“We'll be in shortly,” Chase called out.
Megan smiled in victory. Now, she needed to get her thoughts organized so she didn't sound completely crazy when she delivered her plan to the group.
Evan and Tara were standing at the counter, sipping from their own cups when she walked back in.
“We heard,” they said in unison when she was about to inform them of the meeting.
“Great.”
Once everyone was inside and properly caffeinated, Megan started the meeting. She looked around at the bleary eyes. No one had slept well.
The meeting didn't go as she had hoped. There were many grumpy faces staring back at her when she smiled at them all.
“Before we start hashing this out, does anyone have anything they want to say?” Megan asked, hoping to get the conversation started.
Everyone started talking at once. They were all scared of the unknown. There weren't any real ideas being thrown out. They were all in fight or flight mode. Running away from the problem wasn't an option. They couldn't give up everything they had fought so hard for.
Chase, Tara, Brenda and Rosie were all set on staying. Garret, Bryan, Albert and Evan wanted to leave. Wyatt was still on the fence. Megan wanted to stay and fight. It wasn't in her nature to give up and walk away.
Willow walked down the stairs and Chase jumped up and gave her his seat at the table.
They all looked at her disheveled state; her eyes were red-rimmed and swollen. It was obvious she had been crying most of the night.
Megan felt such pity for her friend. Willow was dealing with so much and adding this latest problem to her long list of worries seemed so unfair.
“I won't leave,” Willow said, barely above a whisper. “This was Jack's home. I can't leave. This is where his grave is. It's where his very essence is. I can't leave,” she stressed the last sentence.
Megan felt her own heart squeeze. She understood what Willow was trying to say. Even if Jack's body wasn't buried on the property, they had built a small memorial in the fall with plans to expand it in the spring.
It had been a place for Willow to grieve and feel connected to her late husband. It gave all of them a place to go and 'talk' with Jack. Megan had been a frequent visitor to the site as had Rosie and Wyatt. Everywhere anyone looked around the lodge, Jack's handiwork was apparent. It felt like he was here, even if it wasn't in the physical sense. She couldn't imagine leaving it all behind to be destroyed. It would be like losing him all over again.
No one spoke for several long minutes. It was Wyatt who broke the silence.
“I think we need to think about how well we could do in another area on this mountain. This is a rocky area. The ground is full of clay and hard granite. We wouldn't be able to grow our own food for at least a year if we were to establish a new home or camp somewhere else in this area,” he explained.
“What do you mean?” Megan asked.
“My dad knew this wasn’t an ideal place for growing food. After we used a rototiller on the garden area, we added lime to break up the clay before he had ten inches of top soil trucked in to lay across the top. This soil is special. You won't find it anywhere else in this area. Every year, my dad would add more soil and more manure and compost to make it nice and fertile. We worked that soil hard last year, preparing it for this year. This year we should have excellent crops, which we absolutely need to fill our food supply.”
Albert slammed a fist onto the table. “We’re damned if we do and damned if we don't.”
Wyatt nodded. “Pretty much.”
“What if we went to another area altogether?” Bryan asked.
That earned some raised brows.
“Anyone here can do anything they want. No one is tied to this place. I know we have all become very close, but leaving is your prerogative. No one is going to disown you or think poorly of you if you want to go in search of greener grass. I'm sure it’s going to happen eventually anyway,” Wyatt stated.
Everyone looked at each other as if they were now realizing they weren't truly connected. They had formed a family, but it wasn't as if they were committed. Any one of them could leave. Megan didn't want that to happen.
She jumped up from the table.
“Wait! Please don't plan on taking off just yet,” she said pleading with each of them to listen to her. “I was in Louisiana during some heavy flooding and I volunteered to help with the flood defense efforts. I got to see what the experts did first hand. I think I have an idea that could allow us to stay at the lodge without jeopardizing our safety.”
Wyatt looked at her in surprise, “You were in Louisiana?”
She nodded. “Yep. I was planning to move there and was interviewing for a job and looking for a place to live when the Mississippi River flooding started. Needless to say, I decided to stay in the northwest. If I had moved down there, well, I wouldn't be here today.”
Chase laughed. “Well thank the stars, the fates or whoever you want that you’re here. Our little group wouldn’t be the same without you and Caitlin.”
She gave him a warm smile. “Thanks, Chase. I appreciate that. Anyway, I helped fill sandbags and watched the experts build dikes and walls to divert the floodwaters away from the communities. They, of course, had a hundred or more people on hand and heavy machinery, but maybe we could do something similar here.”
Wyatt was nodding in excitement.
It was Bryan who burst the bubble and shattered the hopes they were all building up in their minds.
“Those defenses failed. Thousands of people still lost their homes,” he said.
His statement quickly destroyed the elation in the room over the prospect of coming up with a solution.
Megan knew Bryan was right and didn't blame him for speaking up. The flooding had been devastating, but it could have been far worse. Wyatt already explained the flooding at the lodge might not be severe since the water could take so many different paths.
