him in their vehicle. He was huge and had this terrible habit of rolling in dead, stinking, rotting stuff. He stayed home. So all the animals were accounted for.
Seeking Sanctuary (Walkers) Page 12