by Payne, T. L.
“I could go back to town. There’s probably an empty house or two now…”
“No. She won’t mind. I was just wondering how I was going to tell her the bad news.”
Will and Isabella filled Walker in on what the soldier had told them as they made their way toward the farm.
Will stopped at the intersection where they were to turn west to the farm. Cayden stopped beside him a second later.
“What’s with the roadblock?” Isabella asked.
“I don’t know. Maybe they’ve seen trouble,” Will said.
It wasn’t the homecoming Will had hoped for. It had been silly for him to think life there at Savanah’s would be the same as before. He’d been fooling himself to believe that people wouldn’t want what she and the kids had there on the homestead. One thing was for sure. She didn’t put up all those cars and trucks across the road by herself.
“Pete Ashby probably put those there,” Cayden said. He pointed to a newer model Ford F-350 Super Duty truck. “That’s his.”
“How do you know?”
“He posted about it on Instagram.”
Of course, he did. It was another reason he didn’t like social media. Will never understood why people felt the need to post every aspect of their lives for virtual strangers to know.
“What do we do now?” Isabella said, wiping sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand.
Will studied the roadblock looking for a way around it. They’d done a pretty good job situating the vehicles so that no one could drive through, but he was looking for an opening to walk through. Deep ditches lined both sides of the road. Even the best four-wheel-drive vehicle would be unable to drive around it without getting stuck, and they’d ensured that anyone experienced with mud bogging couldn’t make it by pushing small cars into the ditches, nose-first.
They could cross the pasture, but as wet as it looked, they risked getting stuck knee-deep in the boggy field. It would be a risk, and they could get shot out in the open like that and have nowhere to hide. The residents of Sugar Cove Road didn’t want visitors and might mistake them for whoever they were trying so hard to keep out.
“What are you thinking?” Isabella asked.
Will chewed on his bottom lip as he tried to think of something positive to tell her. His eyes went from the field to the road and back. Isabella could barely walk, let alone run if need be. “Maybe,” he said and stopped. “I don’t see as we have a choice but to go down the middle and weave between the cars.”
Will snugged his rifle to his shoulder and headed that way. “We need to be ready to leave in a hurry. I don’t like hanging out here in the open too long.”
As Will slowly approached the barricade, Cayden asked, “Dad, you think Aunt Savanah and them are okay?”
He hoped so. He told himself that the roadblock was a good sign. They were proactive and prepared to defend their community. That the barricade was still intact likely meant they’d been successful. “I’m sure they’re fine. Someone was thinking ahead. It doesn’t hurt to be proactive.”
Will stopped where the trees that lined the road ended and surveyed the field ahead before taking a step toward the first vehicle. He heard the crack of the rifle a second before recognizing it. As he dove to the ground behind Pete’s truck, he heard a scream. Isabella dropped next to him, bringing her rifle up.
“Who screamed?” Will asked, hearing someone yell his name. It startled him. He slowly moved to the middle of the right side of the road and got to one knee. He peered around the bumper in the direction of the voice then got to his feet but remained concealed behind the truck, unsure who’d fired the shot at him.
“It’s a kid, Will,” Walker said, peering through his rifle scope.
“Uncle Will,” Karson yelled as he ran toward him.
“Karson?”
“Don’t shoot him. That’s my nephew,” Will said as he stood and rushed to the edge of the roadway.
“Uncle Will, are you all right? Are you shot?”
“No, I’m fine,” Will said as he stepped out into the open. There was only a foot or so between the front of the truck and the drop-off to the ditch. His foot slid, and he had to grab hold of the brush guard on the bumper.
“Did you shoot at me?” Will asked.
“No. That was Luca.”
“Where is Luca now?”
“Behind that tractor over there,” Karson said, pointing over his shoulder.
“Is he likely to open fire at me again?”
It would really suck to come all this way only to die half a mile from his destination.
“No. I told him you were my uncle.”
“Karson!” Cayden yelled.
“Hey, Cayden. It’s so good to see you guys.”
Karson filled them in on the trouble they’d had with the Blanchards and news of the Chinese military in the area. Will was relieved he wouldn’t have to be the one to break that news, but from the sounds of it, they had every intention of staying put on the farm. He would have to see how his sister would react when she heard the dire warning of the soldier.
“But everyone is all right?” Will asked his nephew.
“Mom, brother, and sisters are, but some of our neighbors got killed.” A sad expression filled his face.
Will placed a hand on Karson’s shoulder. His nephew was much too young for this. “What are you doing out here?”
“Guarding the road. The others are having a meeting.”
“And your mother let you come out here without her?” That didn’t sound at all like his sister. She was very protective of her children.
“She doesn’t know. You won’t tell her, will you? I’ll get in so much trouble.”
“I…” Will started. Karson looked upset, but that wasn’t something he could keep from his sister. “If you promise me you will never, ever, come out here by yourself again, I won’t say anything this time.”
“I’m not alone. Luca is with me,”
“Who’s Luca?” Will asked. He’d been gone a while. He used to know all the neighbors, but not anymore.
