by Newman, AJ
Walt rolled his eyes. “Lady you mock our virility, but we accept Roy and your offer to join you here. We observed several areas where our muscles and brute force can be helpful to you and Roy.”
Roy said, “I ain’t got no time for flirtin’ and bullcrap. Get yer asses on up here before I change my mind about yer joining us.”
Tom had a few questions. “Roy, we have several horses. I assume they will be welcome, but what about our diesel F350? It’s pretty noisy and might draw attention on the way here.”
“Der is plenty of grass and water fer de horses. Hummmmm. I want de truck up here, you right about der noise. I gots an idear. We’ll hide it about a mile from here and then sneak it up here in a rainstorm. I know a canyon with some trees. Dat truck be good to bug out in if any more crap hits de fan.”
“That sounds like a plan. We’ll start moving up here in the morning. I see you have a horse-drawn wagon behind the shed. Could we borrow it to haul everything back here? Tom asked.
“Yup. I’ll hitch Becky and Paula up to de wagon. My mules be broken into pulling. Yer horses might balk.”
They left their horses behind and rode down the trail on an old farm wagon that looked like it was 150 years old. The mules plodded along at a reasonable pace but didn’t get in any hurry even when Tom tried to encourage them. “These mules are perfect for hauling freight but how would you get them to haul ass if someone were chasing us?”
Walt thought for a few seconds. “I think that is where the whip comes in handy. Look below your feet. That my friend is a horse whip. I don’t think you actually hit them with the whip, but the sound of the crack the end makes scares the big brutes into running. Don’t do it unless there is an emergency. This darn wagon has piss poor brakes.”
A few minutes later, they pulled into the camp after being greeted by Mattie and Sally. Tom was greeted by Meg, and then the two scouts told the others about their observations. Walt took the lead. “That darn Roy must be part Injun. He knew we were coming before we knew we were going. Anyway, they have a great start at self-sufficiency, and we can help them get better. My work on crops for Mars and long haul spaceflights will come in handy. Labor is probably the thing they need the most. It will take a lot of work and sacrifice to make it through the first year.”
Sally asked, “What about the next year?”
“Each year will be much better than the last. Nothing against you gals, but we could use a couple more men for the heavy work and fighting,” Tom proposed.
Ann looked at Tom and thought that she needed to use her assets to make him want her. She liked him, and a good man would be great to have on the way to Oregon. Ann replied without much thought. “We could use several more men.”
Walt finished the meeting by asking Tom to assign double guards that night since someone might have followed them back to the camp from Roy’s place.
The meeting broke up as Tom and Walt left to tend the mules. The women stayed to discuss what they had learned from the men. Mattie snickered. “Ann is right. A few good men would be nice to have around.”
Ann said, “I haven’t …err …well.”
Mattie laughed and poked Ann on the arm. “Had the pleasure of a man’s company.”
Meg’s face turned red before she spoke. “No shitting on that one. There are six women and three men counting Roy. I want to go on record now that I’m not sharing my man with anyone. Walt is fair game, but he’s still sulking over Maria. Of course, you could give Lisa a run for her money with Roy.”
“Eeewwwwww! That’s gross. Hey, I uh …well …Walt isn’t available either,” Sally’s cheeks turned crimson as she replied.
Mattie raised her hand for a high five with Sally. “Go girl go. Now only three of us need a boyfriend since I’m not looking for one.”
Sally clarified. “I’m still grieving for Bob but please don’t mess with Walt.”
Cristy butted into the conversation. “One of the men is my dad; the other two are old men. I’m not looking for a boyfriend, but neither do I want to be celibate the rest of my life.”
Meg hugged Cristy. “Darling there will be plenty of young men in due time. Just be picky and time will take care of it.”
“I think this should be addressed as we add more team members. Let’s face it; men are being killed more than women are. This end of the world crap is too predictable. We need to scout and vet possible people to join our group, or we’ll die old maids,” Mattie announced.
