Riley's Journey (35 page)

Nathan called from his corner. “I could use some of that food, too.”

“I bet you could,” she teased. “Do you know someone who’ll get you some?”

His eyes narrowed in mock anger. “Okay, you ornery brat, just wait 'til I get my hands on you.”

“Promises, promises.” Teasingly, Riley licked her spoon, savoring the delightful jolt to her taste buds. Nathan made as if to get up. “Just relax, He-Man, I’m going to wait on you, but I didn’t want you to get the idea that it was going to be a regular habit.”

Grinning, he relaxed. “I knew that, but wanted to see how far you’d push.”

The smiling woman dished up another bowl. “I could feed him if you want,” she offered shyly.

“I can feed myself,” Nathan interjected grumpily.

Riley waved her spoon at Nathan. “See what I have to put up with. By the way, I’m Riley Ames, and you are…”

“Rachel. Chief cook, bottle washer and expert food preserver.”

“Ah!” Riley smiled. “An important person. Nathan, be nice to this woman or you’ll starve.”

CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE

O
ver the course of the next few hours, introductions were made of the various team members and by nightfall, Riley had a working idea of each individual’s name and their field of expertise. Flint knappers, weapons experts, weavers, potters, hunters and food gatherers, food preservation, tanners, naturopathic healers and even a spiritual guide—every skill needed by the group to survive in this new lifetime. Besides their specific expertise, each individual possessed more than just the basics in several areas, and each was more than willing to share their knowledge with those willing to learn.

As Allie indicated earlier, except for Bethany, every woman was under the age of 35, healthy and physically able to bear children. Impressed and awed by her newfound extended family, Riley wandered from person to person, gleaning information about their present and past lives, eager to become a full-fledged member of this new tribe. No one rejected her advances, and even Seth and Mark, though the least communicative, were friendly and helpful in pointing out their areas of expertise. The women were a chatty and friendly mishmash, eager to bring Riley into the fold. It was a sense of belonging she had never before experienced.

As the group settled down for the night, Jonas stood up and coughed for attention. “I want to discuss a few things with you before we retire,” he began. “Just some things to think about and after we’ve had a few days to rest and a chance to recover from the previously days’ ordeals, we’ll need to address some issues.”

Silently, everyone waited expectantly for his next words. Clearly, Jonas’ leadership was undisputed.

“We know that the people Nathan calls the newcomers are pretty aggressive. Nathan indicates that a larger group joined the smaller strike force, and he’s fairly certain they’re taking up permanent residence in the area. We don’t have the means or the manpower to prevent that from happening, and we have to decide what we are going to do from here on out.”

Heads nodded in understanding and agreement.

Nathan cleared his throat, “They pretty much decimated the band of Neanderthals who lived down below by the river. I don’t know what happened to the survivors of that attack, but I’m sure they cleared out as well.”

“What about staying here?” Geena asked.

“Yeah, what about here?” Micah echoed.

“I think we’re probably okay for the time being, but eventually they’ll find us and I suspect they would consider us as encroaching on their territory.” Nathan glanced around the room. “And they don’t play games—they play for keeps.”

Voices clamored as questions and suggestions were tossed out. Finally, Jonas whistled shrilly, signaling for quiet. “One at a time people!”

Riley ventured a question. “Do you want our suggestions now or when?”

Jonas paused for a moment. “I want you to really think the situation through and in a few days, we’ll convene a council meeting and all decide on what we think is the best course.”

“And who will make the final decision if there’s a dispute among us?” Bethany’s voice rose up.

“Unless you object, I think everyone has an equal voice here.” Jonas surveyed the group, looking for signs of discontent. “If a dispute does come up, we’ll all vote on it and do what the majority decides.”

“Maybe we should scout the area to be sure how extensive the opposition is.” Seth spoke softly, his eyes sparkling in the firelight.

“I agree,” Allie piped up. “We can’t make a decision until we know for sure what we’re up against.”

“That’s a good suggestion,” Jonas remarked. “Who wants the honor?” Several lifted their hands, Geena and Micah among them.

“I’m the only one here who really knows the surrounding area. I should be one of the ones to go,” Nathan calmly stated.

“Not on your life!” Bethany and Riley shouted in unison, startled by their combined one track mind.

“I have to go,” Nathan reiterated. “There’s just no other option. If I don’t go, it’ll take too long. I’ve been here for quite some time and I know the lay of the land. I can get us in close without alerting them to our presence.”

Reluctantly, Jonas agreed. “He’s right. We don’t know the area. He does.” Gazing intently at Nathan, Jonas asked, “How long before you’re healthy enough to make the trip—and I want an honest answer.”

The healer, Abe, voiced objection. “He can’t make the trip! He isn’t strong enough and he won’t be for several weeks.”

“I have to go,” Nathan reasoned. “No one else knows the country like I do.”

Riley’s stomach plummeted. She knew Nathan too well by now to know that he wouldn’t be left behind—which meant she was going as well. No rest for the weary—or the disinclined for that matter.

“I can make the trip whenever,” Nathan offered.

“I need a more definitive answer.” Jonas waited, hands on hips.

“Day after tomorrow—that’ll give the others a chance to rest and I should be back on my feet by then, at least enough to go the distance.” Nathan’s words drilled into Riley. Why couldn’t he just let someone else go? She silently groaned. He could make a map or something!

Standing up, she faced Jonas, her intent green eyes fixed on him, determined and resolute. “If Nathan goes, I go, too!”

“Nope, not this time. It’ll be hard enough taking care of Nathan. We don’t need a pregnant woman along to slow us up as well.” Jonas’ face appeared carved from stone.

“Either I go—or I follow. It’s very simple.” Refusing to cower under his angry stare, Riley stood her ground. “I won’t be apart from him—ever!”

