Conflicted Home (The Survivalist Book 9) by A American (learn to read books TXT) 📕

placing one of the batteries on the cart, I replied, “Now, we have to charge them. We’ll take them to the shop and put the battery charger on one of them tonight.”

After setting the batteries on the bench, I connected the charger to it, on its lowest setting. The needle jumped up, showing it was taking a charge. “Now, we wait,” I said.

“That was fun,” Little Bit replied as we walked back to the house in the dark.

“You’re a good helper,” I replied. “But it’s time for you to get ready for bed.”

She yawned. “But I’m not tired.”

I smiled as we went inside. Mel and the girls were sitting in the living room. The house smelled of soap and Taylor was mopping at her hair with a towel. Mel intercepted Ashley as she passed by, “You need a bath, stinky girl. The tub is already full. Go take a bath.”

“Awe, Mom, I don’t want to take a bath,” Ashley moaned in protest.

Mel got up from the couch, pointing down the hall, “I don’t care what you want. You need a bath and you’re going to take one.”

With her shoulders slumped, Ashley slogged down the hallway as she peeled off her clothes. Just as I sat down, there was a knock at the door. I looked over and called out, “It’s open!”

Jess came in, holding a plate covered with a dish towel. She came in and sat down on the ottoman. “Here’s some of Miss Kay’s cookies. I thought you guys would like some.”

I flipped the towel off the plate and took one, “You thought right!”

“You didn’t have to bring them over,” Mel said.

Jess shrugged. “I was on my way home anyway.”

Pushing a crumb into my mouth, I asked, “How’s Danny doing?”

She considered the question for a moment before answering. “He’s still very sad. Not saying much.”

I held up the last piece of the cookie before popping it into my mouth and asked, “Did he eat a cookie?”

She smiled, “Yeah. He had one.”

“That’s good. Danny has a soft spot for cookies. It’ll take some time for him.”

“How are the kids?” Mel asked.

“They’re taking it pretty hard too. Edie is really sad. But Mary is staying close to her. Jace is staying with Danny. He won’t leave his side.”

“Probably the best for both of them,” I replied.

Jess looked at the floor for a moment and she asked, “We’re going to have the service for Bobbie in the morning?”

I nodded. “Yeah. First thing in the morning.”

“Then what?” Mel asked.

I let out a slow breath. “Then we go to town and hang the men responsible.”

“How many are there?” Jess asked.

“We have three of them. A few others are already dead. But there are more of them out there. I think the old man will know where they are after tonight.”

“What’s he doing?” Mel asked tentatively.

“Let’s just say, he has a way with words,” I replied, not wanting to go into details.

A breeze kicked up once the sun went down and we spent the evening in the living room listening to music on the iPad. The coolers I made were drawing air into the house, and that lowered the temps inside noticeably. Not to mention, just the introduction of fresh air; the house smelled good. It was comfortable, and lounging on the couch as the song, “American Pie” played made for a sleepy setting. I woke up around nine, according to my watch, and carried Little Bit to her bed. The older girls were asleep on the floor and I left them where they were.

Mel was in the bed when I returned. She looked up and said, “Why don’t you take a shower?” And she patted the bed.

“Oh, really?” I asked with a smile. Stretching, I said, “I was thinking about it.”

“Stop thinking about it and get in there.”

“Good thing I took a nap,” I said as I flipped on the bathroom light.

Chapter 9

We stood silently, gathered around the bird feeder. The earth was still fresh there. The smell of it filled the air. Its broken surface sparkled in the early morning sun as countless drops of dew glistened and shimmered in the growing light. As was sadly becoming our custom, each was left to themselves to say their piece. A dry eye was the oddity as most were wet with grief.

Little Bit hugged Mel’s leg and wouldn’t look at the place. Kay stood close to Sarge, holding his arm as he patted her back and she dabbed tears from her eyes. Aric stood behind Fred, his arms around her. Jess stood with Doc, the two holding hands. Jace and Edie were with Mary, and Thad stood behind her, offering them all strength. Dalton, Ted and Mike stood off to the side, more stoic than the rest.

After a moment, Thad’s deep voice filled the air. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, mourning, crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Then he stepped forward and took up the cross he’d made and gently pushed it down into the soft dirt. Bobbie’s name ran down the vertical with the dates marking her life on the horizontal. It was a tasteful adornment to her grave with its surface darkened by the flame.

Danny looked up and nodded at Thad. Thad walked over to him and firmly gripped his shoulder. The two shared a look, but said nothing. It was often the way of men. Men who were not prone to speaking their thoughts could readily share them in this manner. And here they did.

“O my love, my wife!

Death, that hath suck’d the honey of thy breath

Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty.” Dalton belted out in a voice that possessed surprising strength. I could visualize him on a Roman stage. He could project his voice so well, he didn’t need speakers. It naturally carried and seemed to echo throughout the woods behind the pond.

Danny said nothing. He stood, looking