Again Red wasn't sure what he had detected, but a couple of minutes later a pair of doe made their way slowly feeding along the two track. Turk pulled a second arrow from his quiver and handed it to Red to hold for him. When the deer had their heads down feeding Turk raised up to a kneeling position drew the bow and released the arrow at the larger of the two. Extending his hand for the second arrow he gave a soft whistle to hold up the second deer and quickly drew and fired. Neither deer traveled far, but Turk had them hold still just in case the commotion drew the attention of anything else.
Once Turk was comfortable that no zeds were coming they made there way over to the smaller of the two deer. Turk pulled a rope from his backpack, tied it to the deer and pulled it to the other one.
“Lets hustle back and get these gal’s cleaned out.”
“I could drag the second one” Red offered.
“I'd rather you kept your hands free. Sorry our date got cut short, but now that we have some meat we can plan a second trip to explore where this two track leads to.”
“Aww shucks aren't you the sweet talker.”
By the time Red and Turk got back to the compound with the two deer everyone was gathered at the gate. Jeff was the first to speak up. “Surprised to see you back so soon, normally when we go hunting it’s an all day affair and all we get are the small ones.”
Turk shrugged. “I must admit fortune smiled on us this mornin, I wouldn't go thinkin this is how it would go all the time.”
Pete busied himself butchering the deer. “I'll bet we'll get close to a hundred pounds of meat. We haven't had that much since well Turk brought in the bear meat.”
“So what did you learn about the back exit?” Tom asked.
“Prescott was right, it would lead to a two track that must have been used to service the power lines. The park seems to be pretty much the end of the line. We didn't follow it far enough to know where it comes out to. Turk and I will do a follow up trip in two or three days once things calm down.” Red offered.
“It would be pretty rough travellin, but if we got some meatier tires for my willys it'll go just about anywhere.” Turk concluded.
“Sounds like we're not going to answer that today, plenty else needs to be gotten to.” Samson pushed.
“Yes boss” Tim exclaimed.
Preacher Josiah bowed low in greeting. “Mother.”
Rachel let her breathed in through her nose and let it out slow, controlling her temper. “You bring news Preacher?”
“I do.” Josiah acknowledged.
“Well?” Rachel always hated these games with Josiah.
Josiah kept his head bowed in deference. “We believe to have found those that assaulted Cain.”
“And you have eliminated them.” Rachel finished for him.
Josiah gave an apologetic gesture. “I am sorry it is not that easy. They are well entrenched. We do not yet know their numbers or strength of their armaments.”
“You find this out how?”
Josiah practically grovelled. “Very astute. I would ask that you bequeath unto me two dozen of your zealots, to perform trials on these people.”
“What is the nature of these trials?”
Josiah let a ghost of a smile flash across his face. “I simply ask that they, draw out legions of the fallen to march on this band. Get them to expose their numbers and exhaust their munitions.”
Rachel considered him for several seconds. “Make it so. Preacher..., I want an army ready to march, once these trials are done.”
Josiah bowed as he backed away. “By your decree.”
By the end of the day, they had taken up most of the railroad ride. Using the rails and ties to build a wall, up against about thirty feet of fence. It was a drop in the bucket for what they needed, but it was a start. They were going to have their work cut out for them taking apart the cabins, but in a couple of weeks that fence will withstand a fairly serious offensive.
Everyone was pretty exhausted at the end of the day, especially the kids and most fell asleep, shortly after dinner. For some reason, Lizzie was a little excited and it took a while for Red to get her settled down. Once Lizzie drifted off, Red made her way outside to find Turk, it was a nearly moonless night and difficult to see. Eventually she spotted him. leaning against a post looking out upon the back of their compound. Red did her best to sneak up on him, but when she got close, he turned and swept her into his arms.
“How on earth did you know, I was behind you?” Red asked, with a laugh.
“I have eyes in the back of my head, don't ya know.”
“Your not going to tell me, are you?”
“There is no secret to tell. Most folks are so used to bein bombarded by so much, that they've learned to shut out almost everythin. I've spent my life in the hills and tunin in to my surroundins, just became second nature.”
“Your a good man to have around, then.”
Turk pulled her close and bent in for a kiss. “I'm glad you think so..” He said, in a whisper.
After the kiss Red pulled back, the fear of dealing with losing him urging her to caution. “So uhm, what are you doing out here?”
“Waiting for you.”
“Aren't you the cocky one, what would you have done if I didn't show?”
“Then I would of looked for you.” Raising his hand, to caress her cheek. “I will always come back to you.”
The next morning, Sam went to Turk. “The system is workin better'n I hoped. Can ya hep me run a line to the water tower pump and see if we got enough juice, to keep the tank topped off?”
“Sure, how bouts when we break for lunch?”
