Author's Notes: Slowly, but surely, the chapters are still coming. The beginning of the next chapter is already rattling about in my head . . . As always, comments are appreciated. I still have a few to answer from the previous chapter!
N.B. I said in an earlier chapter that the various farm families were using 2-quart jars to can soups. In the course of my canning education, I have since learned that 2-quart chapters are only approved for canning clear juice (apple, grape), and for storage. It's a density issue. So please, instead, imagine that they are combining quart jars of various ingredients to make soup. That way no one gets imaginary botulism.
Disclaimer: Sadly, I still do not own any of the characters that appeared on the CBS show Jericho. No copy write infringement intended.
Chapter XVI: Red Flag
November 22-24, 2006 (Thanksgiving)
Bombs + 73-74 Days
The sun was just peeking over the horizon as Jake and Stanley bagged their second turkey of the morning. The deer had been scarce that fall, but the turkeys plentiful. That was providential, since the flock of roasting turkeys Jericho had received in trade from Cedar Brook had fallen prey to feral dogs the previous week. That event, coming the week before Thanksgiving, had served to remind the residents of Jericho just how tenuous a hold they had on normalcy. Since Jericho had not been raising turkeys prior to the bombs, they were reliant on Cedar Brook's turkey farm. As it stood, a few dozen of the roughly 1,000 households in Jericho happened to have a turkey in a freezer that had survived the EMP. Another few dozen would be enjoying wild bird. The rest would have to be satisfied with chicken.
As Jake and Stanley mounted their horses to return to the Richmond Ranch, they heard the sound of airplanes overhead, and were surprised to look up and see a dozen parachutes drifting gracefully down from the sky.
"What's going on? What are they dropping?" Stanley asked, rhetorically.
"God only knows," Jake answered under his breath.
They urged their horses along as they got closer, noting that two of the cartons had been blown by the wind into Stanley's corn field.
Apparently the IRS lady had seen the air drop as well. By the time they reached the first box, she was scurrying around the wooden carton collecting chocolate bars that had fallen onto the ground when the crate had made a bumpy landing.
"We have chocolate!" She said ecstatically as they dismounted.
"Hey, hey, hey, you don't know if that's OK," Stanley warned, as she nibbled away.
"Well, it's not Teuscher, but it'll do in a pinch," she conceded.
"I mean you don't know if it's safe," Stanley explained patiently.
"Well, if the chocolate didn't impress you, maybe this will," she replied, stepping deeper into the corn field to point out the other wooden crate.
"It's a generator," Jake commented.
"So we can get more power back, and communications," the IRS lady continued.
By this point, Bonnie had joined them. Jake signed a quick greeting to her before Stanley caught her attention, requesting her to go and fetch the truck while he brought the tractor. Together, they might be able to load the crates into the truck to take them into town.
"We haven't been properly introduced," Jake said once the siblings had departed. "I'm Jake Green, Stanley's childhood friend."
"Mimi Clark," she replied, licking her lips and wiping the chocolate off her hand before extending it to shake Jake's outstretched hand.
"Stanley really is a good guy," Jake began amiably. "I don't think he meant…"
Mimi interrupted Jake, "If you're talking about the IRS thing, I've put that behind me. Hearing that everyone you care about has been incinerated can sure change your perspective on things."
Jake shrugged sympathetically. "D.C.?" He asked.
Mimi nodded.
"I'm sorry," Jake replied.
They stood in silence for a moment before Stanley showed up with the tractor followed moments later by Bonnie with the farm truck. Between all of them, they managed to get the generator and boxes of food into the truck. They slung the turkeys into the truck as well and headed toward town once Stanley had turned the horses over to Bonnie. They dropped one turkey off at the Jackson farm for Stanley's Aunt Virginia to prepare, and the other at the Green home for Gail to prepare.