“Fair point, but we’re not looking to hold the water back. We want to divert it,” Megan replied.
Wyatt chimed in. “We need to make a decision soon. I think Megan has offered up a valid solution. It will take a little more planning and every one of us helping, but it could work. I understand if some of you still want to go. Take a few hours to think it over. We need to make a decision by tomorrow morning at the latest.”
Megan suddenly felt the weight of the world on her shoulders. If they did vote to stay, that meant she had to come up with a viable solution to building a dike to divert the water from the lodge. She knew nothing about what it took to build a canal. They didn't have the big backhoes she saw them use in Louisiana. They didn't have those bags to fill.
It was then she realized she might have posed an impossible solution to the group. In her mind, it was such a simple plan. When she thought about the amount of work that it would take to make it happen, it wasn't so simple.
What if she failed?
Megan couldn't fail. She knew what it was like to count on someone, only to be let down in the end. She didn't want to be that person. She wanted everyone to feel confident and trust her. This was not only important to their survival at the lodge, but it would prove something to herself.
“Duke, let's go take care of business,” she said to the dog.
He jumped up from his spot by the woodstove and quickly trotted to Megan's side.
She walked outside with her four-legged friend, anxious to unload her burden on the only living being that could handle the weight. Duke was an excellent sounding board. He wouldn't get his feelings hurt or feel any worry about what she told him.
Talking out her own problems and concerns always made her feel better, but she didn't want to add any more to Wyatt's plate. Everyone in the house had their own worries. This problem was hers to handle.
“So, Duke, do you think we can do it?”
The dog barked.
“I hope so, too, buddy. I don't want to move. I don't think there is anywhere that will
ever be the same. I know people always say change is good, but I really like it here.” She talked to the dog while she walked to the outhouse.
He waited patiently until she emerged from the small wooden building. She continued up the hill behind the lodge. In her mind, she was going to check on the orchard trees, but really, she needed to move and think. Her mind was trying to process everything and walking helped her figure things out.
Duke had taken Jack's place in a lot of ways. Jack had been there when she wanted to talk things out. Now, when she couldn't talk to Wyatt, she relied on Duke. He didn't always have the best advice, but he was a superb listener.
“We’ve got a big job ahead of us. I pray we can save this lodge.”
Megan stood on top of the hill staring at the roof of the lodge below. The open area around the lodge stretched into thick trees. It was a sight that gave her a lot of comfort. She couldn't imagine living anywhere else.
She HAD to save the lodge.
7
Vlad pressed the cigarette tightly against his lip while he used his hands to twist the wires into the C-4. He knew smoking was bad for his health and had gotten him to where he was today, but he saw no point in stopping now. While doing so might prolong his life by days or weeks, it wasn't going to cure him or add years to his life. That ship had sailed a long time ago. Better to enjoy his vices while he still could, rather than make himself miserable.
Grunting, he knocked the ash off the end of his cigarette and concentrated on what he was doing. He couldn't afford for the explosive to be ruined by getting too wet or muddy. When he’d arrived in the area, he’d only been provided with enough to complete the job. He didn’t ask where it came from nor would more be available if he screwed up. Walking carefully under the small bridge, he pressed the C-4 against the cement pilings. He had spent several minutes studying the structure of the bridge, trying to determine the best place to place the explosive. He didn't want to use more than he had to in case he was given another assignment.
His watch beeped signaling it was time to see if there were any messages from command. Vlad sighed. He would have to climb to the top of the hill to check for a radio transmission. There were too many trees to get a decent signal where he was. He was finding it harder and harder to move around. Gone were the days when he could have sprinted up the hill. He was lucky he could walk at all.
Huffing his way slowly to the top of the hill, he gasped for breath. Flipping on the radio, he heard a series of beeps. It was an encrypted message. Despite the EMP and lack of consistent means to communicate, with the increasing number of HAM operators, it was far too risky to leave messages that could easily be picked up. Generally, the communications were brief and lacked any real detail in the event someone could decrypt it. He was a trained professional and didn't need step-by-step instructions. None of his colleagues did. That was why they were the best of the best.
When he deciphered the message, he staggered back.
DAM STILL UP.
How could that be? He’d heard the C-4 explode. Could a rock somehow have managed to plug the hole in the dam? That would be just his luck.
“Chert poberi!” he cursed in Russian at his own incompetence. Too much was riding on his success. Failure wasn’t an option. Especially now. Chances were high that he wouldn’t live long enough to make it home to Mother Russia but before he died…
He would blow the dam and complete his mission.
Vlad walked back down the hill to the bridge double-checking the C-4 placement before climbing back up the hill. He couldn't afford another mistake. It was a slow journey up, but he didn't give up. He didn't let his burning lungs or his shaking legs stop him from getting out of the way of the blast.
BOOM!
He turned to look back, ensuring his goal was achieved and when the smoke cleared, there was rubble where the bridge once stood. He smiled to himself. There would be no communications sent indicating he had failed again. With the main route into the city gone, no one would be coming to check on the dam anytime soon. If they did, they weren't going to be able to get up to the area and instead would have to travel all the way around, adding hours, possibly days to their travel time. It was exactly what his people wanted. Every little hindrance put in the way of the Americans would cement their own plans.
