Story So that your love may be complete.
- Thread starter PacNorWest
- Start date
Lake Lili
Veteran Member
Couldn't have said it better myself... that would be called a forced retirement...
Thanks Pac!
stjwelding
Veteran Member
Simply amazing Pac, thank you for taking the time to write and post your story for us.
Wayne
Wayne
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#259d
The clan had just finished the blessing when who should show up but Helga and Karl. Helga had come back for her "meats fork, pleases." a thinly disguised attempt to play on Mark's sympathy and get their banishment reversed. Mark in his rib belt, ignored them.
Millie met them at the door and refused to let them in. "The meat fork, why certainly. I'll go get it." and she did. Handing the fork to Helga, Millie told her calmly, "here you go. I'm sorry, we're eating and you'll have to excuse us." and she shut the screen door, leaving the couple looking at each other on the porch.
Once again, Helga drug her feet, giving Mark as the rightful head of the house time to ask them back. It didn't happen.
The children sat up and ate, there was none of the silly high jinks that had started to take over meal time. Kids took their plates to the kitchen and while Tess was cleaning up the triplets, Teddy and Gary started the dishes. Benny, Robert and Lou went to milk. While they were gone, Millie straightened out that situation with Mark.
"Two cows are giving too much milk for us to handle. Tonight's milk is going in the cooler but one of the cows needs to be sold and feed bought with the proceeds." Mark nodded. He agreed with that assumption.
"On your way to town, did you notice if there were any better accommodations available than the hotel?" Millie was going through her mental list.
Both Mark and Wayne looked at each other and shook their heads no.
"Is that no...as in there isn't any; or you didn't look?" Millie was tart with her assessment of the men's loss of consciousness.
"I'm afraid Millie, that I didn't notice. We were so concerned with getting Clora to the doctor, we focused on that." Mark had to admit to a shortcoming.
"Gentlemen," Millie put down her glass of milk and got ready to straighten out another dangerous failing.
"Clora deserves better from you than you are giving her. For some reason, both of you go into a blind panic whenever there's a problem with Clora. Wayne, I understand your part in this; Mark I can't fathom your reaction. I bet you initially refused to come home tonight, thinking you were staying by Clora no matter what. Like it or not, that is not good security and use of your time. That is protection of one body that has the ability to handle herself, and leaves the rest of us vulnerable to attack." Millie had sharp words to go along with her sharp observations.
"Have any of you noticed two cars are traveling back and forth in front of the hotel and this is the third time they have checked out our awareness and defensibility. Are they going to have to attack, to get you to notice the danger? Warren, the least you could do is keep watch from the chair. Do you three gentlemen intend to sacrifice us all in your worry over one?"
It was the bitter truth, and a more bitter pill to swallow. Millie was absolutely correct.
Mark listened to the dressing down and wondered if Millie had been a drill sergeant in a previous life. If she hadn't been, she was doing a good job of it now.
Warren was thinking the same thing, but those words would never pass his lips out loud. He was smarter than that. He was also close to the end of his endurance, he wasn't healed and the slam into the wall this morning hadn't done him any good.
"I don't have Clora's abilities. I can't sit here and tell if there will be an attack tonight, so I think we had darn well better be ready for one if it happens. Those cars put the probability in their favor." Millie tore strips off the men's hides, but just little narrow ones.
Mark was feeling close to the end of his ability to function. Helga's head had slammed and broken his previously broken ribs; and he would have liked to sleep for a while. Evidently it was not to be, not after the fact session Millie had just presented.
Mark thought about Clora and he knew without a doubt that she would have volunteered to stand watch if she were here, so he could sleep. She probably would have said her ankle would keep her up anyway. Mark felt the shame of knowing he had taken as much advantage of Clora as anyone else.
"Guy's," Millie was calling them back from their private musings. "Don't you think we need to set a guard rotation?" she prompted.
The clan had just finished the blessing when who should show up but Helga and Karl. Helga had come back for her "meats fork, pleases." a thinly disguised attempt to play on Mark's sympathy and get their banishment reversed. Mark in his rib belt, ignored them.
Millie met them at the door and refused to let them in. "The meat fork, why certainly. I'll go get it." and she did. Handing the fork to Helga, Millie told her calmly, "here you go. I'm sorry, we're eating and you'll have to excuse us." and she shut the screen door, leaving the couple looking at each other on the porch.
Once again, Helga drug her feet, giving Mark as the rightful head of the house time to ask them back. It didn't happen.
The children sat up and ate, there was none of the silly high jinks that had started to take over meal time. Kids took their plates to the kitchen and while Tess was cleaning up the triplets, Teddy and Gary started the dishes. Benny, Robert and Lou went to milk. While they were gone, Millie straightened out that situation with Mark.
"Two cows are giving too much milk for us to handle. Tonight's milk is going in the cooler but one of the cows needs to be sold and feed bought with the proceeds." Mark nodded. He agreed with that assumption.
"On your way to town, did you notice if there were any better accommodations available than the hotel?" Millie was going through her mental list.
Both Mark and Wayne looked at each other and shook their heads no.
"Is that no...as in there isn't any; or you didn't look?" Millie was tart with her assessment of the men's loss of consciousness.
