The coins were gathered and Taylor stuck them back in his pocket, “There was a sheriff, some spotty enforcement of laws. You couldn't be sure who were the bad guys and who were the good guys.” He paused, looked down, with a quietness in his voice, said, “Hard to believe how the years just went by.” In a stronger tone, “We had our routine and life, a bit disconnected from each other, yet we were together. We trusted and needed the partnership. Then, one day...it was very late and Lauren hadn't come home. I didn't even know where to begin to look. Finally, right after dark, she dragged in. She had a long knife wound in her thigh and had lost a lot of blood. There was a clinic in town and I tried to get her help. She didn't leave that place, infection set in and she didn't survive. I never really knew what had happened.”

  Emily, Cissy's mom said, “That's rough. It must've been very hard.”

  His back straightened, he was nearly through this telling, a rough hand pushed against closed eyelids and he said, “Thanks--- it wasn't my first painful loss. I stayed on for about three years in the city, new rumors started drifting in. Crazy stories about the organized group, how they were up to a lot more than typical no good, how they had plans to take over America. It was said that they were growing in all the bigger cities. I talked to this man that I met while working at the bar. He came from Dallas, down in Texas. He said the United States military had defeated a branch of the organization in that city, waging a pretty big battle. The tale was the military is re-building, growing stronger and there will be more battles in cities across the country. Some stories, I really didn't quite understand. Talk of the bad group breeding super soldiers and that their rule wouldn't mean anything good for the citizens, predictions of forced labor and slavery.”

  The younger men were very interested now. Kevin and Bubba moved toward the kitchen table, where the elders of the family were seated. Kevin said, “Do you think these rumors are true? Did you see any military in the city?”

  “I didn't see any visible military where I was. If there's any government soldiers, they're not making their presence known. I wonder about Colorado Springs, where my father was in the army. That was a huge base and there was also an underground disaster bunker in that area. I had nearly made a decision to move north, in that direction.” He paused and looked out through the screen door, “I really don't know what changed my mind. One day, I just gathered some supplies, Peaches and I begin to walk south. I remembered how my father and I hunted at the base of the mountains and his advice to get away from the cities.”

  Nearly to herself, Cissy said, “How strange that you ended up here.”

  Taylor once again gave her just a fleeting glance.

  Kevin took an opportunity and slid into a vacant chair near the stranger. He began to pelt him with questions about the city he came from and the story of battles.

  Wasn't long before Emily spoke up, “Kevin, shut up now. You can talk to the man later. He is exhausted and I think...” she looked to her husband and to Cody and the other elders of the family.

  “Yes, we've heard his story,” said Cody and stuck out his hand toward Taylor, who now stood. “I believe that you need some food and rest. We'll offer you that. No offense, but I'll keep the gun for now.”

  “I appreciate that.” He looked out through the screen door to the big dog and gave a slight smile, the first time since he walked in the cabin door, “I'll eventually have to do some hunting. Peaches has a lot bigger appetite than I do. I don't expect you to feed him.”

  The women immediately began to discuss a meal and where they could bed down the traveler. It was decided that the biggest house was the home of Jeff and Emily's family. The room that had been designated years ago as the community library had an old sofa and Taylor would be bunked there.

  Taylor felt like he could finally relax a little. Where would he go from here? He didn't know, but he would definitely accept their hospitality for the time being.

  ***

  About two-thirds of the day had been consumed with the arrival of the man from the city, the afternoon sun shot shards of light through the rows of books that covered much of the library window. One other window was uncovered and a long table with benches stretched in front of it. The room wasn't warm but comfortable and as soon as Taylor stretched out on the shabby sofa and pulled the quilt up, his eyes closed. Cissy couldn't help but smile as her mother eased the door shut. Peaches, all angles and taut skin, stretched out beside the temporary bed of his master. With his large head rested on extended front legs, the canine was close to the length of the sofa.

  Emily said in a quiet voice, “I've got a couple of things to do, then think I'll rest a bit myself before supper.”