Now, he would have to make his way back up the mountainside to the dam. It would take him longer than normal, but he wouldn't stop until he finished the job. The dam had to go and Vlad never failed.
8
Megan had kept herself busy most of the day avoiding everyone as best as possible. Her head was swimming with thoughts and ideas. Now she knew why Jack was always writing in his notebooks and drawing things out.
That's what she needed to do.
The day was warm and the sun was out. She couldn't stand the thought of being inside and decided to grab a notebook and head out to her favorite spot in the copse of birch trees. She sat on the bench, staring off into space.
She took a few moments to appreciate the sight of the goats lounging in the sun. She had never seen such cute creatures. They were back-to-back, slowly chewing their cuds and looking around the area. They looked comfortable and peaceful, as if they didn't have a care in the world.
Megan had read in one of the books upstairs that goats could get pregnant as early as eight months and she hoped that Misty would be one of those goats. They were all looking forward to fresh milk, but it was probably going to be at least another eight to ten months at the earliest before that would be possible.
Goats had a five-month gestation period, and then Misty would need to nurse her kid or kids for at least two months. Megan sighed; it seemed like forever to wait.
Duke, followed by the children, interrupted her daydreaming.
“Mom, what are you doing?” Caitlin asked.
The kids were unaware of the danger looming up the mountain and she wasn’t about to tell them. They couldn't do anything to stop it and she didn't see the point in worrying them.
“I'm going to do some drawing,” she said, patting the notebook.
“Oh,” Caitlin said, clearly not believing her mother. “Can we take the goats down by the stream?”
“No. You can walk to the edge of the trees, but don't get out of sight of the lodge. The goats will appreciate all that grass and foliage that is popping up down there. You guys stay in the open area and be sure to avoid the traps.”
“Fine,” Caitlin said.
Megan knew Caitlin didn't appreciate being told no, but she didn't want them too far away. If the dam did break, she wanted the kids within earshot so they could evacuate quickly.
She opened the notebook and stared at the blank page. Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes and prayed for an epiphany to hit her. She had a vague idea of what needed to happen, but she needed to iron out the details. That required silence and deep thought.
“I'll keep an eye on the kids so you can focus on saving us all,” Tara's voice startled Megan.
She turned to see her friend walking towards her.
“I didn't mean to scare you. I know what you’re doing,” she said gesturing to the notebook. “I saw Jack do that once, while he was supposed to be resting. I’m ready and willing to do whatever you tell us. I don't want to leave here. I know we only just got here, but I like it. It’s given me a sense of comfort when I didn't think I would ever feel safe again.”
Megan slowly nodded. “I know what you mean. This place has so much promise. What about Evan?” Megan asked, knowing Tara disagreed with her boyfriend.
Tara shrugged. “He wants to leave. He thinks it would be safer and he may be right, but I’ve learned the hard way bad things happen no matter where you are. I would rather be with people I trust and can depend on when those things happen than on our own.”
Megan nodded in agreement.
“I know you can do this, Megan. You have proven yourself to be a resourceful woman. You focus on that. I’ll take care of the kids, and appar
ently the goats,” she said, noticing Misty bounce across the open field.
“Thanks, Tara. I hope I can pull this off. I don't want to let any of you down.”
“If it works, great. If it doesn't, I guess we all have to accept it wasn't meant to be. Fate has certainly thrown me a few curve balls.” Tara looked away. Megan knew the woman was still mourning the loss of her young son.
Tara gave Megan a last smile before heading towards the kids who were all chasing the goats. Megan took a moment to appreciate the sight of the carefree play as she heard her daughter laugh. They were going to fight to keep that. They all deserved to have normal lives full of fun and good memories. The fear and hardships they had faced were too much already.
Megan picked up the pencil and started sketching. She hadn't seen the dam, which she was going to have to do to get a better plan, but she had a general idea. She penciled in the lodge, the existing stream that branched off the river that flowed into town and the dam itself.
Wyatt had told her the water would flow directly down the hill and flood the lodge area.
She studied the rough diagram. If they could build the dike on the east side of the lodge and divert the water back into the river, it would keep the water heading away from the lodge. The river would flood, but it was far more capable of handling the excess water than the tiny stream was.
Megan was studying her sketch when Wyatt plopped down beside her.
“Is that the plan?” he asked, looking at her notebook.
She turned it so he could see it better.
“Yes. You think it will work?”
He shrugged. “I don't see why it wouldn't. But, how do you plan on building this? Is that the dike I’m looking at?” Wyatt pointed to the wall she had roughly drawn along the side closest to the lodge.
She cringed. “Yeah, supposed to be. A while ago, when Jack was talking about the cabin he wanted to build for him and Willow, he talked about cob bricks. I’m thinking we could make those bricks and use them to build the wall.”
Dark Destruction (EMP Lodge Series Book 4) Page 5
