No Ordinary Day by Tate, Harley (best large ereader .txt) 📕

front garden. I thought this was just another of Mary Ellen’s gossipy melodramas.”

“And now?”

He adjusted his hat, lifting the wide brim before snugging it back into place. “Since we have so much, it hasn’t really affected us. We’ve been eating out of the pantry, using the generator when we need to, just living life. Until you all showed up, I was beginning to think it was a big nothing burger.”

Raymond marveled. “It’s not like that in the big cities. Atlanta, where I’m from,” he shook his head, “it fell into chaos day one. Looting, traffic jams, accidents, stopped highways. It was madness.”

Vince whistled. “If the military doesn’t show up to restore order it’ll be a war zone.”

The thought soured Raymond’s stomach. “Even if they come, it’ll only be a temporary solution.”

Vince raised an eyebrow. “What aren’t you telling me?”

Raymond relayed what his former NASA client told him about the grid and the country’s inability to quickly rebuild.

Vince let out a low whistle. “Three years before the power grid can be restored?” He looked up at his crop of baby alfalfa in the field. “I assumed we’d have a hard year, gather the town together to share our resources over the winter and prep for a return to normalcy in the spring. But three years?”

“I don’t think anyone is prepared for how long this will go on.”

“We’ll need to reserve plenty of seed, conserve our supply of water and gas.” Vince pinched the corners of his mouth as he thought it over. “Now I’m even happier you all arrived when you did. Without the extra hands, there’s no way we could do it all. And if Memphis deteriorates like Atlanta…”

“Then you’ll need people to defend the place.”

“Exactly.”

The thought of turning into a bouncer in exchange for food and shelter didn’t sit well with Raymond. “Memphis is quite the drive. Any unrest might not reach Valleyville.”

“It’s not just Memphis I’m worried about.”

Raymond blinked. “The people in town?”

“You don’t know the half of it. My grandfather practically founded Valleyville. When he opened his processing plant, all the pig farmers in the state began to haul their pigs here to be slaughtered. He employed practically every able-bodied teenage boy and man in town.”

Vince shook his head in disgust. “Kept the good-for-nothings employed, too. The drunks, the lazy folk who’d rather cheat than work an honest day, all of them. When my father took over, he said it was our obligation to keep the town afloat. Drove my mother crazy.”

“But you don’t?”

“When my father died,” Vince shook his head. “I was twenty years old, full of myself and my great ideas. Thought all this town ever did was hold me back. But when my mother called, told me Daddy had a heart attack right out there in the middle of the field, I came back.”

“That had to change a few things.”

Vince nodded. “My mother, poor woman. My father had been her whole world. She just couldn’t get out of bed after the funeral. Died within the year.”

“I’m sorry.”

“After they were gone, I didn’t see the purpose or the point of keeping the business. Sold it to some big company who came in and modernized the plant. Fired half the people. Made myself a few enemies in town, if you know what I mean.”

Raymond understood. If townspeople held a grudge and still blamed Vincent for selling, they would be all too eager for revenge. “I appreciate your candor.”

“It’s the least I can do. If you’re going to stay here, you need to make that choice eyes wide open.”

“About that.” Raymond glanced up at the sky, searching for the right words. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but John. He’s not exactly one of my favorites.”

Vince chuckled. “I did notice you two don’t get along real well.”

“That’s an understatement.” Raymond filled him, in explaining Emma and Gloria’s jobs at CropForward, the hit on Zack, and their attempted assassination at the cabin, highlighting John’s role in all of it.

“So, you’re sure he’s changed his mind? He’s not going to kill your wife?”

“Honestly, I have no idea. But Emma trusts him and so does Gloria. I don’t have a whole lot of choice in the matter.”

Vince nodded. “Thank you for telling me.”

As they both stared out at the afternoon sun, a horn blared from the road. Raymond squinted against the light, picking out a Jeep against the backdrop of the fields.

“Is that?”

Raymond’s heart gave a start. “Emma’s behind the wheel.”

“I don’t see John anywhere.”

“Neither do I.” Raymond took off, jogging toward the road as the Jeep approached. He waved Emma down and the Jeep squealed to a stop beside the ditch.

Emma buzzed the window down. Blood smeared across her cheek. “Oh thank God, Ray. John’s hurt real bad. He’s lost a lot of blood.”

Raymond stepped past her to peer through the back window. John sprawled out unconscious on the backseat, pant leg soaked in blood.

“What the heck happened?” Vince caught up, panting and out of breath.

“A man ambushed us on the road. One of the company’s men.”

Raymond cursed. “How did they find you?”

“I’m not sure. I didn’t hear their argument. John tried to kill him, but they fought.” Her words warbled as emotion clogged her throat. “He was stabbed at least once, maybe twice, I don’t know.”

“How did you get away?”

She flashed a tight smile. “I got friendly with a crowbar. I’m pretty sure the guy’s dead, but more are probably coming. We need John.”

“Emma—”

She reached out the window and grabbed Raymond’s forearm. “We need him alive.”

“If he saved your life, then I agree,” Vince offered. “He needs all the help we can give.”

Raymond frowned in annoyance. Why was he the only one still unsure where John’s loyalties lie?

Emma squeezed his arm harder. “Raymond, please. I’m begging you. You’ve got to help him.”

He exhaled, thick and heavy. “I can’t make any promises.”

Vince motioned toward the vehicle. “Raymond, you ride with Emma. I’ll circle back and get Cornflower. We can leave the four-wheeler for now. Go straight to the main