  “You need any help?” said Cissy.

  “No, I'm good. Later, then.”

  Cissy looked down at the book in her hand. The wind in this valley at the foot of the mountains blew strong and often, today only an occasional breeze stirred the tall grasses. Think I'll find a sunny spot and read for a bit. Reaching the same rock she had started her day perched on, she did a quick scan of the ground, remembering the morning's slithery encounter. Her body easily lowered, lean legs folded up and crossed. She pushed a fluttering strand of hair away and opened the book. A tanned hand rested on the open book, her mind distracted. Up the hill, at the green cabin, she saw her brother and Bubba part company. Guess Bubba got tired of trying to impress the girls. Kevin ambled down the hill and over to her rock seat, he dropped down and stretched out, his hands behind his head.

  “Interesting morning, huh?”

  She closed the book. Cissy liked time to think about a situation, sort through things. She was still analyzing the rare intrusion into their small world, wasn't ready to discuss the stranger and his interesting story. A smile crept onto her face as she turned to her brother, “So-o, how are things at the Bailey's? Lots of work, I guess---you seem to be there a lot.”

  “Yeah, the barn is in pretty bad repair.”

  A mocking lilt carried Cissy's voice, “And it's way-y around the bend, too far to make it home sometimes. I'm sure the charming Suzanne takes pity and welcomes you to stay.”

  Kevin raised on his elbow, “Look, girl! Suzanne is a nice lady and I like her. Her father ain't so young, he needs my help...it's work.”

  “Uh-huh,” the smile turned to laughter.

  “Quit changing the subject, you honery old maid. At least, I don't snap and growl at anyone that comes sniffing around me,” Kevin spat out.

  Cissy's laugh had stopped, but she still smiled. She had a tough hide, the two of them gave no slack in their interactions. “Well, asinine bow-legged guys in heat, just don't do it for me, Kev.”

  He sat up, ignoring her diversion, “I want to know what you think of that guy, Taylor. What about his story and that stuff going on in the cities?”

  “Who knows if he's telling the truth?” She turned toward the house, “I don't even know if we should be leaving him unguarded---who knows what he is. Even so, we know it's a whole different world in the cities. Seemed like the man is trying to move away from the city. Isn't that big dog something? What a giant!” Something was making her feel a bit uneasy.

  “I'm not kidding, Cis. Bubba has been talking about going to the city for a long time. I want to know more about the military. If these stories of the military battling the bad guys are true, I might want to join up.”

  The smile now left, “Oh, Kevin. Emily and Dad wouldn't be happy about that. I don't know---you sure can't listen to that pea-brain, Bubba. You would end up taking care of him. What would Suzanne think of you leaving? Don't get crazy, you better do some deep thinking about this.”

  “That's not really true. I know Bubba has a big mouth but he's a lot smarter than you think. He's very capable of taking care of himself.” He stood up and dusted off his worn jeans. “I'm not saying that I'm set on doing anything...and you best not say to anybody that I am.” His finger pointed towards her, “I'm just going to talk to the stranger some more and I am going to do some pondering.” Her brother didn't mention the girl.

  She just looked up at the brother she loved, her smile gone, said nothing. He walked toward the house and she now had plenty of things to sort through in her mind. Before Kevin and his father had found first Emily and then herself, they traveled for many years and miles. Then, the four of them crossed much of Texas, into New Mexico and up into Colorado, where they found sanctuary. This place had been a mostly secure and safe home for them. They had found friends and a life.

  Why shouldn't her brother want to venture out? She couldn't say that it hadn't crossed her own mind before. She looked down at the book, no hope of concentrating on it now. The books in the library had really been her friends, her escape all these years. This was one of a few about the legends of long lost treasures in the mountains that surrounded their little community. She was fascinated with these stories. Of course, it wasn't that the discovery of riches intrigued Cissy. What would found treasure bring her? She admitted, the idea of traveling into unknown territories did sound exciting. Only the elders had actual knowledge and memories of the way America was before the big event. They seemed to be certain that the way of life, the society that had existed in the before country would be a very long time in returning. Her father and Cody said that maybe her children would know a semblance of that world. Her children?

