“That’s amazing. I can’t believe there are people out there—with phones!” She laughed.
“They'll be sending an evac team at 0600 hours tomorrow,” Brenda said.
In unison, Rosie and Megan asked, “What?”
“We'll be picked up here tomorrow morning. Wyatt, Albert and Aiden will get the medical attention they need,” she explained.
“But, what about the lodge? Where do we go from here? This is our home,” Rosie protested.
Brenda looked at her as if she wasn't getting what she said. “It's over. The apocalypse is over,” she repeated.
Megan doubted that, but that was a problem for another day. Right now, she wanted to get to Wyatt. He needed to hear the good news.
“We'll talk on the way,” Megan said, gesturing Caitlin to join them.
“On the way?” Brenda asked.
“I'm going to get our family,” Megan said, heading up the hill. “Are they going to be coming down the normal path?” she asked, realizing they may have decided to take the long way around.
Brenda nodded. “Yes.”
With that, they all began the arduous climb. As they walked, Megan thought back to the many times she’d climbed this same path on the way to build the trench that saved the lodge. Rosie was peppering Brenda with questions about the future, but Megan had one focus. Get to Wyatt.
“Shh,” Megan ordered. “Take cover!” she hissed.
They all dashed off the beaten path into the thick trees. Megan's heart raced as she strained her ears. She’d heard men's voices. The belief their nightmare was over had been too good to be true. Snapping twigs and the thud of footsteps had her cursing herself for leaving the guns behind. It’d been stupid and naive!
“Well, they better not have eaten everything. I'm damn hungry,” a familiar voice cut through the quiet forest.
Megan's head dropped back as she looked to the sky, thanking her lucky stars. It was Albert. In typical Albert fashion, he was complaining.
Brenda had a small smile on her face as they all stood and headed towards the path.
“Hey! It's us!” Megan called out before adrenaline kicked in and gave her the burst of energy she needed to run up the hill.
There, in front of her was Wyatt, supported by Frankie. Jayden was supporting Aiden and between Tara and Amy, they were practically carrying Albert. Ryland stood out front, his rifle in his hands with Duke walking beside him while Willow followed in back, carrying JJ.
The two groups stood, facing each other. No one saying a word as they all stared at one another. There were tears flowing as they broke out of their stares and rushed to embrace one another. It was a moment Megan would cherish the rest of her days. She’d never felt such complete relief and sadness at the same time. Her family was back together, despite missing some important faces.
Wyatt hugged her so tight she thought she felt a rib crack, but didn't say anything. He was gently moving his hands over her face and neck, apologizing for what she’d been through. Every bruise, cut and blow had been worth it for this moment and she’d do it all again in a heartbeat.
“Who's hungry?” Rosie asked.
Everyone said me, but Albert was the loudest. He demanded a real meal. As they made their way back to the lodge, they talked about what they would do first when they got to wherever it was they were going. Although they didn't know where they were headed, they vowed to stick together. It was a promise they would keep.
EPILOGUE
“Can you hold his bottle?” Megan asked Caitlin, who rolled her eyes, but did as she was asked. The teenage years were such fun. To think she was starting all over again was a little daunting, but little Chase was a precious gift that she couldn't imagine not having in her life. The past six months had been filled with dirty diapers and a lot of love.
“He's doing well,” Wyatt volunteered from the driver's seat of their SUV.
He was an amazing father, as she knew he would be. When they found out she was pregnant, they both knew right away they wanted to name the baby after Chase. He’d sacrificed so much so they could be together; it only seemed right they honor his memory.
Megan nodded. “Yeah, he is. When Caitlin was his age, she would scream her head off if she even saw a car seat,” she joked.
“Yeah, right,” her thirteen-year-old daughter grumbled from the backseat.