"I'm afraid Millie, that I didn't notice. We were so concerned with getting Clora to the doctor, we focused on that." Mark had to admit to a shortcoming.
"Gentlemen," Millie put down her glass of milk and got ready to straighten out another dangerous failing.
"Clora deserves better from you than you are giving her. For some reason, both of you go into a blind panic whenever there's a problem with Clora. Wayne, I understand your part in this; Mark I can't fathom your reaction. I bet you initially refused to come home tonight, thinking you were staying by Clora no matter what. Like it or not, that is not good security and use of your time. That is protection of one body that has the ability to handle herself, and leaves the rest of us vulnerable to attack." Millie had sharp words to go along with her sharp observations.
"Have any of you noticed two cars are traveling back and forth in front of the hotel and this is the third time they have checked out our awareness and defensibility. Are they going to have to attack, to get you to notice the danger? Warren, the least you could do is keep watch from the chair. Do you three gentlemen intend to sacrifice us all in your worry over one?"
It was the bitter truth, and a more bitter pill to swallow. Millie was absolutely correct.
Mark listened to the dressing down and wondered if Millie had been a drill sergeant in a previous life. If she hadn't been, she was doing a good job of it now.
Warren was thinking the same thing, but those words would never pass his lips out loud. He was smarter than that. He was also close to the end of his endurance, he wasn't healed and the slam into the wall this morning hadn't done him any good.
"I don't have Clora's abilities. I can't sit here and tell if there will be an attack tonight, so I think we had darn well better be ready for one if it happens. Those cars put the probability in their favor." Millie tore strips off the men's hides, but just little narrow ones.
Mark was feeling close to the end of his ability to function. Helga's head had slammed and broken his previously broken ribs; and he would have liked to sleep for a while. Evidently it was not to be, not after the fact session Millie had just presented.
Mark thought about Clora and he knew without a doubt that she would have volunteered to stand watch if she were here, so he could sleep. She probably would have said her ankle would keep her up anyway. Mark felt the shame of knowing he had taken as much advantage of Clora as anyone else.
"Guy's," Millie was calling them back from their private musings. "Don't you think we need to set a guard rotation?" she prompted.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Wonderful thank you.
stjwelding
Veteran Member
Thanks Pac for another great chapter. Your ability to change the story in an instance and maintain the same level of intensity is truly a gift. Again Thank you.
Wayne
Wayne
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#259e
Wayne had come to talk with Clora while she waited for surgery and Mark was in getting x-rayed and his rib problem taken care of.
"It has to happen Clora, you know that as well as we do." Wayne was leaning back in the chair, one leg casually crossed over the other. "Otherwise, you are going to lose your foot, and we are going to lose you."
Clora started to naturally protest, and then stop. It was true.
"As we sit here, Millie has already put the 're birth' of the Linderman/Donaldson/Hanson/Kallinoski tribe into gear. It was her opinion that Helga and Karl, and especially Helga won't cooperate and will have to be fired. And don't look at me that way. You're too kind hearted to do it, and where it comes as a shock right after everything that has happened is the best way. Tensions are already off kilter, and this way when they get right, everyone will be happy."
"I sure hope so," Clora was doubtful, but it had to be done.
"Mark has a guard on your room door, he expects Karl and Helga to be here soon after they are dismissed. Did you get here with the essentials?" Wayne was asking if Clora had her gun.
"Yes, when I had to put this skimpy little gown on, I folded my skirt carefully so it wouldn't fall out of the pocket, and it's in the belongings bag under the gurney."
Wayne ducked down to look and Clora was correct, all looked good.
"I go from surgery, to recovery and then up to a room. I really want Mark to be home and protect the children. Wayne, this could get to be a bad thing," Clora worried.
"We agree," Wayne was so different acting with Millie to back him up. Clora was pleased and had to tell him so. "With Pete/Ben gone from the picture, my worries are cut in half. I honestly didn't think Twila would cut and run so quickly, but Mark predicted she would before Ben even got cold. He sure was right."
"How long have you known he wasn't Ben?" Wayne was curious.
"About ten minutes after he showed up at Applewood. The cold made the face lift scars turn red because they were so new. They tried to do a good job in prepping him, but no, it was easy to tell."
"I figured it out when he had Twila come live with him, rather than get married. The old Ben wouldn't have considered that for a second." Wayne gave a huge sigh. "I'd sure like it if the old Ben was still around somewhere, and eventually come back to us; but that's wishful thinking, isn't it?"
"It seems so, there's nothing when I think of him, it's blank, so in the experience I have, I have to believe he has died. I hope some day we discover the reason for all this, and I hope it's a good one on account it going to make me very mad." Clora was calm but forceful.
Wayne put his finger to his lips in a quiet motion. There was a disturbance in the hall and a very strident and angry Kazakh accent was demanding to be let in Clora's room. The policeman refused and the nasty voice was escorted away by the backup guard.
"I've got to say I'm impressed," Wayne drawled. "That was a lot less time than I figured. So...how did they know where you are? You have to have some kind of a locator on you." he concluded.
"My phone maybe?" Clora guessed and passed it to Wayne.
