“Ah Christ, she’d kick both our asses, I’m pretty sure.” Brian snorted, wiping the residual tears from his eyes. The diminutive Paadini Sullivan was a force to be reckoned with. She may not have been born Irish, but she had the temper of an Irishman. She must have gotten that from her husband, by osmosis, Brian thought, a smile still stretched across his face.
“I’ll say. God, but I love when she talks. It’s better than TV. Sometimes I piss her off, just to listen to her throw a fit. I’m going to hell; I just know it.” BJ sniggered, his face turning bright pink.
“Dude, I could so blackmail you.” Brian grinned and began walking, and unslung his Marlin. It was time to get back to serious hunting. He knew damned well they’d need to get something before returning to camp. He’d not want to see the disappointment in either women’s eyes. And he sure didn’t want to get on the wrong side of Paadi’s temper.
TEN
Flynn slowed down, seeing a sigh that was over a large gate. Richland Farms it read. He looked around him, but all he saw was farmland, green. In one field, there were acres and acres of corn. It was about four feet high or taller, and it waved gently in the late morning breeze. In another field, it looked like some kind of grain was growing, but Flynn didn’t know. He knew nothing about farms or type of plants, or crops. He was completely clueless. That fact terrified him. He did have a strong back and a desperate desire to live, no matter what it took. He knew it would take hard and back breaking work. No more free ride, no more easy jobs with long lunch breaks and weekends off. No, that life was dead and buried.
He got out and pushed the gate opened. It wasn’t locked, thankfully and then he hopped back in the truck and drove through. Getting back out, he closed the gate. He climbed back into the truck and looked at Xandra. She smiled at him, her lips trembling. He reached for her hand and squeezed it, then kissed it.
“If they won’t take me, I’ll beg them to keep you.” He said earnestly. Her eyes widened and she started to protest.
“No, I mean it Xandra. I care about you too much to drag you around with me. It’s dangerous out there and if I know you’re safe, here, eating and living, I’ll be okay with that. I mean it. You stay here. I will manage, you know I will. But I can’t stand the thought of you out there with me, and being in danger.” His voice broke and he wiped at his eyes, her eyes were filled with tears and she nodded silently. He’d let her down in the beginning, but he’d not let her down again.
He cleared his throat and wiped at his eyes again and drove up the winding driveway. It was nearly a mile to the house and Flynn was sure that the people in the house saw the truck coming. There was a plume of dirt behind his truck. He neither went too fast, nor too slow. He wanted to make sure that the people here knew he wasn’t a threat, nor sneaking up. He doubted anyone could sneak up, since you could practically see for miles in every direction.
In the distance, he saw several large windmills sprinkled about the property. They were picturesque, but he didn’t know what they were for. His heart was beating wildly as he thought of what he would say. He had no pride and would lay on the ground and beg and cry if it took that. Ahead, he saw four men come out to a large wrap around porch. It was a large two-story farmhouse. At one time, the house had been blue, but the sun and wind had chipped and faded the paint. Large windows were opened and several had curtains waving like standards, faded reg gingham.
Though worn, the house looked strong and solid. Flynn slowed the truck; the men did not come off the large wrap around porch. All of them had weapons, and though they were not pointed directly at them, they were at the ready and could be raised and shoot in a split second. He stopped the truck twenty feet away and shut the engine off. His hand reached for Xandra’s and squeezed. Slowly, they both exited the truck.
“State your business.” An older man called.
“I’m looking for Cliff Richland. Claus, from New Holland said that I should come to you.” Flynn said, his voice shaking with fear and hope.
“I’m Cliff. What do you want?” The man said, sternly, but not unkindly.
“Sir, my friend, Xandra and I are looking for work, a place to live. We’re both young and healthy and strong. There is nothing out there, sir. Nothing. I know nothing about how to survive, I don’t know anything about growing things. But I do know how to work hard. If you let us stay here, we’ll bust our butts for you. We’ll work hard and we’ll learn. We only ask to be taught. To learn. To have a chance at living. I know you don’t know us. But, we’re good people sir. We’re honest and we have good hearts.” Flynn finished, his voice