Apparently others had the same idea as Jake and Stanley, since Main Street was lined with crates from the drop and curious people milling about. Because the town had sufficient power, Johnston made the decision to send the generator directly to the airport, where Jonah's crew was welding and could use the extra power. The townspeople had plenty of food, and the means to grow and raise more, so this food was to be stored in an unused warehouse. The medical supplies were sent to the clinic. Once the food part of their load had been safely stowed in the warehouse, Stanley and Jake set out for the airport to deliver the generator.
"So, are you bringing Uncle Sam with you to the football game tomorrow?" Jake asked.
"She's not so bad," Stanley defended her. "I think she's trying to fit in, now that she realized she might be here a while."
"Stanley! You like Uncle Sam!" Jake teased his friend.
"Don't be ridiculous," Stanley scoffed. "The woman came to take away my farm. I'm just trying to be nice to her because she lost her family."
They arrived at the airport and nothing more was said about Uncle Sam. Jonah and his men were happy to see the generator and stated they would be able to complete the perimeter reinforcements for the town more quickly and efficiently now.
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Thanksgiving dinner, traditionally hosted by Johnston and Gail, would be held at the Green Ranch this year. The sheer volume of the Green family now living in Jericho dictated this change in venue, although Gail still insisted on cooking the turkey. The ladies living at Green Ranch helped out with side dishes and dessert.
By 11am, the troops were gathered in the backyard to choose football teams. Stanley had, indeed, decided to invite Uncle Sam, and surprised Jake when they arrived holding hands. Jake made introductions, then immediately made an excuse to drag Stanley into the house to show him something.
"Stanley! What's going on?" Jake prompted.
Stanley laughed and blushed. "Well, it all started out with a Tang margarita, and then things got interesting."
"Well, I'm happy for you," Jake said slapping his friend on the back as they headed back out to the game. India squadron was on duty, so Jake and his partner Stuart Young had stopped by Green Ranch for a while on their patrol route before heading back to town and allowing another pair of Rangers to take patrol and check in at their homes. If things remained peaceful, Jake and Stuart would be back in the afternoon around time for dinner.
The Bennett Family had also come over for the football game, and then would head home for dinner with Cal and Lydia Morgan. Uncle Dennis had taken a chance and invited Mary Bailey, who he had been seeing as often as he could; she had accepted the invitation. Gail was trying to be gracious despite Mary's history with Eric. Conversely, April seemed fine with Mary and Dennis, concluding that everything had ended well.
Stanley and Eric were team captains, choosing teams from their own group and a few McCall family members and farm hands that had come out to watch the game. Spectators sat on the porch and cheered, and the cooks circulated between the porch and the kitchen where they checked on dinner and chatted.
"This is our first Thanksgiving without E.J.," Heather remarked as she stood in the kitchen a while later with Eleanor, April and Hope.
"I miss him so much," Eleanor said thoughtfully. "I wish I'd had more time with him."
The others nodded, and April said wistfully "The rhythm of life just keeps on going. The older ones pass along and new ones are born."
"That's so very true," Hope said, somewhat ruffled. "I wasn't going to say anything just yet, but you all know me so well anyway. I'm pregnant again; due in July by my calculation. It's a little scary to be pregnant in times like these."
Before anyone could react, April said softly, "I'm pregnant again, too."
Heather froze. She had been about to react with excitement to Hope's news. She knew Hope wanted a large family and had easy pregnancies. Her youngest was 18 months old; she and Gil were ready for another one. April and Eric, however, had thought their family was already complete. Tracy was only 5 months old, and April had had a rough time with both of her pregnancies and deliveries. Heather knew this pregnancy was not in the plans.
Heather smiled hesitantly, taking the hands of both of her friends. "You'll get through it together; and we'll help. It will be fine."
The serious moment was broken, and talk turned to dinner and other things.
Eventually the football game ended and the troops came in to eat. They were all thankful for the good meal, and all of the provisions stored away for the coming winter. Jake made it home in time to enjoy a plate of food with the family. He and Heather were alone in the kitchen for a moment clearing plates.
"This doesn't happen very often," Jake observed. "We're actually alone."
