EMP Antediluvian Courage : Book 3 Read online

  “Hopefully, we’ll be in a better one. Hopefully, once this is done, we’ll be able to go on with our lives, and though it will be simpler, hopefully it will be good,” Harry said.

  “Getting rid of the bad element will go a long way in ensuring that. I plan to make sure that it doesn’t even try to raise its ugly head again in town,” Clay said, hard resolve in his voice.

  “I suspect that we’ll be heading back to the way law used to be. No plea bargaining, no stays of executions,” Harry said.

  “I’m glad. They’s a lot of bad people that got away with bad things, ’cause they got good lawyers. That wasn’t right,” Boggy said.

  “No, but that was the way it was. But don’t worry. I suspect people will be busy trying to survive to be out causing mischief. We are heading back to a time where there wasn’t a whole lot of free time,” Clay said.

  “I’d say we’s already there,” Wilber laughed.

  ֍

  Joshua played the wedding song on his fiddle. It was high and sweet. Harry walked Katie out to the porch, where everyone had assembled. Willene had found their mother’s wedding dress in the attic. She had sent Harry out to shake it and air it out. It had been well preserved, and in the damp air, the wrinkles had mostly come out. Katie was now dressed in it and she looked radiant. Marilyn had found some mums and made a small bouquet.

  The dress was a little big, but the women had pinned it tight. Clay stood stiff in his uniform, his face a mask of nerves, love and fear. When he saw Katie, his eyes filled with tears and the tears slid silently down his face. Willene had put Angela to bed for a nap earlier, and they all knew she’d be up in a bit. They didn’t need to rush, but Harry figured the fiddle would wake her soon.

  Katie went to stand beside Clay, while Boggy came up with a Bible. They’d all agreed that Boggy should do the ceremony.

  “Beloved friends and family. We is here to witness a marriage between two people whose lives has touched us all. We is blessed to know them an’ to share they’s lives. We is honored to help them join in holy wedlock.” Boggy swallowed nervously, and a shy smile trembled on his lips.

  “I ain’t no preacher, but I guess God knows your true love an’ intention to each other. We sure seen it,” he said, and there were soft giggles among the group.

  “We’s had trouble, but more than that, we’s had the love an’ keeping of each other. Now, you Clay, an’ you Katie, will have the keepin’ of each other. Let the Lord Jesus Christ bear witness, as do we, to this union. Clayton Patterson, do you take Katherine Lee to be your wife? Ta honor her an’ love her till you’re dead?”

  Clay’s lips trembled, and Harry wasn’t sure if it was nerves or a laugh at the way Boggy said the vows, but he had to bite the inside of his own cheek. He’d give Boggy credit; the man was a poet.

  “I do,” Clay answered in a low serious voice.

  “Katherine Lee, does you take Clayton Patterson ta be your husband? Ta honor an’ love him till you’re dead?”

  “I do,” she said, her smile radiant with joy and love.

  “Though I don’t have any legal standin’, we are all witness here afore God, an’ God knows that you two love each other. I asked that you jump the broom, and then I pronounce you husband an’ wife,” Boggy said, and stepped back and laid down a broom. Clay grasped Katie’s hand and they both jumped the broom. Joshua erupted in a song, “I am a Man of Constant Sorrow”, on his fiddle, and everyone shouted and laughed. Clay picked up Katie and swung her around and kissed her.

  Willene disappeared into the house and, a little later, brought a sleepy Angela out. She bounced the child on her hip to the rhythm of the music. Josh broke into different songs and everyone pushed back the rocking chairs and began to dance on the porch. He played “Rocky Top,” “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” and “Wayfaring Stranger” before he took a break.

  Willene handed Angela off to Harry and disappeared into the house. She came out holding a sheet cake, and Marilyn opened the door for her. Katie turned around, saw the wedding cake, and began to cry anew. Faces lit with smiles and nods of approval. They all gathered round, and Katie and Clay took the knife, which had a strip of ribbon tied around it. Then they took a small piece and fed each other. The crowd applauded and laughed. Charlie, Brian, and Homer barked excitedly, though they were shooed off the porch.

