It's About Time
Chapter 19
Epilogue
It is now one year later
"What do you think?" Rick had his arm around Kate as they looked at the now mostly finished cabin that was going to be home for them. It still needed doors, windows, and chinking to fill in the gaps between the logs. And a roof, of course, though the rafters were in place as were the purlins. It was going to take another few weeks or a month or two to fully complete, but they had a home.
"A little rustic for my taste but I like it. I still wish we had indoor running water and a real toilet. OH, and a washing machine. And a dishwasher." Kate was having some fun with him since she didn't mind missing most of those things. Save for the washing machine. Doing clothes by hand was a real pain. They had to be hand washed on a scrub board, rinsed in a wash tub, then wrung out, and laid over fences or bushes to dry.
Rick simply kissed her head. "And perhaps a motorcycle or a car. Maybe a well with an inline pump. Right now I'd settle for a tin roof."
"When do you leave?" She knew another trip into the closest town was coming up. There were things they needed that they couldn't make here.
"Tomorrow. Three wagons and eight riders for protection. I'm one of the eight. I plan on taking the tent, sleeping bag, and air mattress if that's okay with you." This was about as close to roughing it as Rick wanted to get.
"Just come back safe. …With the glass for the windows." Kate looked up at him.
"That's the plan, love." Rick then offered her the one creature comfort that he was certain would please her. "Come on, you can help me gather some flat rocks and we'll move the tub into place and fill it with water. Maybe you can have a nice hot bath before I leave."
"Yes, please. The baby wants a nice hot bath." Kate rested her hand on her barely noticeable baby bump. She was very late, they were out of condoms, and her belly was just a touch bigger. It was all they needed to decide that she was indeed pregnant.
Kate still wasn't sure about wanting to be pregnant. There were no hospitals. She wasn't going to get a shot for the pain that was to come. And they literally had nothing for a baby. Granted their German friends seemed to be doing just fine. There had already been three births in their group so Kate was going to make it four unless someone wasn't talking.
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Kate was standing naked in the breezeway save for the linen towel that was wrapped around her. Rick had just gotten the fire started and had moved her stool into place so that she could step in and out of the tub.
The breezeway provided protection from the elements. It also helped to provide a draft that had the smoke going out the side and up the side of the cabin since the tub was placed close to the back edge.
"You're sure the fire is big enough?" She wanted a hot bath not a kind of not cold bath.
"We want it warm if not hot. Not so hot that it cooks you and the baby," Rick said and watched the tiny fire start heating up the water. After a few minutes a quick finger test told him that it was at least starting to get warm. Warm enough that she could get in and let it get hotter still.
"Ready, my lady." Rick held out his hand and Kate took it after dropping her towel and stepped in. It wasn't cold but it wasn't hot either. Still the fire was still going so it would get hotter eventually.
Kate settled down until her bare ass hit the metal of the tub. That was when she noticed a temperature difference. "Maybe spread the fire out just a touch." The very center was getting a little hot. Rick used a stick to poke the fire with so that it moved around a little and went down some.
"Better?" Rick asked which had her using her foot to test the very center. It was still hot but not scalding hot.
"Better, thank you." She leaned back, closed her eyes, and let the heat of the water work its magic. "Don't forget stuff for the baby." They were going into town for a number of things. One was glass for windows for their cabin since it had none. Another was a set of millstones for their mill that was already under construction. They also wanted to find out if the town could make sheet metal for roofs. If it could they would be back with more wagons until they'd purchased all the town had or could make during that time.
"I won't forget. That and some new work gloves for my hands, and more saws and axe handles." Rick held up his hands. They weren't city boy hands any longer. Though the gloves he had gotten from the last trip had been a godsend. "Maybe a new dress for a certain someone?" he grinned.
That had Kate opening her eyes to look at him. As much as she would love a new dress there were other things they needed more. "Work clothes and more gloves would be better. I'm still making pegs." She sighed. "I'm learning to really hate pegs."
When she wasn't cooking with the others, she was out hunting for food. When she wasn't doing that she was helping Rick plow the fields to either side of their mostly complete barn that actually had a roof, doors, and most everything. When she wasn't doing that she was on guard duty. And when she wasn't doing any of those things she was making the damn pegs that were the bane of her existence.