Heather rolled her eyes. "Don't worry, it won't last long."
"Hey, what's going on?" Jake asked, sensing there was more to that statement.
Heather shrugged her shoulder as she continued to scrape plates. "I don't want to sound petty; and I know you're busy with things in town. I just thought I'd see a little more of you now than when you were in the Middle East."
Jake wrapped his arms around her. "It has been hectic. Let me see what I can do, OK?"
Heather nodded her head and they went on with the dishes as more were brought into the kitchen by other family members. Jake soon returned to his Ranger shift in town.
The rest of the afternoon was spent with family members lounging around the ranch house and enjoying the typical post-turkey stupor of Thanksgivings past. The decision had already been made to start their own turkey flock on the ranch so that the traditions of Thanksgiving would be preserved. Finally the shadows grew long and the folks who lived in town started their trip home.
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Heather was awakened by Sadie's fussing the following morning. She glanced over at Chip's big boy bed and noted that he had already gotten himself up and gone downstairs. He would have his second birthday in a matter of weeks, and was growing so independent. She loved the little boy he was becoming, but missed the baby he had been and the time they had spent together when it had just been the two of them. Heather fed and changed the girls, and then carried them downstairs. They had grown considerably in their 10 weeks, and her arms were full of babies. She laid them in their downstairs bassinette and went to investigate Chip's whereabouts. She was not surprised to find him sitting at the kitchen counter talking a mile a minute with Eleanor while they ate breakfast. Jake had come home and was moving things around the kitchen. It looked as though he was packing a cooler.
"What are we doing here?" She asked, after bidding everyone good morning.
"We are going on a romantic getaway," Jake responded with a devious grin. "Eleanor, here, has agreed to watch Chip; and the girls, if you think we could leave them overnight."
Heather looked at him with wide eyes. "Where are we going?" She asked, mildly bewildered.
"That's a surprise," Jake taunted her. "But I guarantee that it will be just us. And the girls, if you would be more comfortable bringing them with us."
"OK," Heather responded with more enthusiasm. "What should I pack?"
Eleanor was obviously enjoying the conversation as well. "I'd say wear jeans and a T-shirt. Take a sweat shirt and a jacket; pajamas and your toothbrush," she advised.
"And wear sturdy shoes," Jake added. "Pack warm clothes for the girls. We can leave whenever you're ready."
Heather scurried back up the stairs to get ready. Jake came up a few minutes later asking about the backpack they had used to carry Chip in when he was a baby. Yes, Heather knew just where it was, and brought it along too.
The carriage was packed and the girls loaded in with their car seats just before 9am. Jake and Heather said good bye to Chip, who was happily reading with Eleanor snuggled on the couch and largely unconcerned that his parents were leaving.
"He's a very well-adjusted child," Jake reassured Heather as they went out the front door.
"I know," Heather replied, "I just haven't been away from him overnight before."
"I know," Jake agreed sympathetically as he helped her into the carriage.
Soon they were out on the road enjoying the autumn scenery as the two horses trotted toward the mystery destination. The air was frosty and they appreciated the warm carriage blankets. The girls, wedged on the floor of the carriage out of the wind, slept blissfully.
At first, Heather had no idea where they were going. She enjoyed Jake's company and her surroundings. Then, the route began to look familiar.
"Are we going to E.J.'s hunting cabin?" Heather asked happily.
"Yes," Jake answered. "It was the only place I could think of to get away and yet still be close enough."
"Great idea," Heather said, smiling with contentment.
"I brought a lot of leftovers for us to eat, and I thought we could hike down to the creek later," Jake suggested. "I can carry one of the girls in the backpack, and we can take turns carrying the other in our arms."
"Sounds good," Heather responded. "And mostly, we can just be together. Alone. Without anyone needing to ask your advice or wanting to tell you anything."
"That's the idea," Jake added with a smile. "Eleanor is the only one who knows where we are. And she is sworn to secrecy."
