Moving over, Dallas stepped in front of Nelson. “Son, we can’t take that,” Dallas said, but Nelson could see it in Dallas’s eyes that it’d hurt to say.
Turning to Bernard, “So, I guess you’re just going to referee?” Nelson snapped.
“Nope,” Bernard said, turning and leaning his M14 against the Flyer before taking his vest off. “Sorry Dallas, but you and I will start this tussle off. I’m telling you now, you’re going to have to kill me before it gets taken back.”
Lunging forward, Dallas wrapped his arms around Bernard with tears on his cheeks. “I would never fight you, Bernard,” Dallas said, hugging Bernard tight.
“Do something like this again and we will,” Bernard chuckled, hugging Dallas back.
Walking over, Matt rolled his head on his shoulders, popping his neck. “Okay, who starts with us?” Matt asked, flexing his massive arms and Ronald stood beside him, popping his knuckles.
Releasing Bernard, Dallas looked at Matt. “There won’t be a tussle. You were right,” Dallas said, wiping his cheeks.
“Thank God!” Ashley cried out, grabbing her vest and putting it back on. “You see how many ankles I would’ve had to bite?” she cried out and everyone busted out laughing.
The family came over, shaking hands and hugging the group. Nelson stumbled back as Scott came over and picked Gavin up in the air. With wide eyes, Gavin looked around at the top of everyone’s heads. When Scott put Gavin down, he moved over to Nelson.
“Scott, you pick me up like that and I swear, I’ll pee all over your chest,” Nelson said and the group laughed harder. Scott pulled Nelson over and hugged him. Since Scott was well over a foot taller, Nelson’s face was buried in Scott’s chest.
“Bernard, you’re sure about this?” Dallas asked, stepping over to Matt and hugging him.
“It wouldn’t be here otherwise,” Bernard said, hugging Kathleen.
When Scott released Nelson, Nelson looked up at Scott. “I’m sorry, but I don’t have gear that will fit you. But Nellie said Kathleen was very good at altering stuff to fit this family,” Nelson said.
“Oh, Ma is great at that,” Scott said, patting Nelson’s back.
Dallas moved over and hugged Nelson, “Thank you, son,” Dallas said. Releasing Nelson, Dallas saw Alex get picked up by Scott. “Hey Alex, where’s Adam?”
As Scott put Alex down, “He’s back at the farm. We had duty last night but I got to go to bed early,” Alex said, running to Sean.
Seeing Dallas about to ask, Nelson grabbed his arm and leaned over. “His Mom and Dad were killed at the Winona detention center,” Nelson said in a low voice. “They raped his Mom in front of their Dad and then killed them.”
Dallas’ face turned purple and he stepped away, taking deep breaths. “Oh my God,” Kathleen said, stumbling back.
“Kathleen, could you quietly move around and tell the others,” Nelson asked softly. “Ryan asked last night and it really made them sad. Don’t be mad at Ryan because he didn’t know and feels real bad about it.”
Nodding, Kathleen moved around the family whispering. A vise gripped Nelson’s arm and spun him around and Nelson found himself staring at a very pissed Dallas. “Where are those…,” Dallas stuttered. “Bitches!”
“Oh, those are dead,” Nelson said. “Matt and I hit them with Michelle and Gerald. I should add, Nellie and Bernard fed some of them into a huge wood chipper, and they weren’t dead when they did it.”
Narrowing his eyes, Dallas looked hard at Nelson. “This is now a war of blood, son. They attacked our family and we will bleed them dry,” he growled.
Nodding, “That’s why we are giving you this stuff,” Nelson said. “You and your family have honor. I know without a doubt if we call, you and yours will be there fighting beside us.”
“Don’t you ever doubt it,” Dallas said as the purple slowly left his face.
“Who’s your quartermaster?” Nelson asked and Dallas just looked at him. “Who’s over supplies, so they can tell us where to put this stuff? You don’t want it all stored in the house.”
“Cara!” Dallas shouted and the group fell silent as a form plowed through the bodies.
“Yeah, Paw?” Cara said, stopping in front of Dallas and holding a toddler in her arms.
“Get this stuff unloaded on the porch. You’re now…,” Dallas stopped and looked at Nelson.
“Quartermaster,” Nelson helped.
