I’m just a farmer with a fancy bag. Any word on how things are up in Louisville?”
“I’d be happy share that information with you when I speak to the town.” He turned his attention to Dee. “We’re recruiting folks your age too. Full rations, supplies, weapons training. It’s a great opportunity.”
Dee squirmed under his scrutiny and wished they were on their way. She didn’t see any cause not to trust the man, but something about him made her uneasy.
“There’s no reason for you to go to Lookout Falls when I’m heading that way anyway. I can deliver a message for you,” Grandpa offered. Apparently he didn’t want the military in Lookout Falls any more than Dee did.
“Much obliged,” Downey responded, “but I’d like to deliver the good news in person.”
Grandpa restarted the snowmobile. “I’ll let them know you’re coming.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
T HE SNOWMOBILE PRACTICALLY FLEW over the fields, taking the more direct route into town. It was late in the afternoon, and long shadows stretched across the streets. Grandpa drove straight to Max’s house and banged on the door. “Max, we’ve got a situation!”
Max opened the door, his wife standing right behind him.
“What’s going on, Milt?”
“Nothing good,” said Grandpa. “Some guys in trucks are claiming they’re U.S. Military. They want to talk to you.”
“Sounds like trouble to me too,” said Max. “I’ll sound the alarm.”
The town didn’t have a church or school bell, but weeks earlier, Mason had rigged up the siren on one of the fire trucks to a battery. Max turned it on, and the shrill sound shattered the peaceful January evening.
Immediately, doors opened and people with guns ran out and began to take up defensive positions around the town.
“This is not a drill!” shouted Max. “Hold position until I get back!” He added in a quieter voice to Grandpa, “I’ll take a few of our boys and go see what these guys have to say.”
He headed for the gate, indicating to several men to fall in behind him. Anyone without a post was supposed to gather at the church, so Dee and Grandpa headed that way, and were soon sitting with Sena and Claire in the middle of a large group of people. Women shushed babies while older children played games in the gymnasium. Dee recognized some of the children from her class. Harvey waved, and McKenna gave her a shy smile.
In less than thirty minutes Max was back. Dee sighed in relief when he walked through the door followed by Captain Downey, along with several of his men. She glanced at Max again but he looked relaxed and had a smile on his face. She wondered what Downey had told him.
Max called the meeting to order with his gavel. “People of Lookout Falls,” he began in a voice that carried to the back of the chapel, “I’m here to share some good news. The U.S. government and military are operational!”
The applause from the town was deafening. Dee glanced at Grandpa. His expression was stony and he didn’t join in the clapping.
“I’d like to introduce Captain Downey,” Max continued. “He and his men are here to make an announcement.”
Captain Downey stood and ran a hand over his hair to smooth it back even though every strand was in place. “Thanks for the warm welcome,” he said loudly. “I know times have been tough, but I’m happy to announce that the U.S. Army is back on its feet again, and we are mobilizing to give relief to towns and cities throughout the state. We are here to help!”
Again, the town went wild, clapping and cheering. When they quieted, Captain Downey continued. “The rest of my unit is headquartered in Louisville just down the road. We understand you’ve had some trouble with renegades, so we will be providing a security detail for your town. You can sleep soundly in your beds tonight, knowing the U.S. Army is keeping you safe.”
The crowd applauded again, and several people burst into tears. Even Max took a handkerchief
“I’d be happy share that information with you when I speak to the town.” He turned his attention to Dee. “We’re recruiting folks your age too. Full rations, supplies, weapons training. It’s a great opportunity.”
Dee squirmed under his scrutiny and wished they were on their way. She didn’t see any cause not to trust the man, but something about him made her uneasy.
“There’s no reason for you to go to Lookout Falls when I’m heading that way anyway. I can deliver a message for you,” Grandpa offered. Apparently he didn’t want the military in Lookout Falls any more than Dee did.
“Much obliged,” Downey responded, “but I’d like to deliver the good news in person.”
Grandpa restarted the snowmobile. “I’ll let them know you’re coming.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
T HE SNOWMOBILE PRACTICALLY FLEW over the fields, taking the more direct route into town. It was late in the afternoon, and long shadows stretched across the streets. Grandpa drove straight to Max’s house and banged on the door. “Max, we’ve got a situation!”
Max opened the door, his wife standing right behind him.
“What’s going on, Milt?”
“Nothing good,” said Grandpa. “Some guys in trucks are claiming they’re U.S. Military. They want to talk to you.”
“Sounds like trouble to me too,” said Max. “I’ll sound the alarm.”
The town didn’t have a church or school bell, but weeks earlier, Mason had rigged up the siren on one of the fire trucks to a battery. Max turned it on, and the shrill sound shattered the peaceful January evening.
Immediately, doors opened and people with guns ran out and began to take up defensive positions around the town.
“This is not a drill!” shouted Max. “Hold position until I get back!” He added in a quieter voice to Grandpa, “I’ll take a few of our boys and go see what these guys have to say.”
He headed for the gate, indicating to several men to fall in behind him. Anyone without a post was supposed to gather at the church, so Dee and Grandpa headed that way, and were soon sitting with Sena and Claire in the middle of a large group of people. Women shushed babies while older children played games in the gymnasium. Dee recognized some of the children from her class. Harvey waved, and McKenna gave her a shy smile.
In less than thirty minutes Max was back. Dee sighed in relief when he walked through the door followed by Captain Downey, along with several of his men. She glanced at Max again but he looked relaxed and had a smile on his face. She wondered what Downey had told him.
Max called the meeting to order with his gavel. “People of Lookout Falls,” he began in a voice that carried to the back of the chapel, “I’m here to share some good news. The U.S. government and military are operational!”
The applause from the town was deafening. Dee glanced at Grandpa. His expression was stony and he didn’t join in the clapping.
“I’d like to introduce Captain Downey,” Max continued. “He and his men are here to make an announcement.”
Captain Downey stood and ran a hand over his hair to smooth it back even though every strand was in place. “Thanks for the warm welcome,” he said loudly. “I know times have been tough, but I’m happy to announce that the U.S. Army is back on its feet again, and we are mobilizing to give relief to towns and cities throughout the state. We are here to help!”
Again, the town went wild, clapping and cheering. When they quieted, Captain Downey continued. “The rest of my unit is headquartered in Louisville just down the road. We understand you’ve had some trouble with renegades, so we will be providing a security detail for your town. You can sleep soundly in your beds tonight, knowing the U.S. Army is keeping you safe.”
The crowd applauded again, and several people burst into tears. Even Max took a handkerchief
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