Before they could see the cabin itself, they could see a curl of smoke coming from the chimney. Jake had stopped by the previous afternoon to assess the cabin, and had returned on his way home from work in the morning to start a fire.
They got things unpacked, and then Heather fed the girls while Jake went out to tend the horse. By the time he returned, Heather was fighting with the baby wrap she had thrown into her bag at the last moment. She had heard great things about them, but had not had a chance to use it yet. Fortunately, she had a diagram with pictures, and the two of them were soon able to figure it out.
The short walk down to the creek was enjoyable. Jake had Sadie in the backpack and carried the fishing supplies. Heather had Abby wrapped in front of her and carried one of the carriage blankets and a snack. The autumn sun dappled their path. The air was dry and almost felt warm with a touch of Indian Summer.
"This is pretty different than the Thanksgiving we had a few years ago, the one where we had the snowball fight with Eric and April in your parent's front yard," Heather reminisced.
"A lot of things are different now," Jake responded. He told her about Stanley and Uncle Sam. She told him about the pregnancies of April and Hope.
"I guess we're raising the next generation of Jericho Ranger Cadets!" Jake concluded.
"How is that going, by the way?" Heather asked, nodding.
"Really well," Jake informed her as he set up their fishing rods. "As you might have imagined, Mr. Hawkins' daughter Allison has already been voted Cadet Commander. It's something, considering that she's new and all, but when you consider who her Father is, it isn't all that surprising. Her younger brother Samuel, Woody Taylor, and some of the other boys come along to watch; they can't wait until they are old enough to participate."
"So the Hawkins family is fitting in pretty well?" Heather asked.
"Yes, I think so," Jake answered as he started a fire nearby to heat water for coffee and tea. Heather had the girls snuggled in the carriage blanket asleep next to her on the small dock. "I'm not sure his wife Darcy is settling in to well. I think he is busy with leading a Ranger squad and overseeing Ranger Cadets, while she is at loose ends. You know who else is crazy busy is Jonah Prowse," Jake continued, changing gears. "Not only is Jonah leading a Ranger squad, he's in charge of the perimeter project, and has been coordinating supply runs. He's asking for more help in the form of town residents or refugees with experience or aptitude. He also asked me to tell you that he hit the mother lode of canning jars at the Rogue River Walmart Distribution Center. They have pallets that each has 1708 assorted size canning jars with boxes of extra lids. He brought 10 pallets the first trip and will bring the rest in future trips. That ought to keep you and Hope busy for a while, don't you think?"
"Sounds good," Heather laughed. "Just so you know, it isn't unusual for a household to have over a thousand jars filled up during the harvest season. Hope will be happy! Maybe we can include Darcy Hawkins in some of our future activities."
"Aren't you and Hope done canning now that the harvest season is over," Jake asked.
Heather laughed. "You'd be surprised. Some people are paying Gil in chickens now for his services. She doesn't need any more chickens, so she has been canning what they can't eat immediately. And making bone broth."
"Bone broth? What do you do with that," Jake asked, giving her an incredulous look.
Heather laughed. "You drink it, and use it in cooking. It's really good for you; minerals and all. She's put the word out for leftover venison bones, if anyone gets a deer."
They sipped their warm drinks until they hooked the first fish. Then, Jake took a thin green branch from a nearby tree. He bent it into a "U" shape and wrapped wire from the tackle box around it. He slipped the fish into the basket that was formed and held it over the fire while they talked. Soon the outside was crispy and they nibbled on the tasty insides, trying not to burn their fingers.
"Hugh and Marla Matthews are also on the top of the list for more help." Heather gave Jake a blank look, so he continued. "They are the couple who bought the hog farm a few years back, after the Grogan family – or rather the Scruggs family – were arrested by the FBI. The farm was sold at auction for a low price to cover legal fees. Hugh and Marla were professionals in Denver who wanted to live a simpler life. They moved here and learned the meat processing business. They had one child when they arrived, and have had two more since they moved here. None of them are in school yet, so that is probably how you have missed them. Hugh had been raising hogs and butchering the occasional piece of wild game before the bombs. Since that time, he is the only butcher in town and has been swamped! No one travels to New Bern for butchering like they used to. Talk about trial by fire. Hey, maybe we should hook the Matthews up with Hope. I'll bet they have a lot of bones around the hog farm."