Ann stayed quiet for most of the conversation. “I still plan to head on to the West Coast to join my family. I could use some company along the way if any of you want to come with me.”
Meg was surprised. “Ann, you fit in here real good. Please stay with us. We’ll treat you so many ways that you are bound to like one of them.”
“Thanks but no thanks. I might stay long enough to find transportation and build up a food supply and then I’m gone. Our experience at being robbed and them taking the trucks has made me rethink how to get to the West Coast. I’ve never been scared of anything in my life before I was on the trip with Tom. He helped me through some tough times. I saved his life, and he saved me several times.”
None of the ladies except Ann was interested in a long road trip, so the conversation ended.
***
Tom sat on a rock high above the trail into their camp watching for intruders. He could see Mattie highlighted by the moonlight walking around the compound. He made a note to chew her ass out later for not staying in the shadows as he warned everyone to do numerous times. A movement on the side of the hill behind the camp caught his eye. He only saw a single dark shape but was frightened when he noticed it was following Mattie.
Mattie had been walking toward Tom as she moved around the camp, so she was only 75 yards away. Tom lowered the hunting rifle and steadied it against a boulder. He could clearly see Mattie, but the person who followed her from above kept to the shadows and moved closer to her. Tom knew that firing a shot could bring unwanted visitors but knew Mattie’s life was in danger.
Mattie stopped, and the shadow was directly above her. Tom took a breath, held it, and slowly squeezed the trigger. The 30 06 shot a long flame out the barrel with a deafening explosion, and a second later he saw the beast as it fell into the moonlight knocking Mattie to the ground.
Tom ran to her as he worked the bolt to chamber another bullet. The mountain lion thrashed about until Tom dispatched it with his long knife to its throat. He tugged at the beast and pulled it off Mattie as she struggled to free herself.
“Calm down Mattie. Are you hurt?” Tom asked as he helped her to her feet.
“I think I’m okay. It just knocked the wind out of me. What the hell is that darn thing?” Mattie asked as she clung to Tom.
“It’s a cougar, and it was stalking you to be its next meal. I saw you in the moonlight and was ready to spank you when I saw it following you. I got off a lucky shot.”
“Tom, you saved my life.”
Walt ran up as Mattie profusely thanked Tom. “Mattie are you okay?”
“Yes, Tom saved me from this lion.”
Walt saw everyone running toward them. “Tom, we need to pack up and go now. That shot was heard for miles. We could get lucky, but I think we should head on over to Roy’s place.”
Meg ran up to Tom and Mattie. “What happened? I heard a shot.”
Tom asked everyone to stop talking. “A mountain lion tried to attack Mattie. I shot it. Now listen closely. Everyone within two miles heard that shot, and some might come looking for us. Grab your things and your supplies. We’re heading out now. We’ll leave the truck where it’s hidden and come back for it as planned. Move it now! The wagon is leaving in 15 minutes.
They were a mile and a half away when they heard the ATVs scouring the area behind them. Tom hoped their pile of brush hid the entrance to their narrow canyon well enough in the dark to fool anyone searching for them that night. Tom was wrong, and their camp was found. The men riding the ATVs didn�
��t notice the wagon tracks or the mule’s hoof prints until the next day.
Meg rode on the seat beside Tom on the way to Roy’s cabin. “Tom, did anything happen between you and Ann during your scavenging trip that I should know about? She appears to focus a lot on you since the trip.”
“Dear, you’ve heard everything I had to say. Nothing happened. I swear.”
Meg laid her head on Tom’s shoulder. “Tom that girl either thinks something happened or wanted something to happen. She looks at you like a woman in love looks at a man.”
Tom was in a quandary because if he didn’t tell her what actually happened, she would have doubts. If he told her she would always think he lied and much more happened. The battle in his mind was honesty that could end his relationship with Meg or the sin of omission by not giving her the facts. He knew nothing happened; however, he also knew that was only because he stayed sober and resisted the gorgeous young lady’s advances. Two or three more drinks and he knew he would have had sex with her.