“Luca is a neighbor. He and his wife, Jane, have been staying with us. I gave them my room.”
He looked so proud of himself. Savanah must have trusted the guy to allow him to stay in her home around her children, but why had he brought a ten-year-old boy out to guard a roadblock?
“You want to meet him?” Karson asked, grabbing Will’s hand, and turning him around to face the tree line.
“Sure. After that, let’s get you home before your mother realizes you are gone.”
Thirty-Three
Will
Day Eight
Karson led them across the field toward an old barn. A young man stepped away from a tractor and waved. “Sorry, I didn’t know who you were,” he said.
Will gave him a double-take. He didn’t look like the farming type. Will imagined he was a relative of some of the old-timers around these parts.
“So, are we to the point where we shoot anyone we don’t know?” Isabella said sarcastically.
“Yes,” he said flatly.
After what they’d been through themselves on the journey there, Will could understand the man’s stance on the topic.
“Have you had to shoot many strangers?” Will asked.
“A few,” Luca said. Karson stepped over next to the man. He looked so grown up standing there with his rifle in his hands.
What had he seen? He thought of all Cayden had witnessed. Will’s gaze dropped to Karson. “And your mom and siblings are all right?” Will asked again.
“Yeah. They’re all fine. Mom, Jason, and some of the neighbors are having a meeting to decide what to do about the Chinese.”
“Who?”
“Jason Blanchard. He helps us on the farm,” Karson said.
“Blanchard?” Will’s voice pitched higher than he’d intended.
“What is…” He stopped himself. The answers he needed should come from his sister, not her son.
&
nbsp; “Why don’t we get you home before your mom comes looking for you.” Will dropped his head and eyed Luca.
“I didn’t know he’d followed me until after you arrived,” Luca said.
Will looked down his nose at his nephew. “You can’t do that again, Karson.”
Karson hung his head. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to help guard everyone. I know how to shoot.” He held up his rifle.
“I know, but it’s too dangerous. You have to leave that stuff to the grown-ups, okay, buddy?”
“I’m tired of everyone treating me like a little kid,” Karson whined.
“I know how you feel,” Cayden agreed.
“Don’t worry. You’ll both be growing up sooner than you think,” Will said. “Now, let’s get you home.”
“You coming, Luca?” Karson asked.
“No. I’ll stay here to keep an eye on the road.”
Will waited until Karson was out of hearing range and then approached Luca. “I don’t know what’s been going on out here, but we just had some major issues coming through town. You might need more than one person standing guard out here.”
“The Blanchards?” Luca said. “We know they took over the town. We haven’t had any issue with them yet.”
Will looked to the ground and shook his head. “Well, you might now. We kind of stirred things up, and some of the Blanchards left mad.”
“Really? Oh shit. I bet they’ll try to join up with the rest of them over at Sugar Hill.”
“Sugar Hill?”
“The gated community at the end of our road,” Luca said, pointing over his shoulder.
“I haven’t been home in a while. I didn’t know there was a subdivision back that way. And there are Blanchards living in there?” Will couldn’t picture any of Buzz’s kin being welcome in any neighborhood, let alone an exclusive community.
“They moved in after the lights went out. They’ve been terrorizing the farms out here.”
“And my sister is organizing a response or something?” It would be just like her. She took after their grandmother in stepping up when the community needed her. She was always on some committee meeting at the church.
“She and Jason have pulled together some of the neighbors,” Luca said.
Jason? Why would he be working against his relatives? Something wasn’t right here and he needed to get to the farm and find out what the hell was going on.
“I’ll talk to them about putting an extra guard out here. You good for a bit?” Will asked.
“Yeah. My shift isn’t over for three more hours.”
Will nodded and then set off across the field to join Isabella and the others.
The first thing Will noticed to be different about the farm was his grandfather’s old tractor parked against the gate.
“I’ll have to lead you up to the house,” Karson said, climbing over the gate.
Will glanced back at Isabella. “She can’t climb over the gate. I’ll have to lift her over,” he said, though he wasn’t sure if he could lift her with his ribs busted up like they were.
“I’ll catch her,” Cayden said.
“I can climb over. My leg is not that bad. Just help me lift it,” Isabella said, hiking her good leg up on the pipe gate.
Cayden took hold of her pant leg and placed it next to the other leg and Walker raised his hands to steady her while Will jumped over the gate. Isabella leaned forward as Walker pushed her from behind, helping her throw her leg over the top bar. Will’s hands were on her waist, lowering her to the ground when he heard his sister’s voice behind him.
“Need a hand?”
His heart leaped, and he turned, placing Isabella on the ground next to him. Savanah’s beautiful smile told him he was home. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d experienced that feeling. It was as if suddenly everything was right in the world. The energy seeped back into his body.
“Hey there, sister.”
Cayden took hold of Isabella as Will threw his arms around his sister, picking her up and spinning her around. He chuckled. “Have you gained weight?” Which earned him a punch in the arm.
“You look like something the dog dug up,” Savanah said as Will placed her back on the ground.