Heather giggled and rolled her eyes at him.
By this time, they had finished eating their snack of fresh fish and had caught several more to take back to the cabin. They gathered up their things and started back. The air had turned chilly.
"So what about Uncle Dennis and Mary Baily?" Heather asked conspiratorially.
Jake shrugged his shoulders. "Uncle Dennis has been married his whole adult life, and before that he and Aunt Karen were high school sweethearts. I suppose some people are more comfortable being married. I think he would have already asked her to marry, but he doesn't want to take the kids into town to live when they are doing so well in the country. And there is hardly room for Mary Bailey in the Ranch House."
"Hmm," Heather said thoughtfully. "Joanna has been wanting Annie to move back to the Bunk House so she isn't alone in the cottage, especially since the bombs. It isn't big, but it's better than being squashed in the Ranch House."
"That sounds good," Jake said hopefully, "And then there will be room for Aunt Sharon and her family when they arrive from New York."
Heather rolled her eyes again. "We could just open our own Green Family Bed and Breakfast," she said with a laugh. "No, it really isn't all that bad," she reassured Jake when he gave her a questioning look. "Do we have an idea what we will do with all of the New Yorkers when they do arrive?"
"So far, I know that Aunt Sharon, Uncle Bob and Olivia will come here," Jake replied. "Grant and Miranda Stevens will go to their house, and then Skylar can go home from the shelter to be with them. I think there are two other families, not exactly sure. I hope they are able to make contact again so we can be prepared to ask questions and make arrangements for them."
"Skyler must be excited to see her parents," Heather replied.
"Yes, of course," Jake said thoughtfully, "but I think staying at the shelter has been good for her. She offered a room to Dale Turner the first night after the fire, and then they both went to the shelter to stay once Dad got wind of the arrangement. Bill Kohler and Emily have been acting as dorm parents, Dale and Skyler have been helping them. Good for them to have responsibility. Dale and Skyler have also been participating in the Ranger Cadet program. Dale is acting as First Sergeant, keeping track of the schedule and supplies. He has a good head on his shoulders. I hope we are able to keep him out of mischief."
Having gotten caught up on all of the town news, and returned to the cabin, Heather and Jake were able to enjoy the romantic getaway they were due…
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The New York Contingency was a few days short of Springfield, MO. They had stopped to camp, and the children were playing hide-and-go-seek in a clearing nearby. Thomas counted while the younger boys hid, but became bored and turned a few handsprings to entertain himself. He stopped as abruptly as he had started when he heard the sound of giggling coming from bushes in the opposite direction the boys had run.
"Come out of the bushes," Thomas called with a bravado he did not feel.
The bushes rustled a bit, and two girls stepped out, holding hands and no longer laughing.
"Who are you?" Thomas asked, his voice still rather harsh.
"I'm Courtney," the older girl answered, "And this is Cassidy."
"Where is your camp?" Thomas asked, less harshly this time. He was nearing the end of his ability to deal with these strangers and he wished someone else would show up and help him. At the mention of the word camp, the eyes of both girls widened, and they started backing up. They looked like they were about to run away.
"No," Courtney cried, "We aren't going to any camp. We have to go now."
It was at that point that Grant and Miranda Stevens walked into the clearing to summon the boys for dinner.
"Woah, what have we here," Grant asked, as the girls turned and ran headlong into him. He caught them in a bear hug to prevent them all from sprawling across the leaf-strewn ground.
"They are Courtney and Cassidy, and they don't want to go to and camp," Thomas advised the adults as they all regained their equilibrium.
"Where is your family?" Grant asked gently as he righted them and brushed them off. He noted that they were thin and unkempt. Their eyes had the look of a scared rabbit.
