Kiamichi Refuge (7 page)

Last Week of May

After Erin dropped Lydia off at her little house on the south side of Kanichi Springs, she stopped at the drugstore in town to pick up a refill of her thyroid supplement. She gave the clerk her name, and when the pharmacist heard it, he came over.

“You must be Ernie’s niece. I’m Richie Baxter. I heard you were living here now. How are you liking it?”

The two chatted for a few minutes, and Richie told her that he had just downloaded Ernie’s new book. “It’s really great. I have read every one of his books, and I think he was exactly right. Tough times can happen, and it looks like it won’t be long before we find out just how tough. Ernie got me to thinking about survival, and I have a plan. Maybe sometime we’ll get a chance to discuss it.”

Erin sensed that Richie was a nice enough man. He was probably about fifty, of average height, a little overweight and totally bald, but his amber eyes were friendly and intelligence gleamed in them.

She nodded, and agreed that they should talk soon. “I edited all of his books, and there are parts I can quote from memory. He was a brilliant writer, and I agree, the zombies could be on their way. I am trying not to let worry ruin my life, but I see the signs, too.”

Erin ran a couple of other errands, but could not get her mind off what Richie had said. She was curious about his plans, and the thought that he had access to lots of medications that might be vital to survival kept coming into her mind.

***

            Several days later, Erin came home from buying groceries, and again found signs that someone had been there in her absence. Tracks just like the ones she had seen before led across the drive and up the walk to the front door. Scratches around the keyhole indicated an attempt at breaking and entering. She knocked on the door, and heard Blitz bark.

“
Well,”
she thought,
“Blitz sounds normal, so I suppose they didn’t get in. I guess I’d better call the sheriff after all.”

She let Blitz out, sat down on the porch, and made the call. About twenty minutes later, a white SUV pulled in. The uniformed deputy took his time getting out. The gaps in his comb-over hairstyle showed a sheen of sweat until he put his hat on, and his very pale blue eyes blinked frequently as he approached Erin.

“Wait!” Erin warned. “The prints are right there in front of you. And see, whoever was snooping around tracked mud all the way up the walk.”

Kline continued to trample the evidence. The fingers of his right hand were in constant motion, turning and caressing something that he held. “Well, now, little lady, I believe I know how to do my job. I’m Deputy Sheriff Barry Kline. What time did you leave today, and when did you get home?”

As his questions continued, Erin felt as though she was being interrogated. The deputy continued to ask questions about her activities, without seeming to care about the evidence he was mutilating by walking on the prints. He was arrogant and pushy, treating her like a suspect.

“There are fresh scratches around the lock, Deputy Kline. Someone tried to get into my house,” she insisted. “Aren’t you going to dust for prints?”

“That won’t be necessary.” The item in his hand hit the gravel, and he paused to pick it up. It was an old-style cigarette lighter with a scorpion engraved on it. “Whoever was here is long gone now, so you just need to calm yourself. Be sure to lock your doors. You’ll be just fine,” he replied in his overly loud voice.

“’Fine’? This is the second time this has happened. The shoeprints today look just like the ones from before,” Erin protested. “Have other homes in the area been broken into?”

“Now, just relax. I’ll file a report. That’s about all that can be done right now. You should have called us the first time. Why didn’t you? Do you have something against those who protect and serve, like your uncle did? I’d say your dog can take care of you.” He strolled back to his car. “You be sure to call if you have any other problems, little gal,” he smirked as he hefted his oversized belly behind the wheel.

Watching him drive away, Erin wanted to stomp her foot in frustration. “Arrrgggghhhhh! Mister Deputy Sheriff Barry Kline, you are an incompetent jerk! Talking to me like I’m a child. A stupid child, at that,” she fumed as she paced.

Just then her phone rang. Digging it out of her pocket, she took a deep breath and answered.

“Are you at home? Go turn on the TV. Hurry,” Jen urged. “Call me when you’ve seen it.”

Erin looked at the phone. “She hung up. Huh. And here I am, talking to myself again. Sheesh.”

Erin rushed into the house and turned on the TV, searching for news and finding plenty.