“That'll work, the main panel is in the security office, not a long line to run.”
While the others finished with the railroad ties, Sam and Turk worked on demolishing the cabins. As Turk cut the roof, of one of the cabins into manageable size sheets with a chainsaw, he suddenly stopped.
“Hey Sam, come up here a moment.”
“Nice view, what am I lookin at?”
“The coaster works as a look out, but is too far away to do more than that. If we built a crows nest on the admin building roof, it would be like a guard tower.”
“Yay another project. I didn't know that the world comin to an end, would be so much work.”
“Buck up man, I gotta sell it to the chief first.”
When the midday break was over, Red observed Tom and Jeff having an active conversation with Turk and Sam. There was lots of smiles and back slapping, leaving Red to wonder what the boys were cooking up. As they went back to the job of building the fence, Red sidled up to Turk.
“So, what was that about?”
“It’s a surprise, you'll just have to wait like the rest.”
The log cabin wall sections strained their equipment, but the boys were working well as a team, using both the forklift and bobcat, in tandem, to move the wall sections. At the end of the day, ten of the cabins had been dismantled and they had a stockade type fence, stretching well over a few hundred feet. As a bonus strategically placing the window openings, gave them points where they could both look out through and if necessary, shoot through.
At the end of the day, Tom and Tim were looking over what they had accomplished, stopping here and there to test the firmness of the walls. Sam and Turk, went to join the two men.
“Well boss, think there going to hold?” Sam queried.
“Seems solid enough, how much of the fence can we cover like this?” Tom asked.
“Once we use all forty cabins, it’ll stretch across the front and a bit up each side.” Turk replied.
Tom called out. “Nicely done everybody, we're making good progress. I'm especially pleased with the way you boys have been working together. When we get back over to our quarters, Sam and Turk have a surprise for all of you.”
“Well Sam, sure was a hot one today.” Turk expressed.
“You can say that again, thought I was gonna melt on that roof.” Sam replied, with a wink.
Lizzie tugged on Turk's shirt. “Where's the surprise, Mr. Turk?”
Turk ignored her, playing out the surprise for a bit. “You know Sam when it’s hot like this, I like to go swimmin. You don't spect we could find us a swimmin hole here abouts, do ya?”
Sam gave Turk a thoughtful look. “You know, I just happened to have seen that very thing.”
“Well you heard the man kids, grab yoursef a towel and change into something you can swim in and lets go cool off.”
Caleb turned to his father. “Daddy, I don't know how to swim.”
“That’s okay, it’s not that deep, go get ready and meet us out here quick sticks.”
Red turned to Turk. “So this is the big surprise?”
“When we got the water tower pump working and knew we could keep it topped off, Sam came up with the idea to make use of one of these water rides. We just partially filled one of the pools, but it should be enough to cool the kids down and let them blow off steam. It will also give Tom and Jeff a little time to reconnect with their wives.”
“So you’re given them a date night?”
“A date couple of hours maybe, but hopefully it'll ratchet down the stress a might.”
The kids returned in no time and they all followed Sam, over to the pool. For the most part it was pretty shallow, but there was an end that held about three feet of water. The kids were quick to get into the water and after they slipped off their shirts, holsters and rolled up their pant legs, Sam and Turk followed suit.
Red, took off her holster and slipped off her boots, then seeing a nearby bucket a wicked grin spread across her face.
Turk could tell from the kids expression and the splashing behind him that Red was up to something, but decided to play along. When Red up ended the bucket over his head, Turk spun about. “Your in for it now.”
Turk cupped his hands together and began flinging handfuls of water at Red. Lizzie and Margo quickly jumped in. They played with the kids for a while longer, then Turk guided Red out of the pool. Even though the evening was still warm, the breeze on her wet skin was giving Red goosebumps. Turk wrapped his shirt around her shoulders and led her to a bench, where they could relax and keep an eye on the children. Turk put his arm around Red and she snuggled in and leaned her head on his chest.
Red ran a finger along the angry scar left from the fight with Cain. “Not to many men would of chosen to come to Will's aid, like you did.”
“What kind of man would I be, lettin him head off on his own when I could help him out?”
“You’re the kind of man I worry about, when you’re not around.”
Turk leaned in for a kiss and for a moment, they lost themselves in each other. Eventually it sunk that Lizzie and Margo had started, “Oooooo Turk and Red, sitting in a tree, K I S S I N G.”
Sam broke things up. “Okay you two we have to be heading back soon, don't waste your time here.”
Turk turned his attention back to Red. “What would you say, to another hunting trip?”
“Sure, we need to see where that two track leads to.”
“I had bigger game in mind, those deer are going to last us a couple a weeks, at best. If we get blocked in here, I would like more than Pete's garden to keep us going.”
“What were you thinking?”
