by Kim McMahill
“I think I just have,” she mumbled as she snuggled closer, inhaled the familiar masculine scent of Deuce, and drifted off to sleep.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Niki and Sarah huddled around the small fire, trying to keep the smoke to a minimum. The sun had just begun to rise and the morning humidity kept a sharp chill in the air. The two women sipped coffee in silence as Bernie and the girls slept.
An approaching horse drew Niki’s gaze away from the flames. She watched as Frank rode up and dismounted.
“How are the sheep and dogs this morning?” she asked.
“Calm and fed. Doesn’t look like anything else has tried to bother them.” Frank accepted the cup of coffee from Niki’s hand.
“Thanks.” Frank joined Niki and Sarah, sipping his coffee, enjoying the peace of early morning. He had spent much of his adult life in a similar setting as the one around him, which was why he had chosen to be a wrangler, but this was the first time death lingered just outside the campsite and lives other than his own were at risk.
“Joe’s on his way up the ridge to relieve Deuce. When he gets back we’ll go over the plan again.”
Niki and Sarah nodded their understanding and continued to sip the strong camp coffee and soak up the morning sun, thankful the storm had passed without incident and the area around camp was quickly drying out. The rain made the scent of pine stronger than usual, leaving the air smelling clean and fresh as it always did in the mountains after a drenching storm. This morning the scent was especially welcome since it erased the remaining stench of the slaughter.
Deuce approached. He looked exhausted and Niki hoped she hadn’t kept him from his rest. She hadn’t even stirred when he left sometime in the middle of the night to relieve Frank. All she knew was that when she woke he was gone and she had slept without being disturbed by nightmares. It was the first time she could ever remember sleeping through a storm, peacefully and without fear.
Niki looked up into his slightly blackened eyes, wondering how much of the color remained from the beating he took and how much was due to exhaustion. His expression was tired, hard and somewhat possessive. Despite his gaze holding no warmth, she could tell the shield he had constructed around his heart was still down and he would not push her away again.
Deuce crouched down next to her, resting on his heels and close enough their shoulders touched. He accepted a cup of coffee from Sarah and wasted no time in filling them in on the status of the soldiers.
“At daybreak the soldiers had a good fire going—made no attempt to conceal the smoke. It was doused about a half an hour ago. I can only assume they’re heading our direction. If I’m right, we can expect company in about six or seven hours judging by the distance of the smoke column.”
Niki stood and paced. She had already had three run-ins with the soldiers and had no desire to experience a fourth—sooner or later her luck was bound to run out. When she thought about the previous experiences it was hard to hold back the panic, but she refused to show any fear or weakness. Each member of their group needed to hold up under the pressure if they had any hope of survival.
“When I was scouting yesterday I found a place about a hundred yards that way,” he said while pointing toward an area near the creek and upstream. “The way the rocks are strewn, it creates a small, nearly-enclosed stone ring with only one opening big enough to squeeze a body or a cot through. It’s a decent shelter and we can roll a few more rocks in the gaps to make it better. In about five hours I think we should move Bernie and any essential supplies into the rock enclosure. Unfortunately, there’s not enough room for everything. When our company gets near, we’ll have Lacy and April wait with him and put Sarah just inside the entrance with Joe’s shotgun. If everyone stays behind the rocks, hopefully they won’t be spotted, but if so, Sarah has a reasonably good defensive position to hold them off and the stones will stop bullets a heck of a lot better than the canvas of the tent.”
Niki tried to stop pacing, but found it impossible to sit. She picked up the coffee pot and walked around the group, refilling each person’s cup whether they needed it or not. She saw no possibility of there being a positive outcome if they were forced into a direct confrontation with the soldiers. The previous encounters had been successful only because they had been afforded the element of surprise. This time the soldiers would not be caught off guard.
“Papa has a shotgun Sarah can use, so Joe can keep his,” Niki added. “He also has a twenty-two pistol. The problem, of course, is ammunition. He brings enough ammo for the shotgun in case he wants a grouse for dinner and the twenty-two to scare away any coyotes bothering the sheep, not enough to wage war. There are probably only about fifteen shotgun shells in the box and the twenty-two has six rounds in the cylinder and nearly a full box on top of that.”
Deuce had forgotten about Bernie’s small arsenal. It gave them a little more firepower, but not the kind to stand up against automatic weapons. He wished he could think of plan with better odds of success, but their options were limited. They couldn’t outrun healthy soldiers or outfight them. Their only hope was to avoid discovery and even that scenario seemed increasingly unlikely. There was no way to hide a thousand sheep, two dogs, two mules, five horses and an entire camp worth of supplies, including a large wall tent.
“Well, at least all the adults are armed now. Frank, Joe and I will spread out around the perimeter of the camp and behind the best cover we can find and try to remain hidden unless our hand is forced. The horses are tied up far enough away from where Bernie and the girls will be hidden so even if they make noise they shouldn’t be heard and the mules are loose.”
Deuce studied Niki for a second and their eyes locked.
“I assume there’s no way short of tying you up that I can convince you to wait it out with Bernie behind the cover of the boulders?”
Niki smiled and shook her head.