"I'm taking this back to the hotel with me. They will think you have gone home." he smirked. "I bet they show up again."
"No bets," Clora was so tired her eyes drifted shut. There was another disturbance outside the room and the surgery attendants were there to take her upstairs.
"Hang tough Sis," Wayne smiled. "I need you to help me with Millie."
Clora nodded and smiled back, and they wheeled her out to the elevator.
Mark and Wayne stayed until Clora was back in her room. Carefully Mark used his bug finders to go over Clora's room and her and her clothes. The phone was definitely bugged and in her chemise in a bit of the bodice lace and embroidery, was another sewn in locator.
"I should have realized that was a possible place," Clora wanted to smack herself. "we even talked about sewing valuables to your clothes one time, I should have remembered." Mark took the two items to his pickup, as they would still give out the hospital location.
Clora was awake but full of pain medication; and as they left, Mark called and arranged for two more guards to come on duty. Clora was as secure as they could possibly leave her. She blew them a kiss and felt for her gun in the overbed tray. Thank you Lord, she prayed, keep my family safe.
Mark and Wayne stopped at the closest sporting goods store and loaded up on the necessary items Millie had requested and several additional, more lethal surprises.
Working at a run, the two men rightly surmised that Helga and Karl were more apt to come during supper because Mark would be there, and they broke all speed records to get there in time.
Right up to the time Helga and Karl knocked on the door for the meat fork, everything was going according to plan.
Mark was so coldly furious, he could hardly sit and eat. Helga and Karl were two of the most cold blooded assassins in the Eastern Block stable of ruthless killers. Warren had finally got all the safeguards placed against him by Wilson, lifted. Almost immediately, the information had come through, detailing Helga's history. Karl was a bit more shadowy, but no the less dangerous.
Helga was an accomplished acrobat, and every single one of the entanglements she caused were on purpose and designed to cripple or maim the clan. The one this morning was not as good as her usual performances, but Mark had watched as she deliberately added speed to her slip and fall.
Mark had moved his Glock, so Helga had a nice memento herself of the mishap with the bump on her head.. He hadn't intended to have his ribs broken, but that's what happened, so he would live with it.
The rest of the plan was Mark's alone. He wanted no witnesses, no other person to be complicit with what he intended to do. It was in his line of work and he was very good in his chosen field.
What ever Helga and Karl projected to do about being fired, Mark was sure it didn't include being killed as they pulled on their black clothes and picked up their silenced rifles. The locator told them Clora was in the hotel, and Mark shot them as they got ready for their midnight foray.
The deadly accurate shot between the eyes on both of them. Helga and Karl would bother them no more.
Mark called the State Police. He was coming home on a back road when he discovered a vehicle with two bodies beside the pickup pulled off the narrow track. Mark had been visiting his wife in the hospital, and she was finally out of danger enough, he could go home and get some sleep.
Now, he complained to the investigative team, he didn't think he would be able to sleep at all. The pair was his former cook and handyman, that had been fired just that morning. It was pretty obvious they intended to come back and settle scores with the family.
They finally let Mark go.
The one veteran of the homicide squad asked the other, "did you believe him?" and the man shrugged. He didn't care to speculate.
Wayne had come to talk with Clora while she waited for surgery and Mark was in getting x-rayed and his rib problem taken care of.
"It has to happen Clora, you know that as well as we do." Wayne was leaning back in the chair, one leg casually crossed over the other. "Otherwise, you are going to lose your foot, and we are going to lose you."
Clora started to naturally protest, and then stop. It was true.
"As we sit here, Millie has already put the 're birth' of the Linderman/Donaldson/Hanson/Kallinoski tribe into gear. It was her opinion that Helga and Karl, and especially Helga won't cooperate and will have to be fired. And don't look at me that way. You're too kind hearted to do it, and where it comes as a shock right after everything that has happened is the best way. Tensions are already off kilter, and this way when they get right, everyone will be happy."
"I sure hope so," Clora was doubtful, but it had to be done.
"Mark has a guard on your room door, he expects Karl and Helga to be here soon after they are dismissed. Did you get here with the essentials?" Wayne was asking if Clora had her gun.
"Yes, when I had to put this skimpy little gown on, I folded my skirt carefully so it wouldn't fall out of the pocket, and it's in the belongings bag under the gurney."
Wayne ducked down to look and Clora was correct, all looked good.
"I go from surgery, to recovery and then up to a room. I really want Mark to be home and protect the children. Wayne, this could get to be a bad thing," Clora worried.
"We agree," Wayne was so different acting with Millie to back him up. Clora was pleased and had to tell him so. "With Pete/Ben gone from the picture, my worries are cut in half. I honestly didn't think Twila would cut and run so quickly, but Mark predicted she would before Ben even got cold. He sure was right."
"How long have you known he wasn't Ben?" Wayne was curious.
"About ten minutes after he showed up at Applewood. The cold made the face lift scars turn red because they were so new. They tried to do a good job in prepping him, but no, it was easy to tell."
"I figured it out when he had Twila come live with him, rather than get married. The old Ben wouldn't have considered that for a second." Wayne gave a huge sigh. "I'd sure like it if the old Ben was still around somewhere, and eventually come back to us; but that's wishful thinking, isn't it?"