“Elk. There is an elk reserve near Gatlinburg, I've guided hunts there. I'm pretty sure, I can get us on some elk pretty quick. Won't be a rack bull, but it'll be meat. I also want to get some off road tires for the willys and maybe find us a dozer, or excavation equipment”
“Sounds like a lot to accomplish, how long were you expecting this trip to last?”
“I've been circling around this whole area for months, I have a pretty good idea where to get what we need. We'll be out overnight for sure, no more than two nights. I was thinking of taking Prescott along as well, he needs some on the job trainin.”
“I haven't been away from Lizzie in a while, let me talk to her.”
“We got some time. We need to finish with the cabins, I just wanted to run this by you first.”
“I appreciate that, I'll talk to Lizzie, then I'll bring it up to the group.”
Sam brought the romp to a close, telling the kids it was time to get ready for supper.
“Can we come back again tomorrow, Daddy?” Caleb pleaded.
“Yes we can, as long as you guys keep working hard on the fence.”
“Oh, I'll work twice as hard now.” Caleb responded, with glee.
Turk cleared his throat. “You kids need to understand that this pool is off limits, cept when there are enough adults available, to keep an eye on things. Even one of you breaks that rule and we will drain this pool, don't one of you think of testin me on this.”
Turk raised his hand and signaled to Will, that they were heading back. As they walked to the admin building, which now served as their lodgings, kitchen and community area, Margo inserted herself between Red and Turk, taking hold of each of their hands and Lizzie walked next to Red, holding her opposite hand. As they closed upon the admin building, they could smell the aroma of grilled venison, between the hard work and swimming, they had all worked up quite the appetite.
After they ate, Will and Emma went to relieve Tim and Tracey on watch, so they could have a chance to get some dinner. Turk asked Red to join him at the shop, he had a present for her that he and Prescott had been working on.
At the shop, Turk presented Red with a couple of short wooden staves, about thirty inches long. One end had been sharpened to a point and hardened in a fire. The other end, had been drilled out and filled with lead, that end was capped and fitted with small studs.
“I worry about you, having to take on zeds with your knife, I thought these might give you more of an advantage.”
“I don't know what to say, I've never used anything like this before.”
“They are similar to my club, just a little shorter and lighter. I set up a training area over here to teach Prescott how to use the baton we made, from the old cane. Let’s give em a whirl.”
Red quickly picked up the basics, so Turk wrapped the ends with towels so they could spar without him getting hurt to much. Red progressed so rapidly, that Turk had to get his truncheon out to keep things even. Their sparring became almost like a dance, Red delighting in the new weapon and Turk taking pride in her ability.
At one point, Red managed to use one of the staves to trip up Turk. She reached down and helped him up. As Turk regained his feet, he kept his grip on Red’s hand and pulled her into his arms.
“I think we've done enough for now” Turk expressed, in a husky whisper as he began to nuzzle her neck.
Fueled by adrenaline and pent up passion, Red showered him with kisses. As their embrace became more lingering, Red slid her hand down and undid Turk's belt. Turk responded, by sliding his hands down past her hips and lifting her off the ground. As Red wrapped her legs around his waist, Turk backed her onto a bench. When they broke for air Red lifted her T-shirt up, but before pulling it over her head, she paused to enjoy his hands exploring her body.
“Hello Mr. Turk, Red are you in here?” Sue Higgins called out.
“Damn.” Turk exclaimed as he quickly buckled his belt and rushed out to intercept Sue, allowing Red time to get herself together.
When Turk cleared the corner, he was greeted by Sue, Miri and all the kids. “There you are Mr. Turk, we understand you two are doing some weapons training and Miri and I thought you might work with the kids for a bit too.”
Red stepped out, unwrapping the towels from her staves. “Not a bad idea, where are Tom, Jeff and Sam?”
“Oh Miri and I, didn't think you would need them to”
“I think they definitely will want to be involved, you and Miri go round em up and we'll get started here.” Red responded.
“Can I train Jax to?” Margo asked.
Turk was wondering if Margo had invented an invisible friend. “Who is Jax?”
Margo laughed an
d scratched the dog behind the ear. “We couldn’t keep calling him dog. Ajax was a Greek warrior. Jax has been through so much, I thought it was a good name for him.”
Turk smiled, not minding that the young woman was getting him wrapped around her finger. “Alright, I’d be right curious to see what you can get Jax to do. Join with the others for now and you can show me what you got in mind, after a spell.”
Sue and Miri arrived with Sam and their husbands, in tow. Directing everyone into the training area, Turk adopted his best drill sergeant demeanor and had the children form a line. Arianna chose to play the cut up and with a smirk, whipped him a salute and stood to attention.
Red Rises (Book 2): Dead To Rights (HZA, Vol. 4) Page 13
