Kiamichi Refuge (4 page)

Late April

Lydia Clark unlocked the door of her shop and turned on the neon “Open” sign, then pushed back a strand of dark brown hair that had come loose from her ponytail. Straightening some bottles of shampoo on an end cap, she glanced around the modest store with a sigh of satisfaction. This was what she had always dreamed of doing. The town had needed a new business, and she needed to stay busy. The retail trade was in her DNA, with both parents employed as grocery store managers in Paris, Texas.

After going through a nasty divorce, Lydia needed to get away from her ex-husband and his pregnant girlfriend, who was less than half his age. In her early forties, Lydia set out for the first time in her life to be truly independent. The divorce settlement gave her the cash to start over, and when she passed through the quaint town of Kanichi Springs, she knew she had found a home. She saw the “For Sale” sign in the window of the vacant building and after an inspector assured her that the place was old, but sound, she bought it. She also bought a charming little house just a few blocks away.

Filling her diffuser with distilled water, Lydia added a few drops of Peace and Calming essential oil blend. Along with a complete line of quality oils, the shop carried diffusers, high-end toiletries, and unique gift items, many of them created by artisans in the area. For being in such a small town, the shop was doing well, with a few people coming from McAlester and even Fort Smith to shop for unusual gifts. During the fall tourist season, when people came through town on the way to the famous Talimena Drive, the shop got really busy. Lydia was considering hiring someone, perhaps a high school girl, to help out part time so she could have some time off.

The little bell over the door jingled merrily as the day’s first customer strolled in, scanning the displays. Lydia looked up to see a young, pretty stranger in jeans, with a coral camp shirt over a white tank top. She had a beautiful complexion and big brown eyes. Lydia smiled and started toward the front of the store.

“May I help you find something?”

“Yes, several things, in fact.” Erin grinned and offered her hand. “Hi. I’m Erin Miller. I just moved here from Tulsa. Your shop is lovely.”

“Thanks. I’m Lydia Clark. I’ve only been here for a couple of years, myself, but I love it. If you’re anything like me, you will never want to move back to the city.”

The two women chatted as Lydia helped Erin find almost everything on her list. There were only three things that she needed that Lydia did not keep in stock.

“I can order those items for you, if you’d like. They’ll be here in a few days and I’ll call you when they come in.”

“That would be great. I could order them online, but I doubt that the FedEx guy could find my place. It’s pretty secluded,” Erin laughed.

“Wait. You said your name is Miller, and you live outside town. You’re Ernie’s niece, aren’t you?”

“Guilty. Uncle Ernie left me the lodge when he passed. I’m loving it out there, so peaceful and relaxing,” Erin replied.

“I knew him. Not well, but I liked him a lot. I’m sorry for your loss, for the town’s loss. We all miss his kindness and dry sense of humor. He talked about you all the time.”

“So I’ve been told. He was my only relative, and it’s good to know that others thought well of him. He was my hero in every way.” Erin blinked back tears, and tried to smile. “I’d like to have you go ahead and order those items, and now that what I
need
has been taken care of, it’s time to shop for what I
want
.”

Erin left the store with two bags of sundries, a diffuser and some oils, a painting of the Kiamichi River by a local artist, and a ceramic tray shaped like a large elm leaf. She also bought a pair of rustic candleholders. Lydia helped her carry her purchases to the Expedition, and as she watched Erin drive away, felt that she had just made a new friend.

Erin drove slowly down the street, taking the time to notice each building as she passed. Several had boarded-up windows, but most of the businesses were open. The town appeared to be doing okay, if not truly well. Erin knew that some of the coal mines in the region had shut down, mostly due to government regulations.

Parking in front of the courthouse, Erin removed her Glock from its holster and put it under the bags that held her purchases from Lydia’s. As she hurried up the sidewalk toward the door, she passed a small cluster of rough-looking men who were just standing around smoking. The election board office and the tax office were both on the second floor, so after she took care of the property taxes, she stopped in to register to vote.

On her way back out, one of the men she had seen earlier suddenly stepped in front of her, and with a smirk and a glance at his companions to make sure they were watching, touched her arm and said, “Hey, sugar. What’s your hurry?”

Only mildly alarmed, Erin stepped back a bit. “I’m always in a hurry. I’m very busy.”

The skinny fellow grinned, revealing that his few remaining teeth were yellowed and crooked. “Now, that’s not very friendly at all. How about we go somewhere and get to know each other?”

“I don’t think so. Excuse me,” Erin said coldly, as she tried to step around the man.