  Boggy brought out a pitcher of tea, and everyone settle to eat wedding cake and tea. Katie sat in Clay’s lap so Pauline and Josh could sit beside them on the glider.

  “This is wonderful cake, Willy. Thank you so much for making it,” Katie said. There was a round of hmmms, and Willene laughed.

  “It’s our mother’s recipe. Thanks.”

  “I thought it tasted familiar. I’ve not had this in years,” Harry said.

  “It sure is good. I could have another iffin that’s okay?” Alan asked.

  Willene laughed and cut a large piece for Alan and deposited it on his plate. “Don’t get too filled up. We have a nice wedding supper too,” she admonished him.

  “Yes’m,” he said, the side of his cheek bulging with cake.

  Monroe jumped down and ran out into the yard to play with the dogs. Joshua tuned his fiddle and began to play once more, though it was a slower, softer tune.

  Harry turned to Marilyn. “May I have this dance?” he grinned.

  Marilyn blushed and nodded. He held out his hand and pulled her into his arms. As they danced, Earl pulled Willene out and danced with her, Angela between them. They laughed and twirled awkwardly about the porch. Finally, Katie and Clay joined in.

  The day was nice, like an Indian Summer; the sun was bright and the sky a brilliant cerulean blue. A breeze was blowing from the northeast, moving the leaves softly. The food was set out on the kitchen table and the counters. The group brought their food to the porch to enjoy Burgoo – a venison dish with vegetables – corn pudding, fried okra, green beans with a little pork, and sliced tomatoes. Everyone settled down to some serious eating and the group quieted down.

  “I’ll tell ya, this is some fine eatin’,” Wilber said, wiping his mouth with a napkin.

  “It sure is. Kin you adopt me, Willy?” Alan asked, his face turning bright red.

  Willene laughed and shook her head. Harry thought it was good, and he was glad he could share it with his friends.

  CHAPTER NINE

  David, Gideon, and Steven waited their turn to get on the bus. Each man knew this was their last day, and hopefully their families’ last day, in the coal mine. Each man’s head was down, as though subdued. It wouldn’t do for the two guards to see the glitter of suppressed rage and excitement in their eyes. Their body language echoed the cowed posture. There were eleven of them.

  For David, it was also suppressing his desire to see Mary. It had been nearly two and a half weeks, and his thoughts had been filled with worry for her. Had she lost the baby? His heart fluttered uncomfortably in his chest. It had torn him to pieces, having to leave her, but there wasn’t much he could do. He would have indeed been missed had he not returned to the mine.

  She’d felt so frail and light in his arms when he’d carried her up. He knew that, had she not have left the coal mine when she did, the baby would have died. And, his heart squeezed hard, may well be dead, he thought. If the baby had died, Mary would be devastated. It was her last link to Howard, and it’d been her hope and her joy. He’d prayed daily, if not hourly, for the baby to survive.

  The not knowing was the worst. Having to leave her had damned near killed him. But he couldn’t risk her safety, or that of the Friedhof family. It would have been poor payback for their kindness and generosity. He moved to the back of the bus and looked out at the dim morning. The clouds were low lying, and he could smell the petrichor, the indescribable ozone scent that heralds the arrival of a storm.

  David thought it fitting, for a storm there would be. Today was their day of freedom, or he’d die trying. They would free their loved ones and kill their oppressors. There was no other way, and
each to a man felt the same. Most of the people going to the farm today were men. When they came back, they would take out the guards. Even Richard and Bill seemed subdued. He figured each man was trying to imagine what was to come.

  David’s body jerked as the bus pulled away. The ride seemed to take a long time. The diesel wafting up reeked; was the old bus trying to gas them? His thoughts kept wandering back to Mary. He tried not to sink into depression. It had been a long two weeks, a living hell of not knowing. The houses they passed were deserted. Some had their doors open like silent screams, while others had been nearly burned to the ground.

  He hoped he could find a house that he could make a home. He hoped he could take care of Mary and, hopefully, her baby too. By the end of today, perhaps tomorrow, he would be a free man, and Mary wouldn’t have to worry about hiding. They could all breath fresh air instead of the hateful dust of the coal mine.

