Odd Billy Todd (78 page)

Billy listened halfheartedly as Jerry went on, his mind still on Rhonda, and their future. By the new standards, Billy was a wealthy man. He was a good provider, and a good protector. Rationally, he knew that. He worked hard, he made sure his house was in order, and that everyone under his roof had any and every thing they needed.

But there was more to it than that, he decided. He admitted what little he knew of being in a relationship he had learned from being in a relationship. With Rhonda. She was all he knew, and all he wanted to know.

He recognized, however, that there were things he needed to improve on. The only thing he knew to do was start trying things. He’d learn by trial and error. Just like she had told him, nearly a year ago.

He gently placed his arm around Rhonda’s shoulders, earning him a quizzing look, followed by another smile, this one softer, and more intimate.

One down.

*****

The party was over, and the newly weds were off to their respective homes. Clean up had been a group affair, so that by the time everyone had left, Rhonda had only to make sure that Danny and Trey had the trash in the right place, and she was done.

As a result, she and Billy were sitting on the porch, side by side in the swing. Mary had gone with Amanda, and the boys were out being boys.

“You know, there ain’t a single thing ‘bout us that’s normal,” Billy said suddenly.

“What?” Rhonda replied, startled from her thinking.

“Us. We ain’t had a single normal thing between us.”

“Well, Billy, I think some of what’s between us has been normal, at least in form,” Rhonda teased with a devilish little grin.

“You know what I mean,” Billy chuckled. “We ain’t had a single date o’ no kind. Ain’t never seen a movie, been out ta dinner, nothin’.”

“Well, we kinda missed that opportunity, honey,” Rhonda shrugged, and snuggled closer to him. “Do you think we’re suffering from it? You feel like you’ve missed out on something?”

“No, but I worry that you do,” Billy admitted. “Ever time we’ve been away from here together, we done been shot at, chased, put upon in some way. Ever time.”

“Well, there’s no doubt that life with you ain’t never boring,” Rhonda giggled.

“That’s what I mean,” Billy told her. “We ain’t what you’d call a regular couple.” Rhonda’s head came up, her face suddenly serious.

“Where is this comin’ from?” she demanded.

“Look at us. Here we are, ain’t never even had a formal date together, but here we are, keepin’ house, with three teen age kids, and the oldest not ten years younger’n either of us.”

Is this about the kids? she wondered. Is that what’s brought this on?

“Billy, does having the kids bother you?” she asked. “I. . .I mean I should have asked about Trey, I know. I made the decision while I was mad, but I don’t regret it. He and Danny are as close as brothers, and. . . .”

“This ain’t about them,” Billy shook his head. “‘Bout us. I. . .I got to thinkin’ ‘bout it today, at the weddin’. Is that somethin’ you want for us? A weddin’?”

“Billy, are you askin’ me to marry you?” Rhonda’s eyes got big suddenly. She hadn’t seen this coming.

“I am, if that’s what you want,” he nodded. “See, I don’t care ‘bout no ceremony, either way. Far as I’m concerned, we’re married. Til death do us part. Some words and a cake won’t make that no stronger’n I feel right now, Rhonda. But I want you to have’em, if you want’em. Only. . .I can’t figure out if you do or not, so I’m askin’. Do you wanna get married?” He took something out of his pocket, and took her hand.

“My momma had small fingers, just like yours,” he said softly, and slipped what had been his mother’s engagement ring onto her finger. It was slightly large, but nothing that some tape wouldn’t fix. Rhonda looked at it for a moment, then up at Billy, her eyes watering.

“Oh, Billy, it’s beautiful,” she all but whispered, hugging him tightly. He returned her embrace, smiling into the wall behind her.

“So do you want a weddin’ like today?” he asked as they separated.

“I. . .Billy, ever girl want’s a weddin’,” she admitted. “But. . .I feel the same way you do. As far as I’m concerned, you’re it. Lord knows I crushed on you in high school enough. And since. . .since we been together, I ain’t had much to be sorry for, even with the world gone to hell. I can’t. . .I don’t see how anything could be better for me than you.” Billy’s heart swelled at that. He was pretty sure she felt the same, but hearing it put him at ease.

“So you want the weddin’, then,” he grinned. She nodded, her lips spreading into a smile.

“I’d like that,” she admitted. “To stand up in front of everyone and show them how much I love you.”

“Then I reckon we’ll have us one.”

CHAPTER SEVENTY-EIGHT

The two decided they would wait until after the harvest. There was a lot going on at the moment, and they didn’t want to interrupt any of it. There was still a house to be built, and soon crops to gather, which meant corn and wheat to be ground, and the garden hadn’t stopped producing, so there was still canning to be done.

Billy had a quiet word with Jerry, who grinned like a Cheshire cat.

“I wondered if that would push you two into it,” he admitted. Billy grinned a little, but nodded.

“Reckon it’s what a girl wants,” he replied.

Meanwhile, work went on. Ben had cut it pretty fine, but they were almost finished with the new house before it was time to think of harvesting the fields. The decision had been made to place the new house in the field near the Clifton House. That would add to the security up there, plus the creek flowing alongside that field would provide much needed power. The clinic rested between the new house and the Clifton House, which would put more people in that area, in case something happened.

