“I’ve been watching him and I’ve had others reporting in on him. He’s getting along and busting his ass. He’d settled into his own place and he’s been talking to a few of the women. I think he’s just trying to find his own place here. Maybe once he finds a woman, you know, then you’ll see.”
“True, a woman can truly help.” Javier smiled, thinking of a certain woman he’d met a few days ago. They were dancing around each other, the beginnings of courtship. It was very enjoyable.
“Yes, they can, and don’t think I’ve not noticed your own interests.” Casper grinned a rare smile. Javier smiled back and nodded. Perhaps Casper would one day find a woman for himself. He hoped so, life was too short and too lonely without a woman to warm your bed and your heart.
Ӝ
Brian sat outside by the fire, thinking about the gunshot he’d heard the other day. Someone else was here in the park. Hunting no doubt. He was drinking coffee and letting the sun warm his back, it was just after sunrise. The days were getting hotter and the morning as well. It had been a week since Emma and Paadi had arrived. He looked at the garden and could just see the tips of green coming up. In another few days, the garden would be greener. He was excited. They’d have food for the future. If they could successfully grow a garden, that would go a long way in their survival. It was hard work and a gamble.
Both women had worked just as hard and they’d managed to get the house separated into rooms, so they each had their own spaces. He’d taken the lumber and had built walls over in the concession area, away from the bathrooms. He’d taken a small office space for his own room. They’d also picked up doors at the hardware store, to ensure privacy. The women had helped him tear out the counters and after a day of demolition, they were able to build the walls. It wasn’t perfect, but each had their own small bedroom.
They’d gone back in town and picked up beds, along with more building supplies. They’d also swung by and picked up bulk foods, along with more canning jars and lids. Emma said they couldn’t have too much. He smiled, she had boundless energy, just as he’d remembered and Cooper was becoming more animated with her and Paadi. The boy now had two mothers. Daisy and Buddy were by the water and he watched the two as they sniffed up and down the beach. The ducks edged out farther from the shore, not wishing to fly and leave their young. He’d seen more ducks on the lake and he suspected that now that there weren’t a lot of people splashing and making noise, that the wild life was coming back into the area.
He looked over and saw Emma emerging from the house, he no longer thought of it as the Beach House, but their home. Cooper was still asleep. It was becoming custom to come out and have coffee in the early morning, gearing up for the day ahead. Today, he was going to start on a large storage shed. To put all their bulk items. He’d finished up the chicken coop and was very proud of it. He’d also made a brooder coop for the small hen. Her eggs had hatched the day before and they had six small chicks, nestled beneath her. Coop had been enthralled and watched them constantly.
“Morning, how’d you sleep?” He smiled as Emma came to sit in a camp chair, her hand patting his shoulder. They’d build a large firepit, which could be used to cook food on, set a camp coffee pot, to perk its magic. There was also a large stack of wood beside it. He’d taken the chain saw and cut down quite a few hardwood trees that were near the edge of their forest. He’d plan to cut them into smaller chunks, while he had the chainsaw working. It would supply them with firewood for years to come. They’d not need much to heat the space in the house, but they’d have what they need. For now, they had dead fall, the other would have to season.
“Working this hard, I just about die every night now.” She laughed softly, her hands going to her tangle of long brown hair. Her green eyes held a spark of humor in them.
“I hear you. I thought being a firefighter was a tough job, seems like post-apocalyptic survivor is harder.” He sniggered and handed her a cup of coffee. He smiled when Emma wrapped herself around the cup and rocked back and forth. She groaned when she took a sip and he laughed.
“Don’t laugh, I need this brew. I’m so glad we got all those cans. I don’t think I could live in this world without coffee.” She whined in fake wretchedness. She petted her coffee cup and hissed, “precioussssssss.”
“You’re just too sad.” Brian laughed and saw Paadi emerge from the house. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders, her long black hair loose. Grinning, she made her way to the fire and sat in another camp chair.
“Morning pilgrims.” Her voice rough with sleep. She fairly hummed when Brian handed her a cup of coffee, her feet tapping quickly. She took hers black.
“What’s the plan for today?” Paadi asked, carefully sipping her cup.
“I plan on building a storage shed. I’d like to get a lot of those supplies out of the house, give us a bit more moving room.”
“That sounds good. I was thinking about going back into town for more shopping. I want to also pick up a couple of those big yellow mop buckets, the one with heavy duty squeegee. Also, some clothes line and clothes pins. I think it’s