“Didn’t think so, but figured I’d try. In that case, you’re our sniper. We’ll put you on the ridge in our look-out position. We’ll move some rocks and logs around to create better cover and a good rest for you to steady the rifle on. Pick your targets well so you don’t waste ammo. You have exactly thirteen shells left. It’s a long shot down hill, so remember to adjust for that if you have to fire. You’ll need to aim low. If you don’t have a good shot, stay hidden. No sense giving away your position if you don’t have to.”
They had just finished with the planning when Lacy and April wandered out of the tent, rubbing their sleepy eyes and looking far too innocent for the day that was sure to come. No more was spoken of the trouble in front of the children while they ate breakfast and tried to keep the mood as light as possible.
After camp was tidied, Deuce left to fill Joe in on the latest plan and to construct better cover and a shooting platform for Niki on the ridge. Sarah took the girls to the creek to wash and Niki decided to engage her grandfather in what she imagined would be a battle.
When she entered the tent, Bernie was awake. She kissed his forehead and gave him water. His head was still warm, but not hot. He was so weak that she had to help him to a sitting position, but he seemed much more lucid than he had the previous day. She talked as she fed him breakfast.
“Papa, there’s a group of foreign soldiers camped not too far away and we believe they’re heading in our direction as we speak. We don’t know how many, but we think they’ll be here in about five or six more hours. I want you to try to rest and conserve your strength. In a few hours we’re going to move you to a place Deuce found which will be safer than the tent. It’s a nearly enclosed ring of large granite boulders butted up against a cliff face. Sarah and the girls will be with you.”
“Where will you be?”
“On the ridge. Don’t worry, I’ll be furthest away from the action and I’ll stay behind cover. Plan A, and our best hope of survival, is to hide and pray we’re not found, which isn’t likely with all the animals, people and gear. Plan B is to defend ourselves the best we ca
n.”
Niki had never seen her grandfather look so weak and beaten down. Her heart ached at witnessing his spirit broken and she felt her hope slowly slipping away. Though he never backed down from anything, this time he had no ability to fight and she knew his helplessness was killing him.
“I promised your mother I would take care of you and I’ve clearly failed. I hate feeling this useless.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You’ve always been the strongest man I’ve ever known. I thought I was invincible with my fearless Papa nearby, but this is beyond any of our control. The entire country is fighting an unusual and unexpected battle and because of our unfortunate location near missile silos, control towers, and apparently some hidden underground launch facility, we’re not immune. If we’re meant to survive, we will. If we don’t, at least we gave it all we had.”
“Have I ever told you how proud I am of you?”
“Actually, you have many times, like when I caught my first fish, graduated from high school, then from college, landed my first job and practically everything else I’ve ever done in my life. You’re the best grandfather a girl could ever hope for and I love you dearly. You’ve taken such good care of me and when we get out of this mess you’re going to let me take care of you. Save your energy and don’t even think of arguing. Remember, I’m just as stubborn as you.”
Several minutes elapsed in silence. Niki didn’t know what else to say. She had expected her grandfather to argue about being moved and hidden with the women and children. Figuring he would demand to be propped up behind a boulder with a gun, his lack of fight made her sad and it terrified her. Looking down at their entwined hands she smiled, pushing back the fear and tears as her grandfather’s grip tightened.
The old man tugged at her hand, bringing her closer. When he spoke his words were so faint and weak it hardly sounded like her grandfather at all. His voice had always been as robust as his personality, but now the light in his eyes was fading and Niki didn’t know what to do to bring the fire back. She feared if the light dimmed any more it would simply go out.
He motioned for Niki to give him another drink of water. He tried to scoot himself higher in the bed, wincing with pain as he inched up. He cleared his throat and with visible effort, spoke.
“Obviously we don’t know exactly what we’re up against unless there’s something you’re not telling me. It could be three men or thirty, but we can be certain their weapons will be far superior to ours. Best case scenario they’ll have automatic weapons, worst case, grenades or bombs. We’re strong and determined, but at the end of the day we’re just peace-loving ranchers, mothers, daughters and friends who will fight to protect those we love.”
Niki wasn’t sure where he was going, but she didn’t interrupt, only held on tighter.
“I wish you would all mount up and ride like hell away from here, but I imagine you won’t do that. If we stay put it’s possible, if not likely, we won’t all make it. If I don’t, promise me you won’t be sad. I’ve had a good life and I can leave this world now with a mind at ease and a heart at peace. You no longer need me and I’m confident you’ll never have to be alone.”
Niki lost her battle with the tears that had been threatening to escape ever since she entered the tent and saw her grandfather’s fragile condition. The salty drops streamed down her cheeks unabated.
“I’ll always need you,” she cried as her head fell to his chest.
He waited until she was able to hold her emotions in check long enough to look up at him. His expression was warm and his voice a little stronger.
“You’ve always come to me when the sky lit up and the thunder roared, but last night you turned to Deuce.”
“I thought you were asleep.”
“It wouldn’t have mattered. You needed comfort and sought it where you should. Now go and I’ll try to rest while I can.”
“No. I’m not leaving you. I just didn’t want to wake you up last night, that’s all. I need you now and always.”