Megan sat forward, staring at the scenery as they drove by on the highway to what she referred to as her mountain. Her gaze went to the gorgeous blue lake, filled with people out on the water in various watercrafts. As they passed through the town, she looked at the many houses she knew intimately from her days of scavenging. The homes had all been cleaned up and were filled with families once again.
After their military evacuation from the lodge, they were flown to the Army Medical Center outside Tacoma and from there, everything moved at high speed. Everyone was treated for their injuries as well as dehydration and malnourishment. Megan remembered being shocked at all the special equipment and flurry of activity from the Army doctors and nurses. They all seemed so happy to see them, which was far different from their time at the NRU.
Once they were released, they were surprised to find out that power was coming back on in some major metropolitan areas and things were slowly returning to normal. Trade skills were suddenly in high demand and if you had any experience working as an electrician, plumber, mechanic, construction or any other laborer, you were sitting pretty while many tech jobs were on hold while the United States came back online.
The lodge group wasn’t privy to any details but from what they were told, it had indeed been solar flares that had knocked out most of the northern hemisphere and parts of the southern but thanks to politicking from both inside the country and out, factions quickly went into play to make sure that the United States stayed in the dark. Several countries, with Russia at the forefront, attempted to make sure the US didn’t return to its power status and had even gone so far as to use Americans to help make that happen. Men and women who were easily bribed to commit espionage or treason in order to delay the lights from coming back on wreaked havoc across the country. Whether it was the promise of future wealth and power or the desire for a life without the dictates of government, finding Americans willing to carry out sabotage was easily accomplished with whispers of promise or in some cases, current means to feed their addictions.
In less time than Megan thought possible, the US was back up and running. There had been a large divide between those eager to return to life before the EMP and those who had grown accustomed to what seemed like the Wild West.She understood both sides of the argument. Her and Wyatt had settled on a happy medium that worked for them, while allowing them to raise their family with the creature comforts of the twenty-first century.
“You okay?” Wyatt asked, interrupting her thoughts.
She nodded. “Yes. I can't believe how much things have changed, but in a way, remained the same. Remember walking down this highway to look for medicine for JJ? And the lake? It's amazing. Why didn't we ever come down and go swimming in the lake?” she wondered aloud.
He chuckled. “Those were some rough days. I never would’ve thought we’d be in a car, driving this road. Never in my wildest dreams. I certainly wouldn't have dreamed I would be taking this journey with you and the kids.”
Megan's left hand went to the plain band she still wore on her right ring finger. Wyatt had replaced her wedding ring with a more traditional diamond ring, but she would never stop wearing the one Garrett had made for her. It meant something and would always remind her of their time at the lodge.
They both went silent as he turned off the main highway and onto the old gravel road that led up the mountain. It felt as if they were driving onto hallowed ground. Their lives had been irrevocably changed on this mountain. Even Caitlin recognized the gravity of the situation and had pulled off her headphones and put away her cellphone. She was now staring out the window.
Another dirt road on
the right came into view. Wyatt slowed to a stop, but didn't turn onto the road.
“Are you okay?” she asked him.
He didn't answer for several long seconds. “Yeah. It's time.”
They pulled onto the road and began the steady ascent to the lodge. The road was in remarkably good shape, courtesy of Albert and the fancy mini excavator he cherished so much. His knee had never fully recovered, but he insisted on staying busy and helping out. Taking care of the road and other big tasks was his way of doing that.
They crested the small hill and Megan felt as if she’d been kicked in the stomach when the lodge came into view. While she would’ve loved to have met him, she wondered if Wyatt’s father ever anticipated how important their home would become to so many people. Memories, both good and bad, flooded her mind. Her breath hitched in her throat when she saw Rosie walk out of the lodge, waving her hand.
Five years was a long time, but for her, it felt like yesterday when she saw the lodge for the first time. Caitlin had been clinging to life and the lodge held promise for what she needed to save her.
“She looks happy,” Caitlin said. “Can I get out?”
