“Brother, don’t dwell on the past. We can make a great future for our loved ones and us if we keep our act together and do what we’re trained to do. I need my goofy, caring, and steady brother as much as I need your tough side. The team needs you. They need a strong and steady leader.”
Jackie kissed Tom on the cheek and then took a slug from the bottle. “Damned good whiskey.”
“Sister, Sam needed me more than I cared for her. She was a survivor, and a man would never know if she cared for him or the safety he provided. I know I’ll eventually fall in love with the right woman, but next time, I’ll be more attentive to her needs. I screwed up with Gwen.” Tom said and then pitched the empty whiskey bottle into the air.
There was silence, then Tom asked, “How did you know that Rick was the one?”
Laughter sprang from Jackie. “Remember what Grandpa told you about the zing?”
“Yes, but …?”
“I felt a bond, a zing instantly. My heart throbbed in my chest, and my skin tingled. It was weird and not a sexual desire. It was more a – I can’t live without this person in my life.”
“I never had that with Gwen, Brenda, or Sam.”
“But you did with Kate, didn’t you, big brother.”
“Do what? How did you know, and why am I attracted to a bitch who tried to kill us?”
I’m your twin, and besides, I saw you two staring each other in the eyes for what seemed like an eternity. I knew then that you made the connection to her like Rick and I made. I hope she feels the same way about you.”
“The zing. I feel an electric charge run up and down my spine, and my skin tingles every time I look into her eyes.”
“Tom, you deserve the love of a good woman.”
“The jury is out on the good woman.” Tom said, and then he added, “I’ll keep my cool and take care of business at the ranch, but I vow I’ll do what it takes to kill that Mexican asshole and every drug dealer that works for him. Between Rick and me, we know how to blow shit up, kill from a mile away, and how to make deadfall traps. I’ll terrorize them and then kill the survivors. Only after that will I let my feelings for Kate be known.”
Jackie snorted, “Now that sounds more like my brother. But please wait a while before tilting away at windmills but don’t wait on discussing your feelings with Kate. The right one doesn’t come along every day.”
“I’ll try.”
Jackie replied. “We have a lot of work to do here before taking the fight to those asshats. Remember Grandpa’s cardinal rule …”
Tom beat her to say, “Don’t give away your location. Hunker down until the die-off has finished. Then gather supplies and needs. Build stronger defenses and prepare to repel all invaders.”
Jackie joined in, and they finished their grandpa’s creed together. Tom saw Rick approaching. “How’s Rick doing?”
“It’s too early to tell. He goes from wanting to kill Kate to acting as if nothing happened. Everyone grieves their own way. How are you doing?”
“Not good, but I’ll get over it. I wish I’d hadn’t been so dumb and avoided Sam. I ain’t making that mistake again.”
Jackie hugged her brother. “We all have regrets.”
Tom squeezed Jackie’s arm. “I know this sounds a bit crazy, but tonight is the first time that I’m sure we’re going to survive and make a difference in this world. We can’t save everyone, but we can make a difference in some peoples’ lives.”
Rick had waited until they looked up at him to join them. “Tom, you and your family saved all of us at the ranch. You’re giving Lucy and Greta a chance in life. We’ll struggle for sure, but we’ll make it.”
Tom reached his hand out and shook Rick’s. “Thanks.”
Rick said, “You’ll never guess who Jack found wandering in the woods west of here.”
Tom held his breath and then asked, “Carlos?”
Rick cringed. “No. This is good news. It’s Betty and Bill. They had to flee from their homes because a new gang moved into Medford and wiped out the gang of criminals that had been terrorizing the citizens. They said the new gang is nice to them and helped them get the city cleaned up. The gang also brought food and medicine to the town.”
Tom was confused. “If they’re doing so much good, why do you call them a gang?”
“A Hispanic called Carlos Mendoza is their leader.”
Tom’s pulse raced, his fists clenched, and nostrils flared. “Well, the plot thickens.”
The End
Of
The Prepper’s Apocalypse
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Thanks for reading Prepper’s Apocalypse. Please don’t forget to give it a great review on Amazon.
I hope to have Book 2 – Prepper’s Collapse published by early spring 2021.
Remember to read my other books on Amazon.
AJ Newman
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Thanks, AJ Newman
Books by AJ Newman
Prepper’s Apocalypse
Prepper’s Apocalypse
Prepper’s Collapse – spring
