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

and leaned against me. I looked up at her. Her arms were crossed over her chest and she was looking down at me. “What?” I asked.

“Have you got those flowers yet?”

I rolled my eyes. I’d been selected to fill buckets with the bright pink Azalea flowers that grew in huge numbers at our old house. “No, not yet.”

Mel leaned down and whispered in my ear. “Don’t you think you should get that done? You know the wedding is tomorrow, right?”

I rocked my head side to side, “Yeah, yeah. I’m going.” I replied as I got to my feet.

“Remember, it’s a secret,” Mel added.

I waved over my shoulder at her as I headed for the screen door. “I know.”

Walking out to the shed, I grabbed a couple of empty five-gallon buckets and headed for the gate. It was nice out, for a summer day, and I was going to walk down to the old house. As I got closer to the bunker, I saw the National Guardsmen standing their watch. These guys were very diligent and never complained about having to be on duty. It said something about what it must be like in town at the armory.

Wallner stepped out from under the tarp. I smiled at the sight. He was starting to get comfortable out here. Gone was the body armor and the heavy BDU blouse top. He was in a t-shirt and boonie hat and even had the legs of his pants rolled up to his knees. A rather funny sight with the boots he was wearing.

“You guys look like you’re getting into the groove,” I said.

He looked down at himself and smiled, “Someone once told me, conditions are what you make them.”

I laughed, “Indeed, my friend.”

He turned to the north and pointed to a small house that sat off the road in a five-acre field of grass. A scattering of oak trees grew in front of it. “What’s Thad doing over there?”

Looking at the house, I replied, “I do believe he’s getting the place ready for his soon-to-be bride.”

“I thought that was it. It’s a nice little place. It’s just separated from everyone else.”

I nodded. “Yeah. But I think Thad is looking for a little separation. Somewhere he can begin to rebuild his life.”

“He’s been hard at it. We’ve offered to help several times, but he always turns us down.”

I reached out and gripped Wallner’s shoulder. “That’s because you guys do enough for us. I’ll go over and check on him.”

“We’re happy to be here. Anything you guys need, just ask.”

With a smile and nod, I replied, “I know, my friend.”

I looked over at the house Thad was preparing for himself and Mary. He appeared in the door as I crossed the yard. He was working a broom and a cloud of dust erupted from the open door.

“You’ll make someone a fine wife one of these days with domestic skills like that,” I said.

Thad looked up and smiled. “You think she’ll like this?”

I nodded and poked my head in the door. “I think so. We need to get a couple things going over here for you guys, but I think she’ll be happy.”

We walked through the house that had once been owned by an old man. He lived there alone and kept to himself. I had never even spoken to him. But he disappeared shortly after the event and I never saw him again. The house was in pretty good shape, though it was obvious it had been gone through many times. I know our group had raided it on several occasions. But unlike others, we didn’t trash the places we looked through.

The little house had lots of windows and it was bright inside and surprisingly cool. Thad had the rear sliding-glass door open, revealing the small pool out back.” It was nearly full of water, but was green now of course.

“I’m going to build another water tower here and fill it from the pool,” Thad said. “It’ll allow us to flush the toilets at least.”

“I’m sure we can sort something out. I wish we had more solar panels to get you some power,” I replied.

“We can live without the power, but having a flushing toilet is really nice.” I nodded and Thad said, “I need a favor, Morgan.”

I looked at him and replied, “Anything, buddy.”

He rubbed his hand through his hair. “I really need a haircut before the wedding.”

I agreed, “Yeah, you do,” and laughed. “But I only know how to do one kind.”

He smiled again. “I know. That’s the kind I want.”

“Let me take care of a little project real quick and then we’ll get to that haircut.”

Thad looked around the house and nodded. “I have a little more to do here and I’ll meet you at your place.”

“Sounds good to me,” I replied as I headed for the door and grabbed my bucket.

As I continued towards the old place, I saw Mike coming from the direction of his house. He waved me down and I stopped and waited for him. “Hey, Morg,” he greeted me.

“What’s up, Mikey?”

“Hard dicks and helicopters.”

“Not anymore,” I replied with a laugh.

“Oh, sorry to hear that, man. You know, you used to be able to get a pill for that. Gonna be kind of tough now though.”

I shook my head. “I meant the helicopters, asshole.”

He looked around and stretched. “I know.”

“What do you want?” I asked, trying to get to the point.

“Oh yeah. Hey, I need some ice.”

“For what?”

He cocked his head to the side, “Oh. I didn’t tell you?”

I waved him off. “Yeah, yeah. How much?”

“A few big blocks would be nice.”

“I can put some into the freezer in a little while. When do you need them?”

“Tomorrow.”

I knew he was up to something. And that was always worrying when it came to Mike. “You aren’t going to do anything stupid at the wedding, are you?”

He looked shocked. “I am an asshole. But even I ain’t that big an asshole. No, this is just my little gift. You’ll like it, I