That made Rick laugh. She was making pegs and he was still hewing logs for cabins and barns. Their cabin was the third to be mostly completed. They'd already started on two more and they had even raised two more barns. Their barn had been first because of what Kate had done for that sickness that had struck their friends. Rick was still mostly planting, dividing and then replanting to make each field larger.
The fields that were growing crops for food had top priority and he and Kate understood that.
It was also why they were down to just twelve cows now instead of their original sixteen. They were being forced to go farther and farther out when hunting. Even their traps were being set farther and farther afield.
However, thanks to the bulls that the Germans had brought Rick and Kate did have two baby calves that were growing like weeds. They also had a Spanish baby kid that bounced around on its hooves like they were springs. They had named him Heartly because he had a white heart about the size of Kate's palm on his back. The goats were kept penned in because they ate anything and everything!
Even Huey, Dewey, and Louie had been busy, they were guessing. The Germans had brought a few cats as well for their barns. All of their female cats were either presently pregnant or had delivered several litters of kittens. Even the dogs had been busy over the last year and the canine population was growing as well. Rick and Kate had already been promised two from one of the litters. Once they were older they would help keep unwanted critters out of Rick's fields and out of Kate's crops. Her crops were tiny compared to the others. It was just two raised beds. But every little bit helped.
Kate had even made sure she found time to start planting apple trees for Patches and Samson. She had also taken the time to plant carrots in her little garden. Maybe she should have been more dedicated to food for herself and Rick, but she was putting the horses first.
The fire was long since dead and the water was now cold and a happy Kate was resting with Rick just inside their breezeway and out of the sun.
In the distance they could see others moving around. Either tending to gardens or tending to fields or chasing an animal that had gotten away. "Don't forget apples. Patches hasn't had an apple for so long."
Their trees were barely little buds poking up out of the ground. Worse was that a few of them had died for whatever reason. At least the others were doing fine and they still had a few seeds with which to try again.
"And maybe a new blanket for his back, and maybe a new brush." Kate was suddenly full of ideas of what they needed.
"Keep this up and we'll have to hook up our team and take our wagon." Rick was amused that she suddenly wanted so many things. Except instead of saying something back she just sat there and took in the view.
They couldn't see everyone from their place. They were on a bit of a hill so that all the water ran off it and down the hill. While they had cut down a lot of the really bigger and older trees, they'd left all of the younger trees. In addition there were all of the bushes that were growing fast and starting to produce berries for them.
Then a small hill would hide still more people. Still everyone was in close riding distance.
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Kate was next to him as he mounted Samson. He had his bow and arrows and she noticed he also had his pistol. She thought about trying to talk him into taking one of the rifles but he was a better shot with his bow and it was more accurate over a long distance.
"Diapers, baby powder, baby oil, baby shampoo, crib, baby clothes, baby formula, baby bottles…" Kate stopped after she saw the look he was giving her. "Just come back in one piece, I'm not raising our baby alone."
Rick didn't dare risk leaning that far down to kiss her so he simply stroked her cheek. "I'll be fine. We've done this before. It's only a one day ride using the wagons." The town was established in 1776 so it wasn't a one horse town.
It had a single general store, a blacksmith, three bars, and a church. It even had a dentist, not that Rick dared ever use him unless it was a dire emergency. He was interested in seeing what had changed over the last year. There had been a little construction taking place last time.
Rick was soon galloping off to meet up with the others and start his job. The eight of them would take turns riding on point.
It was to the north just along the Ohio River on the south side and easy to find.
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They arrived a little late in the day; fortunately the general store was open and they proceeded to buy an abundance of things. By the time it had closed they had filled one of the wagons with flour, sugar, beans, rice, bacon, eggs, saws, axes of different types, work gloves, and tobacco. They even had candy that had Rick buying almost all they had. He may not have any kids yet, but there were kids in their community and he had a sweet tooth that needed constant care.
The glass for the windows would have to wait until tomorrow. They also stopped at the blacksmith to buy things they were sorely in need of. And they needed him to sharpen a number of dulled axes that they had brought with them.
Come the next morning they went back into town and picked up all the other things that they could find. A quick stop to eat something while they rode home and they were outside of town.
They were about four hours out when the trailing guard came hurtling in at a full run. A blast on the whistle that Rick had brought with them from 2012 had all of the guards charging in to join the wagons.
