by KC Luck
Holding her tight, Sam continued to murmur sweet words of comfort into Laura’s ear. Finally, Laura was able to take a ragged breath and calm herself enough to pull back to look into Sam’s face. There was so much concern in her eyes it nearly broke Laura’s heart.
“I won’t go,” Sam said as she wiped away the tears on Laura’s damp cheeks. “I won’t go.”
Laura shook her head. As much as her heart longed to keep Sam with her always, she knew going out to scout was something the woman desperately wanted to do. Taking a deep breath to gather her courage, she shook her head.
“No,” she said. “You need to go. I won’t hold you back from something so important to you.” A hint of tears appeared in Sam’s eyes at the words, and Laura forced a weak smile. “It was just a nightmare. It wasn’t real.”
Sam leaned in and kissed Laura gently. “Are you sure?”
she asked, and Laura answered by returning the kiss with
heat until she heard the woman moan.
Breaking the kiss, Laura gasped and ran her hands down her lover’s back. “I’m sure,” she whispered. “Now make love to me, Sam Quinn. And make me forget all my silly worries.”
Being a smart woman, Sam did.
UP EARLY BEFORE THE rest of the household came around, Lexi sat at the butcher block island and sipped her morning tea. She watched Anna patiently feeding Joe his breakfast.
The boy was a big fan of the applesauce and chopped up bits of grape, but not so much of the scrambled egg. As he let the latest bite push back out of his mouth, Lexi had to take a sip of her hot beverage to hide her smile. It was a battle of will between the woman she loved and the boy she considered her own. Anna was quick with the little spoon though and deftly scooped the food off his chin and put it back in. “I know you are smiling behind that mug, Lexi Scott,” Anna said without looking at her, and Lexi laughed outright.
“You caught me, Mrs. Scott,” she admitted. “But it is amusing. Joe is a stubborn bugger.”
“He’s just strong-willed,” Anna corrected with a smile over her shoulder. “I blame you.”
Lexi grinned. “If that’s the worst of my habits he picks up, we will be fortunate,” she said.
Anna laughed. “I suppose that’s true. Although there are lots of others here to influence him as well,” she answered.
“But I consider it a good thing. It takes a tribe to raise a child right.”
Lexi nodded, draining the last of her tea before standing.
“Well, we certainly have a tribe. Now, let me take over so you can finish getting ready to head into the hospital.”
Anna held out the spoon for Lexi as she slipped off of the stool. With a peck on Lexi’s lips, she started out of the kitchen toward their bedroom. “Thank you,” she said. “I love you.”
Scooping up the next bite, Lexi smiled. “I love you, too,”
she replied and then was alone with Joe. “Okay, buddy.
Throw me a bone here. Eat some eggs?” Joe grinned and slapped his hands on the highchair’s tray. A few bits leaped off and were immediately licked up by the small group of dogs waiting on the floor for just such an opportunity. Lexi chuckled and shook her head. “A conspiracy, I think,” she said and gave Joe his bite.
As she fed the little boy, she could not deny how much she loved him. He came to them through crazy circumstances on their journey from Seattle to Astoria, and Anna, with Taylor’s help, risked their lives to save him from a car accident. His mother didn’t survive, and with no computers to run the license plate, there was no way to know who the rest of his family was or where they lived.
Thinking of it, Lexi felt a tug at her heart knowing somewhere people were probably still mourning the loss of him and his mother. If he disappeared that way on them, Lexi knew Anna’s heart would be so broken it might never recover. Which someday could be the real dilemma, she thought as she watched Joe chew his latest bite. If we ever learn where his people are, they will undoubtedly want him back. Feeding the boy another bit of grape, she hoped the day of reckoning would never come.
AS TAYLOR STOOD BESIDE him, Jack Strader scratched his head and looked at the half-empty chicken pen in his backyard. A dozen chickens pecking the ground seemed out of place in what was once a well-manicured lawn not too
many months before. Just one of many things which have changed, Taylor thought following his gaze for a moment before returning her attention back to the chicken coop.