Ben had drawn a progressive plan for the house, and in the end they had to scrounge to find enough finishing materials to get the inside completed. Fortunately, Billy had never cleaned out completely the lumber yard in Cedar Bend, taking only what he had needed at the time, or what he might need in the future. He hadn’t ever gone back to get more because he hadn’t needed it.

The house was a single story dwelling. The center rooms were the living area, dining area, and kitchen. From each side of the large open area, were two bedrooms, sharing a common bathroom between them. At some point, if the need arose, additional rooms could be added, he assured them.

Billy had watched Ben notch the logs and fit them together with a craftsman’s touch. Ralph had in no way exaggerated Ben’s ability. By the time they were finished, Billy was wishing he could get a new barn built that way.

“Why not,” Ben shrugged. “Have to wait a while, but I don’t see why not. Won’t need any finishing stuff, so it’s just log work. Be glad to.” Billy was thrilled, and started thinking of some way to repay Ben.

The house finished, Dillon and Barbara took their leave of the Blaine’s house, and took up residence. Jon and Ben decided to go ahead and move in to the other rooms, so that the Smith house would be empty at last.

On the day before harvest was due to start, George and Debby moved into the house, with everyone pitching in to help. The Purdy’s had decided to move because it would be easier than Ralph having to move his shop, and the leather worker was grateful for that. The two families were still neighbors, and good friends, but no longer had the strain of living under the same roof.

The next day, as harvest set in, Megan Johnson moved in with them. The now seventeen year old was a friend of Amanda’s, and ready to be away from the ‘kid farm’ as she called it. There were still nine children, and five more or less adults living there, but the house was large, and so many leaving had allowed more room to spread out, for which Regina and the others were grateful.

Slowly but surely, things were becoming settled.

*****

Harvest was back breaking. They had all known it would be, but they hadn’t begun to suspect just how much so. In addition to gathering the crops, there was also another cutting of hay to get in. It truly was all hands on deck for this one.

The 'woman's circle’ decided to set up shop in the common house, and use it to grind meal and flour. Emma showed everyone how to go about separating the wheat, and tending to the corn. While that was drying out, they lent a hand at keeping chores up all over.

The men divided into two teams. Pete and Billy took Toby, Danny and Trey, and started on the hay. The rest, including Howie, were assisting Jon and Jerry as they tried to make as many rounds as possible each day. They had over a thousand acres planted in one thing or another, and it took time to gather than much.

Corn was stored, hay was stacked and covered, and wheat thrashed. Howie promised that next year he’d have a mill up and running, so that this particular process would be easier the next time. Howie liked to eat, and knew where his bread was buttered.

Two weeks of solid, never ending work later, they were finished for the most part. That was because most of the corn was simply emptied into the cribs and silos they had prepared earlier in the year, and the rapeseed was stored similarly at the Richardson Barn, where Terry lived, and Ralph and Howie kept their bio fuel set up. Neither hazarded a guess as to how much fuel they would get from the rapeseed.

“Just have to see.”

By the end of three weeks, they were finished. Equipment was readied for winter, and stored, food was prepped and put away. Everyone took a single day of rest, and then went back to working their own gardens, which were producing one last weak run of veggies.

The great herd was finally separated, with the result being five smaller herds, all driven to new pastures. Three new hay barns ensured adequate storage for the coming winter, and spreading the cattle into other areas let them take advantage of barns still up in the valley. New fencing was needed in a few places, but it was all minor work, requiring a few hours here and there, rather than days.

The hogs were separated as well, into three places for them, with new coverings and food storage on site. The hope was that if any one herd of either developed a problem, then at least some animals would survive.

October was into it’s second full week by the time anyone could stop to take a breath.

Everyone was still worried about someone finding them, but the tension had eased somewhat as the weeks passed without incident. Howie had worked almost continuously on upgrading their security, and the motion senors now all pinged softly when activated. A computer screen showed the location of each sensor all the time, while another cycled through their cameras. There weren’t that many camera’s, but they were all placed in the most likely access points to the valley.

Billy and Rhonda had a surprise, when Dottie was found to be expecting. She had apparently came into season during harvest, when no one was looking. Both hoped that Rommel was the father, and since they hadn’t found any dogs bleeding to death on their farm, they assumed he was.

One of Ralph’s Annie’s was also expecting, from Reb, which was good news for everyone. She tended to have large litters, Ralph promised, so they might soon have more dogs to protect the herds. Billy’s two female donkey’s were also expecting, which would allow them to move the jack’s into the smaller herds soon. The colts would need a year to develop, at least, but donkey’s were good protection against wild dogs.

They hadn’t experienced any dog attacks since Billy and Rhonda had killed those responsible for killing the calf the year before, but no one wanted to assume there wouldn’t be anymore. Toby’s run in with the aggressive dogs during the scouting mission reminded everyone there was always risk.

The group was starting to settle into their new reality, as well. No one went unarmed outside the house, for any reason. The Sunday church gatherings were no exception. Everyone was glad to hear of the small services, and almost every Sunday the service was followed by a group meal. Even the March and Williams families participated. The March children were also now associating with the other kids, at least on occasion.