"It seems so, there's nothing when I think of him, it's blank, so in the experience I have, I have to believe he has died. I hope some day we discover the reason for all this, and I hope it's a good one on account it going to make me very mad." Clora was calm but forceful.
Wayne put his finger to his lips in a quiet motion. There was a disturbance in the hall and a very strident and angry Kazakh accent was demanding to be let in Clora's room. The policeman refused and the nasty voice was escorted away by the backup guard.
"I've got to say I'm impressed," Wayne drawled. "That was a lot less time than I figured. So...how did they know where you are? You have to have some kind of a locator on you." he concluded.
"My phone maybe?" Clora guessed and passed it to Wayne.
"I'm taking this back to the hotel with me. They will think you have gone home." he smirked. "I bet they show up again."
"No bets," Clora was so tired her eyes drifted shut. There was another disturbance outside the room and the surgery attendants were there to take her upstairs.
"Hang tough Sis," Wayne smiled. "I need you to help me with Millie."
Clora nodded and smiled back, and they wheeled her out to the elevator.
Mark and Wayne stayed until Clora was back in her room. Carefully Mark used his bug finders to go over Clora's room and her and her clothes. The phone was definitely bugged and in her chemise in a bit of the bodice lace and embroidery, was another sewn in locator.
"I should have realized that was a possible place," Clora wanted to smack herself. "we even talked about sewing valuables to your clothes one time, I should have remembered." Mark took the two items to his pickup, as they would still give out the hospital location.
Clora was awake but full of pain medication; and as they left, Mark called and arranged for two more guards to come on duty. Clora was as secure as they could possibly leave her. She blew them a kiss and felt for her gun in the overbed tray. Thank you Lord, she prayed, keep my family safe.
Mark and Wayne stopped at the closest sporting goods store and loaded up on the necessary items Millie had requested and several additional, more lethal surprises.
Working at a run, the two men rightly surmised that Helga and Karl were more apt to come during supper because Mark would be there, and they broke all speed records to get there in time.
Right up to the time Helga and Karl knocked on the door for the meat fork, everything was going according to plan.
Mark was so coldly furious, he could hardly sit and eat. Helga and Karl were two of the most cold blooded assassins in the Eastern Block stable of ruthless killers. Warren had finally got all the safeguards placed against him by Wilson, lifted. Almost immediately, the information had come through, detailing Helga's history. Karl was a bit more shadowy, but no the less dangerous.
Helga was an accomplished acrobat, and every single one of the entanglements she caused were on purpose and designed to cripple or maim the clan. The one this morning was not as good as her usual performances, but Mark had watched as she deliberately added speed to her slip and fall.
Mark had moved his Glock, so Helga had a nice memento herself of the mishap with the bump on her head.. He hadn't intended to have his ribs broken, but that's what happened, so he would live with it.
The rest of the plan was Mark's alone. He wanted no witnesses, no other person to be complicit with what he intended to do. It was in his line of work and he was very good in his chosen field.
What ever Helga and Karl projected to do about being fired, Mark was sure it didn't include being killed as they pulled on their black clothes and picked up their silenced rifles. The locator told them Clora was in the hotel, and Mark shot them as they got ready for their midnight foray.
The deadly accurate shot between the eyes on both of them. Helga and Karl would bother them no more.
Mark called the State Police. He was coming home on a back road when he discovered a vehicle with two bodies beside the pickup pulled off the narrow track. Mark had been visiting his wife in the hospital, and she was finally out of danger enough, he could go home and get some sleep.
Now, he complained to the investigative team, he didn't think he would be able to sleep at all. The pair was his former cook and handyman, that had been fired just that morning. It was pretty obvious they intended to come back and settle scores with the family.
They finally let Mark go.
The one veteran of the homicide squad asked the other, "did you believe him?" and the man shrugged. He didn't care to speculate.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Very good Pac.
stjwelding
Veteran Member
Thanks Pac great chapter.
Wayne
Wayne
Siskiyoumom
Veteran Member
Crazy.......I am sad they turned out to be the really, really, bad guys. I bet the children knew something was up.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#259f
Right before the conflagration swept over the grocery store, Charles dashed in the back door and liberated all the money in the till. If he didn't it would just burn, he told himself. Setting off at ninety degrees to the rushing blaze, he listened to that crazy old woman scream for help. "No thank you," he said aloud, she wasn't his problem. He couldn't quite decide to stick to his timetable, or do something else. That was the fun in not being in a hurry, so many options.
It was a glorious homecoming for Clora. The children had found wild sunflowers and the hotel and her room were bright and cheery with the yellow and brown circles.
Clora came home to a well oiled set of machinery in operation. Kids were clean and happy, beans and rice in pots on the stove, Millie had flagged down one of the cars that had been cruising by and sold the huge white Holstein back to her original owner. He had noticed the cow when he had been going past yesterday, and was working up the courage to come and ask for her back. Because of sweet Millie, the man paid more than he sold the cow to the Lindermans. After all, she was in full production, Millie reminded him.
