Alex stood up at the table and everyone became quiet. Max admired her sister, could be in awe of her at times. Like just then, as Alex stood making eye contact with each person individually, Max could feel her strength. Alex picked up her water bottle and smiled at everyone.
“So maybe water isn’t usual for a toast, but I think we can all agree we are pretty thankful for the bottles sitting in front of us. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone. In a day we have made these two houses habitable and comfortable for us to live in for the time we’re here. There’s never been a doubt that we can do whatever we set our minds to and that’s possible because of each person around these tables.”
Alex lifted her bottle to her lips and everyone else did with a small cheer. However, Alex wasn’t done. She sat her bottle down and her face took on a more serious look.
“Before we get into enjoying this delicious meal Margaret has made for us, I wanted to share a few things with the group. We wanted these houses to be good to live in for a while, so Rafe, Max, and myself can handle this situation with Callahan. We don’t know how long this is going to take. We have a plan. But while we’re gone, we need you all to pull together and keep this place safe and running. I know that’s asking a lot. But I think we can all agree, we want to go home. And the only way that’ll happen, is if we end this once and for all,” Alex said.
She waited a moment before continuing, giving everyone enough time to absorb her words. No one spoke. Max could see eyes darting from person to person, nerves showing. But no one argued, not with Alex.
“As always, if this isn’t right for you, we will give you all the supplies you need to leave and survive on your own until you can make a home for yourself,” Alex said. She then sighed and rubbed her forehead, the first sign of true emotion during her speech. “I’ve said those words a few times. And even though they are true, I really hope no one ever takes me up on that offer. We are a family, all of us. I would never want to lose one of you.”
Silently, Margaret held up her water bottle again. Everyone else began to follow suit, though Max noted Liam was the last to raise his. Alex smiled brightly and drank again before sitting down. Margaret rushed around, making sure everyone had a bowl of her tomato and herb soup. Everyone got a thick slice of the last of her bread.
Once Margaret sat, the murmur of voices became less frequent, as everyone ate peacefully. Max took in the surrounding scene, their family. The peaceful feeling would have to hold in her heart because she knew it wouldn’t last. Soon she and her siblings would put themselves in harm's way to save this family. And give them the chance to go home.
Chapter Twenty-Three
After dinner that night, everyone decided to sit outside as the sun fell. The clouds and fog obscured their view of any stars. But the thick darkness, fresh salt breeze, and the sound of the water lulled everyone into relaxation. Yawning children were the indication it was late and time to start putting little ones to bed.
Max and Alex headed into their house to get their kids to bed. They were followed by Cliff, who stopped them in the kitchen.
“I want to go with you,” he said.
“I need you here, Cliff,” Alex replied.
“You have plenty of guns here. Issac, Griffin, and Smith are good with a shot. Griffin might be slow right now, but any of them will do what’s needed to protect the family. You need more hands with you. Three of you can’t take down a convoy around Callahan,” Cliff said.
“We have a plan, using the element of surprise and hoping to remove a few of the soldiers from the equation early,” Max said.
“I don’t doubt you have a plan. But the hope is the problem. You need know you have backup in case something doesn’t go right,” Cliff insisted.
Max looked at Alex and just shrugged, leaving the decision up to her. Max wouldn’t argue the need of more hands, however their hiding spot was small. They couldn’t take too many bodies, not to mention Cliff wasn’t a small man.
“I’ll discuss it with Max and Rafe and we’ll let you know, Cliff. I appreciate your desire to want to help,” Alex said.
Cliff didn’t argue further, just nodded and went back out to head over to the other house where he was sleeping in the living room. Max turned to look at Alex and she could see her sister’s concern.
“If we need more people, Alex, we should decide that now. Not when we’re already out there.”
“I know. How many do you think we can fit on that ledge?” Alex asked.
“Four, maybe five. But maybe only four if we have Cliff. It’ll be crowded. But let’s hope we don’t have to be there long, waiting,” Max replied.
Alex nodded and turned her head when Billie called for her from their room.
“Good night, little sister,” Alex said, as she walked down the hall.
“Night, Alex,” Max replied.
In their living room, turned bedroom, Max found Jack settling on her cot. A small lantern was sitting on a side table near her head. She had a book in her lap and she smiled up at her mother when she came in. Max went to her and made sure her bed was made well and she was covered and warm. She pushed the tangle of hair from Jack’s face and smiled down at her.
“You are going to have to comb this mess in the morning, ok?”
“Yes, mom.” Jack replied.
“You’re a good kid, you know that?” Max asked.
“I try,” Jack smiled.
“You just are. Thanks for that. You make being a mom easy on me,” Max said.
“What’s wrong, mom?” Jack asked.
Max should have known her intuitive daughter would pick up on her worry. Being together with Jack and Griffin, she felt more like a family than she had since she had given birth to Jack. When it was just the two of them, it was like they were partners. Sure, they were a small family, but the dynamic was different. Now they had Griffin and everyone else in the group. Sitting around dinner tables with laughter and conversation. Maybe it was a DNA connection, but there was a closeness at that table that Max had been missing in her life.
