We prepared for our 3 p.m. meeting with Nate down by the river.
David needed to decide how he would work with their group in the coming days and weeks.
Nancy looked at my aching leg and gave me a lecture about trying to do too much. She started me on a different strain of antibiotics but told me it still looked okay.
“I’m out for the meeting today,” I told David, Lonnie and Mike. “Nancy’s orders.”
“No worries,” replied David. “I’m not expecting anything exciting to happen anyway. Mike and I will take care of it. Lonnie and Jake will provide cover that I’m sure we won’t need.”
* * * *
“Dad!” called Mark on the radio. “We have a lot of radio chatter from the Topeka and Ronna’s groups. You all need to hear this.”
“Help me out, guys. I want to hear this,” I told them.
Ten minutes later we met at Beatrice’s house.
David called for Mel and anyone else who wanted an update firsthand.
“What have we got?” asked David.
“Here’s what we know. They are on the move as we speak. They are both headed in the same direction but as separate groups. It seems that Baker and Ronna couldn’t agree on who would be in charge,” replied Mark.
“Hopefully, Ronna’s group will be through first,” I said. “We may be able to strike a deal since we both now know the Colonel.”
“Sorry, buddy,” said Jim. “Baker’s group took the lead, probably to get first shot at new recruits and more supplies.”
“Of course he did!” I replied. “It couldn’t be that easy.”
“Either way, they are all headed right past here,” said Jake, “and we had better be prepared.”
“Let’s get James VanFleet on the line,” said David. “They need to know what’s coming their way.”
“When will they get here?” asked Joy.
“They are 37 miles away,” said Jim soberly. “We know most of the group is walking. At a steady three-mile-per-hour pace, they could be at the Pass in the next day or two.”
“Wait a minute,” said Tammy. “I thought we had more time.”
“We did,” I responded, “while they were getting the hierarchy sorted out, but now it’s done and they are going to be within 10 miles of here in the next 48-72 hours. Plus, we took out their forward observers, and that will probably not go unnoticed.”
“That was all Mike!” shouted Lonnie’s wife, who had been mostly silent since the fire incident with Sheila.
“No,” I responded before he could. “That was on me. Joy’s and my boys were in harm’s way, and Mike and Jake did what needed to be done to save them.”
Lonnie pulled her aside, and I felt bad that he was in the middle of this, but it didn’t change my mind that we did what had to be done.
* * * *
Beatrice called David and Tina to her house.
“Time is of the essence,” she started. “You have agreed to live out your days as husband and wife. David, as you know, I was ordained some years ago and licensed in the State of New Mexico to perform weddings. You two shall be my first wedding, at 9 a.m. tomorrow morning. After the service, we as a community will plan our defense, but your honeymoon will have to wait. Now go and inform your groomsmen and maids of honor.”
“Mom, I’m not sure this is the right time for this.”
“Son, I can assure you that it is not only the right time but it is the only time for this union to commence. The good Lord may not intervene long-term in all relationships, but He does see that they all get a good running start. I want you both here at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow.”
Closing the door behind them, she looked to the sky. “Dean, my brave husband, please watch over us. I’m scared for our son, his new family, and the rest of our good people here. Don’t worry about me; I’m ready to see you again as soon as I am called.”
* * * * * * *
Chapter Seven
Raton Pass, New Mexico
The camp was bustling with the news of the pseudo army heading their way.
“Let’s keep this meeting with Nate short and to the point,” said David. “They are on the front line here, and we don’t have time to be polite, or even diplomatic.”
Three o’clock came and David, Mike, and the two backups, Lonnie and Jake, met Nate and most of his followers on their side of the river.
The conversation started off light, with a jovial Nate expressing gratitude to Mike for freeing his people.
Nate sobered when he heard that more soldiers, just like their former captors, were headed their way.
Overhearing this new update, several families made the immediate decision to head out on their own, deeper into the mountains. They were hoping to avoid another hostile takeover that pillaged the women and subdued their husbands.
Nate, understanding their decisions, took stock of his remaining followers—a total of 13 people.
“You have two choices,” said David, “and the second one I would need to get approved by my group before agreeing to it.”
“Number one, you all hide in the woods for the next week until soldiers from both groups have gone past. It is likely they will search for their lost comrades.
“Number two, you come over on to our side and wait it out. They may not bother with us, given that they are headed farther north of here, or they may try to make an example out of people who took out their forward observers. We can’t be sure and need to be prepared for either scenario.”
“I think I can speak for everyone left here,” replied Nate, “that we would like to accept any invitation given temporarily, as you put it, to come on to