The common house was finally finished as November approached, and school was moved there. For now the children walked to school, escorted by the older children, including Danny and Trey. Toby usually walked along with them, just for good measure. The children that were armed kept their weapons with them, even in school.

Billy had gotten Trey to the range, but the boy was still hesitant with the shotgun they had selected for him, so he didn’t go armed, usually. As he grew more comfortable, that would change, but for now only Mary and Danny carried weapons.

With work slowing, Billy started working on his new barn. He cut the logs, and began to learn how to notch them from Ben. Almost everyday, others would join them, assisting with the work. Billy took the small track hoe they had brought to the farm and added a root cellar to the new barn at Rhonda’s request. That added to the time needed to finish the barn, but Billy figured it would be worth it to have the root cellar.

It helped that Billy didn’t need or want a floor inside. It was a barn, he reasoned, not a house. A dirt floor would be more than adequate.

A week before Thanksgiving, Ben put the finishing touches on the roof. Billy was very pleased with the new structure.

“Ben, whatever you need or want from me, you got it,” he told the older man. “This is great!”

“Well, you did a lot of the work yourself, Billy,” Ben pointed out.

“Couldn’t o’ done it without you,” Billy shook his head. “What can I do for you?” Ben looked down at the ground for a minute, then sighed.

“Regina needs some. . .well, some woman stuff,” he shrugged finally. “I got no idea where to come by it.”

“No problem,” Billy assured him. He went straight to his small shop building and returned in just a moment with a large box of the ‘stuff’ that Regina needed.

“I took this when I was still in town,” Billy explained at Ben’s look. “I figured someone would need it or want it down the road. Already gave the most of it away, but I still got this here. That work?”

“Billy, you’re a miracle,” Ben shook his head with a chuckle. “Man, this’ll make me her knight in shining armor, sure enough!” Ben’s face was lit up like a Christmas tree. Remembering that Ben had lost his first wife to the plague, Billy wondered how long it had been since the man had been truly happy.

“Take it with my thanks,” Billy told him. “And anything else you might need and I got some of you just name it.”

“Billy, I don’t know of a thing I really need, and this will really put me in good with Regina,” he grinned. “And it ain’t like I don’t owe you, ya know.”

“Don’t owe me nothin’,” Billy insisted. “If you think you did, stop thinkin’ it. If we ain’t even now, it’s cause I owe you. Hear?”

“I hear,” Ben nodded. “If I think of something I’ll holler. Fair enough?”

“More than,” Billy agreed. “Thanks again, Ben. And take care.”

*****

With the weather growing colder, it was decided to have their Thanksgiving dinner in the new ‘blockhouse’. The building was finished now, and had amenities, so all that was required was to move the tables and chairs that were normally kept at Billy and Rhonda’s down there.

The building had turned out very nice, Billy thought. It was sturdy, and could probably hold off an attack from anything up to a tank or artillery. He hoped they never saw an attack, but the building’s presence was a comfort.

Everyone brought favorite foods, music, and games, and the community made a day of it. Everyone finished their chores that morning, so that all that was left to do was enjoy. The weather was pleasant, with the temperature climbing into the low sixties by noon. There was a slight wind blowing wisps of clouds around, and it was just overall a nice day.

Pete and Shelly left after two hours to relieve Howie and Elizabeth at the security station. This let both newlywed couples enjoy both the dinner, and some privacy on their first Thanksgiving as man and wife.

Billy danced with Rhonda, and then with Mary, but then walked outside, as the noise and the press of people started to get to him. Rhonda understood, and smiled when he told her he needed air. She took Billy as he was, flaws and all, just as he did her.

Sitting outside, Billy paused to reflect on the last six months or so. It had been a wild and hectic year, but a productive one all the same. They had added people to their community, stymied a possible threat, at least for the time being, and had a good harvest. They would survive another winter, if nothing bad happened. All of the houses were equipped to deal with the winter weather, since they now had a good idea of what to expect. Roofs had been strengthened on every building, and the new structures built with the weight of deep, heavy snow in mind.

There was hay and to spare, safely tucked away in a total of five barns, and plenty of feed too. All in all, Billy had to believe that this year had been a good one, and they had much to be thankful for.

He was still feeling good about things when Terry found him.

“We got some news, Billy.”

*****

“Train hit again,” Pete said without preamble. “Paid a visit to our friends in Centerville, it seems. We heard radio traffic from both sides this time. Train finally pulled out. Their bosses decided there wasn’t enough reward for the risk involved.”

“They’re headed south,” he finished, looking at Billy, who suddenly leaned forward.

“Are they now?” Terry looked between the two of them for a moment.

“What?” he demanded finally.

“Well,” Billy said slowly, “I got me a plan. . . .”

*****

“There is absolutely no reason at all to do this,” Terry shook his head. “They aren’t coming near us. No tracks near us. Nothing. Let them go.”

“Sooner or later, they’ll come to call,” Billy shrugged. “And this here is a good chance to stop’em for good. Might not get another.”