“Yeah, that,” Dallas said. “Don’t put it all in the house and you decide where it goes and who puts it up.”
“Yes, sir,” Cara said, giving the toddler to an older kid as she called out names.
“Nelson, you better be tellin’ us the next time you attack,” Dallas said. “Because there ain’t enough blood in the world to make amends but damn it, we goin’ to try.”
“Yes, sir,” Nelson said.
“Nelson, it’s Dallas,” he said smiling.
Smiling, “Okay Dallas, but Bernard needs to talk to you alone and I need to talk to Sean,” Nelson said.
“Sean!” Dallas bellowed and Sean came running.
“Yes, sir?” Sean said, stopping beside Dallas.
“Nelson needs to speak with ya,” Dallas said, walking over to Bernard.
“But Paw, Cara said I had to make an area to store ammo,” Sean said.
“Cara, Sean is busy right now! Have another do it until he’s done!” Dallas bellowed.
Sticking a finger in his ear, Nelson wiggled it, trying to make the ringing stop. “Shit,” he mumbled. “If my dad would’ve ever hollered like that to me, I would’ve shit twice and died.”
Holding his chin high, “I’m not ashamed to say, I wet my pants when I was eighteen years old, standing in the living room when dad yelled at me,” Sean said.
Grabbing his gear, Nelson put it back on. “We need to step away from everyone, I have some things I want to talk to you about,” Nelson said.
Walking away, Nelson laid it out for Sean why he wanted Sean and his family to move over. He laid out the good, the bad, and the ugly. When he was done, Sean just looked at him in shock.
“Nelson, if my family will be a burden here, then they will be with your group,” Sean said.
“Sean, Jesus!” Nelson cried out. “You aren’t a burden to your family, but even with what we brought over, seven more mouths to feed will just stretch the food a little too far. I will bring over more food if you don’t join us but you don’t realize, I was prepared to fight just so you and your family would take what we had brought over.”
“I know,” Sean said solemnly. “That is the hardest, fighting family.”
“Hey, look at it from my point of view. I was fighting the giant side of the family,” Nelson cried out and Sean snickered. “Sean, like I said, I will bring over more food if you don’t, but you will stand beside me next time because I don’t know if Dallas will let me do that again.”
Contorting his face as he thought, “No, I think he would, but it would make him feel lesser of a man,” Sean finally said. “Are you certain we won’t be a strain on your group? I can hunt enough and we would only eat meat, but I can supply some food for my family.”
Looking at Sean, Nelson nodded. “Sean, at Bernard’s we won’t have to put in a greenhouse or garden for two years, even with your group there,” Nelson said.
Letting out a gasp, “You guys were those preppers they talk about,” Sean said.
“You can call us that,” Nelson said. “But you coming over will also give more room here in the house, but I also have a selfish reason.”
“And what is that?” Sean asked hesitantly.
Taking a deep breath, “My daughter Olivia, has asthma bad. If we are driven off that farm, she will die. I’m trying to set up alternate sites, but…,” Nelson sighed, looking away.
Reaching over, Sean gripped Nelson’s shoulder. “I know what that took to ask,” Sean said. “And I’m honored that you think that much of me.”
Nelson turned to Sean with watery eyes
. “All I ever wanted was a real family and I have one. I can’t lose them,” Nelson said with a warbling voice. “Dying for them scares me more than anything because now we don’t have enough people to protect what we have at Bernard’s.”
Dropping his hand off Nelson’s shoulder, “I have to talk it over with Dianna and if she agrees, then the kids,” he said and then looked away. “I hope you didn’t talk about this with Lucy around.”
“Ah, no,” Nelson said, blinking his eyes dry. “You daughter is corrupting mine. Lucy told Olivia that she would teach Olivia to ride a bull.”
“Hey, she’s pretty good,” Sean chuckled.
“Olivia’s five,” Nelson said and Sean stopped laughing.
“I’ll talk to her,” Sean said smiling. “Just so you know, I’m for moving over and I’m sure Dianna will be also once I explain it to her. Paw will be the one to say something.”
“That’s what Bernard is talking to him about,” Nelson said.
“Well, seems they’re done,” Sean said and Nelson turned and saw Dallas walking over.
“Well, his face isn’t purple,” Nelson said, watching Dallas walk up.