"Riders, trying to be sneaky," the trailing guard reported and pointed them out.
Two of the Germans had proven they were good with a pistol and throwing a knife even from a horse so they rode out so that a blast of the whistle would have them come charging in.
Rick with his bow and the others with their flintlock rifles took up a line that was in the shape of an arc.
Rick saw one of them first and didn't wait. He fired an arrow at a distance that was going to shock these guys. His shot hit the rider's horse right in the head. The horse was a larger target and therefore easier to hit. And if they killed their horses it put the would-be thieves on the ground.
Rick lined up on the second and put his horse down by the time they figured out what was going on. It forced the other six to start charging in.
Rick hadn't waited to ask what this group wanted. It was just that they had ridden in and all bought everything they'd needed. It told the possibly more unscrupulous members of the town that they were rich. Maybe still rich and worth attacking and taking everything.
It was the one thing Rick most worried about. The movies might suggest that the Indians were a danger and perhaps in some areas they were. Out here, though, he was more worried about gangs that were more interested in stealing from others like their group.
Rick heard the flintlocks around him starting to fire. When they stopped he started firing and took down one more horse.
"Blow the whistle!" Rick had a surprise for the five that remained.
The second round of flintlocks didn't hit a thing just like the first round. However, when they stopped to reload or take out pistols since these five where getting closer, Rick took out a rider this time, followed by another horse.
Then the German riders, armed with pistols and throwing knives, rose up over a small hill and actually took out one more rider. The two that were still mounted stopped, turned around, and ran off just as hard as they had been riding toward them.
While Rick didn't approve, the Germans went out and stripped the riders of everything they had. Those that weren't actually dead were killed. Not that Rick ever knew about that. He had stayed with the wagons and kept his bow out in case anyone else decided to join the party.
An hour later all Rick really saw was that they now had two horses complete with saddles and saddle bags that were now tied to the back of their wagons and placidly following along.
Rick took tail just in case but was soon joined by one of the Germans that actually knew a little English. Between his bad English and Rick's equally bad German, Rick was able to ascertain that he was interested in having Rick make him a bow just like his. Their rifles were slow to load and inaccurate.
Rick promised he would do what he could. One of the tricks was going to be the string. He and Kate had only one spare each for their own bows so what was he going to make his string from?
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Kate was out hunting with her bow when she spotted the first wagon. "Apples, Patches!" She had him galloping in their direction.
She had already learned of everything that had happened when Rick finally showed up since he was trailing everyone, keeping an eye open.
Once she saw him she remounted Patches and galloped out to join him. Rick stopped so Kate stopped next to him. He was facing in while she was facing out.
She looked him over from top to bottom. "I don't see any blood."
"They blabbed, I take it. The thieves never really got close enough to do any damage. It looks like we're going to have to be more careful about how much we buy from now on. I'm guessing we looked rich and with the women and the wagons, they were betting that we were easy marks." They would defend the women and hand over everything to protect them.
"I see we have new horses. Theirs?" Kate wasn't really guessing since buying horses wasn't on the list. She was used to killing people so didn't bat an eye. "Did you get everything?" She meant everything for the baby.
Rick nodded. "We bought every piece of glass they had. It still means making the windows so they can be installed. We even went to the blacksmith to get some of our tools sharpened. Bought things from him as well. Oh, and we bought a fair amount of food that we need to distribute."
Kate turned around and started riding next to him back toward home. "Baby stuff?" She was going to hurt him if he hadn't.
"Of course!" As if he wouldn't. "Not really sure which wagon it's all in but it's all there. I think the plan is to stop at all the farms that need things and search for what they wanted. I bought you more pots and pans and even some more fancy plates, bowls, and silverware."
Kate would have kissed him for that except they were still on horses. Kate had long since learned she was the cook in this family. What Rick could do was at best questionable. He might be able to feed himself but it wouldn't taste anything like she could make.
"There is one thing. Our friends are planning on raising a barn tomorrow if you got back in time. They're going to invite everyone and have one big party while we work," Kate said.
"Put some of your pegs to work? I'm in since it means amazing German food." Rick was learning to like German food. Some of it, like sauerkraut, still made him want to throw up but most of it was pretty good.
