Ben stood up slowly for the second time and brushed himself off. His right side was hurting pretty bad, but there was no blood. The landing had also tweaked his back enough that it hurt more than usual, and now that he was standing, he noticed that his left knee was hurting as well. At this point, there wasn’t much on him that didn’t hurt, if he was being honest, but he’d survive. These aches and pains were going to linger for a few days, though; that much he could tell.
“Dad… Dad.” Joel came running out of the compound and down the trail toward his dad. Ben doubted that any of the moonshiners had survived the explosion, but he didn’t want to take any chances just the same.
“I’m fine. I’ll come to you. Come on, let’s get back inside the fence.” Ben was too slow, and Joel reached him before he could stumble more than a few feet. Joel went to his left side and helped him stand so he could take the weight off his knee.
“Come on, I’ll help you.” Joel checked back over his shoulder as they made their way back up the trail and toward the camp.
“We’re good. I don’t see anyone. I think that pretty much wiped them out.”
“I should hope so.” Ben coughed and realized the cigar was still in his mouth, although it had gone out long ago. He plucked the bent remains from his lips and flicked it into the woods.
Thanks again, Jack.
Sandy, Allie, and Martin met them at the gate.
“Ben, are you all right?” Sandy ran to his other side and helped support him as well.
“I’m good. I think I can manage on my own.” They slowly let go and Ben took a few steps on his own. The last thing he wanted to do was stop using his knee and allow it to stiffen up any more than it already had. He needed to walk it off. It still hurt, but it wasn’t as bad as when he first stood up. It was bad enough he was about to get behind the wheel for who knew how many hours.
“You sure?” Allie asked.
“Yeah, thanks. I need to keep moving it.” Ben continued walking slowly.
“That was some impressive driving there, man. What the heck was in that truck, anyways?” Martin was wide-eyed and obviously still keyed up from the excitement.
“That…was half a box of dynamite.” Ben stopped for a second and looked back at the carnage, but there were still no signs that anyone had survived.
He should have been able to relax but couldn’t. And just because they successfully defended the camp didn’t mean he wanted to alter their plans and hang around any longer than necessary.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
As the five of them made their way back to the others, Ben continued checking over his shoulder. It was his nature, and he couldn’t help it. He’d recover from his wounds and bruises, but if they let their guard down and something happened to one of the kids, he would never recover from that.
They found Emma and Brad hiding alongside Rita and Carlos in the same spot under the overhanging deck. Brad was standing out in front of the others, holding his gun at the ready.
“Come on, guys. It’s all clear. You can come out now,” Joel called out. Ben was going to add to what Joel had said and remind them all that they weren’t in the clear yet, but he decided not to. Let them enjoy the moment while it lasts. They’d all worked hard enough and deserved to celebrate the small victory.
All three dogs rushed Joel and Allie as they approached the group, then slowly made their way around to sniff the rest of them one at a time. Martin seemed slightly more at ease around the dogs this time but was still apprehensive when Gunner gave him a thorough going-over with his nose.
“It’s okay. You’re one of us now. He likes you. See? He’s wagging his tail.” Emma tried her best to convince Martin the dogs wouldn’t hurt him. He reached down cautiously and gave Gunner an awkward pat on the head and smiled at Emma. But it was obvious that Martin wouldn’t be taking any of the dogs with him in the Scout, not that Emma would ever agree to that arrangement anyway.
Ben was just happy to see his daughter participating in the conversation. After all that had taken place in the last twenty-four hours, he was certain she would have withdrawn into her own little world by now. He expected to find a much more reserved version of Emma who was closer to the person he’d seen for most of the trip here. Maybe the kids were getting used to this new way of life. That sounded crazy to even think, and it was scary to admit.
Carlos approached Ben with his hand out. “I just wanted to thank you again for giving us a second chance.”
Ben shook his hand and couldn’t help but wince as his side throbbed in pain at the movement. It was going to be a long drive to Cloverdale.
“Dad, are you okay?” Emma came close and put her hand on his arm.
Ben smiled at her. “I’ll be okay. It’s just a bruise.” There was no point in telling her what he really thought: that he’d probably broken a rib or two and it hurt every time he inhaled.
“Well, you’re lucky, considering how fast the truck was going when you