Dallas looked at Sean, “Nelson talk to you about moving?” Dallas asked and Nelson was surprised that Dallas’s voice was pleasant.
“Yes, sir,” Sean said.
“Son, you can stay here, we can make it. This is the family’s land,” Dallas said.
Sean looked at Dallas. “I know, Paw, but they need other fighters over there. We have plenty here and everyone in my family knows how to work on a farm,” Sean said.
“Hey, Bernard has been teaching us for several years,” Nelson whined.
Dallas just smiled at Nelson and then turned to Sean. “I know, son. That’s the only reason I told Bernard I wouldn’t fight you on this decision,” Dallas said.
“Paw, if we don’t go, they don’t have the numbers to fight off an attack. Paw, with Bernard’s farm and this one, we stand a good chance to make it through this,” Sean said and Dallas nodded. “Besides, Paw, if something were to happen at Bernard’s and we couldn’t make it in time to help, nobody in this family would ever feel right again.”
Putting his hand on Sean’s shoulder, Dallas nodded. “I know, son. I told Bernard if you didn’t go, mom and I would,” Dallas said and Nelson stumbled back in shock. Tripping over his feet, Nelson landed on his butt, staring at Dallas in astonishment.
If Nelson was astonished, Sean was catatonic. Sean just stared at his dad with a gaping mouth. “They willingly helped us, asking nothing but loyalty and friendship. I know they are fighters, son, just look at what they’ve done by themselves. With us joining them, just think how much good we can do,” Dallas said, squeezing Sean’s shoulder.
“But the decision is yours and your familys,” Dallas said and then grinned. “Lucy has already asked Dianna if she could go back and spend the night. Something about wars in the stars.”
Getting up, Nelson brushed his pants off. “Dallas, we didn’t give you that stuff to make you feel indebted to us,” he groaned.
“I know, son,” Dallas said, still staring at Sean. “Nelson, you done it because it was right for you and us. I hope you know, we will stand with you, Nelson and not because you gave us the stuff.”
Finally blinking, Sean nodded. “Yeah, I don’t like them depending on Mr. Hank,” he said. “He’s alright, but that man’s grain elevator doesn’t go all the way to the top.”
Raising his hand and pointing at the sky, “On that, sirs, we can agree on,” Nelson said.
“I just want you to know, Paw, I’m not leaving the family,” Sean said.
Dallas chuckled, “Sean, everyone knows that, or will if you go. You’ll just be protecting this family further away and our new family really close.”
Relief flowed through Sean as he looked off grinning. “It would be right nice not to be stepping on kids just getting out of bed,” he said.
“Huh?” Nelson huffed.
“Our kids sleep on the floor of our bedroom,” Sean said and Nelson’s eyes got big. “Hey, Lucy tried to sleep in the bed with us when this started, but I had to move her to the floor before she killed me and Dianna.”
“Olivia is nowhere near the size of Lucy and she kicks our asses when she sleeps with us,” Nelson said.
“When are you going to talk to Dianna?” Dallas asked.
“About to now,” Sean said, moving away and Dallas nodded, turning to Nelson.
“What’s Bernard talking about you and Ronald setting up power for us?” Dallas asked and Sean stopped.
“You have power?” Sean asked.
“Yeah. How else did Lucy take a hot shower and then fill the tub with hot water and sit in it until she wrinkled up?” Nelson laughed. “Michelle said Ryan was getting mad at her because he wanted a hot shower and Lucy wouldn’t come out. Michelle let Ryan use our shower.”
“And you can set up power here?” Sean asked.
“WE,” Nelson stressed, “are going to do our best. We have to have cold storage here or this is going to get a lot harder.”
“Sean, go talk to Dianna while I talk with Nelson about this power,” Dallas said, shooing Sean away.
Dallas and Nelson went and got Ronald, then walked to a stream several hundred yards from the house. Ronald pulled out a laser range finder, aiming at the house. “Nelson, I don’t do water flow. Is that enough?” Ronald said and then pulled out a notebook, making notes.
Looking at the stream, Nelson nodded, “Yeah, it will do, but we need more of a drop to get the pressure,” Nelson said and then followed the stream. “Is this the closest to the house it gets?” he asked Dallas.