“Go, Niki. Deuce needs you more.”
“No. You need me. Don’t turn me away, you’re all I have,” she sobbed.
Bernie let Niki cry herself out, her head resting on his chest. Stroking her hair, he thought back to the fearless little girl who had followed him all over these mountains and who had always looked at him as if he was the strongest, most important man in the world. He loved being the center of her universe, but knew it was selfish to not want more for her. Glancing up, he noticed Deuce watching them from just outside the tent flap.
The old man motioned him over. As Deuce reached them Bernie nudged Niki into the younger man’s arms. Deuce pulled her close and led her out into the warm sun and held her while the tears continued to stream down her cheeks.
Deuce didn’t know what to say to ease her pain, so he said nothing. She seemed so small and fragile in his arms, but as he thought back over everything that had happened since the crisis began, he knew she was strong and when the time came she would hold her own and then some.
As she relaxed and her tears dried, Deuce eased her back until he could look into her deep blue eyes. He saw pain, but he also saw determination. She had proven herself time and again and he would never make her, or let her, feel helpless again.
“Come on. We’ve got work to do.” He looped his arm loosely around her shoulders and urged her on.
Deuce paused as they reached the tent flap. They looked in and watched for a moment as Bernie slept. The look on the old man’s face exuded peace. Deuce glanced down at Niki and she gave him a weak smile. It wasn’t much, but enough to convince him the bulk of the storm in Niki’s heart had passed.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Everyone was in place. The waiting had been interminable, but it still wasn’t over, in fact it hadn’t even begun. Niki pulled the binoculars out and scanned the forest for any sign of movement. She had been perched on the ridge for nearly an hour and so far had seen no indication of the soldiers or any sign of the helicopter. She looked around below and was pleased her friends and family were well hidden. She knew where they were, yet she still couldn’t see them.
They had a geographically advantageous position. The soldiers were being funneled into a classic ambush site, but they hoped an ambush wouldn’t be necessary since it would be of little help against superior training, weapons and numbers. Niki had always been a realist, so she hated to acknowledge they needed good fortune and a miracle in order to survive. She had never felt especially lucky, especially as of late, and didn’t believe in miracles.
Raising the canteen to her lips, Niki took a long drink of water then picked up the binoculars and scanned the most likely approach route again. Her stomach lurched and her heart raced as she saw the first armed soldier climb over the small rise separating camp from the sheep meadow and wondered why the dogs, sheep and mules had given no warning. They had counted on the animals raising a ruckus at the strangers, but the domestic animals remained as silent as the wild forest creatures. Maybe they had sensed the danger or maybe the soldiers moved with enough ease and stealth to not upset the dogs and grazers, but no matter the reason the enemy approached unannounced.
Taking out her grandfather’s turkey call, she scratched out three calls letting everyone know the soldiers had arrived. Niki doubted the soldiers could hear the warning at their current distance, but if they did, hopefully the noise sounded like a real turkey.
She shimmied out full-length onto her belly, flattening her profile and readying the rifle. With the gun resting on the small bench created by strategically placed rocks, she could now use its scope to watch the line of soldiers crest the rise. She fought to control her breathing as she counted the men coming into view.
“No wonder it took multiple trips to fly in the soldiers,” Niki whispered as she counted the tenth and final soldier in the line.
As planned, she held up ten fingers and hoped Deuce could see them from his post through Frank’s binoculars. The forest seemed unnaturally quie
t as she continued to watch the line of soldiers move closer to their abandoned camp. The light wind seemed incapable of rustling the trees, no birds sang, but the sound of her own breathing resounded in her head like an oncoming freight train.
A gut-wrenching howl of pain broke the silence and the soldiers scattered into the trees. The lead soldier fell to the ground, writhing in pain as he fought to release the trap gripping his ankle. After several minutes of futile attempts to free his crushed bones from the steel jaws, two men emerged cautiously from the trees, back to back, automatic weapons poised, searching and ready to kill. They reached the struggling man and one released his comrade from the trap while the other watched their backs. Holding their rifles at the ready, the two men hoisted the third, retreating to the cover of the trees.
Niki silently cursed as she watched. The trap had disabled one man, but hadn’t taken him completely out of the game. He would be in incredible pain, she had no doubt, but he would still be able to fire a weapon. Now the soldiers would be more alert and would certainly avoid the remainder of the booby-trapped path. She had hoped for so much more damage, but all they’d really done was alert the enemy.
The remaining nine men stayed close to the trees as they cautiously neared the tent. They were now in a military formation, approaching and leaving no flank uncovered. The new leader strafed the tent, sending pieces of canvas fluttering in a breeze created by the rapid fire. Rock chips flew as bullets became embedded in the concave cliff face which had partially protected the tent until now. The noise created by the rounds hitting the stone was deafening and sent goose bumps racing up Niki’s arms.
She covered her ears to dull the terrifying sound of the weapon’s rapidly repeating fire, wondering how their little group could possibly stand up to such a formidable force. With a glance down at the rifle resting on the rock slab, she nearly laughed. The 30-06 was a great gun for hunting and accurate long-distance shots, but its single shot capability made it a painfully inadequate weapon for battle.
