Blake had planned on just stepping out and making himself known. Knowing the guard was the same man he had overtaken just three months before, he couldn’t help but see if David had learned anything. Besides, Blake didn’t feel safe just stepping out into the open with the guy. David’s reaction was unpredictable given their history. Blake slipped off his pack, soundlessly set it down, and then snuck out from behind the tree.
Blake stood right behind the guy, a smirk covering his lips. David hadn’t learned a thing.
Then David turned abruptly, catching Blake a little off guard. Blake ducked just as a long knife sliced at where his head had been.
Blake smiled, reached down and grabbed for David’s leg. David twisted at the last second, leaving Blake rolling and landing on his haunches. He looked up to see David posed for attack as well.
David smiled and nodded. “We meet again, Survivalist.”
Blake stood with a chuckle. He had missed training with a true competitor. “You’ve learned a lot, David.”
David stood and reached a hand out to Blake. “I was given quite the motivation.” He looked around, scanning the forest. “Where’s the family?”
“Coming up behind. I wanted to make sure you knew it was us approaching.”
“We’ve been expecting you. The whole camp is excited to meet The Survivalist and his family.” David slapped him on the back and looked in the direction of the camp. He motioned for Blake to follow him. “I know how you are. Right up here is a good vantage point to see the layout of the camp.”
Blake watched him. It felt odd to feel a comradery with someone again. He didn’t quite trust David, or the feeling, but he smiled, to keep up appearances if nothing else.
At the viewpoint, Blake stopped abruptly. The camp was much larger and more organized than he had anticipated. He had expected some worn out tents haphazardly thrown together and several fires spread out among a big open area. Instead, he saw a few tents, but mostly bark shelters spaced around a large central fire. Around the dwellings were small piles that looked like the beginnings of barriers.
Blake nodded, scratching at his chin.
“Impressive, huh? We have really come together.” David turned to watch Blake. “Of course, there is always more to learn.”
People milled about the encampment. Children ran and laughed. Some people were at the fire, cooking something that smelled delicious. A group of women sat, busy with something that looked like basket making. A few men stood at the edge of camp, practicing archery.
From out here, it looked like a peaceful situation. Blake couldn’t believe it, though. There had to be underlying contention, something that made living like this unsafe. He couldn’t see it from here, but if his training taught him anything, it was there, and he would do what it took to find it.
~2~
Tucker shook under Kris’s hand. She squatted, not an easy feat with her pack and her daughter. Tucker didn’t take his gaze off the camp, so she touched his face gently to bring his attention to her.
“Tuck, it’s going to be okay. I won’t lie. After all this time with only us, it’s going to seem really loud and busy. Remember how we talked about our bubble?”
The boy nodded, his eyes wide and roaming from her to the camp beyond.
“You have everything you need right here.” She flattened her palm on his chest, feeling the pounding of his heart.
“What if I don’t want to play?” he asked, his gaze following the children running around.
One of them shouted and pointed up at them. They cheered, jumped up and down, and started running back to the main fire. It seemed then, that the entire camp stood and looked toward them. Kris could feel the heat traveling up her neck. She had forgotten that she would have to deal with the unaccustomed noise and attention as well.
She focused on Tucker again, a new understanding finding her. “Of course, you don’t have to. You do what you feel comfortable with, and if you need a break, we’ll go into our tent for a while.”
Tucker’s expression softened into relief. Had he thought she would make him play with the children if he didn’t want to? She pushed back up to standing, and Blake held out a hand to help.
“Thank you,” she said, squeezing his hand, needing his reassurance more than she thought. “We’ll be okay,” she said, more to herself than her family.
Mercy whimpered against her and hid her face in her chest. Kris pulled up the wrap to cover her head and then rested her hand on her back, murmuring soothing sounds.
“Well, of course you’ll be okay. It’s like a huge family waiting to greet a long-lost brother and sister.” David winked at her and slapped Blake on the back. “Come on, they can’t wait to greet the prodigal son.”
As they entered the camp, Kris couldn’t help but reach out and touch the bark dwellings. She had taken her class on field trips to learn about these homes the natives in the area had built. A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth, wondering if the idea had been Laurie’s.
In front of each home lay a grass mat. Some had shoes by them, others had baskets. Kris resisted the urge to peek into each one. Out of one of the homes, Laurie had pushed aside the heavy curtain that looked like animal skin long enough that Kris could see herbs hanging from the rafters inside.
“You made it!” Laurie came with open arms and pulled her in close. She looked at Mercy’s covered form.. “May I?”
“Of course,” Kris said as she pulled the wrap off her daughter’s face.
Mercy scrunched her eyes and grimaced until she focused on Laurie. Then she cooed and reached for the midwife’s curls.
“She recognizes you,” Tucker said from beside her.
“I’m happy to hear that,” Laurie said and kissed Mercy’s head before covering it back up. She squatted in front of Tucker. “You have grown, Tuck.”
Tucker threw his shoulders back. “I’m seven now.”
“Oh, wow! Growing so fast,” Laurie said. “Do you want to meet my son? He’s not big like you, but he will love following you around.”
Tucker bit his lip, but he nodded.