“Naw. It runs off the hill behind the house, but hits a few springs on the way here,” Dallas said.
Climbing the hill, Nelson moved along the stream until he came to a small waterfall. “That’s a thirty gallon a minute flow. With a reservoir up here, we are in business. Need to get Bernard’s excavator over here,” Nelson said.
“I have a backhoe,” Dallas said.
Cringing, Nelson asked, “Is it a Deere?”
“What other kind would it be?” Dallas snapped and Nelson sighed.
“Bernard won’t touch anything unless it’s a Deere. I thought I was going to have to shoot him to drive a Bobcat,” Nelson said. “Not saying you can’t operate the backhoe, but Bernard knows what I need done without me explaining it.”
“He’s used it before,” Dallas shrugged.
Ronald looked down the steep slope. “We have the wire to set up there at the bottom of the hill with ease,” he said.
“Gentlemen, we are in business,” Nelson said proudly.
The next week flew by as they settled Sean and his family in the house and set up a hydro-power station at Dallas’s. No sooner than Sean’s family was there that everyone could tell a huge difference in the workload everyone had to pull.
Gerald, Michelle, Matt, Ashley, and Sean moved out, contacting others they had talked to and setting up a meeting.
Ronald, Nelson, and Bernard stayed at Dallas’s for three nights as they worked on the power. When they were done, the hydro-station put out a steady thirty kilowatts. Not enough to run everything at once, but enough to run everything if some things were turned off.
Everyone was just happy with power and running water once again.
Chapter 10
Rolling over in bed, Nelson cracked his eye open to look at the clock. Seeing it was almost 0500, Nelson gave a groan and slowly sat up. Throwing his legs over the side, Nelson stretched his arms out as he yawned.
“Do you have to make so much noise?” Michelle groaned beside him.
“Hell, yeah. I’m sore,” Nelson groaned, standing up. Stumbling into the bathroom, Nelson opened the medicine cabinet. Grabbing the bottle of ibuprofen, Nelson shook out four. “You need any ibuprofen?” he called out.
“Leave me three out,” Michelle said, sitting up. “I swear, if anyone at this meeting gives me lip, I’m shootin
g their ass,” she said, getting out of bed.
As Michelle walked in, Nelson moved over. “I won’t be putting in another hydro-station anytime soon. Shit, now I know why we did all that prep work before the shit hit the fan,” he said. “How did Ashley do on patrol with you?”
“Oh, Ashley is great,” Michelle said. “She’s so damn little, Ashley can move through the brush with barely making any sound.”
“You think she will pull the trigger?”
Nodding, “Without a doubt,” Michelle said.
“How did Sean and his boys do?”
“Cody is a hunter and Blake is good, but wants to get in the shit. Sean moves really good for someone his size,” Michelle said. “I thought he would be mad when Gerald asked him to carry that M60, but Sean just started clapping.”
Walking out and grabbing his workout clothes, Nelson held them up just staring at them. “Nelson, we have skipped too many,” Michelle called out of the bathroom.
Spinning around, Nelson saw she couldn’t see him. “I wasn’t thinking that,” he cried out.
“Yes, you were, because I didn’t hear you getting dressed,” Michelle said, walking out and heading for the dresser. As Nelson moved to the door with his workout clothes in his hand, Michelle cleared her throat. “You can’t walk out in your underwear. Lucy spent the night and is sleeping with Olivia.”
Grumbling, Nelson moved to the bed, pulling on his shorts and tank top. “And where was I at?” Nelson asked, getting off the bed.
“Passed out on the bed like an old lady,” Michelle groaned, putting on her shorts. “Babe, if missing workouts makes me feel like this, then we need to figure something out so I can get pregnant.”
“Michelle, I feel like someone beat the shit out of me with a bat. What Bernard couldn’t do with that backhoe, we had to do with shovels,” Nelson said, grabbing the door. “Missouri has too many rocks in the ground to use a shovel. I feel older than dirt.”
“Pour me a cup of coffee please before dirt catches up with you in age,” she said as he walked out.
Smelling the coffee coming down the hall, Nelson was convinced the automatic coffee maker was one of mankind’s top inventions. Pouring his and Michelle’s cups, Nelson grabbed his cup and headed back down the hall.
Storm Front Page 10
