“However, the two Miller boys have only heard one story, and it’s from their mother. They were here last night on our property. Not only on the edge of it but a full-on breach of our security allowed two teenage boys to advance to the center of our Ranch and my house.
“Those of you on security last night will be training this afternoon with Jimmy and me… On second thought, we will all train today after a quick lunch. Mistakes will happen, but this type of breach can’t happen again.
“I can handle myself, as every one of you here can. Still, we are all responsible for protecting everyone else in this valley, and that includes our West neighbors. I have been in contact with both Bill and John on this matter and, for now, John wants increased security to be the top priority.”
“I have a suggestion if it’s OK?” Jimmy spoke up.
“Sure. What’s on your mind?” asked Mac.
“Well, maybe a couple of guys and I could head up to the Millers’ place—without you, of course—and try to talk to the boys.”
“I’m not sure that would do any good, but I’ll bring it up to John and Bill and see what they think,” replied Mac.
“Are you worried about what might happen to me?” Jimmy asked.
“No. I’m concerned about what may happen to the boys,” said Mac.
“I guess Mrs. Miller is single now,” blurted out one of the guys.
“Is that supposed to be funny?” asked Mac in a serious tone.
“No, sir,” the man stammered. “I’m sorry.”
“Is that funny, Jimmy?” asked Mac to the young man who was smiling.
“I’m sorry, Mac, but after the few days we’ve had, it’s a little bit funny.”
Mac’s glare turned into a slight smile. “Yeah, OK. I guess it’s a little funny. Seriously though, you’re a good group, and this job we have been tasked with will only get harder as the days and weeks roll on. Let’s get lunch and meet back here in one hour.”
Mac and Jimmy had lunch with Bill at John’s house. Jimmy was eager to pitch his plan and was pleased to get a positive response. “It may be worth a try,” said Bill, “but we might want to run it by Samuel, so that he’s in the loop.”
“Agreed,” added John. “I would rather know where we stand on this matter sooner than later.”
* * * *
“Bill!” came the call on the radio from the southern perimeter.
“We’ve got about 50-70 people out here, and they say they’re from the city.”
“What city?” Bill asked.
“From Loveland” came the reply. “And they want access to their lake,” as they say. “What are they talking about?” the border guard asked.
“The reservoir,” replied Bill, with a sigh. “The City of Loveland had it built more than ten years ago as a backup supply of water for the whole town.”
“They just crossed the major Big Thompson River, with plenty of water, to get over to this side. So, I’m not sure what they want,” the border guard continued.
“We will be down in a few. Don’t let them through,” said Bill.
“OK, boss. We will try to hold them off, but please get here as quickly as you can.”
“What do you think, John?” asked Bill.
“They can get all the water they need from the river, so it has to be about our valley,” John replied.
“This pristine valley is protected on all sides,” added Mac, “with livestock and gardens, so it’s a no-brainer.”
All paused for what seemed like hours to Mac, until John finally spoke.
“We will let one man through to inspect the reservoir, whoever the leader is. Mac, you and Jimmy will escort him and do your best to figure out his intentions. You will only get one shot at this before we have a significant conflict on our soil, so we’re counting on you.”
“Yes, sir,” they both replied at once, with Mac grabbing Jimmy by the shoulder and heading out the door.
“What was that about?” asked Jimmy, as they headed to their four-wheelers.
“I just didn’t want to get pigeonholed into any more instructions we had to follow. Right now, it’s simple. Show the guy around and then show him the door. If they all get on the property, it makes things much more complicated.”
“I get it,” replied Jimmy. “I guess the perimeter training will have to wait,” he added.
“Let them know we will try to pick it up tomorrow, but I want the highest security tonight,” stated Mac.
Arriving at the southern point, it wasn’t hard to spot the man in charge. His name was Cory and he was the Chief of Police for the City of Loveland.
He agreed to come across alone, as long as his 15-year-old son could tag along.
“Why would he want to bring his kid over?” asked Jimmy in a whisper.
“Well, you only do that if you plan on staying,” replied Mac.
Officer Cory was all business in front of the other townsfolk, demanding to get to the bottom of the lost reservoir issue.
Once across the line and out of earshot from his followers, he sang a different tune. “I used to come up to this valley with my boy Cameron here,” he said, pointing to his son.
“We visited your church quite a few times over the years. His mom passed on a few years back, and well, we thought this might be a good place for us to start over.”
“Just so we’re on the same page,” said Mac, skeptically but with respect. “You brought nearly 70 people out here to our valley to ask for refuge for you and your son?”
“No, not exactly,” said Cory.