“In an unusual show of solidarity among Muslim nations, the leaders of Syria, Iran, and Saudi Arabia have called an emergency meeting of OPEC member nations to discuss possible sanctions against the US for the attack on Kandahar.”

Meanwhile, the death toll continues to rise for both the Taliban attacks on US bases and the rocket attack on Kandahar City.”

Erin pressed the mute button on the remote and called Jen back. Jen answered on the first ring, and didn’t bother with a greeting.

“Is this it? Is this the crisis we’ve been expecting?” she blurted breathlessly.

“I don’t know, but it could be. It depends on what OPEC decides to do. We need to be extra watchful. Don’t plan any trips, stick close to home, and keep your vehicle gassed up, for sure.”

Erin paused to think. “You call Sarah, and I’ll call Valerie. We need to warn them to be ready in case things go downhill. Let’s stay in close contact meanwhile, okay? Hey, when is school out?”

“Sarah finishes up next Friday. She’ll be on vacation for a while, but Val has her CPA exam tomorrow. Do you think you should wait to call her?”

“Yeah, you’ve got a point. Waiting one day probably won’t hurt, and maybe this will blow over,” Erin conceded, but doubtfully. “I’ll call her after the test. Besides, we might know more by then. No use distracting her at this point.”

***

With most of her editing work finished, Erin decided to swallow her fears and take time off to go exploring.
At least I can take Blitz along for company
, she thought. With her Glock on her hip and carrying two flashlights, she double-checked that the doors were locked, then went through the pantry to the cave. Crossing the cavern, she chose the cave that Ernie had already explored, where he had found another way out. The passage angled down slightly toward the northeast, then curved more toward the north.

They came around a bend and could hear the sound of water flowing over rocks. Soon, the cave opened up into another cavern, but one considerably smaller than what she had begun calling the “cache cavern” in her mind. The little cavern had a pool in it that was about eight feet across, and the water she heard was seeping out of cracks in the rock wall to her left, then falling a few feet into the pool. She could easily see the sand and rocks on the bottom of the pool. Blitz lapped up a quick drink, then they skirted the pool on a sandy ledge that surrounded the water on two sides.

Continuing through the cave, they finally reached an opening to the outside. She peeked out, but had no idea where she was, so she simply retraced her steps and went back to the lodge.

Last Week of May

Two days later, Tanner dropped in just in time for breakfast. Erin couldn’t help noticing how handsome he looked, dressed in black jeans and a black tee. She told him about the attempted break-in and Deputy Kline’s arrogant attitude.

Tanner was vocal in his disapproval of the deputy. “He has been a problem for years. I don’t understand how he has kept his job this long. He doesn’t do anything except strut around trying to impress people. He’s just a useless waste of space.”

“My thoughts exactly.” Erin shook her head. “For a cop, he sure seems fidgety. He kept playing with a cigarette lighter, like he couldn’t keep his hands still. And he actually called me ‘little lady’ a couple of times. He made it quite obvious that he thinks I’m stupid. That makes me so mad I could scream. I hate being talked down to!”

Tanner pulled her into a hug. “He’s the stupid one. Really. I was in school with him. He cheated on tests and bullied other kids to let him copy their homework. I don’t know how he ever made it through his law enforcement training. Maybe he bribed somebody, or blackmailed them. And that lighter? He’s had that for years, and it’s always in his hand. Pretty dumb if you ask me. He needs his hand free in case he has to draw his weapon.”

Pulling away, Erin looked up at Tanner. “I guess you’ve heard the latest news. I’d like your take on it.”

Tanner shrugged. “Things could go either way, depending on what the OPEC nations decide to do. They may just demand that reparations be paid to the families of the Afghanis who were affected, or they could decide on something more drastic. If that’s the case, the poop may hit the fan. Our economy can’t withstand a serious blow right now.”

“So,” Erin speculated, “If they do something severe, what’s the worst case scenario?”

“War, probably, but I don’t think they’ll go there. They would pay a high price for that even if they won, and I doubt they would win. They could impose some restrictions on how much oil they will sell us, or raise the price sky high. That would punish us, but not hurt them so much. It would certainly stifle trade. Every nation we trade with would feel the effects, but our economy would really suffer. The price of American goods would go up both here and overseas, and people would stop buying them. We sell a tremendous amount of grain to other nations, and with the price of oil high, the farmers won’t be able to afford the fuel to run their equipment. And if they did, they would have to charge a whole lot more for the grain. Millions of people around the world could go hungry. The US as we know her might never recover.”