Wyatt parked the black SUV and Caitlin jumped out, running towards Rosie. “Grandma!” she shouted.
Megan and Wyatt sat in their seats, seatbelts still on, neither making a move to get out. They watched Caitlin and Rosie embrace. Rosie had visited their home in Montana on numerous occasions, but neither of them had been back to the lodge.
When the helicopter first landed, it’d been difficult to leave, but once they were in the air and on their way, they never wanted to go back. There were too many harsh reminders of what happened, no matter how much energy Rosie, Albert and Brenda put into making the property a peaceful, beautiful place to live.
“She seems to be doing really well up here, Wyatt. I don't think you have to worry. Brenda and Albert are making sure she takes care of herself,” Megan said, resting a hand on his thigh.
He sighed. “I know. I knew she’d never leave this place. Even after everything that happened, this was her home. This was where she decided a long time ago she’d spend the rest of her days. Instead of my dad by her side, she has Brenda and Albert.” He started laughing. “Who would’ve ever seen that coming?”
Megan laughed along with him. “I thought they’d have parted ways the minute we stepped off that helicopter. I'm glad they didn't and I’m thankful they decided to retire up here as well. Brenda found happiness, which I think surprised even her. And she still gets to play with her guns,” Megan joked.
“We better get out. My mom is going to be anxious to see the baby,” Wyatt said.
“She saw him a month ago,” Megan pointed out. “And we video chat almost every day.”
He shrugged. “You know her, video chats aren’t the same thing.”
They climbed out of the SUV, Wyatt opening the back door and removing Chase from the car seat. Rosie was on him in seconds, taking the baby and slathering him with kisses.
“Anyone else here yet?” Wyatt asked.
Rosie nodded. “Willow is inside cooking and JJ is by her side, as usual. Ryland should be here soon. His leave is only for three days.”
Megan smiled with pride. Ryland had early enlisted with the Marines his senior year in high school. He'd been in for nearly a year and was excelling, which was no surprise to any of them. He had a lot of experience to fall back on.
Wyatt was staring at a large rock waterfall. Megan grabbed his hand. “Let's go. It's time you saw it in person.”
He took a deep breath and walked towards the birch trees that had been Megan's favorite place when they’d lived here. The pretty granite rock monument stood about seven feet high. Water flowed down the rock and into a beautiful pool, surrounded with flowers. Megan studied the gold plaque on the magnificent rock.
Jack Morris, loving brother, husband, father, son and friend. Forever in our hearts and we will always be eternally grateful for his ultimate sacrifice.
It was better than any tombstone in a cemetery. Wyatt sat down on the bench facing the waterfall, holding her hand and bringing her with him. Together, they sat in silence, staring at his brother's memorial. It was beautiful and so true to what Jack would’ve loved. On either side of the massive stone, there were large black ceramic pots in varying sizes, filled with flowers. Each pot bore the name of someone they’d lost during their time at the lodge. It was a touching tribute to those they’d come to know and love and ultimately lost in the fight to keep the lodge and the people who occupied it alive. Before Megan knew it, her vision blurred with tears, again.
The sound of a car engine interrupted the moment of solitude, snapping Megan out of her reverie.
She looked up to see Tara behind the wheel of a four-door white car. In the front seat beside her sat Frankie with Amy in the back, waving furiously at Caitlin. Caitlin and Amy had kept a very close relationship, constantly texting and Skyping.
Tara got out of the car and another round of hugs ensued. Megan gave her friend a hug, noting the glow she had about herself.
“Something's changed? What's up?” she asked.
Tara held up her left hand and waggled her fingers. “Engaged!”
Megan squealed in delight. Tara had a rough time when it was time to return to a normal life. All the loss had finally caught up with her and she struggled to come to terms with her son's death. She’d taken Frankie in and raised him as her own, which helped fill the void, but it was still difficult. Tara had no roots to return to and drifted around for some time.