Jack sighed. “I just don’t know how the critters are getting in,” he said. Taylor kept any thoughts to herself letting him tell his story as he remembered it. She held a notepad and pen making entries as the facts unfolded.
“Unless it’s not a critter,” Jack added and looked at her.
“What do you think, Chief?”
Taylor thought Jack was probably not far off target. This was only the latest of petty crimes over the last couple weeks. Just two days prior, a household near the hospital had their smokehouse for drying salmon raided. If she had to guess, it was someone who was hungry, but unwilling to come forward and work for what he needed. “Well, Jack, since there isn’t much damage to the pen but the lock on the gate, I would guess it was a human who stole your chickens,” Taylor answered as she closed her notebook to put it away. There was not much more to the case. She knew what needed to happen, and it required hunting down the thief. He had to live close by, if not actually in town.
Jack blew out a breath and Taylor knew he was unhappy with the answer. Keeping people out of the yard would be more difficult than stopping a coyote. “Well, at least they didn't take my rooster,” he said, and Taylor nodded. Jack was right. This was a good thing. As long as he had a rooster, there would be more chicks soon enough and chickens were a hot commodity in Astoria these days. If Jack could hatch a decent batch, he would have plenty to barter with. Every household wanted one or two hens for the eggs.
Not to mention excess roosters made for a nice Sunday dinner.
Clapping Jack on the shoulder, Taylor gave him a sympathetic smile. “That’s true. But don’t worry, I’ll catch this guy sooner rather than later,” she promised. “I’m pretty
sure I can’t get your birds back, but at least I can work to protect the rest.”
Jack seemed satisfied and walked her back to the gate.
“We all appreciate what you do, Chief,” he said. “You and Jackie both. Saved the city if you ask me.” Taylor smiled and reached out to shake the man’s hand.
“Thank you, Jack,” she said hiding how pleased she was to hear his praise. Keeping a finger on the pulse of the city was important and his comment helped her read people’s reactions to how the town was being run. “I’ll be in touch.”
As she left the man’s yard, he waved and she returned it before climbing on her bicycle to head back to the station.
Before she made it two blocks, she was intercepted by one of her deputies on his own bike. “Chief,” he started as Taylor stopped her bike. “Glad I caught up to you. Another group of newcomers has just rolled in.”
Taylor nodded, happy she was hearing about these arrivals as they happened and not afterward.
“Where are they?” she asked. She enacted a new policy, which was for her to interview all groups as they came in.
This group was the first.
“Sent them to wait at the city park just like you asked,”
he answered.
Taylor nodded. “Perfect,” she said. “Let’s go see who’s come visiting.”
CHAPTER 10
eaving the small single bunk cabin Meg provided to LGrace, she was surprised by the sound of laughter and cheers coming from across the deck. Curious, she walked toward the noise until she saw Meg's crew were working fishing poles off the side of the Wind Dancer. “Don't lose it!”
one sailor yelled at another and the man with the pole grit his teeth. Sweat dampened his face and Grace guessed he had been fighting the fish on the hook for a while.
“Shut up and just have the
damn net ready,” he snapped back, and a new round of laughter and swearing started up from the onlookers. As she surveyed the group, she realized her squad of soldiers were among them. They were hanging back and not actually fishing, but the excitement on their faces made it clear they wanted to take more of a part. The difference between her team and the ones who reported to Meg's could not be much more pronounced. While her soldiers were cleanly shaven with tight haircuts and relatively clean uniforms, the others were, quite frankly, a motley crew. Long hair, greasy from the inability to wash, beards, and a menagerie of clothing. Clearly, her first impression was wrong and Meg had no standards. It’s a wonder she keeps this ship working at all, she thought.
As if conjuring her from thin air, Grace felt the woman step up beside her. “Come on, Kenny,” she called over. “I want a fresh catch for dinner tonight!” Grace watched the man wrestling the pole pull even harder.
