I made it!
I got the house cleaned, the chairs recovered, the pies made and the 26 pound turkey roasted. The relatives this year included 3 teen boys, and they ate a lot. We cooked and mashed 7 pounds of potatoes and made 2 quarts of gravy. There was the usual, 'everything else' and the last of the company will go home tomorrow.
My heavens am I tired, but happy and thankful for family, friends and wonderful readers who gave me a pass on the story. Last night I didn't have enough gumption to sneeze, and the three teens polished off 2 pumpkin, a pecan and a chocolate pie, and what was left of the apple and mincemeat.
I secreted away two slices of turkey for Mr. KC and I to have a turkey sandwich tomorrow at noon. That's all that's left of the turkey. We made a gallon of soup with the carcass, and it's all gone. LOL, no wonder the parents of the three teens brought them to visit, they probably needed relief from the grocery bill. Very nice young men however, they are welcome back at anytime.
I got a pinch on the cheeks from one of the old Aunties, and she declared me a 'keeper' to Mr. KC. Bless her heart, but the pinch hurt, so it was either a warning or the old gal doesn't know her own strength. LOL.
Happy Thanksgiving to all that care for family and friends.
#37
Phoebe tried her hardest to get her 'girls' to run, and the best she could get was a fast trot.
"Follow Jerry," Mark was roaring at the top of his voice, gesturing with his arm. "Stay in line," he growled at Chuck, "you're no more important than anyone else."
Chuck just shook his head at Mark's puzzling change of attitude. He had no intention of passing the front wagon, he guessed he would just have to wait until the current crisis was solved, and then he would have a straightening out conversation with the leader.
Jerry led the way toward the small river, and the fact that smoke was rolling thick in the air, help keep the horses going forward.
"I'm going to need help," Donna spoke up, "I need one of the young boys. Tell one of them to help me. I have several pieces of my Mother's silver tea service, but we don't have much money." she said flatly.
Cecil looked at her suspiciously; "My good Madam, I don't believe you."
'I have a bad arm," Donna snapped sharply at Cecil, "Chester doesn't know where the service is, so if you're in such an all-fired hurry to rob us, tell one of the young men to help me."
Cecil waved the shotgun at Donny, who reluctantly sidled around the edge of the fire to walk behind Donna. "Well, help me up in the wagon," she snapped at Donny, causing the youth to pull back slightly in fright.
Cecil looked pityingly at Chester. "My condolences sir, your woman is a bit snappish."
"She is just getting started," Chester mumbled, "she can be....very vocal," he finished lamely, looking away.
"Hold my hand," Donna waspishly commanded of Donny, "I don't want to fall down."
"Yes Ma'am," Donny obliged, and felt the small 380 she passed into his hand. Donna stepped into the wagon and Donny saw her move the shotgun in his direction. She reached up and grabbed a bucket and threw it on the floor, beginning a tirade of words along with the noisy commotion she was creating.
"Why you lazy, good for nothing kid," Donna kicked the bucket against the front of the canvas covered wagon cover; the sudden billowing of the canvas holding the attention of the three people outside.
As Cecil's eyes shifted to the front of the wagon, Donny stepped out the back and shot Cecil five times. Throwing the small gun down, he grabbed the shotgun and blasted the lion that was obviously enraged and preparing to spring.
The old single shot shotgun did a almost good job of stopping the animal, and people and horses scattered in a milling frenzy as the lion snarled, roared and shook his head trying to dislodge the pain of the full on blast to it's face. Claws extended, the lion swiped and gnashed with his teeth at everything within his reach.
Andy dove under the wagon, securing his pistol and shot at the lion, hitting the animal, causing more terrible roars. Grabbing for Donny's weapon, he shot the seven case magazine empty.
It took Chester forcefully pushing Donny out of the way, so he could reach his old shotgun, break it open, eject the spent shell and slam another shell into place. Bravely, he watched for the opportunity, walked as close as he dared, and fired almost point blank into the lion's face.
The lion fell instantly, but not dead. Donny was running for his rifle, along with Andy. The two boys fired together, finally killing the blood gushing, wounded beast.
"Chester," Donna was screaming, "that man is trying to shoot at you."
All three guns fired at the same time; Andy, Donny and Chester killing the extortionist circus director.