  The notion of her children was as unreal to her as the world she read about in the old library books. The images and descriptions---that was all just a fantasy to her. The prosperous cities with streets clogged with automobiles, the stores full of every thing a person could imagine from food to clothing to all the furnishings to fill a house, restaurants and movies, things that were amazing to read about. Cissy had no experience or memory of such things and they seemed as impossible to her as the sun falling from the sky.

  She stood and shook out the kinks from legs that had been folded up too long. “Well, I've wasted away this afternoon,” she said to the rabbit that nibbled close by and then bounded away. She hadn't resolved any of the mystery of the newcomer, hadn't read any of her treasure stories. All I've managed to accomplish this afternoon is to add a new concern to my list...what is that brother of mine going to do?

  ***

  From the day, nearly two months earlier, that Taylor and Peaches walked up the curling road and into their lives, things began to drastically change for Cissy's combined and extended family. The weather was warm these days, other than the cool nights that were common, even in the middle of summer. The man that walked up on the back porch of Jeff and Emily's home, wearing just a light shirt with the sleeves rolled up, looked far more rested and better groomed than the day of his arrival. Taylor's beard was gone, the face that he was completely unaware was quite handsome looked strange at first until the pale underneath began to darken to a hue closer to the rest of his face. Oddly, the scar that seemed to stand out against his heavy beard, was less noticeable on his clean shaven face, just a crooked line. Emily, the accepted barber of the families had trimmed his hair a bit. He insisted on keeping it long enough to pull back in a leather tie.

  Four fat rabbits dangled from his hand. Peaches came loping up to his favorite person on earth. The petite fluff of mutt stuck right to his heels, his constant canine buddy these days. Both, excited at the smell of fresh meat. “Hey, you two,” said Taylor, bending to pet the tall and the tiny. “Looks like supper for us all.”

  Cissy stepped out on the porch. He held up the rabbits, “Had some luck. Need to get them cleaned. Have you got time to talk to me for a bit?”

  He shoo-ed away the dogs and walked to the long old table several yards away from the house. It wasn't a good idea to clean game near the house, there were coyotes, mountain lions and bears in the area. Cissy followed behind, her boots high stepped in the summer greened grass, a bucket of water swung at her side. At the table, she took her knife from her belt and began to help him dress the rabbits, “You wanted to talk to me?”

  He skinned one of the rabbits, as she managed another. Just like Lauren had been, this was no weak woman. He discovered that she always spoke straight forward and protected her heart. He knew he better get to his point, “I'm feeling pretty crappy these days. It's been--- um-m--- tense, I guess you could say. I'm feeling responsible, like I've upset the peace of this place.”

  “Why would you think that?” she said.

  “Kevin and Bubba, they're more and more set on going up to the city. It's obvious that your parents, Bubba's parents and even Cody and Ashley aren't at all pleased with the prospect. I think me coming here and telling about the rumors and things in the city started the whole thing. The discussions have been pretty heated. Frankly, the more I've gotten to know you all, the more it concerns me. You have welcomed me, you don't know how much I appreciate it. It's absolutely dangerous and unknown in the city. If those young men go away...”

  She took the back of a bloodied hand and pushed away an annoying fly, leaving a smear on her face. He dunked his hand in the bucket, intended to wipe it away. She looked at him very directly--- maybe not, he wiped his hand on his pants.

  “Taylor, this isn't you. Bubba has been talking about the city forever. Kevin---well, Kevin is a grown man. Why shouldn't he want to explore away from here? They're going to do what they want to, in the end. I don't think anyone can stop them. Besides, all of these people have lived through their own adventures. They won't be happy, but they will support them.”

  “You're not worried, you think they should go?” he said, returning her steady gaze.