Now that she was looking down the barrel of the fight of her life, she felt fear. Max didn’t doubt they could succeed. But she never felt like she had much to lose. If she could feel comfort in any of it, it was knowing Jack would still have the big family around her. No matter what happened to Max in the coming days, Jack would be loved.
“Nothing’s wrong, kiddo. I was just thinking, that’s all. Don’t read too long, you gotta be tired after this long day,” Max finally replied.
Jack nodded and laid down with the book over her face. Max wondered if she would come back later to find the book had fallen on Jack’s face while she read. The idea made Max smile when she turned away. She jumped when she saw Griffin leaning against the wall, his expression telling her he heard everything between mother and daughter. Max jerked her head toward the door. She knew Griffin wanted to talk, but Jack didn’t need to worry.
Griffin led the way, not saying anything until they reached the kitchen area. Max wondered why the room had become the conversation room in addition to storage. She guessed it was due to every other room having someone sleeping in it. Griffin had crutched over to one counter and leaned against it, taking the weight off his arms.
“You’re worried,” he said.
“No,” Max replied immediately, but Griffin just stared at her waiting for the truth. “Ok, maybe a little,” she admitted.
“If this plan isn’t going to work, you shouldn’t do it.”
“I didn’t say it wasn’t going to work. I’m just feeling nerves. That’s all.”
“I’m feeling more than nerves, Max. I would rather you just not go.”
“Griffin, that’s ridiculous. I have just as much, if not more, reason to go after Callahan. You of all people know that,” Max exclaimed.
“Shhh, keep your voice down,” Griffin said.
“I will when you stop with stupid suggestions,” Max replied, crossing her arms over her chest and leaning agains
t the opposite counter.
“Ok, let’s break this down then, what pieces of the plan have you most concerned?” Griffin asked. Max was impressed with his change in tactics.
“Really, the whole plan is based on one large unknown. When Callahan will leave the bunker. Liam is fairly certain of their route away from there, so our position should be spot on. But what if suddenly Callahan changes his mind about where to drive and we miss them entirely? Then this whole trip out west was a waste,” Max explained.
“No one is going to be mad about this trip. I think I’ve caught every person staring at the ocean at least once today,” Griffin said.
“Not the point. We had to push our resources to get here. That type of waste doesn’t sit well with me. If we don’t get Callahan.”
“And if you do get him, what’s your plan?”
“Kill him, of course,” Max replied simply.
Griffin studied Max until she was fidgeting under his gaze. Not able to stand still any longer, she began to pace the small kitchen area. Killing Callahan was the only way to neutralize the threat. Max had no doubts about that. However, Max hadn’t executed anyone, and she had niggling doubts about if she would be able to when they got to Callahan. Part of her hoped his vehicle hit the spike strips and sailed off of the cliff. That would be luck, that they couldn’t plan on and she had to be ready for the more likely outcome. A fight.
“Ok. I agree with that. It’s the only way to stop him. But do you think just you, Alex, and Rafe are going to be able to handle this?” Griffin asked.
“Cliff wants to go too,” Max said.
“Cliff? So, he sees that you need help too,” Griffin replied.
“I guess. But too many hands also could cause confusion. I’m not sure if Alex is going to let him go.”
“Alex isn’t one to not use help if it’s needed. Does she have the same concerns you have?” Griffin asked.
“She won’t want to be responsible for someone else. It’s different with Rafe and I. We’re a team and we go together no matter what. It’s just the way we know life to be. It complicates things to bring in an extra person,” Max explained.
“I feel responsible for you. And I can’t be there to protect you,” Griffin said. Max knew this was coming, and he was finally circling around to the real reason he wanted to talk.
“I know this is hard for you, being sidelined. But you know that Rafe and Alex will watch out for me. It’s what we do,” Max replied.
“I wish that felt like enough. You have to promise not to take risks that aren’t necessary. I know you, Max Duncan. And I don’t want that crazy, not giving a shit, badass to be the one on this mission. You need to be careful,” Griffin said.
“I will be,” Max said.
Griffin just raised an eyebrow at her. Max pushed off the counter she was leaning against and moved to slide her arms around him. She laid her head on his chest, listening to the strong beat of his heart.
“I swear, I will be. I’ve never had so much to lose in my life. That’s what I was thinking earlier with Jack. She’s a good kid. It’s always just been her and me. And now, I know she will be cared for if something happens to me. She has her father now, too. And she has this whole family we’ve started building. But then I realized, I don’t want to lose any of that either. I’ve never had a big family and I’m kinda enjoying it,” Max said.
Griffin didn’t speak, just hugged Max to him. It was a lot of emotional talk for Max at once, and she was glad he didn’t keep pushing her. He knew she had to go, no matter his feelings on the situation. Max felt he probably heard what he needed to hear from her and that comforted him some. He grabbed his crutches and Max stepped back.
“Let’s go get the book off Jack’s face, cause you know that’s where it is. And let’s go to bed,” he said.