The small Jersey-Guernsey cross named Sweetie, that was left, gave the right amount of milk and a inch and a half of cream. Blossom got busy chewing inroads into the brush and blackberry tangles in the back yard, and Mark bought a pair of branch lopers and they cleared a path to the spring house.
Mark and Wayne spent many hours walking the backside of Mark's property, looking for a set of buildings that might be better than the hotel. They didn't find any and it was the middle of October.
They discussed and decided that their time was better spent crafting a barn and milking shed for Sweetie, to keep her out of the weather. So far, it had been a very open, mild fall. Perfect for Warren and whichever grandchild that was interested, to spend hours fishing in the boat he bought. There were bass, crappie and sunfish and a few perch, and the fishermen got first choice at supper time.
Lemmie and Hank came, they saw and they conquered. Fitting into the family like Helga and Karl had never been there, they did the work so Clora could recover and regain strength. Lemmie had more energy than five people and she kept the place hopping faster than Millie had.
It was seven days into October, and Millie had a secret. She told Wayne and got kissed very well. At supper that night, Millie told everybody. There was going to be a new Hanson, some time in May.
It took Warren's help as an attorney for Wayne and Mark to be paid the insurance claims on their places that burned. The nationally known company had been fussy about insuring the houses, and had taken many pictures to substantiate the buildings had been up to code. That was eventually their downfall, they had kept very good records. Then they paid. Mark took his money and upgraded the hotel for the winter and installed the nicest Home Comfort wood burning range he could find. More bathrooms were installed,
the suites downstairs each getting their own private accommodations, and two extra up stairs.
Mark bought wood, going to the Wilson clan for ten cord delivered as he and Wayne built a wood shed close to the kitchen door. A fancy new six burner electric stove graced Lemmie's kitchen and as soon as they upgraded the water lines and septic, a commercial sized dishwasher. The refrigerator was supplemented with the spring house holding the milk, and there was hay in the barn and food in the triple sized pantry. Hard work had brought them ready for winter, The security of food and wood and the huge wood burning cookstove brought tears to Clora's eyes as she thanked everyone for their help.
Mark bought two tables that would seat twelve each and fastened them together endwise. It was a happy day that they all put their feet under the same table and said grace.
It was Warren that used his time with the family to recuperate from his open heart surgery. Mark was never sure Warren recovered from leaving Gail that morning of the bombing in the senior center, as the man never willingly talked about her again.
Warren had been called on assignment in the wee hours of the morning and picked up in an official car and whisked away to a far corner of the world. It was two months before he learned she had been killed. The heart upset that caused, created the need for the open heart surgery, and Warren hadn't made up his mind to continue living when an off side remark from a superior, let him know Mark thought his father was dead.
"Your boy is one nasty dude," the friendly doctor had confided in Warren. "He came in here sick again from poisoning, and raised the roof and put a chunk of several of his superiors under the rafters. I don't know how you keep him under control. By the way, he thinks you perished in the bombing; didn't you ever get in contact with him?"
It was another month before Warren felt like contacting Mark. In Warren's business, he was slowly seeking out and eliminating those operatives that had sided with Wilson. It cost a lot of money to exact revenge and Warren went to the jeweler that held his collections and liquidated them. Once the roadblocks had been pushed aside from Wilson's meddling, Helga and Karl's information started coming in as requested. It was frustrating to know about them, and not be able to take them out.
By this time, Mark had been conscripted into forming a sniper team in the military, and he had to devote all his time to his mission. Warren did nothing to cause Mark to lose focus in his delicate situation. But neither man handled the waiting well.
When the mission ended, the father and son resumed the timetable for the removal of Karl and Helga. They hadn't planned for the burning of the town, but the opportunity was actually better that way.
It was the start of the second week in October that school started for the Linderman kids. They had to be bussed into South Carolina, as that was the closest school.
They missed opening day by a week, as all the official details had to be in place. The first day at school was a relief for everybody, and kids got off the bus that night with a high rate of chatter.
Lemmie had chocolate chip cookies and milk, and Clora listened to happy children.
"You'll never guess what Ma," Milo was an eleventh grader with a quick wit, accurate eye and a love of schooling. "the most perfect thing happened. Kathy, the girl I was going to the Sadie Hawkins dance with, is going to school where I do. She told me today there was only one guy in the world that was as tall and red headed as me. She saw me right away and came over to talk." Milo was pleased, and Clora smiled. He was out growing the 'boy' category with leaps and bounds. Mark had been teaching him to drive, and it really helped with moving people around to after school practices and events.
The school hooked Teddy and Tess up with the professor at the space center and computers at their school. It was always a competition and Teddy had to scramble to stay ahead of his four years younger sister.
Benny was singing and attending classes in diesel and auto repair, he couldn't decide which he liked better.
Clora had the time to personally tutor Robert, and he made a two grade leap the first two months of school. He was a tenth grader, and much happier with boys of his own age and ability. Gary, Lou and Sam all registered as Lindermans, growing up in mind and body.
Liz, Luke and John were four; all of them incredibly smart. Mark and Clora were faced with the problem of keeping them challenged and they had started talking about a special school for gifted children.
Joseph was almost one, and Clora kept him busy in 'school', as he showed the same ability for advanced learning as the rest of the children.