  “I'm scared s—tless for Kev,” she said, “but, he has to make his own life and decisions.”

  They cleaned up, nothing more was said. That evening, as the rabbits fed Cissy's family and himself, Peaches and his partner feasted on the back porch. For the first time in days, Kevin didn't bring up going to the city. It was a pleasant meal, but Taylor knew it wasn't the end of it.

  Morning, just as Taylor laced up his boot, there was a tap at the door. He had formed a habit to get up and out early, stow his gear away. By mid morning, it wasn't unusual for someone to want to use the library. An outside entry door to the room had been added years ago, so it wasn't necessary to come through the house. “Come in.”

  Cissy came through the private house door, handed him a steaming cup of tea. “Thought you might need a wake up mug,” she said.

  “Thanks.” He remembered how his dad had loved coffee, very little of that around anymore. He had learned to enjoy the tea, Cissy's mother made a good brew.

  She moved to the shelves, pushed the book she held onto the shelf and pulled out another.

  “You read a lot, I've noticed,” he said. “What are you interested in?”

  Holding the book, she came and sat on the end of the sofa, “You read?” She noticed that on the table in front of his temporary bed was a book, Fast Cars of the Sixties.

  He took a sip of the tea, “This is good, thank you. I was old enough to know how to read, when the stuff hit the fan. I'm not great at it, but I can read. There's an amazing amount of information in this room. What a place America must've been. I have some memories, not a lot.”

  “Yeah. Doesn't seem very real to me.” She looked down at the book in her hand, Lost Treasures of Southern Colorado.

  “What'cha reading?” he gently pulled the book from her. “That looks interesting.” Turning the book over, he mouthed the descriptive words on the back---Myths and legends of long lost buried treasures in the wild mountain ranges of southern Colorado. She looked a bit embarrassed, not the norm for her. He handed the book back and smiled.

  Through the uncovered window, distant peaks still held on to small patches of snow. The morning sun made the tops glisten and the clouds hovered like the little dog on Peaches leg. She walked to the window, “It is interesting...imagine what must be in those mountains.”

  With excitement in her voice, she said, “It wouldn't be about the treasure, it would be about the going...about the places you've never been.”

  “Thinking about making a little expedition, are you?” he said with amusement.

  Cissy tucked the book under her arm, took the mug before he could take the last sip and went out the door. Before she closed it, extra hard he thought, “See you later, Taylor.”

  Treasures! Who would've thought Miss No Nonsense dreamed of buried riches. He wondered why he still had a pleasant vision of her trim figure as she stomped quickly across the room and exited.

  ***

  “Good Lord, girl! What're you trying to kill...we have ants or something?”

  She didn't realize that her boots fell heavy down the hall until she reached the kitchen and Kev's mouth. Emily already had breakfast on the table, her dad joined them and she heard Taylor coming from the library. As she sat and Kevin droned on about the Bailey's barn repairs, it occurred to her that he was suspiciously cheerful, just as he'd been the previous evening.

  It surprised her. Kevin dropped his small bomb right in the middle of the breakfast table, made his announcement and it was anti-climatic. He began to talk fast and expand on his plans, “Bubba and I have decided that we're definitely going to the city. We're going to try to find out about the army. If we can join the American army in a battle against our enemy, that's what we're going to do.” There was silence.

  Plowing on, “Because, Dad...you know that's the right thing to do. Maybe the country needs us, maybe we can help to rebuild. I'm no boy, I'm a man and I need to do what I think is right. You taught me that.”

  Jeff said in a very calm voice, “Yes, son. You do need to follow your own way.”

  Emily, her eyes moist, said, “We'll support you, Kevin. But, you and Bubba can't go off half cocked. You are going to need to do some preparing and be sure you're at your best, to do this.”

  Kevin appeared shocked at the lack of argument and had to agree. “Yes, Mom. I know we have to prepare and we'll appreciate any help or support the families can give us.”

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14