"We only have each other," Courtney answered confidently. "Our parents are dead. We can look out for ourselves."
"I'm sure you can," Miranda reassured the girls agreeably. "The thing is, we're new to this area. Maybe you could help us out? We would be grateful. We have dinner ready right over here, and we could talk while we eat. We're having chili and cornbread tonight, will that be OK?"
A glance darted between the girls, and an almost imperceptible nod. They allowed Miranda to herd them through the trees toward the bonfire where the rest of the group was gathered for the night. Miranda noticed that the younger girl had not said a word during the interchange, but a single tear had rolled down each cheek at the mention of their dead patents.
Miranda situated the girls with bowls of chili and thick slabs of cornbread at one edge of the group, where they wouldn't be as overwhelmed with questions. They ate as though they hadn't seen substantial food in a week. They ate quickly, and then sat quietly waiting to answer the questions Miranda had for them.
"So, how old are you girls, and how did you come to be out here alone," Miranda finally asked.
"I'm almost 12, and Cassidy is 8," Courtney answered. "After the bombs happened, we stayed in our apartment until we ran out of food. Then we went to a camp with our parents. The soldiers who took us there said there would be plenty to eat and we would be fine, but they were wrong. After a while, there were too many people in that camp and the things people were doing to each other were horrible. Our family was chosen to go to a bigger camp. We were on a bus with a lot of other people but there must have been an accident. It was night time, and we were asleep. When we woke up in the morning, the bus was tipped over and our parents and some other people were dead. The rest of the people were gone. Maybe they thought we were dead, too, I don't know. We knew we didn't want to go to any more camps, so we started walking. We have been hiding if we hear people, but Thomas was funny doing summersaults, and Cassidy laughed. That is the first sound she has made since our parents died."
By this point, both girls had tears running down their cheeks. Miranda gathered them in a hug and reassured them.
"No more camps for you," She said softly. "You are safe now." She had tears rolling down her own cheeks as well.
The sisters allowed Miranda to set them up a bed roll for the night, although they remained hesitant about the rest of the group and made no promises to remain with the group. That night, after everyone else was asleep, Grant and Miranda lay in their tent talking.
"Those poor little girls," Miranda said. "No one should have to live through what they have seen."
"I agree," murmured Grant, "I guess we can be thankful it was no worse. They could have been found by a predator, animal or otherwise. You were really good with them."
"They remind me of Skylar when she was younger," Miranda observed. "She has led such a sheltered life. I just can't imagine her having to go through this."
"She's tougher than you think," Grant responded thoughtfully. "So why didn't we ever have more kids. I always thought we'd have several."
"I guess we just never got around to having more babies," Miranda replied. "You were busy with the mine; I was busy with Skyler and our social calendar."
"Maybe this is God's way of setting things to rights," Grant said. "These girls need a family. We can provide that for them, if we can convince them that we're not the enemy. Let's see how they do tomorrow in the daylight."
The next morning was Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. The group had made good time since leaving Kentucky and had a small variety of provisions left, but was looking forward to spending a few days in the Springfield area and hopefully having some semblance of a Thanksgiving dinner. They had not been able to make radio contact with Jericho since they had been in Kentucky, so they were also hoping that the folks in Springfield had a working radio. They had a letter of introduction from the cousin in Kentucky, and hoped it would work to break the ice with this new group.
They passed the outskirts of the small suburb of Springfield just past noon. They didn't see anyone outside the simple farm houses they passed, but didn't think too much about it. It wasn't until they entered the town proper that they realized that something was terribly wrong. The town looked like it belonged on the news featuring a war-torn country rather than in the heartland of America. The plate glass windows of most of the store fronts were missing and the walls surrounding them were riddled with bullet holes. From where they were, it looked as though the stored hadn't just been looted, but everything had been removed, leaving just the shells of buildings.
"What do you think happened," Miranda asked Grant in the lead carriage.
"I don't know, but let's not stick around and get involved," he responded as he urged the reluctant horses forward at a more rapid pace.