Bethany moved to her side. “Riley, we all understand, but you have the baby to think about.”

Riley’s lips tightened into a firm line. “I say again, if Nathan goes, I go, too! There are no ifs, ands or buts about it. I’ve proved myself more than once and I’m going. Get used to the idea!”

Geena snorted, laughing out loud. “You go, girl!”

Several of the other women nodded in agreement, taking up Riley’s cause.

“She has the right!”

“She’s earned it!”

“Let her go!”

Turning to Nathan, she leaned down, forcing him to look directly at her. “You know I’ll follow!”

Grimly, Nathan nodded, conceding her victory. “Okay! Okay! You win! But you’d better listen and do whatever you’re told!”

“Don’t I always?” She grinned, her voice soft and beguiling.

Jonas smirked, unconvinced. “Okay, everyone, in two days’ time, Nathan, Riley, Geena, Micah and I will leave to scout the area. Seth and Mark, you two will hold down the fort until we return. Now let’s get some sleep. We have a lot to do tomorrow and we need to be alert.”

The fire was banked and night watch assigned. Demon snuggled in next to Riley, sighing as he stretched out. Safe in her little cocoon between Nathan and the dog, Riley’s eyes closed and sleep soon claimed her.

CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

T
he following morning, Nathan was up early, taking small walks around the open area in front of the cave, and building up his strength. The wound to his leg was healing well and, though he walked stiffly and with a slight limp, he appeared better. Riley and Demon followed him around, garnering good-natured hoots and laughter whenever they passed by the toiling team members. During Nathan’s periods of rest, Riley would join the individuals gathering edible foodstuffs, aiding with her considerable knowledge of the diverse assortment of plant life. Besides Abe and Mira, a naturopath, several of the team members had more than a working knowledge of the surrounding flora and gathering became a game as to who could find the most plants. By noon, they had identified and gathered several large armfuls of vegetation, more than enough to last for several days time; as well as drying a large portion for storage.

The hunters returned with a good supply of meat, mostly rabbits and large rodents which were in abundance. Several larger animals had been spotted, and tomorrow they would hunt those as well. Great amounts of meat would be preserved either for the coming winter or to supplement their diet if the decision was made to move elsewhere. It was a busy and industrious group, and Riley delighted in their camaraderie and unselfish acceptance of their respective duties. Everyone was important.

Her mind drifted to the recon planned for tomorrow. She was still pissed off that Nathan had volunteered, but there was little to be done except resign herself to the inevitable. Nathan wasn’t acting the hero; he just always did what had to be done, regardless of the consequences. She just hoped he was strong enough to make the trip. Once again, she was thankful she was built for endurance—if she had to, she would carry him.

Absentmindedly, she patted Demon’s head. The dog was displaying some trauma guarding her as well as Nathan from these new intruders. He had yet to accept that they were friends and not enemies. She suspected he was getting tired of barring his teeth every few minutes, but so far, he had not displayed any unwarranted aggression. He was just being his usual grumpy self in the face of uncertain times. Riley almost laughed out loud as another unsuspecting team member ventured too close to her and Demon’s hackles rose. Startled, the man moved cautiously away, careful not to step any closer.

“You are such a big poop,” she gushed, scratching his back as he leaned against her. “I won’t tell them that you really are a big baby—just like Nathan said.”

By early evening, all preparations had been made and weapons readied for the following day’s trek. Tired and hungry, Riley entered the cave, intent on eating and then retiring early. Good idea except for the fact that their bed had disappeared. Her eyes adjusted to the dim interior of the cave and, after a cursory search, she discovered Nathan reclining on their bedding in a secluded alcove of the cave, grinning suspiciously. A flat rock, lit by a sputtering candle, held dinner for two as well as a single bloom resting across one setting. Charmed by his attempt at a romantic interlude, her lips curved in a pleased smile.

“Expecting company?” She asked.

“Not any more. All the important ones are here.” Nathan rose up and dropped a skin over the opening to the little alcove.

“Where’s Demon?” Other than the two of them, no one else was in attendance.

“Allie’s babysitting for the night. Amazingly enough, he seems to like her.” Nathan’s eyes gleamed seductively in the candlelight.

“So—what’s on the menu?”

Nathan reached out, pulling her close and kissing her ear, sending excited chills up and down her spine. “First food,” he breathed, “then entertainment.”

“Like a movie or something?”

“Something like that—only we’re going to be the actors.” He continued his onslaught of her senses.

“What’s the occasion?”

“It’s a celebration.” His lips claimed hers in a soul-searing kiss.

“What kind of celebration?” She gasped.

“Life, love, commitment—you name it.”

“Good ones! Will this be a yearly celebration?” He was making it very hard to concentrate and food suddenly seemed very low on her list of important items.

Concerned, she pushed him away. “Are you up for this?”

“Completely—or hadn’t you noticed,” he murmured against her neck.

Yes, she had noticed, only a dead woman wouldn’t, pressed against his hard body the way she was.

CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE

E
veryone gathered to see them off. Single file, they left the encampment amid choruses of good luck and well-meaning, last minute instructions. Geena and Micah took point with Jonas following up at the rear. Demon paced alongside, having made it immensely clear he would not be left behind. Several of the remaining team members would nurse small nips received in their ill-advised efforts to restrain him. Tongue lolling out, his eyes suspiciously bright, Riley was certain he was laughing in his own doggy fashion.

Nathan appeared rested and stronger. The plan was for him to lead them to the overhang and wait while Jonas, Micah and Geena scouted the area. Riley would remain with him along with Demon. The plan was simple and straightforward, she mused, so why do I feel like a third-class passenger on the Titanic?