“You got it, Captain,” he called back. It was clear he very much wanted to please Meg.
Interesting, Grace thought. They are so loyal to her. Is it because she lets them have so much leeway? She guessed that was probably the case, and it was something she would never allow. Regulations were regulations, even during the end of the world.
“I'll wager you he loses it,” Meg whispered in Grace's direction, and Grace raised her eyebrows.
“You’re betting against your own man?” she asked turning to look at her.
Meg shrugged. “The fishing gear we have is crap,” she said. “We raided the closest bait and tackle shop we could when things started to go to hell, but we didn’t know what we would need. Nor did we take nearly enough stuff.” Meg sighed. “Frankly, no one knew how bad it would be.”
Grace certainly understood that fact. Even with all of the military’s reserves, the ever-increasing number of mouths to feed quickly become an issue. And so, we tightened our belts and rationed what we had, she remembered. On cue, her stomach grumbled.
Meg snorted a laugh, apparently having heard the sound.
“What?” Grace snapped, appalled the woman would be so classless as to laugh at someone else’s discomfort.
“You’re hungry, that’s what,” she replied. “Which means you will take my bet because you really want Kenny to reel in that thing.”
Grace refocused on the group of sailors at the ship’s rail and narrowed her eyes. She did not like being baited by the woman beside her, but the idea of fresh anything for their next meal was almost too much to resist.
“Let me be clear,” she said. “I’d be betting your man will pull that thing aboard. And when he does, what would I win?” Meg was suddenly quiet beside her and Grace glanced back over. A hint of color had flushed the woman’s neck and cheeks.
“What do you want?” Meg finally answered looking into Grace’s eyes.
The green depth of them captivated her and for a moment Grace was unable to think of anything but how incredibly beautiful the woman was looking at her. Feeling a tightening low in her belly, Grace had a sudden desire to lean into Meg and kiss her. Then, she blinked. What the hell?
she thought, completely caught off guard. Pull yourself together, Major, she thought and cleared her throat as she composed herself.
Putting on her professional mask again, Grace looked back over at the fisherman. “I won't be wagering on your crew,” she answered. “It is unbecoming of an officer.” Just then, Kenny yanked back hard and a massive, flopping herring landed on the deck. A cheer went up and even Grace had to smile. Dinner, she thought and tried to ignore the little voice inside reminding her she would have won the bet with Meg. A bet which could have led to possibly anything. Grace shivered and tried to convince herself it was from a chill breeze across the deck. Because what else could it be?
THEY SAT DOWN TO A dinner of mashed potatoes, venison, and some of the wonderful corn Alice canned just the month before. Jackie was not sure exactly what her secret spice was, but it was delicious and Taylor especially could not get enough. A year ago, she would never imagine she would sit and eat such a meal, yet the food was fresh and flavorful.
She had grown quite accustomed to real ingredients. Not to mention it helps with my waistline, she thought as she took a bite of the potatoes, creamy with fresh butter. Delicious.
It's the lack of all the junk they used to put in our food. I'll probably live to be a hundred now. She smiled.
“And what is that smile for?” Taylor asked with a grin. “I’d love to know what you're thinking.”
Jackie laughed and tilted her head. “It's not what you're thinking, Taylor Barnes,” she said. “But if you play your cards right, it could be.” She met Taylor’s eyes and was pleased to see the hungry look she knew so well. Especially since Taylor was a little quiet ever since she got home. She knew a group arrived in town this afternoon and wondered if that was what was weighing on her lover’s mind. Deciding to take the bull by the horns, she took a sip of iced tea and cleared her throat. “Is there anything I should know about this new group who arrived?” she asked.
Taylor shrugged. “Not especially,” she said. “They are up from Carlton. A little younger than any we've seen so far. No children. In fact, it was mostly young men who could be an asset to our town, if they're ready to work hard.