“Tom you’re awful quiet and haven’t answered me.”
“Meg, I did not have sex with Ann. Nothing happened between us that was inappropriate. I’ll tell you everything that did happen but I know you, and you will freak out.”
“Oh crap. Something did happen.”
Tom knew he should have gone the other way. “Babe, we found a bottle of whiskey. She drank too much. She got amorous and made a drunken pass at me. I told her that you were my woman and I didn’t need another. I held her off until she passed out. She woke up the next morning with a horrible hangover and didn’t remember much of the night. That’s it.”
Meg didn’t say anything, which frightened Tom. Her head was still on his shoulder. “I love you Tom, and you need to keep me away from that bitch, or I’ll rip her head off. I trust you, and we will never talk about her in the future, but I’m not going to let her take you away from me. Oh, find her a young man ASAP before she makes another pass at you. Oh, no more scouting trips with Ann.”
Tom turned and took Meg into his arms. Meg, I love you too.”
☆
Chapter 8
Gerry tried to move the pump handle without success. The well hadn’t been used in 50 years or more and was frozen. He strained against it once more and went flying to the ground when his hands slipped. His new friend, Larry, tugged the acetylene and oxygen bottles closer to the well and lit the torch.
Gerry exclaimed. “Don’t cut the handle off. We need it.”
“Don’t be stupid, Gerry. I’m just going to heat up the housing so the shaft will free up. Get those cans of WD 40 ready.”
The flames danced around the cast iron pump for several minutes as Larry’s torch heated the outside casing. “Gerry, now try to lift the handle.”
Gerry again strained at the handle to no avail when Larry struck the side of it with a large hammer. The pump handle broke free, and Gerry started working the handle up and down. Suddenly rusty brown water began flowing from the pump. The longer Gerry pumped the handle the clearer the water became.
“Thanks, Larry. Your mechanical know-how has been a big help. I’ll get Mr. Brown over to keep pumping until the water flows clear. Don’t we need to grease the shaft?”
“I’m ahead of you on the grease,” Larry said as he slathered grease on the pump rod.
Gerry thanked Larry for helping get three more wells pumping the much-needed water that day. Too many people had gotten sick, and a few died from drinking contaminated water. Gerry made it his personal mission to get as many of the old antique wells working around Clarkdale as possible. He had even taken pump heads from antique stores and front lawns to rebuild them and get them working.
On his way home, Gerry saw a blonde woman walking into town. He hitched his horse to a post, watched her from a distance, and could see her beauty even though she had a hat on and military clothing. Even without makeup, she was stunning. He thought she was maybe a bit older than he was, but he was fascinated by her. He walked over to her. “Hi, I’m Gerry, and you must be new in town. I would have noticed such a beautiful young lady if I had ever seen you before.”
Missy smiled and quickly decided to play the ditzy blonde for a while. “Why thank you for the compliment. These days it’s so hard to look good. Yes, I’m new in town. My Daddy used to live in Stony Creek, but the new Sheriff said my Daddy died during a fight with some bad people. I’m just trying to find a place to stay. I can’t stay in Stony Creek because of the bad memories.”
Gerry stood there with a dumb grin on his face as Missy yacked on about her past. Gerry put his hand out. “I’m Gerry Fox, and my Dad is the Governor of this area, which also includes Stony Creek. Why don’t you come home with me and have supper?”
“Maybe later this week if it’s okay with you. I’m kinda in a bad mood since I just heard my Dad died.”
The sun was setting in the west when Gerry waved at the guards as he rode his favorite horseback to his new home in Clarkdale, Arizona. Gerry took his horse to the stable and then washed his hands on the back porch before entering the mudroom where he took his shoes off and entered the kitchen. He saw his mom, Gretchen, help the maid prepare supper and gave her a hug.