He grabbed her arm. Cold chills crept through Erin’s body as she tried to jerk free, which only made the man’s companions laugh. The stench of his body odor mixed with stale cigarette smoke almost made her gag. She was about to panic, when a deep voice interrupted.

“There you are, honey. I’m sorry to be late. Are you ready to go?”

Erin turned, looking over her shoulder.
That voice belongs to a giant,
she thought, as she noted that the man must be at least 6’7”, with a pair of very broad shoulders. Muscles rippled under a blue tee shirt.  His black hair needed a trim, and his eyes were the color of dark chocolate, glittering dangerously with suppressed violence. The high cheekbones and sharp angles of his bronzed face could have been chiseled from stone.
And he’s a fine looking giant, at that.

“Uh, yes. Yes, I’m ready. Let’s go.”

The giant stared pointedly at the hand that still grasped Erin’s arm. Erin’s assailant released her and stumbled back, intimidated by the size of her rescuer. He looked viciously angry at being embarrassed in front of his buddies.

“If we hurry, we can beat the rush,” the big man urged.

He and Erin moved past the group, and when they were well beyond them, the giant whispered, “Just keep going. We’ll enter the café on the corner and they’ll think we had a lunch date.”

Holding the café’s door open, the big man followed her inside, where Erin breathed a huge sigh of relief. “Thank you so much for helping me. I usually travel armed, but since I couldn’t take my gun inside the courthouse, this was one of the few times I didn’t have it with me. That jerk just refused to take no for an answer.”

“He’s a convicted sex offender. Been a problem around here for years, with a seven-year gap while he was in the state prison for rape. He and his pals like to hang out near the courthouse, I guess to thumb their noses at the justice system. Every one of those guys has done time.”

Erin swallowed hard. “Oh. My uncle mentioned that there were some unsavory characters in town. I guess that was them.”

“He was smart to warn you.”

A perky young waitress approached. “Would you prefer a table or a booth?”

“Booth,” the man answered.

Erin glanced up at him with a question in her eyes. He shrugged, then grinned. “To be convincing, we need to stay in here for a while. We might as well eat. Come on, I’ll buy your lunch.”

Once they were seated and their drink orders had been taken. Erin extended her hand. “Hi. I’m Erin,” she smiled.

“Tanner. I’m glad to finally meet you. I heard about you for years from Ernie. When I saw you leaving the courthouse, I recognized you immediately. Ernie always had a picture of you on his desk. I’m sorry that I missed the service. I was out of state on business. Everyone who knew Ernie will miss him.”

“Did everyone in town know my uncle? They must have, since all I have to do is say my name and people know who I am. It’s kinda nice, I think.”

“Ernie was well liked and deeply respected by the townspeople. He got along with just about everyone, except the scumbags like you just met. Are you living in his house? Are you planning on staying in Kanichi Springs?”

“No, I’m living out at the lodge, and yes, I’m staying. I like the town and the peacefulness of the woods. Have you lived here long?”

“All my life, except for when I left for college. I went to OU, but I always knew I would come back here.”

The two chatted through lunch, then Tanner walked her back to her SUV, subtly glancing around in search of the thugs. She used the button on her key to unlock the door, and Tanner opened it for her, leaning down to whisper, “I guess they crawled back under their rock. You need to stay aware of your surroundings, Erin. Be safe. I hope to see you again soon.”

Erin nodded, thanked him again, and drove away.

Early May

Over the next few weeks, Erin made a conscious effort to pay attention to the news on TV and the Internet. She began to understand that there was much more going on than she had previously realized, and that most newscasts were not telling the whole story.

Tensions were high in several regions of the world and small acts of terrorism occurred so often that they had become commonplace. Scandals abounded in political circles and corruption had become routine at all levels of government.

On the economic front, the news was disturbing. There were food riots in parts of Europe and unemployment rates were high in most of the world. A few large banks failed in Europe, and one failed in the US. Congress seemed paralyzed, doing little to solve the problems of rising debt and declining revenue

Erin selected a few of the books from one of the tubs in the cave, and started to educate herself on survival in a changing world. One of the first books she read was about situational awareness and how to defend herself. She knew that she needed to take some classes on that to really learn it, and made a mental note to check into what was available.

She ordered a plunger-like device for washing clothes, then went to McAlester and purchased several long garden hoses and three galvanized tubs that would work for baths, plus four smaller round tubs. The idea she had was to lay the hoses out in the sun and let the water in them get hot, then use that water to bathe or wash clothes or dishes. The idea should work for most of the year. She was new to prepping, except for what she had read and, and she wanted to use Uncle Ernie’s money for something that he believed in. He seemed to have thought of everything that would keep her alive, but she wanted to thrive, whatever happened.

