Mercy by Tara Ellis & Mike Kraus

Author:Tara Ellis & Mike Kraus [Ellis, Tara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Muonic Press Inc
Published: 2020-02-21T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

TOM

Miller Ranch, Mercy, Montana

The unplanned dinner included their large group of sixteen, as well as Tom’s mom, Sam, and the other nine volunteers Chief Martinez was a part of. They used up most of the beef he’d set aside, though it was more than worth it. After everyone seemed to accept the explanation that the senator and her entourage were seeking refuge after their helicopter ran out of gas, there was nothing but good cheer and laughter. Tom used his pull as mayor to waive the quarantine protocol, claiming their two-day isolation during their hike was acceptable since they hadn’t encountered anyone else.

The sheriff and his deputy took the volunteers back to town in the wagon as soon as they were done eating. It gave Tom the opportunity to catch his mom and Sam up on some details before making plans for the night, with the promise of a thorough conversation once everyone was settled.

“Tom, do you copy?”

Tom winced before unhooking the radio from his belt. By then, Sheriff Waters would have stopped and had a long conversation with Patty at City hall, where she would be preparing most of the night for the celebration the next day. She’d already radioed them several times for more information and he knew she wasn’t going to be satisfied with what the sheriff told her.

“Go ahead, Patty,” he said into the radio without any enthusiasm. He just hoped she’d remember that there were several other people listening to them.

“Sheriff Waters just left. I’ll see you when you get here bright and early tomorrow and we’ll have a nice, long talk. I have a few questions for you.”

“I’m sure you do,” he muttered, before keying up the radio. “Received.” He figured it was best not to give any existing gossip more fuel than necessary, so he held off on saying anything else. However, he’d be sure to remind Patty in the morning that she was the one who basically forced him into the Mayor position.

“Thanks for the tents,” James said as he approached with two bottles of beer in his hands.

Tom was happy for the distraction, and took one of the bottles. He’d been busy working on getting a fire going in the backyard fire pit. It was already getting dark and the temperature was quickly dropping, plus it always seemed the best conversations were held over a campfire.

“No problem. If you end up needing more sleeping bags or anything else, all the camping gear is stored in the same place as the tents, in the barn.”

James gave a nod, picked up an ax, and began chopping wood from a nearby pile. He easily split the pieces with a one-handed swing, while drinking the beer. His men were all in the field behind the barn, setting up a couple of tents for them to stay in. It was the best form of security Tom could have, so when the three volunteers showed up after dinner to stand guard, he’d sent them home.

Grace ran up and licked at his face as Tom bent down to blow on the flame he’d started.

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