So many people complimented the Lindermans on their gifted children, and then in the same breath asked if they had seen 'such and such' on TV or video. Clora calmly shook her head no. The Lindermans didn't own a TV, but Clora didn't advertise the fact.
Life was good in the hotel turned house, until Lemmie's older sister came to visit. Joy was a retired, widowed school teacher, and there was a horrible name calling fight the first time Joy and Warren laid eyes on each other. They were adversaries from way back, although if they could have told you about it, they would have had to kill you for that knowledge. It became an armed camp.
Right before the conflagration swept over the grocery store, Charles dashed in the back door and liberated all the money in the till. If he didn't it would just burn, he told himself. Setting off at ninety degrees to the rushing blaze, he listened to that crazy old woman scream for help. "No thank you," he said aloud, she wasn't his problem. He couldn't quite decide to stick to his timetable, or do something else. That was the fun in not being in a hurry, so many options.
It was a glorious homecoming for Clora. The children had found wild sunflowers and the hotel and her room were bright and cheery with the yellow and brown circles.
Clora came home to a well oiled set of machinery in operation. Kids were clean and happy, beans and rice in pots on the stove, Millie had flagged down one of the cars that had been cruising by and sold the huge white Holstein back to her original owner. He had noticed the cow when he had been going past yesterday, and was working up the courage to come and ask for her back. Because of sweet Millie, the man paid more than he sold the cow to the Lindermans. After all, she was in full production, Millie reminded him.
The small Jersey-Guernsey cross named Sweetie, that was left, gave the right amount of milk and a inch and a half of cream. Blossom got busy chewing inroads into the brush and blackberry tangles in the back yard, and Mark bought a pair of branch lopers and they cleared a path to the spring house.
Mark and Wayne spent many hours walking the backside of Mark's property, looking for a set of buildings that might be better than the hotel. They didn't find any and it was the middle of October.
They discussed and decided that their time was better spent crafting a barn and milking shed for Sweetie, to keep her out of the weather. So far, it had been a very open, mild fall. Perfect for Warren and whichever grandchild that was interested, to spend hours fishing in the boat he bought. There were bass, crappie and sunfish and a few perch, and the fishermen got first choice at supper time.
Lemmie and Hank came, they saw and they conquered. Fitting into the family like Helga and Karl had never been there, they did the work so Clora could recover and regain strength. Lemmie had more energy than five people and she kept the place hopping faster than Millie had.
It was seven days into October, and Millie had a secret. She told Wayne and got kissed very well. At supper that night, Millie told everybody. There was going to be a new Hanson, some time in May.
It took Warren's help as an attorney for Wayne and Mark to be paid the insurance claims on their places that burned. The nationally known company had been fussy about insuring the houses, and had taken many pictures to substantiate the buildings had been up to code. That was eventually their downfall, they had kept very good records. Then they paid. Mark took his money and upgraded the hotel for the winter and installed the nicest Home Comfort wood burning range he could find. More bathrooms were installed,
the suites downstairs each getting their own private accommodations, and two extra up stairs.
Mark bought wood, going to the Wilson clan for ten cord delivered as he and Wayne built a wood shed close to the kitchen door. A fancy new six burner electric stove graced Lemmie's kitchen and as soon as they upgraded the water lines and septic, a commercial sized dishwasher. The refrigerator was supplemented with the spring house holding the milk, and there was hay in the barn and food in the triple sized pantry. Hard work had brought them ready for winter, The security of food and wood and the huge wood burning cookstove brought tears to Clora's eyes as she thanked everyone for their help.
Mark bought two tables that would seat twelve each and fastened them together endwise. It was a happy day that they all put their feet under the same table and said grace.
It was Warren that used his time with the family to recuperate from his open heart surgery. Mark was never sure Warren recovered from leaving Gail that morning of the bombing in the senior center, as the man never willingly talked about her again.
Warren had been called on assignment in the wee hours of the morning and picked up in an official car and whisked away to a far corner of the world. It was two months before he learned she had been killed. The heart upset that caused, created the need for the open heart surgery, and Warren hadn't made up his mind to continue living when an off side remark from a superior, let him know Mark thought his father was dead.
"Your boy is one nasty dude," the friendly doctor had confided in Warren. "He came in here sick again from poisoning, and raised the roof and put a chunk of several of his superiors under the rafters. I don't know how you keep him under control. By the way, he thinks you perished in the bombing; didn't you ever get in contact with him?"
It was another month before Warren felt like contacting Mark. In Warren's business, he was slowly seeking out and eliminating those operatives that had sided with Wilson. It cost a lot of money to exact revenge and Warren went to the jeweler that held his collections and liquidated them. Once the roadblocks had been pushed aside from Wilson's meddling, Helga and Karl's information started coming in as requested. It was frustrating to know about them, and not be able to take them out.
By this time, Mark had been conscripted into forming a sniper team in the military, and he had to devote all his time to his mission. Warren did nothing to cause Mark to lose focus in his delicate situation. But neither man handled the waiting well.
When the mission ended, the father and son resumed the timetable for the removal of Karl and Helga. They hadn't planned for the burning of the town, but the opportunity was actually better that way.