“You know what, little sis, I feel like something the dog dug up.”
The stabbing pain in his ribs and abdomen from all the lifting caused Will to bend over slightly.
“You okay?”
“Fine. Just a little sore from the journey,” he said, rubbing his rib cage.
Savanah tugged on the bottom of his shirt. “Let me see.”
Will’s head pivoted to Isabella, and his face turned red.
Savanah followed his gaze. “Fine, but I’m going to take a look when we get up to the house.”
“This is Isabella. We met after the EMP,” Will said.
“The what?” Savanah asked.
“I’ll tell you later.” It was too complicated to explain out there on the road. His sister really should be sitting down for that type of information.
“Dad pulled Isabella from her burning car,” Cayden said, beaming with pride.
“Yes, he did. He saved my life that day—and practically every day since,” Isabella said.
“Yeah, that was badass what you did with that steel pipe,” Cayden said.
Will wanted to scold him for the language, but he was so taken aback by his praise that he was speechless.
Heat surged beneath Will’s cheeks. “You both saved us a few times as well.”
Savanah stepped between them and held out her hand. “I’m Will’s sister, Savanah. I’m very pleased to meet you.”
“I’m so glad to meet you as well. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about you and your children.”
“I’m Ed Sudeski,” Walker said, stepping over and extending a hand to Savanah. “But everyone calls me Walker.”
“Nice to meet you, Walker. Welcome!” Savanah said, waving her hand toward the homestead.
“Where’s the kids?” Will asked.
Savanah looked back over her shoulder. “Doing chores. Karson was supposed to be looking for one of the pigs. They get out practically every day.”
Will wasn’t going to tell on Karson. They’d just keep that their secret.
Jason appeared beside the tractor.
Will gave him a curt nod and tried not to let his displeasure show on his face.
Jason nodded back.
“You remember, Jason, right?” Savanah asked.
“I do,” Will said. “How’s it going?” It seemed wrong to be standing at the end of the drive exchanging pleasantries with a Blanchard after what they’d just been through. What Will wanted to ask him was what the hell he was doing there?
Jason walked over and stood beside Savanah.
“You remember my brother, Will?” Savanah asked him.
The corners of his mouth slowly curled up, but his smile was strained.
Will extended his hand as if his father and brother hadn’t just tried to murder him. His brows snapped together as he watched Jason Blanchard put an arm around his sister’s waist. Isabella smiled at Will like it was all completely normal. She didn’t know him as Will did, or she wouldn’t have.
“Karson, honey, you’re needed in the pigs’ pen,” Savanah said, giving him that “mom” look. “Now, let’s get you three up to the house and get you fed and cleaned up. You look like you’ve been through hell.”
“That’s an understatement,” Will and Isabella said simultaneously. They exchanged glances as Will held his arm out to assist Isabella down the drive.
“Wait!” Savanah said. “You’ll need to follow me. There are a few surprises buried along the way.”
“It sounds like you guys haven’t been having a day at the beach yourselves,” Will said.
“Not really. I’ll tell you all about it over some sweet tea.”
“You have ice?” Cayden said.
“No, but I have honey.”
As they rounded a ben
d in the driveway, Will spotted people in the backyard under the big oak tree. “Who are they?”
“A few of the neighbors. We were just discussing forming a neighborhood watch,” Savanah said, her eyes bouncing between Will and Cayden.
“Karson said you’d been having trouble with some folks,” Cayden said.
Jason avoided Will’s gaze and walked off toward the barn as they approached the house.
“Why don’t you guys go on in and get cleaned up. I’ll be inside in a minute,” Savanah said, stepping toward the path leading to the backyard.
“Cayden and Isabella, why don’t you two go on in. I’d like to find out what’s going on around here before I get too settled,” Will said.
Savanah’s expression changed to one of sadness. “All right,” she said. “Let me introduce you to everyone, and we’ll fill you in.”
“As much as I’d love to wash up, I want to hear what’s happening too,” Isabella said.
Cayden smiled. “I’m going to go find Kendra. Boy, is she going to be surprised to see me.”
Will watched him run off toward the barn. It warmed his heart to see his son so happy to be there. He knew it would be good for him to be around family and they could finally get some rest. They so desperately needed it after all they’d been through.
After all the introductions had been made, Will studied the group. They looked nothing like the people they’d seen the last few days. They lacked the shell-shocked expressions and haggard appearances. Rob, Pete, August, and Mr. Bertrand he knew. It was Jane and Blake he was unfamiliar with. Without even being told, he’d already guessed that Jane was with Luca, the guy from the roadblock. They both had the appearance of hipsters. They’d likely moved out there to grow organics or something. Blake didn’t look like he had much farm experience either. It was probably his hands—too soft looking.
None of them looked like they’d slept much though. Dark circles ringed their eyes, but they were generally clean and uninjured. That fact alone made Will feel better about the situation. They hadn’t seen battle yet. Definitely not like he and Isabella had. He wondered why the Blanchards had left them alone and then remembered Jason. He was dying to ask, but he waited.