“The rest of them are townsfolk, with more than a few of them being turned away some days ago at your northernmost border. We tried to give them the slip, but they just kept following us. I was a good chief in the old-world, ask anyone, but now it’s every person for themselves and I have a son to protect and raise.
“My position and badge mean nothing now, and everyone out there,” he added, pointing across to his newly found entourage, “knows it.”
“Why would we let you and your boy stay, and no one else?” asked Mac.
“That’s a fair question,” Cory agreed. “Most folks are just going along for the ride, but there is one guy goes by the name of Ralph and he’s gathering a group of sorts to take this valley. Have you ever heard of him?”
“Yes,” replied Jimmy. “He was hired at the same time as me, but he wasn’t a good fit for either community here in the valley.”
“This Ralph guy is dead set on getting rid of someone named Mic, I think,” stated Cory.
“You mean Mac?” Jimmy asked, already knowing the answer.
“Yes, that’s it,” Cory said. “Something about stealing his wife.”
“Cory, I’m Mac,” he said, reaching his hand out. “I can assure you I have no intention of stealing his wife.”
“I figured that much,” Cory continued, “since he kept talking about having to correct his wife and boy with his fists when they didn’t listen.
“In the old-world, I would have locked that SOB up and put him in front of a jury filled with moms and dads and let them decide his fate. Now it’s a different world, and my job is to work hard and look after my boy.”
“I get it,” replied Mac.
“So, this has nothing to do with the reservoir?” asked Jimmy.
“No, not today,” Cory replied, “but there are others in town concerned about it, and they are vowing to head out here in the next week or two to secure it. I’m pretty sure they are not expecting a blockade like yours, though.”
“It certainly can’t hurt to have a Chief of Police in our group,” added Mac. “Let me talk to John and Bill about it before we move any further.”
“You mean Bill the artist?” Cory asked.
“Yes. Do you know him?” asked Mac.
“Of course! We have a meal at his and Sharon’s house every time we come out for a church service. They are good people and my boy Cameron here is an artist, just like their son Karl.
Together
they draw the most incredible portraits of the Great Pyramid and Stonehenge. It’s all math, apparently, and I don’t understand most of it but it’s still fascinating work.”
Mac called Bill on the radio, and he immediately vouched for Cory and Cameron, citing he would have to run it by the council for approval. John was on board, pending the council vote.
* * * *
Mac, returning to the border patrol, was briefed about Ralph’s challenge. It was a simple proposition. He and Mac would face off, man-to-man, in an old 1800s-style shootout draw. The victor would remain in the valley indefinitely.
Mac’s initial instinct was to ignore the challenge, as he knew the council would never approve it.
“What’s the advantage if I win?” asked Mac to the guards.
“Apparently, if you defeat Ralph, the rest of these people,” one of the guards said, pointing across the crowd, “have agreed to move on their way and not return here.”
“Can he shoot?” asked Mac.
“Nobody knows,” replied the guard. “Can you shoot?” he asked.
“I’m not half bad,” said Mac. “I grew up in Montana, and it’s practically a requirement for citizenship up there, but I’m not sure this is what needs to happen here.”
A call came over the radio from John.
“The council is behind you, Mac, whatever you choose to do,” announced John.
“Let me talk with him first,” said Mac. “Just me and Ralph.”
After fifteen minutes and a neutral-free zone prepared by the perimeter guards, the meeting of the banished man and recently accused head of security commenced.
“So, you’re taking me seriously now, since I have a large group facing your small numbers of guards. Right?” asked Ralph, smiling as if he already had the upper hand.
“I take everyone seriously all the time,” replied Mac, “and my guys could take your group out in minutes, but only if they have to. We can all walk away from this bad scenario right now, if you choose. I not now nor have I ever wanted to steal your wife from you.
“On the other hand, we can’t have 70 people gunning to take over this valley full of God-fearing people that I am proud to call family. So, if I have to meet you man-to-man to resolve this issue, then I will.”
“You are underestimating me now,” replied Ralph.
“I can assure you that I am not,” stated Mac.
Mac called his men to get Dr. Melton on the radio and down here with her medical bag, if needed for either man.
Ralph excused himself, walking back to his newly formed group, taking two items from a forest green backpack lying on the ground.
He returned moments later with two old single-shot pistols, reminding Mac of the kind used in the Old West. As a boy, Mac had read every Western book by Louis L’Amour and had an idea of how a draw might go.
He offered one more time to Ralph to call it off and go on his way up the road, to no avail.
Ralph laid the pistols side-by-side in front of Mac on a small card table used for water distribution.
“You choose,” said Ralph, with a grin.