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Kate was actually giddy as she watched and even helped take things off the various wagons and then into their home. It was a feeling she was sure she was never going to feel. Meeting a real live Angel and falling in love with him was proving to be the single most greatest thing in her life.
"It's broken!" she wailed as she finally saw the baby crib coming out of the wagon. She was guessing stuff must have moved around enough and her crib took the brunt of it. She looked it over and ran her hands over it see just how much damage there was. Suddenly there were tears in her eyes. Her baby didn't have a bed.
Rick knelt next to her. "We can take it to Werner, love. Maybe one of our friends makes furniture and can fix it. Though we still have time to go back and get another one. Or they can make one from scratch. Perhaps you can tell them what what you want it to look like."
Kate wiped her tears away and thought about what he had said. This thing looked broken and unfixable to her but then she wasn't a carpenter. "Make one, maybe?" Her baby needed somewhere to sleep.
She'd watched everything including some of the food come off the wagons and go into their house. A lot of it coaxed a smile to appear on her face. "Rick, what is this?" It looked familiar but it was different.
"That, my love, is a futon cover. I think it's full of horse hair instead of foam like it would be in 2012. Our friends are making some furniture for everyone. I asked for a sofa that could turn into a futon but with taller legs so it's easier to get up from. It's for the living room. Eventually there will be a kitchen table and chairs inside and out in the breezeway. At some point we may even have a real bed, likely filled with still more horse hair." He shrugged. "Or feathers. No springs, though, sorry." This was 1821 after all soon to be 1822.
"Where are the dogs?" Rick could see pretty much everyone save for any animal that wasn't in their barn.
Kate whistled and yelled, "ZEUS, APOLLO! GET OUT HERE!"
Two blue merle Collie puppies came pelting out of the house instead of playing with each other and inspecting the people that were in their home. The Germans had gotten dogs that were mostly herders though they also had two different breeds of Setters that were bird dogs. Since Rick and Kate had cows and goats they chose herders instead of bird dogs.
The moment Apollo and Zeus spotted that Rick was home they rushed him and demanded attention.
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Kate was enjoying the enormous meal that followed the raising of a barn. It was just the skeleton that consisted of massive timbers that Rick had helped hew into huge beams. In time they would make boards for the exterior and then eventually the roof. However, it was getting late in the year and fall was in the air.
Kate worked at getting everyone's attention since she wanted to share the news. "We're going to have a baby." This announcement was followed by them being congratulated and hugged and kissed by nearly everyone.
Werner made it clear that he was going to forbid her from going out on guard duty and would eventually forbid her from going out hunting. Kate had feared that but when she got bigger he was probably right.
"Have you decided on names yet?" she was asked.
"At first we were thinking that if it was a boy we would name him James after my father. It's just that it doesn't sound all that German to me so I've settled on Jürgen. If it's a girl we've agreed on Nadine," Kate told their friends.
"I will make the crib you requested the very best I've ever made," Kate was assured since Rick had already asked if one could be made since theirs was broken beyond repair.
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"Happy?" Rick asked her once they got home.
Kate wrapped her arms around him. "Very. I've got something that I was sure I was never going to have and had given up on until you came along. I couldn't love you more. I'm even going to have a family."
Rick slipped his arms around her. "Still think you're not an angel?"
"Yep!" Kate kissed him. She hadn't done anything that could be considered truly evil in a while. Still if she felt it was necessary she would kill anyone that she had to and not bat an eye. She might still be evil, she just wasn't all evil.
Born in the early 1900s and now living in the early 1800s, they were about to have a family and were fresh out of condoms.
She was quiet for a bit. Then she looked at her husband, her sadness visible in her eyes. "You know Lucifer is still going to claim me in the end." After her life of happiness was over she would spend all of eternity in Hell, of that she was certain.
"You leave that to God, my love. I'm the Angel around here and I don't think you have anything to worry about. Of course no one lives forever but we're going to be happy and successful and we'll meet each other in the next life." They would be leaving behind memories that the future generations were going to be talking about.
Kate rather liked the sound of all that. But… "In Germany next time?"
"I can't guarantee that. We could be French. Or Swiss. Or Canadian." For all Rick knew they might be Vietnamese. "But I believe with all my heart and soul that we'll never ever be parted."
His words comforted her and gave her heart peace.