Once they had well cleared the town, Grant pulled over to the side of the road and stopped. He motioned for the other carriages to come alongside, not wanting to risk having them all get down from the carriages to talk.
"I don't know what happened here, but it looks bad," Grant said to the others. "I think we should keep going and take our chances. What do you all think?"
Almost universally, heads nodded in agreement.
Kate spoke up, "We don't have enough food to get us all the way to Jericho, but I suppose we will figure something out. It would be better than getting caught up in whatever went on here."
There was a rustling among the horses, and they all looked across the field near where they had stopped. There was an older woman wearing a broad-brimmed had making her way in their direction. She took off her hat and waved it at them, calling to them when she got closer "Can I help you folks?"
Grant reluctantly got down from the carriage after handing the reins to Miranda with instructions to keep going without him if things turned ugly. He began walking toward the woman.
"We're traveling to Kansas," he called out as they drew closer. "We were looking for the Baxter family? We were sent by their cousins in Kentucky."
"I'm sorry, the Baxter farm is on the east side of town, where you've come from," the woman replied. "Probably not the best idea to spend any more time in town than necessary."
"I understand," Grand agreed as he turned toward the carriage.
"Is there something I can help you with," the lady asked. "I noticed that you have children. It must be hard for them to sit still on such a long trip."
"It is," Grand said hesitantly. "We were hoping to stock up on our provisions and maybe stay the night with the Baxters."
"Well, I'm afraid my house is small, not enough space for all of you," the lady said apologetically. "I could probably find a spare sack of potatoes and whatnot for you to take along with you. The taters did well this year."
"We would be grateful, if it wouldn't put you out," Grant replied graciously. Eating potatoes would certainly be better than doing without, and he had seen the miracles Kate could perform with them.
"Come on up to the house, then, and stretch your legs a bit," the lady invited as she turned and started back across the field without further introduction.
The carriages proceeded around to the house by way of the road. The lady had arrived first and had apparently gone to the cellar to retrieve a sack of potatoes and a sack of onions.
"Let the little ones run about for a minute," she called from the porch, "I'll be right back."
Everyone got out of the carriages and tentatively looked around. The farm was neat and tidy, in stark contrast to the bombed-out motif of the town. They could hear the sounds of farm work coming from a field they could not see. The lady returned in just a few moments.
"I'm sorry, I don't believe I've introduced myself. I'm Vera Colby. I can only let you stay a few minutes or the family will come looking for their lunch and find you here. Then we all would be in trouble. We're not supposed to speak with outsiders since the town was attacked."
"Do you mind if I ask what happened?" Grant asked gently.
"It was an outfit that called themselves Ravenwood. At first they said they wanted to help, and then they said they were collecting supplies for the government. They took everything in the end. Our town made preparations, but the powers that be wouldn't listen to my husband Cliff when he said there should be a local security force. We stocked up on beans and band aids, but not on bullets. The outlying farmers and hunters had hunting rifles and a few others were armed, but we were massively outgunned. I lost my Cliff and a son. Our town lost close to 100 people altogether. Most of the townspeople left town after the attack. The farmers decided to stay. We trade with each other, but mostly try to keep our heads down. We have agreed not to speak with outsiders, but I couldn't allow the children to be hungry."
At this point, Vera Colby came down from the porch with a basket in her arms. "This is the lunch I made for my family. Take it with you and I'll make another for them. It's only ham sandwiches and hard boiled eggs, but I included some milk for the children, and apple cider for the rest of you. I hope it will help. And I'll have to ask you to be leaving. You might be able to find more in help in Iola, Kansas. My sister lives there. They prepared a bit before the bombs. I wrote directions on a paper in the basket. Be safe."
And with that, Vera Colby went back into her house and closed the door. The travelers looked at each other, shook their heads, and climbed back into their carriages. They continued down the road some distance and then they stopped to enjoy their picnic lunch. They hadn't even had the opportunity to give Vera their empty canning jars.