As soon as the weather warmed up sufficiently, Erin filled most of the pots on the deck with potting soil, then planted onions, carrots, tomatoes, cabbage, green beans, peas, zucchini, and yellow squash. She only planted one pot of each of the last two, because she had read that summer squash doesn’t preserve well.

A sense of satisfaction made her smile when the first tiny seedlings appeared.
I need to find someone who raises rabbits and see if I can get some bunny poop for fertilizer, and before these are ready to harvest, I need to get acquainted with that canner.

She purchased a large quantity of stout fencing sufficient to enclose the yard and build a pen for a few goats, with barbed wire on the top, which would hopefully keep bears out. Uncle Ernie had included two Henry milkers in the stash, and Erin was eager to try them out.

She had lunch a couple of times with Lydia Clark, and despite the difference in their ages, the two were quickly becoming good friends. On her trips to town, Erin was careful to watch for the troublemakers, but she saw no sign of them. She didn’t run into Tanner, either, which disappointed her.

***

In early May, Jen invited Erin to come to Tulsa for a few days for a visit. The four friends met for dinner at a little Italian restaurant, and Erin was surprised to see that Valerie had lost weight and gotten her blonde hair cropped really short.

“Val, you look great. Is there a man behind this transformation?” Erin teased.

Valerie’s face burned hot pink. “As a matter of fact, yes. We’ve been out a few times, and well, I’m definitely interested.”

“That pixie cut makes your eyes look huge. It’s a cute style for you,” Sarah commented.

Enjoying the company and the meal, the friends caught up on each other’s news and joked about Erin becoming a country hick. “I like it,” she admitted. “The solitude, the quiet sounds of nature, the fresh air. When I need human contact, I go to town or visit the neighbors. I go to church and have gotten to know several people there. I have plenty to do, with my container garden and learning about the region. It’s a good fit for me. Now, when are you coming down for a dip in that spring-fed pool?”

***

Jen was off work the next day, so she and Erin spent the morning shopping. For lunch, they got sandwiches and pastries from a shop near Utica Square, then drove to Woodward Park for an impromptu picnic.

“This is something I’ve missed, living in the country. Grabbing take-out from any one of several places, I mean.”

“Are you really happy, living in the middle of nowhere? I kinda envy you sometimes, but then I think about all the things you gave up, and I wonder.”

“Things I gave up, like traffic jams, noise, and crowds, you mean?” Erin chuckled. “Yes, it’s a big change, but it’s worth it. Besides, when the zombie apocalypse comes, you’ll have somewhere to run to.”

“I know you mostly edit books about various worst-case scenarios, but do you really think that something horrible could happen?”

“‘Not ‘could’ happen. ‘Will’ happen. I have been reading and researching a lot lately, and I am convinced that Uncle Ernie was right. History is full of disasters, like wars, tsunamis, pandemics, earthquakes. Governments are overthrown and economies collapse fairly often, in the overall scheme of things. I don’t believe in zombies, to tell the truth, but haven’t you noticed the bad stuff that is going on? Terrorism, crime, unemployment, the stock market’s volatility, illegal immigrants, and racial division? It seems like we are teetering on the edge of a cliff, and it might not take much to push us over the brink. So few people are prepared for even a small crisis. Uncle Ernie tried for years to convince me to be prepared, but it took his death to make me take it seriously”

Jen considered that for a few moments, “I hadn’t thought much about it, I guess, until just recently. I hate to dwell on the negative, but just the hint of a little bad weather does cause panicky people to rush around buying bread and milk. A major event would empty store shelves in no time. And if trucks can’t deliver more merchandise, things could get dicey pretty quick. So what should we do?”

“If it gets bad, you grab Sarah and Valerie and get outta town. Make your way to the lodge. Don’t tell anyone where you’re going, either. You are the only one with family here in town, so if your folks and the Menaces will come, bring them, too.”

In the meantime, get ready, Buy lots of ammo for your gun. In fact, buy another gun, at least one. Get a good pack and load it with all you can carry. I’ll email you a list of things that any bug-out bag should have. We’ll try to get Sarah and Valerie to prepare bags, too, but Val will be hard to convince, especially if she gets serious about her new guy.”

You might try to find out all you can about him, and we’ll consider telling her to bring him, but for now, let’s keep it quiet around him.”