Gratitude for Laurie filled Kris. She had a way about her that instantly soothed.
“Ethan,” she called into the group that watched them.
A small boy of about four peeked from behind legs, a finger in his mouth. He slowly came toward his beckoning mom, his eyes staring at Tucker and then his mom.
“Ethan, this is Tucker. I’ve told you about him. Would you come with us and help show him around?”
Ethan’s eyes widened, but he reached for Tucker’s hand.
After a glance up at his mom, Tucker took the smaller boy’s hand and bent down to him. “You have a big camp.”
Ethan nodded and then looked at Kris and Blake.
“That’s my mom and dad. I have a sister, too. Her name is Mercy.” Tucker pointed at her. “Do you have a sister?”
“Hannah.” Ethan shrugged. “She like my sister.”
“I know Hannah,” Tucker said in awe.
The boys kept up the hushed conversation as Laurie led them through the throng of people toward the main fire. The center of the camp opened as groups stopped what they were doing to watch them approach. The rectangular fire pit ran about ten feet in length with various poles and cooking apparatuses stretched along it.
Many people tended meat skewered over the fire or pots heating on large rocks or over the coals. The fragrant air tantalized her senses, making her mouth water and tummy rumble. It had been a long time since having a feast or a variety of food to choose from.
There Arland walked toward them with his arms outstretched and a warm smile.
“Friends!” he called, and gave them each a hugs. “We welcome you to our camp.” He spread his arms wide and then looked towards the people of his community. “These are the Chantrys, the people I have told you all about. At some point today take the time to introduce yourself and your family to our friends. For now, though, let’s allow them to settle in. Please
go about your business. We have a feast to prepare!”
The camp cheered and, with longing looks, faded back into the daily activities that had kept them busy before they arrived.
“We don’t get many visitors.” Arland laughed. “Come, sit. Relieve yourself of your packs and rest your legs before I take you on a tour.”
Kris gratefully dropped her pack before easing onto a log bench in front of a large fire. She patted the wood next to her to entice Tucker, who still talked with Ethan, to do the same. As her hand touched the wood, the smooth feel made her look closer. Someone had taken care when making this bench. She glanced at the many others around the fire. Each one held the same rounded smoothness.
Blake didn’t seem to notice while he held on to his pack as if his life depended on it. Just because he didn’t look like he took notice didn’t mean he hadn’t. The man seemed to observe every nuance that happened around him even when looking completely preoccupied with something else. His hands clutched the pack, and Kris knew he would carry it everywhere with him, but the weight had bored down on him. She could tell as he rolled his shoulders.
“I brought some squash to add to the feast.” Kris nodded at Blake, hoping lightening his pack would take some stress off him.
He opened the pack and handed an armful of squash to Laurie and another woman.
“These will be a delicious addition to our vegetable harvest. Would you like to come see?” Laurie asked, starting to walk away. “When you’re rested, of course.”
“Yes, thank you,” Kris said. As much as she wanted to inspect everything they did in this community, her feet and shoulders could gratefully use the break.
~*~
Blake pulled his pack close. He didn’t trust all the eyes on him. Without the squash, it would be like carrying nothing now. He glanced at Kris’s pack, haphazardly dropped without a care. She had their food rations and water, plus their stove. He wanted to discreetly take them from her pack and put them in his now that there was room.
He scanned the camp in between conversations with Arland. Already he had found the ideal location to place their tent, at the edge of camp butting up against a rock outcropping. From there, they could escape easily if needed, and no one could sneak up from behind them.
“What do you say, Blake? Want to check it out?” Arland stood.
Blake nodded and stood as well, donning his pack at the same time. He saw that Arland noted it, but the man respectfully said nothing. Blake didn’t expect Kris to put her pack back on, but he still swallowed his displeasure as she walked away from it like it was nothing.
His expression must have given him away, for she went back and set her pack neatly against the log bench alongside Tucker’s.
“Arland, are our packs safe here?” she asked.
“Why, of course. No one will bother them. Though, if you feel more comfortable, you can leave them in my home.”
“I would, actually,” Blake said. He reached over and picked up the packs before Kris could. “You’ve done well, but I got it now.” He smiled at her, hoping to not dispel the peace they had since Mercy arrived.
“Thank you.” She looked over to where Laurie waved for her and then back to him.
“Go on,” he said and bent to kiss her temple and whisper, “We always return to each other.”
She leaned up and whispered the same to him, and then she bent down to Tucker.
“Ethan wants to show me his house. He says he lives with Arland, so I will be with Dad.”
“Okay, Sweetie. You know what to do.” She leaned in close to Tucker, and Blake knew she whispered their saying and their son did back to her.
Kris stood there, indecision playing on her features. Blake understood. He didn’t want to be away from any of them during their time here, but he also knew that would be unrealistic. Besides, they could gain more intel if they split. He nodded encouragingly to his wife.
“I’ve got him, Krista.”
She smiled, took a step back, turned and made her way to the group of women where Laurie stood.
Blake watched her, feeling his heart torn. She needed other women. He had seen her brighten with Laurie’s visits. He didn’t understand the social nature of females, but Kris sure seemed to blossom as she approached the group. She let them peek at Mercy. He heard their exclamations even from where he stood.