“Are you prepared for something like that? Is your family ready? What will you do if things get bad?”

Tanner smiled and smoothed Erin’s hair back from her face. “We are prepared. Remember, my grandfather was a close friend of your uncle’s. My grandmother is an
ohoyo
, a wise woman. She knows the old ways that our ancestors used. My grandfather teaches classes for young people, how to live off the land, tan hides, stay warm in winter, live without electricity. They passed those lessons to my father and he taught me. And I have enough stubborn Scot in me to never give up.”

My grandparents would like to meet you, Erin. Will you go with me soon for a visit?”

She looked searchingly into his dark eyes for a long moment, then nodded. “Yes. I’d like that.”

***

The next morning, she headed into town. Lydia had called and said that there were several large boxes in the backroom with Erin’s name on them. As she stepped out of the Expedition, she glanced across the street and spotted the skinny fellow who had grabbed her by the arm at the courthouse.

He finished his cigarette, and tossing it onto the sidewalk, noticed Erin. His smirk appeared at once, but his eyes sparked with anger. He gestured toward his eyes with two fingers, then pointed at Erin.
I’m watching you.

Trying to act as though she hadn’t seen him, Erin forced herself to walk around her vehicle, determined not to hurry, and went into Lydia’s store.

“Erin, what’s wrong? You’re so pale!” Lydia rushed over and looked out the big window. “Oh, that creep is out there again. Did he say anything to you?”

“No. No, he just made sure I knew that he was around. It’s not the first run-in I’ve had with him.” Erin described the confrontation that they’d had in front of the courthouse, “I think he’s mad because I got away.”

“You be careful. He and his buddies have been suspects in most of the crimes around town, and lately there’ve been a few break-ins. That one, the jerk, has been hanging around here quite a lot the last several days. He makes me nervous.”

“Then you be careful, too. I wonder…someone, really two someones, prowled around my lodge recently. Two different times, I’ve found muddy shoeprints. You think maybe it’s that bunch?”

“It wouldn’t surprise me one bit. They’re trouble.”

“Who’s that boy over there? He came out of the mechanic’s shop, but when he saw the jerk, he turned and went the other way.”

Lydia looked where Erin was pointing. “That’s Micah. He’s a good kid who has had a rough life. His parents are druggies, and right now they’re both in jail. He’s been in foster care for quite a while, maybe two or three years. The mechanic’s name is Gus Jenkins. He seems like an old grouch, but watch his eyes. The twinkle gives him away.”

He has taken Micah under his wing and is teaching him how things work. Gus is good at working on cars, but he also knows how to do electrical and plumbing. He’s kind of a substitute grandpa to Micah. That poor kid needs Gus almost as much as Gus needs him.”

Pull your SUV around back, and I’ll help you load those boxes.”

***

Pinning her curls back with barrettes, Erin gave her reflection a final glance. The image staring back at her had fair skin and large brown eyes in a heart-shaped face. Full lips parted to show straight white teeth. She applied some peach-colored lipstick, then moved through the lodge to check that the windows and doors were securely locked. She had already fed Blitz and let him out for a few minutes, so she was ready.

Tanner pulled in a few minutes later. When Erin answered the door, he gave her an appreciative once-over and grinned, “You look fantastic. Are you ready?”

“Yes. A bit nervous, but ready. You said casual. Is this okay?” She gestured toward her black jeans and turquoise tee. Turquoise earrings dangled from her ears.

“It’s perfect. We’re going to be grilling outside. Nothing fancy tonight, just us and my family.”

Erin peered up at him. “Just how much ‘family’ are we talking about?”

“Well, there’s my dad’s parents, my two sisters and their husbands, and a whole herd of nieces and nephews. Don’t let the numbers scare you. They’re all down-to-earth folks and nobody bites. They all want to meet you and are excited about tonight.”

“Do they get excited every time you bring a date to a cookout?”