Mac was reminded of a scene in his favorite movie, The Princess Bride. The villain, being chased by the heroine, switches cups of poison back and forth, before both rivals drink from them in a match of wits to the death.
Snapping back to focus, Mac inspected each pistol carefully, determining they both were equal in quality and each containing one round of ammunition.
He chose a weapon, as Sarah arrived with Samuel.
Grabbing Mac by the shoulder, she forcefully pulled him to the side. “Mac,” she whispered, “you don’t have to do this. I love you and want you to come back to me.”
Mac, doing his best to keep his composure, told Sarah he loved her too.
“I wish it wasn’t like this, and I’m so sorry about Bradley, but now I have no choice. I can’t stand by and watch 70 people either get killed or ravage this pristine valley. It’s worth risking my life for.”
“Let’s go, Mac!” yelled Ralph. “I don’t have all day!”
“I think the good Police Chief here,” pointing to Cory, “can go over some rules of an old-time duel,” said Ralph.
Cory laid out the rules. “Each man will holster his weapon, standing back-to-back. You will walk ten paces on my count and will only turn when I say ‘ten.’ There is only one round in each pistol, and they may both be discharged before declaring a winner. Should both men miss their mark or one man be only wounded, another round will ensue. The victor alone will remain in this valley as long as they choose. Are there any questions from either man?”
“What time is lunch?” asked Ralph loudly, getting some laughs and cheers out of his group.
Mac remained silent, blowing Sarah a fist-bump kiss.
Meeting back-to-back, Cory announced the last rule.
“Any man turning before the agreed-upon ten paces will be disqualified and immediately forfeit all rights given to the victor. Understood?”
Both men answered, “Yes, sir.”
Mac started to walk at count one, questioning his turn about. Should I turn straight or duck down?” he thought. If one misses, the other has a clean shot, he realized.
Ironically, he was walking one step at a time back towards the love of his life, nodding his head for her to get clear of the likely line of fire.
“Two,” he heard…then “three” as the countdown continued.
Mac lost track of time for a split second, and the count was eight.
“Nine…ten…and they both turned fast.
Ralph shot first, three quarters into his spin, sending the bullet ten yards to the left, striking a large pine tree.
“Your shot, Mac,” called the officiator, Cory.
Mac pointed the old pistol at his rival but didn’t fire. The stunned crowd was silent, with some holding their breath. The two men standing 20 paces from each other breathed heavily. The tension was building as everyone waited for the shot.
“It’s done!” yelled Mac, lowering his weapon, as Ralph turned to run down the road.
“All right, everyone!” called Cory loudly. “As agreed, it’s time for you all to move on.”
Some in the group were talking about why Cory and his son were staying behind.
“Good job, Mac,” said Cory, as they met to talk briefly. “You would have been well within the rules to take your shot and be done with it, but you showed constraint and that says a lot nowadays.
“By the way, I know my son and I are still pending residency here, but I want to let that group get some distance ahead of us if we should have to go back that way.”
“Sure,” replied Mac. “Any company is not always better than none…
“Excuse me,” said Mac, answering his chirping radio.
“That’s great news!” he said, walking back towards Cory and his boy.
“You mind helping out with security around here?” Mac asked Cory.
Both Cameron and his dad had huge grins and a look of relief one only gets when they have put everything on the line and are praying for a miracle.
“John, Bill, and the council unanimously voted for you two to join our group, and John has asked me to add you to my security detail, Cory. We’ve got some things for you too, Cameron, if you’re up for it,” added Mac.
“Yes, sir,” he replied eagerly. “Can I start now?”
“Hold on, buddy. Let’s get you two settled first. We will find you some housing, and I’ll schedule a property tour for tomorrow morning with Jimmy. After that, we will all be training on new security protocols, and I will be interested to hear your thoughts and suggestions, Cory.”
“Absolutely,” Cory replied. “You have no idea what this means for Cameron and me.”
“We need good, hardworking people here, and not just more bodies,” added Mac.
As the group from town settled down and cleared out, Mac caught a glimpse of Sarah off to the side. He walked slowly over to her, both smiling all the way.
“It’s always your turn, Sarah. I just have to dodge an occasional bullet here and there first.”
“She has chosen,” said Samuel quietly to one of his perimeter guards.
Mac headed back to the Ranch to get their new guests settled in. He agreed to have Sarah up to the Ranch for dinner tonight. There would be no more hiding their relationship now, as they moved forward. He felt that this new-world could make anyone feel bipolar, moving from highs to lows and back, with little warning.
Next World Series (Vol. 3): Families First [Second Wind] Page 2