It was the start of the second week in October that school started for the Linderman kids. They had to be bussed into South Carolina, as that was the closest school.
They missed opening day by a week, as all the official details had to be in place. The first day at school was a relief for everybody, and kids got off the bus that night with a high rate of chatter.
Lemmie had chocolate chip cookies and milk, and Clora listened to happy children.
"You'll never guess what Ma," Milo was an eleventh grader with a quick wit, accurate eye and a love of schooling. "the most perfect thing happened. Kathy, the girl I was going to the Sadie Hawkins dance with, is going to school where I do. She told me today there was only one guy in the world that was as tall and red headed as me. She saw me right away and came over to talk." Milo was pleased, and Clora smiled. He was out growing the 'boy' category with leaps and bounds. Mark had been teaching him to drive, and it really helped with moving people around to after school practices and events.
The school hooked Teddy and Tess up with the professor at the space center and computers at their school. It was always a competition and Teddy had to scramble to stay ahead of his four years younger sister.
Benny was singing and attending classes in diesel and auto repair, he couldn't decide which he liked better.
Clora had the time to personally tutor Robert, and he made a two grade leap the first two months of school. He was a tenth grader, and much happier with boys of his own age and ability. Gary, Lou and Sam all registered as Lindermans, growing up in mind and body.
Liz, Luke and John were four; all of them incredibly smart. Mark and Clora were faced with the problem of keeping them challenged and they had started talking about a special school for gifted children.
Joseph was almost one, and Clora kept him busy in 'school', as he showed the same ability for advanced learning as the rest of the children.
So many people complimented the Lindermans on their gifted children, and then in the same breath asked if they had seen 'such and such' on TV or video. Clora calmly shook her head no. The Lindermans didn't own a TV, but Clora didn't advertise the fact.
Life was good in the hotel turned house, until Lemmie's older sister came to visit. Joy was a retired, widowed school teacher, and there was a horrible name calling fight the first time Joy and Warren laid eyes on each other. They were adversaries from way back, although if they could have told you about it, they would have had to kill you for that knowledge. It became an armed camp.
i never dreamed Helga's antics were deliberate! Certainly explains a great deal though. Wonderful writing - you are so gifted and we are all very fortunate you choose to share such a talent with us!
Thank you for all you've written for us - there's never a dull moment!!!
Russ
Thank you for all you've written for us - there's never a dull moment!!!
Russ
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Another rile in the family, time for Joy to go elsewhere I believe.
Texican
Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
Way to go Pac.... 
You inspire your readers with all of the emotions possible....
The surprises just keep coming and keep your readers on the front of our chairs....
So many chapters of enjoyment today....
Way to go Millie....
The threat from Carl & Helga gone....
Warren taking care of other threats....
Now the combo of Mark and Warren (son & father) will be awesome....
Clora and Mark are healing....
The kids are in full swing helping and going to school....
All of the family is functioning outstandingly in a new home that fits them all....
What more could we wish for????
Pac, I have no doubt that you will exceed our expectations....
Your belief and faith in God give us inspiration everyday.....
Thank you....
God bless you and yours....
Texican.....
You inspire your readers with all of the emotions possible....
The surprises just keep coming and keep your readers on the front of our chairs....
So many chapters of enjoyment today....
Way to go Millie....
The threat from Carl & Helga gone....
Warren taking care of other threats....
Now the combo of Mark and Warren (son & father) will be awesome....
Clora and Mark are healing....
The kids are in full swing helping and going to school....
All of the family is functioning outstandingly in a new home that fits them all....
What more could we wish for????
Pac, I have no doubt that you will exceed our expectations....
Your belief and faith in God give us inspiration everyday.....
Thank you....
God bless you and yours....
Texican.....
I think my "Wow!!!" "Just, Wow!!!" will have to become my standard, Mrs. Pac... Your Christian perspective, added to superb story telling, has no equal, that I'm aware of... You are my favorite living author, Ma'am. Thank-You, God Bless You and Yours...
Maranatha
OA
Maranatha
OA
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#260
Clora as her ankle healed, slowly grew stronger. She hadn't wanted to admit going through another Rheumatic Fever episode, if Mark wasn't there, she had to be the available parent. But rest, less stress and good food helped Clora's recovery.
Mark wouldn't have wanted to admit it, but he needed the restorative downtime as much as Clora. The last stint in the sniper corps had taken a lot out of him. The poisoning extracted a good portion of his health, and the worry over eliminating Karl and Helga so none of the family was hurt, accounted for buckets of stress.
Mark and Clora closed the hardware store accounts, filing the paperwork for the fire insurance claim, and painstakingly reconstructing the bank account balances to retrieve the money from the FDIC. It simply took time; no person in government or the insurance company wanted to be the one to sign off on the substantial checks. It took threats of a lawsuit to get the claims settled.
Mark grinned the day he had to go to the makeshift postoffice in town and pick up two registered letters. Mark and Clora took the insurance claim settlement for the store and subtracted fifty one percent, dividing the balance equally between Wayne and Toby.