“I’ve never brought a date before. You’re the only one. I want them to know you, and I want you to understand that they’ll welcome you. I just hope my ornery nephews don’t scare you off.”

“Tanner, what about your parents?”

“My dad passed away seven years ago. Mom remarried and moved to Florida. We don’t see her nearly often enough.”

Tanner’s grandparents’ land bordered Erin’s on the north, and was only about a mile away as the crow flies, but going around by road made it a little further. When they arrived, Tanner hurried around to open Erin’s door and help her out of his truck. The front door of the house opened, and a woman who was obviously Tanner’s grandmother stepped out to greet them. Her gray hair was in a thick braid down her back, and her dark eyes sparkled as she grasped Erin’s hand in both of hers.

“Welcome, Erin. I’m Julia. We are so happy to have you visit our home. Tanner has told us that you are the niece of
Tali isht holissochi
. He was our friend and we share in your loss.”  Julia’s soft, pleasant voice was full of sincerity.

“Thank you. What did you call him?
Tali
what?”

“
Tali isht holissochi
, his Choctaw name. It means ‘silver pen’. His writings are well known in the area, and he was an honorary citizen of the Choctaw nation. He was also very generous in giving to programs that help Choctaw youth. Come in, We’ll go through to the back yard and join the others.”

Julia led them through the house, then introduced the rest of the family to Erin. “This is my husband, Talako, and our daughter Rose with her husband, Will, and their children, Gina and Isabelle, who are five, and Wyatt, who is almost two. And over here are Dana and John. Their boys are Zeke, who is ten, and Tucker, who is nine. They’re around here somewhere, probably getting into mischief.”

The evening proved to be enjoyable. The men argued and joked over who deserved to have the title “King of the Grill” and which baseball teams had the best chance of making it to the World Series, while the women set out potato salad, baked beans, deviled eggs, and several kinds of desserts, and got acquainted with Erin. The children were a bit shy at first, but soon, Erin was holding Wyatt and answering a hundred questions from the twins.

The adults ate steaks and the children had hamburgers. Tanner’s sisters were both older by a few years, and both of them were beautiful. Dana’s sons were typical boys, active and ready for fun. Her husband, John, was a history professor at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton. He reached a whole new level of “tall, dark, and handsome” in spite of the scholarly glasses perched in his nose.

Rose’s twins were identical, but wore different colors, so Erin was able to tell them apart. Except for looks, they were as different as they could be. Gina was a bit of a tomboy, wanting to follow her older cousins and join in their tree-climbing and rowdy games, while Isabelle was very feminine and enjoyed reading and coloring. Wyatt was a sweetie, and liked anyone who would hold him on a lap or read him a story. Will owned a tractor dealership. His rugged good looks were a fine contrast to Rose’s petite femininity.

For the first time in her life, Erin could see the joy and love that a large family could share, and she felt a longing to be a part of it. With no siblings and no cousins, her life had been devoid of that type of companionship.

When the children began to wind down, Rose started a Disney video for them in the house, and the adult conversation on the patio turned to the recent events in Afghanistan.

“Why hasn’t OPEC announced a decision yet? The oil ministers are still in Riyadh, and we know that they have met several times, yet we’ve heard nothing. What are they waiting for?” Tanner’s grandfather demanded.

“They must be considering serious options if they’ve deliberated this long without reaching an agreement,” John added. “The longer it takes, the more drastic the sanctions will be, is my guess.”

“When the announcement is made, if the sanctions are severe, the effects will be immediate. Panic, maybe even rioting and looting, are possibilities. If they cut back on oil sales to us, the price will go up and that will trigger general inflation. Or they might keep selling the same amount, but raise the price,” Tanner mused. “Either way, we are going to be paying more for gas.”

***

It was late when Tanner and Erin got back to the lodge. The night was lit by a full moon. Tanner held Erin’s hand as they sat in his truck to talk and gaze at the twinkling stars. Finally, Erin was no longer able to stifle her yawns.

“It’s been a long day. I need to let Blitz out, then I think it’s bedtime for me. Thank you for this evening. Your family is wonderful.”

Tanner pulled her into his arms and kissed her, softly and deeply. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’ll walk you to the door, and wait until Blitz is ready to go back in.”