“She’ll be safe.” Arland shouldered up next to him. “We have a great group of people. We had to do some weeding here and there, but we have come to be one big, happy family.”
A hundred feet away a woman yelled and a man returned the banter. Blake shot an eyebrow up at Arland.
Arland laughed. “The irony of the moment.” He shrugged. “Marital disputes happen no matter the circumstance. Surely you understand that.”
Blake narrowed his eyes, but he did. The argument had already dispelled with the woman huffing off, toting a large basket of something toward the fire. She eyed him, but kept her focus forward.
“Come, Tucker. I show you my house!” Ethan pulled on Tucker who looked up at Blake.
Blake nodded to his son, took one last lingering glance at Kris, and then followed Arland and the boys into the area where close to a dozen bark dwellings stood. He had to trust. They wouldn’t have made it this far just to lose everything here, right? He held tight to his faith and opened his eyes to what he could learn.
~*~
Kris enjoyed the women’s excitement over Mercy. It filled a craving she had for the last year, but that craving had been quickly satisfied. The constant chatter now overwhelmed her and Mercy both. She bounced her daughter as she started to fuss and felt her smile being forced rather than easy.
“Would you like a quiet place to nurse Mercy?” Laurie touched Kris’s arm, a softness in her hazel eyes.
“Thank you,” Kris breathed the words out with relief. She stood and waved to the women. “It was a pleasure meeting all of you. I’m sure we’ll visit more.”
“We have so many questions for you,” a woman with short blonde hair said.
“Yeah, like what’s it like being married to The Survivalist,” a young woman said as she winked and laughed.
A few of the others joined in, but several blushed along with Kris.
Laurie took her arm and led her away from the group. “Don’t mind Bailey. She’s young and her baby-maker has just started ticking. She’ll be married before the end of winter if you want my guess.”
“Married?”
“Oh yes. One of our community is a pastor, not that we have all the paperwork, but hey,” Laurie shrugged, “there’s no government to file it with right now, so what are we supposed to do?”
“I think that’s wonderful that even in a survival situation like this, people are still getting married and moving on with their lives.”
“Me, too.” Laurie ducked her head, but not before Kris saw the pink fill her cheeks. “Here we are.”
She stopped in front of the bark dwelling Kris had seen her exit when they first arrived. Laurie lifted the rough deer skin and gestured her in. It took Kris’s eyes a few moments to adjust to the dimness. Light streamed in from the opening in the center of the room. A small fire pit had a few embers smoldering inside of it, giving the circular room a smell of camping mixed with the herbal aroma that always lingered on Laurie.
Mercy squealed happily as she fought her way out of the wrap.
“You like it in here, huh?” Kris asked her as she took her from her wrap.
“Here, you can sit on the bed Ethan and I share to nurse.” Laurie smoothed some blankets on a raised platform.
Kris marveled at the construction. As her sight fully adjusted, she saw two other beds lining the circular walls around the room. Against one of the other beds, she saw her and Tucker’s packs. It didn’t surprise her that Laurie and Arland shared a dwelling.
She positioned to nurse Mercy who ate greedily. Kris lost herself in her daughter’s eyes like she always did when feeding her.
“Would y
ou like some privacy?” Laurie asked after stirring the fire and adding a small piece of wood.
“I understand if you have other things to do, but I enjoy your company.” Kris smiled, hoping the woman would stay.
A flash of light brightened the room as someone walked in.
“Oh, hi, Laurie. I just need my basket. The kids and I found a great patch of gooseberries. I thought it would be a great addition to the feast.” She glanced at Kris. “Sorry. I didn’t realize you had company.”
“Hi, Hannah,” Kris said, happy to see the girl she had rescued on the side of the road a year ago.
Hannah blinked a couple times and stepped closer. “Kris? Oh my goodness! You guys made it.” Hannah bent down to give her a hug. “This must be Mercy.” She smiled down at the baby. “Oh, sorry, didn’t realize you were feeding her.”
“It’s okay,” Kris said. “It’s so good to see you.”
Hannah had grown and, although thin, she seemed healthy and full of life. “Is Tucker here? I’ve missed that little guy.”
“Hannah has become our community nanny. She takes the kids out on hikes and teaches them about the plants.”
“That’s wonderful, Hannah.”
Hannah shrugged before digging out her basket near her own bed. “The kids are great. Do you think Tucker would join us?”
“He’s with Ethan somewhere, probably with your dad and Blake,” Kris said, hoping that Blake wouldn’t let him go out of his sight.
“I’ll try to find them before we head back out. It was good seeing you, Kris. We’ll catch up more at the feast.”
“I would like that.”
“Anything else you need, Laurie?” Hannah asked.
“I’m good, Hannah. Thank you.” Laurie smiled, and Kris could see the love for the girl in her eyes.
Kris watched Hannah duck out of the dwelling. “It’s so nice to see her doing well.”
“It is. She’s quite the young lady,” Laurie said and looked down. “Arland suggested we share a dwelling.”
Grant Us Mercy (Book 4): Grant Us Mercy Page 2