  The bus slowed, and he could see the farm ahead. They passed several small homes, all abandoned, all melancholy without their people. David snorted at his own melancholy thoughts, and knew it was worry for Mary that pulled him so low. He’d soon see her and know of her condition.

  Gerhard stood by the long table laden with pans of steaming water. He’d be somewhat clean in a few minutes, and hopefully would never step foot in the coal mine again.

  The people disembarked from the bus, Miles got off as well, and stretched. The bus driver too seemed as restless as the people around him.

  David walked directly over to Gerhard and shook his hand, his eyes searching the other man’s face for a clue. “How is Mary? Did she lose the baby?” he blurted, unable to control his emotions.

  A slow smile spread across Gerhard’s thin face, his blue eyes lighting from within. “She delivered a very healthy boy, though small, two days ago. They are both doin’ good.”

  David’s knees almost buckled, and his eyes shimmered with tears. Then they spilled over leaving tracks down his face. He dropped his head into his hands and wept, his body shaking. He could feel hands patting his back and tried to bring himself under control. He couldn’t seem to stop. The dam had burst, leaving him weak. A cloth was shoved into his hand and he wiped at his face, feeling the grit scrap across it.

  He finally looked up and saw his friends around him, their faces a mixture of worry and understanding. That made him want to break down once more, but he took a deep breath, letting it out slowly.

  “Why don’t you get cleaned up, then go see her. I know she’ll want to see ya,” Gerhard said, smiling kindly.

  David made his way to the long table and picked up a bar of soap and began to wash the grime off his face and arms. He felt like a surgeon scrubbing for an important operation. He was going to see little Howard and wanted to be as clean as possible. Grime gone, he changed into clean coveralls.

  Going into the house, he found Jutta preparing breakfast for the prisoners. He smiled, and felt his mouth tremble and his eyes began to sting with tears. She came around the table, her hands covered in flour, and pulled him into an embrace and whispered soft things. He knew he was falling apart because of all the stress. He could feel her trembling and heard her weeping. He pulled back and looked down at her face.

  “Go see her. She’s been waiting for you,” Jutta said softly, and used her wrist to wipe at her eyes. Bits of flour fell to her breasts and she wiped at it, making it worse.

  David nodded, smiling. He couldn’t speak, the knot in his throat nearly choking him. He turned and made his way up the stairs, to the room where he’d left her. Standing in the doorway, he watched Mary on the bed, cradling her son. He must have made a noise, because she looked up. A beautiful, sweet smile spread across her face. David walked to the bed and sat in the chair beside it.

  “David, I’m so glad you’re here. Would you like to meet Howard David Deets?” she asked softly.

  “Yes, please,” was all he could say, and she handed over the small bundle to him. When he took it, the baby seemed so light and so small. In the swaddling, he saw a tiny face, the eyes open and looking up at him. He could feel his lips spreading in a smile.

  “My God, he is beautiful, Mary. He is so tiny, but he’s perfect,” David said, a fingertip gently tracing the outline of the newborn’s face. He looked up at her and saw tears in her eyes. He got up, sat carefully on the edge of the bed, and pulled Mary into his arms, still cradling the baby.

  They both cried, and he rocked her gently. The baby began to fuss, and he laughed a little, pulling back.

  Mary smiled up at him, wiping her eyes. “Thanks, I needed that. I’m so glad you’re here.”

  David got up and sat back in the chair, the baby still in his arms. He patted Howard’s small back gently, rocking a little. “Today we will make it right, Mary. We’ll end this, so you and Howard can live free and in the sunshine. So you never have to worry again,” David said solemnly.

  “Just please be careful. We want you back safe. When will you all leave?”

  “I’m not sure. I’ll have to talk to Gerhard. It will more than likely be this afternoon, on our way back. At least Bill and Richard are with us. Miles is too. There are only two guards at the mine. I think we can take them easily,” David said.

  “Jutta said they found a lot of supplies. They’ll be giving some out to the ones coming out of the coal mine. To get them set up. She and Gerhard are also going to be donating food and supplies.”