When Max was woken a few hours later for her turn at watch, Max felt somewhat refreshed. Her worry was still there, but it helped to talk things through with Griffin before falling asleep. Max crept into the shadows on the porch of the house. A bottle of water and a granola bar were waiting for her, courtesy of Margaret, who couldn’t stop mothering them all.
The quiet around the small neighborhood was peaceful, and Max was confident they would hear an intruder before they even got close. However, the threat was always there. In the distance, Max could make out smoke billowing from a new fire they hadn’t seen before. It was miles off, but the moon light still haloed it as it rose into the sky. The living were still around, even if the Duncans hadn’t seen them.
Max’s watch lasted until dawn, and she in turn woke Alex to watch until the rest of the group slowly woke up. Max walked Alex back to the porch. They stood side by side, watching as the light slowly revealed day. Movement at the end of the block caught Max’s attention, and she stepped out slightly to see what was happening.
A small group of people were headed their way. At the distance, it was only possible to tell they were living because they moved together in a cohesive group. Max was also pretty sure one of them was rolling a suitcase behind them. She could see the case, but also the sound was starting to reach her ears. Alex joined her to study the situation.
“I’d say hide and let them pass, but I don’t want them grabbing any of our vehicles,” Max said quietly.
“We can hide and watch them. If they pose a threat, we deal with it then,” Alex replied.
“I doubt they’re hardcore. One of them is dragging a suitcase,” Max joked.
“Never know,” Alex said.
The two of them stepped back behind the greenery that encompassed the small porch. The shadows would hide them from outside eyes, but they could peer through the leaves and see the group as they approached. As they got closer, Max knew her original impression was likely accurate.
The group of survivors looked beat-down. Only two seemed to carry weapons, an axe on one shoulder and another carrying a metal baseball bat. They were all heavily ladened with supplies. While they seemed to have eaten well during the start of the apocalypse, bathing wasn’t on their normal schedules. They were covered in dirt and grime from many days on the road.
“I wonder how long they’ve just been wandering,” Alex whispered.
“From their look, a long time. Wonder why they haven’t settled. There are plenty of places to choose,” Max replied.
“With a military installation just over the hill, you’d think there would be better protections for these people,” Alex said.
“‘The Suit’, Callahan, all of them, they don’t care about anyone,” Max replied.
“I feel bad not helping. But we aren’t in the position to work with anyone right now,” Alex said.
Max just grunted quietly and watched as the group approached the location of the RV. She held her breath as she saw one woman stare at the vehicle as they continued to walk. No one said anything in the group, the only noise coming from the rolling suitcase and their scuffing footfalls. It was clear the RV piqued the woman’s interest, however they didn’t bother to look at it. They turned the corner at the end of the street, leaving the neighborhood and heading into the open hills.
“They didn’t even look,” Max said, when she and Alex stepped from the foliage.
“My guess is none of them know how to hot wire a vehicle. If they did, they wouldn’t still be walking,” Alex replied.
“There’s gotta be a better option.”
“It’s worked for them so far. I hope for their sake it keeps working.”
Max shrugged. She was too awake now to try to grab another hour of sleep, so she settled in with Alex. They stood sentry silently for a while. The morning was chilly, and Max kept her hands stuffed in the pockets of her jacket. She did love the fresh ocean air. She missed the wide open space of Montana and the fresh air there, but this was definitely the next best thing.
“What’s on your mind, Max?” Alex asked.
“Why does something have to be on my mind?”
“You’re standing still when you d
on’t have to. Usually means you want to talk about something.”
Max sighed, “I guess I was wondering when we were leaving.”
“Tomorrow. Gives us a day to figure out supplies. We leave tomorrow with the sun.”
“Are you going to let Cliff come?” Max asked.
“What do you think? Should we?”
“He’s a good man. He wouldn’t be a problem. I just worry about hiding all of us on that ledge,” Max replied.
“He is a good man,” Alex agreed. She stretched before continuing. “Him being a good man is why I want to be sure we should let him go. I think a part of him just doesn’t care about his life. He cares more about everyone else. And while some of that is kindness, it’s also recklessness. A trait I’m sure comes from losing his family.”
“That’s never going to get better, Alex. We can’t expect Cliff to be anyone he’s not able to be. I will admit I would feel better with an extra set of hands. We don’t really know how many men will be with Callahan. We could get lucky and there’s only one vehicle in the caravan. Or we get unlucky and there’s a lot more,” Max replied.
“That’s where my doubts really are. I know we should take him. I just hope he’s not careless.”
“Cliff has never been careless. He’ll do whatever we ask him to and he’ll do it well. I think you need to give him a little faith,” Max said.
“You know he thinks he owes you, right?” Alex said.
That got Max’s full attention. She turned her surprised look to Alex, not sure how to respond to that. In Max’s mind, she hadn’t done anything important for the man. Sure, she brought him to Montana. But that was because Cliff was who he was. It was easy to read the man and know he was good. Max always felt like he had been a positive addition to the Duncan home.
“You saved him. He talks about that slap all the time,” Alex said with a light laugh.
Sundown Series | Book 5 | Vengeance Page 29