The government had helped set them up in new homes and initially they’d promised to stick together, but life had a funny way of making people change their minds. Tara had ended up in Arizona for some time before moving around all over the country. She’d landed in Colorado a year ago and seemed to have found her place in the world.
“I'm so happy for you, Tara. You deserve all the happiness in the world,” Megan said, meaning every word. The woman had been through so much heartache, it was time she got some true joy. Tara leaned forward, put her mouth close to Megan's ear and whispered, “I'm pregnant.”
Megan fought back another squeal of joy; clearly, Tara wanted to keep that little tidbit of information quiet.
“Congratulations. I'm truly happy for you,” Megan told her again.
Frankie was shaking hands with Wyatt when a truck rumbled up the dirt road.
“I start in the fall,” he was saying.
Megan couldn't help but eavesdrop. “Where are you going to school, Frankie?”
“WSU,” he grinned. “They gave me a sports scholarship to play football.”
Megan's eyes widened. “That’s amazing, Frankie! Congratulations.”
She turned to see who had pulled up. It was the twins. Although they’d never spent any time at the lodge, they’d become honorary members of their close-knit group. Everyone surrounded the truck, eager to see the young men who’d been a big help in the fight against Neil.
“Hey guys,” Megan said, waving at Jayden as he exited the pickup. He smiled, tipping his cowboy hat in return. Aiden had walked around to join his brother, tipping his own hat in greeting.
“How've you been?” Wyatt asked, extending his hand to shake each young man's hand.
“Good, sir. Got the ranch all put back together and have a good herd going,” Aiden replied.
Megan smiled. They had impeccable manners, even after everything they'd been through. There was never a question about where they’d go after they’d all been whisked away that day. The boys were firm in their desire to return to their family farm, as soon as the National Guard helped them round up the men who’d killed their parents and taken over. Jayden had emailed her, describing the scene in glorious detail. She imagined it would’ve been very rewarding to see the men who killed their parents in cold blood finally brought to justice.
There was a tug on Megan's shirt. She turned around and smiled. “Hey, you! Look how big you are!”
<
br /> “I'm five.” JJ held up his hand, making sure she knew exactly how many years that was.
“Yes, you are and you’re a very big boy. Are you excited to start school?” she asked, leaning down to scoop him up.
Wyatt walked over and held up his hand, wanting a hi-five in return. JJ obliged.
“How you doing, little man?” Wyatt asked, ruffling the boy's hair.
JJ giggled.
“Come on, everyone. Let's go get the table set up,” Rosie ordered, leading the herd across the yard towards the back of the lodge. They all walked past the front door. It felt strange to see it in use. It’d been boarded up for so long; Megan had forgotten it was there.
Willow came out the back door, carrying a tray stacked high with corn on the cob.
“There you guys are! I thought I was going to have to cook all this on my own. Wyatt, can you get that barbecue fired up so we can roast this?” she asked.
He quickly did as she asked, placing the tray next to the barbecue.
“Now my hands are free, let me see my handsome nephew,” she said, taking the baby from Rosie's arms. “I've missed you buddy. We'll be home soon,” she said, snuggling his head.
Megan looked around. “Where's Duke? I thought he would’ve greeted us.”
As if on cue, Duke popped his head out the door. Megan smiled and squatted down to greet him. He ambled over and waited for her to rub his ears.
“We've missed you, big guy. We can't wait for you to come home,” she told him. The dog wagged his tail in response. He was happy to be wherever his people were.
“All okay at the house?” Willow asked.
“Yep, all good,” Megan told her.
Once they all settled down about four years ago, Wyatt had begged Willow to stay close to him. Megan knew it was his way of protecting his brother's children and looking after his wife. They bought a large property, divided it in two and built Willow a house. They were neighbors, but still had their privacy. It made Rosie's visits much easier.
“Are you ready for your first day?” Tara asked Willow.
Dark Revival (EMP Lodge Series Book 6) Page 18