  “That’s really good. It will help the families taking them in. I’m hoping to find a house with a good size yard, so I can plant a garden next year. I also plan to help Gerhard with this farm, so that others can have something as well,” David said.

  “Jutta found me a house just up the road. The family was down in Florida when everything stopped. Once I’m feeling up to it, I’ll be moving in,” Mary said, then she looked at her lap, her hands clasping and unclasping. She looked up at David, her face serious and nervous at the same time. “Please don’t think me forward, or presumptuous. I care about you, David. I know you care about me. I know it is too soon. We each have a lot of healing and grieving to be done. Jutta said the house has four bedrooms. I would like to ask you to come and stay there. Live there. But no commitments, no expectations. I want to get to know you without the fear and oppression that we’ve been under,” she said hesitantly.

  David’s heart somersaulted at her words, and his heart thundered in his chest. He nodded his head, trying to choose his words carefully. “I understand. I would never step over the line, Mary. I know you are still grieving for Howard. I won’t shame either of us. I want to get to know you as well. I think it is a good idea. I can care for both of you and protect you. And if and when the time comes, I’ll court you as is proper.”

  Mary smiled up at him, her face shining and luminescent with joy. He smiled at her and then looked back down to the child.

  “I promise, little man, to take care of you and your mother. I promise to honor your father, Howard Deets.”

  ֍

  Though the clouds hung low, they threatened and argued all day, but didn’t drop their aqueous load. Their slate gray forms collided and moved across the sky. Harry and Clay stood on the porch, looking out across the valley. It was cool and the air was damp. They were all feeling antsy and on edge. They would be leaving in an hour. Each of them had checked and cleaned their weapons, and gathered the extra weapons that had been confiscated, which would be passed out to the people from the mine.

  Willene had insisted everyone eat a hardy meal before they left the house. Katie was in the kitchen, helping Marilyn make up dinner parcels. No one knew how long they would be gone for.

  “We won’t be back until they’re all dead,” Harry had told them.

  “I’m hoping that, by this time tomorrow, it will be over, and we can start living our lives freely,” Clay said.

  “Me too,” Harry agreed. “It has gone on way too long. It should never have happened in the first place.”

  The dogs were on the porch, asleep.
Monroe was in the kitchen playing; it was too damp and cold to be outside, and Marilyn seemed to want him close by.

  “I think I’ll be able to breathe once we free the people from the coal mine. It will be the first step. Once that is done, I’m hoping the rest will go like clockwork. I’m also hoping this weather works in our favor,” Harry speculated.

  “It should, and if it rains, then if Boggy needs to blow up the Bluemont, it won’t be too bad fire-wise, at least.”

  “That’s what I was thinking. What worries me is, what about the women and children of these people? I’ll tell you now, I won’t kill a woman unless she’s shooting at us,” Harry said.

  “Same here. I guess play it by ear. I don’t know who is married and who has kids. I guess we’ll have to wait and see. But the men, they are already dead; they just don’t know it,” Clay said.

  The screen door opened, and Boggy and Earl came out. Both had coffee, and handed a cup to Harry and Clay each.

  “I feel as nervous as a long-tail cat in a room full of rockin’ chairs,” Earl said.

  “Me too,” Boggy chimed in.

  “I expect that’s normal. We are getting ready to go to war,” Harry said mildly.

  “When do we leave?” Earl asked.

  “I guess we can load up the truck now, wrap all the extra weapons and ammunition in a tarp so we can hand them out at the mine. Wilber will meet us there. We’ll park about a mile out and walk in.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” Earl said and turned, taking Boggy.

  Harry figured they might as well head out. He and Clay went back into the house. Willene was coming down the stairs; she’d just put Angela down for a nap. He saw her face. There was strain there, as well as fear and a smidgen of hope.

  “Well, brother, is it about time?” she asked.

  “Yeah. We’ll get loaded up and head out. I don’t think you’ll be bothered. It’s been a long time since anyone has come this way. Joshua knows we’re going today, so if you need him, he will be there, and his people.”