Watch was taken by two people over their animals and a few chickens, when these were let out of the mine to graze in a small pen set up beyond the door. They spent many days clearing the rocks in the small area. On three sides of the opening, the rock cliffs rose straight up the hillside. The far opening was a good thirty feet high, making it a relatively safe area for the children to play outside when the animals were penned indoors.
Clint procured a plump turkey and handed it to Tansy cleaned, gutted and ready for the spit. Cord glared at him.
“Relax buddy, I hear it’s polar bears now,” Clint said laughing; he winked at Tansy.
“What does it matter? I’m a grandmother at thirty-six for heaven sake,” Tansy moaned; although, she was proud of her new grandson. Emmy had done well. The labor and delivery had been painful and long. The young woman had spirit and tenacity; she was indeed her mother’s daughter. Tansy couldn’t have been more thrilled.
Cord hugged Tansy to his side and nuzzled her neck. “So does this make me an honorary grandfather?”
Clint howled with unrestrained laughter. “You ain’t like any granddaddy I ever seen,” Clint whooped and slapped Cord on the back.
“Watch it, or I’ll run you over with my walker.”
“Run me over, hell Cord, you could swing a walker into next Tuesday.”
They’d thankfully weathered the winter without more than colds and runny noses Tansy and Becky were able to take care of. None had suffered overmuch in fearful ailments. Rose seemed happy much to everyone’s great joy. Though her loss had been tragic, she was young and strong. With the aid of those around her, she had persevered. Rose gradually eased back into the role of a new teen instead of an adult. She allowed the adults the harsh worries of their unstable situation and was able to play and relax while exploring a new interest in hunting beside Shanie and Danny.
Their small clan had grown to seventeen. Looking back, they remembered the fear and the pain and the uncertainty. It had grown into harsh reality and then acceptance. The fierce storms still raged with uncertainty and were irregular and deadly, the weather was an oddity. Their existence was precarious. They could only live one day at a time. It was enough for now. It had to be. How ironic the world seemed. To have started them all over again. In essence, back to our beginning.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
C. L. Scholey—Please call me Connie! It’s been fantastic working with great publishers and following my dream of writing. When I’m not writing, I’m busy looking after my children, husband, grandkids and the family pet, our newest addition, a mastiff pup named Aramis, after the Three Musketeers. I’m currently working on way too much, as normal, but I love every second of it. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected]. Look me up on my web page www.clscholey.com or join me on Twitter and Facebook. I look forward to hearing from you.
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WHISKEY CREEK PRESS
www.whiskeycreekpress.com
Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Epilogue
About the Author
Back To Our Beginning Page 41