“Mom, we got three more wells pumping water today. That makes over thirty not counting the twenty-one wells in town that are providing clean water. Thank God most wells were still in use pumping water for gardens and animals.”
“Gerry, your pop and I are very proud of you. Do you think you could change your priorities and help me prepare the gardens? I need you to work on irrigating the fields and gardens.”
Gerry was hesitant but brought the topic up anyway. “Mom, there are plenty of people in this town. Why aren’t they helping? They seem to be sitting on their asses waiting on pop, and you to get the work done. I’ll bet out of over two hundred people that only twenty are actually working. Why does pop put up with this crap?”
Carlos walked in just as Gerry was in the middle of the question. “Son, I have been asking myself that very question. I have bent over backward to help these people, but they won’t help themselves. Wife, what is wrong with these people.”
“Dear, most of these people were rich when they retired and came here to live in luxury and be gentlemen farmers. The others are spoiled brats who tagged along with their parents. You have a mixture of San Francisco trust fund babies and snowflakes from liberal universities who can’t wipe their own asses. It’s time to make them work or let them starve.”
Carlos looked at his ordinarily kind wife. “Babe, your fangs are showing, but I’m with you. Jose told me the other day that the old Carlos would never put up with this crap. Well, starting tomorrow the new one won’t either. I’m holding a meeting to tell them that they will not receive any food or help from the town unless they work to earn the food or help. Everyone starts pulling their own weight tomorrow.”
Gerry laughed. “Pop, I’ve always thought you to be too tough on people, but you are right. I was told that I had a team of eight people to help me get the water pumps working. Only Larry and Jed do any work. The others always have excuses not to work. Pop, we need to get rid of about a hundred of these leeches and get fifty hard working people to join us.”
“I agree. What’s for supper, Joan?”
“Mr. Fox, we have a roast, carrots, and potatoes for supper. I’m afraid they were all from cans so the supper might not be up to your standards,” the maid replied.
“Joan, I know you heard our conversation. What do you think?”
“Mr. Fox, I agree that too many people are shirking their responsibilities. We have too many outsiders who escaped California when the taxes went through the roof mixed in with people from California who retired early. All were rich, and none had performed any type of physical labor in their entire lives. You have your work cut out for you.”
Carlos shook the woman’s hand. “Thanks for being honest. What did you do before the catastrophe?”
“I taught science at the middle
school.”
“Gretchen, please get this lady on your school startup team.”
Gretchen laughed. “Joan is on my team, and we’ll be starting a new maid here so she can take over the startup. I’m kicking that asshole professor out of the group that the mayor assigned to me. He doesn’t have a clue about educating kids and just wants to pontificate about social injustice all day long. We need kids who can read, write, and perform math.”
Gerry asked, “Pop, what about having your men that are searching for Tom Horn look for hardworking people to join us so we can get this recovery moving much faster.”
“Son, I’ve never had people searching for Mr. Horn. He left the area and is out of my sight. That is all I wanted. He has suffered enough.”
“Pop, don’t blow a gasket, but he and his people would make a great addition to our group.”
Carlos winked at his wife. “And that cute daughter of his has nothing to do with this sudden request.”
“Maybe a little bit.”
“Sorry son, but I’m afraid that he would try to kill me in my sleep even though I had nothing to do with his wife and daughter’s murder.”
***
The more Missy found out about Clarkdale, the more she was confident that Carlos Fox would know what happened to her father. She was careful not to ask too many questions but had learned during her interrogation classes how to get people to open up about themselves and their town. The most important thing she didn’t know was that Carlos had his men spread disinformation about the battle down in Stony Creek to the citizens in Clarkdale and Stony Creek. They made up stories that made Meg, Tom, and Walt the villains and Slim out to be a hero who died resisting their evil intentions. Carlos promised not to kill Tom; he didn’t promise to make Tom’s existence nice and bearable.