Jen gathered up the food wrappers and stuffed them into her paper bag. “This is a lot to take in, all this disaster stuff, but it’s something that I’ve been stewing about for a while. I think, from some of the things she has said, that Sarah is concerned about it, too. Valerie has her head in the sand too much to see what’s coming, but I see what you’re saying. Something is brewing that just feels ominous. Let’s not wait for you to email me that bug-out bag list. Let’s just go buy a bag and you can help me put something together.”

“Good idea. In fact, I tend to forget that Ernie’s book royalties are going into my bank account and just sitting there. Three BOBs, coming up, and I’m buying! We’ll start at BassPro, and pick up a few things at several different stores, so maybe nobody will start asking questions.”

***

That evening, they all met for Chinese take-out at Jen’s condo. Kicking back in the cramped living room, the four discussed how each had spent her day.

“School is almost out, and I am
so
looking forward to summer. This will be the first summer in years that I don’t have to spend running to conferences and workshops.” Sarah grinned. “I guess those budget cuts have a silver lining, after all.”

“Well, you deserve some time off,” Valerie responded. “Things never seem to slow down at the office. You’d think they would, now that tax season is over, but we’re in the middle of a nasty audit. That IRS agent is determined to find a reason to hammer our client. She just keeps after us, even though she has been over the whole return at least three times.”

“Hey, you’re the one who wanted to be a CPA. When do you take the test?” Jen asked.

“Last week of this month. I’m ready, I think.” Valerie ran a hand through her cropped hair. “I know people who will taking it for the third time, but I need to pass it in one try. I want my own office after years of working to make my boss rich.”

“I’m sure you’ll blow the top off that test.” Erin assured her. “I’ll be your first client when you hang that CPA sign out. With the inheritance, plus income from the books, my taxes aren’t so simple anymore.”

“And speaking of inheritance, Erin bought us all something today. I helped her shop and put things together. We are all now the proud owners of our very own BOBs.” Jen dragged out two backpacks, placing one in front of Valerie and other beside Sarah.

“Who’s Bob?” Valerie inquired.

“B, O, B. It stands for bug-out bag. Of course, if you are away from home and trying to get back, it could also be called a “get-home bag.” Erin plopped down in the middle of the floor, and pulled Jen’s bag over. “We filled these with items that will help you get to safety in an emergency, like riots, or a terrorist attack.”

“Well, surely that wouldn’t happen in Tulsa,” Valerie protested.

“
Au contraire,
dearie,” Jen corrected. “Tulsa has had riots. Just because something hasn’t happened in a long time doesn’t mean it will never happen again. And let’s not forget that there are oil refineries and storage tanks in town, and hydroelectric dams near the city. Those could easily become targets for terrorists. Plus, there’s a history of earthquakes around here dating back to the 1880s, and even more tremors recently. We have tornadoes and floods and blizzards, too.”

Erin leaned forward and spoke quietly. “Val, you may never need this bag. I hope you don’t, but it’s my money to waste. All you have to do is put it in the back of your car, or whatever car you are riding in. If you ever need it, the things that are in that bag could save your life. Humor me, please. I’ll feel better knowing you have it. And it isn’t just for end-of-the-world scenarios. People get stranded by car trouble, weather events, and earthquakes, all the time.”

“I think it’s a good idea, and I appreciate your doing this for us.” Sarah took a sip of her soda. “I’ve been reading one of your uncle’s survival books and I’m beginning to understand better that life can and will change suddenly. I want to be ready.”

“Oh, Sarah, I’m so glad you’re on board. Jen and I were discussing the economy today, and I want you all to know that if for any reason, you need to ‘git outta Dodge’, you are more than welcome at my place.”

Erin picked up the bag in front of her and dumped the contents on the carpet. “I’m going to go through this one with you. All three bags are the same, so you won’t have to empty yours. There’s a set of lightweight camo in each bag, to put on over your clothes in case you have to move through the countryside. Each of you should tuck a pair of jeans, a shirt, socks, and hiking boots into your vehicle, too. Professional clothes don’t do so well if you have to set out on foot.”

There’s a first aid kit for obvious reasons, and three days’ worth of emergency rations. There’s a big knife, some paracord, and three ways to start a fire, in case you need warmth. There’s a flashlight, too.”

Valerie’s expression made it clear that she still wasn’t convinced, but she remained silent about it. Sarah pointed at a small package with something shiny in it.

“What’s that silver thing?”

“That, ladies, is an emergency blanket. It will reflect your body heat, or you can use it to stay dry if it rains or there’s a heavy dew. And this,” she held up a similar, but slightly larger packet, “is a sleeping bag made from the same material. They’re so light, it won’t weigh you down to carry both.”

Erin completed her explanation of the rest of the items, and answered Sarah’s questions, but Valerie had nothing to say.