Jackie raised her eyebrows. “Is there some reason why you think they might not work hard?” she asked.
Taylor paused as if trying to best frame her answer.
“Well, the word appears to be getting out about how well things are going here,” she replied. “I worry folks will start to think we have enough to start giving out charity. This group? It seemed like they would be more comfortable sitting around playing Xbox than in the fields with a hoe in their hands.”
Jackie laughed. “Now Taylor,” she said. “Not all of us were born superhuman. I'm sure they'll be fine.”
Taylor grinned again.
“Fair enough,” she said. “I guess what bothers me more is I just don't know where to put them. There's only so much space on the waterfront, and I don't like how this tent city has spread.”
Jackie completely understood. She had her own worries.
Astoria was a well-oiled machine and she was confident things would stay that way, at least until she saw all the new people at the Saturday Farmers Market. She was not sure what would happen next.
WITH DINNER OVER AND the dishes done, Sam sat on a stool beside Alice on the front porch of the farmhouse. It had become a routine most evenings and something Sam looked forward to. She and Alice grew close over the last few months, with the older woman’s natural ability to draw out even the shyest personality complementing perfectly with Sam’s quiet ways. Right then, they were snapping green beans for a large food canning project set to start in the morning. With multiple sacks to work through, Will and Callie were there. The only regular person missing was Laura. She went to lay down with a headache and Sam tried to keep her worry in check. Whenever she tried to talk to Laura about the upcoming trip, she shut her down. Sam was never more conflicted.
With a frustrated sigh, Sam grabbed another handful of beans from the sack at her feet. She saw Alice look at her, but before the older woman could say anything, Sam heard a low growl come from her dog, Lady, who sat at the bottom of the steps. Glancing up, Sam scanned the shadows to see what had her friend on edge. After another moment, Rosy and Clem, the two golden retrievers Lexi owned, started to bark from the backyard. “Someone's coming up the road.
Looks like they have livestock with them, Sam,” Alice observed, and Sam was yet again amazed at the older woman's keen eyesight. Sam could only hope when she was in her seventies, her eyes were still as sharp.
With a nod, Sam tossed the green beans she held into the sack and picked up the kerosene lantern near her feet. A glance at Will had the man standing too.
He picked up a rifle and cradled it in his arms. Not a menacing pose, but clearly showing he was armed. “Callie,”
he said. “Will you go in the house and tel
l Lexi and the others we might have visitors.”
The woman stood up.
“Be careful,” she said, but then went in the house.
Everyone knew the drill. Although there had only been trouble once, the residents of the farm knew any group of strangers could spell danger.
Stepping off of the porch, Sam and Will walked down the long gravel driveway. She felt her heart beating a little faster. By nature, she saw the positive side of everything first, but even she knew one of these days, trouble would come. But not tonight, she prayed. With Laura already barely speaking to her over worry about her safety, the last thing they needed was an altercation with strangers. As if the universe wanted to allay her fears, the sight of a gray horse ridden by a little girl Sam guessed could not be more than seven or eight came out of the shadows. Nothing could be less threatening in Sam’s eyes. The child pulled the animal up short when she saw Sam and Will. After a second, another horse with a black man on his back came forward, followed by a group of other horses and riders. The man stopped beside the girl but kept his eyes on Sam and Will.
“Sierra,” he said. “I asked you not to get ahead of us.”
Sierra looked at him.
“Sorry, Pappa Roy,” she said. “I’m just hungry, and maybe they have food?”
Sam smiled at the bluntness of Sierra. Nothing like a kid to come right out and say what she wants, she thought.
Pappa Roy shook his head and turned to Sam and Will.
“You’ll have to forgive us,” he apologized. “We’ve come a long way from Wilsonville and the food’s been a little scarce.”
Sam nodded. “Well, welcome to Astoria, sir,” she said and stepped forward to run a hand over the nose of Sierra’s horse. “We have a paddock if you want to stop over tonight.
And enough food to share.”