Wayne and Millie were stunned to get the check. Wayne picked up the paper and waved it in the air, "Hey man, we never expected this. I mean....thank you!; but are you sure? This is one heck of a wad of money for a fourth."
"We're sure," Mark spoke for them both. "A deal is a deal." Mark had a settlement sheet and had Warren fix a statement that Wayne and Millie signed. He showed Wayne the same sheet and check for Toby. "I'm going to take this to them, I don't trust it going through the mail." Mark rubbed the back of his neck. "The only thing Clora and I would like to know, if you have any idea why Toby and Meg have cut us out of their life. We are very hurt and distressed over this."
Wayne looked at Millie, Millie looked at Wayne. "Ahh....., most of what we know is entirely circumstantial," Wayne tried to say something, without saying anything. "Most of it concerns......ahh, has to do with...ahh."
Mark finished the sentence. "TJ."
"Yeah," Wayne said with relief. "It sorta came out one day when they were having a shouting match in the store office. "TJ is a month younger than Claire." Wayne rushed the sentence out of his mouth, the implication that Toby had two ladies with child at the same time.
"We were aware of that," Mark said calmly. "Aware and disappointed as all get out. TJ is a great kid, we have adopted him and Toby prepared the papers, back dating the adoption to TJ's actual birth date. I don't get the problem with Meg. After all, Claire is by a different mother and Mandy had a different father, blended family's are much the norm these days."
"Toby got slapped with a paternity suit, as soon as his DNA went through the system. Interested people were looking for him." Wayne held up two fingers.
"What does that mean?" Mark asked, "Two ladies or two children?"
"It sounds like it was two ladies, and nothing was said about the number of children." Wayne hated the sorrowful look both Mark and Clora had. He and Millie had debated if they should tell Mark and Clora; and decided they wouldn't cover up any facts, if, they were asked. But only if they were asked.
"Oh my," Clora was looking out the window at nothing. "That makes my heart hurt."
"Is there more?" Mark asked, steeling himself because Wayne looked like he was keeping more information from them.
"Uh...well...yeah; when Meg was sick and took to her bed, she...uh...she had... an infection and gave it to Toby." Wayne thought this was one of the most difficult things he had ever had to do.
Mark and Clora looked and acted devastated at the news. Mark reached for Clora's hand and they held on tight.
"I've been all over the world and I realize these things happen, but Toby." Mark half whispered. "I had faith that he had the right mind set to avoid situations like this."
"He must not have been thinking with his mind," Clora was angry.
Wayne snorted. "Obviously," he said dryly.
Clora was shaking her head slowly. "No wonder he told Mark that we were not invited into their problems, I hope he feels deep shame."
"Not only shame, but a lot of money for child support. I can't figure out why he would do a DNA test if this was lurking in the background. He should have known there was a possibility," Mark was puzzled. "I certainly don't condone him skipping out, if he is proven to be the father."
"Well....he's already home free on one child because he got his parents to take over, so you might get ready for more." Wayne dropped the hints, but the couple looked so shocked, he wasn't sure they had heard. Mark heard.
"Oh my," Clora said again. "I'm having a hard time processing this."
"I was going to run this check to them tomorrow, now I think I need to think about this some more." Mark was troubled and heartsick, the same as Clora.
"Ya know, if I was you, I'd just send it." Wayne advised. "Save myself a boatload of unhappy."
Mark nodded. That was probably good advise. The way he was feeling right now, would have him tearing strips of Toby's hide. "Dang that kid, anyway." Mark spoke aloud. "I didn't expect that type of behavior from him. And then to act like such a shyster about it."
Mark's last sentence said it all. Nobody expected that kind of behavior from Toby.
It took three days for Mark and Clora to pray and then send the check by registered mail. Mark didn't want to be responsible for what he might say, if he saw Toby and Meg in person.
It wasn't but two days later, that Toby sent the check back. "I won't accept this," he had written on a post it note. "Send TJ to school." And he had sent the partnership agreement back with 'cancelled' in big red letters on it, signed by both he and Meg.
Mark and Clora had to hold each other for a long while, to swallow the lump in their throats."
"It was a week later that Clora was thinking about all their children, and asked Mark if Warren would look over the legality of all the adoptions. She was getting a bad feeling.
Clora as her ankle healed, slowly grew stronger. She hadn't wanted to admit going through another Rheumatic Fever episode, if Mark wasn't there, she had to be the available parent. But rest, less stress and good food helped Clora's recovery.
Mark wouldn't have wanted to admit it, but he needed the restorative downtime as much as Clora. The last stint in the sniper corps had taken a lot out of him. The poisoning extracted a good portion of his health, and the worry over eliminating Karl and Helga so none of the family was hurt, accounted for buckets of stress.
Mark and Clora closed the hardware store accounts, filing the paperwork for the fire insurance claim, and painstakingly reconstructing the bank account balances to retrieve the money from the FDIC. It simply took time; no person in government or the insurance company wanted to be the one to sign off on the substantial checks. It took threats of a lawsuit to get the claims settled.
Mark grinned the day he had to go to the makeshift postoffice in town and pick up two registered letters. Mark and Clora took the insurance claim settlement for the store and subtracted fifty one percent, dividing the balance equally between Wayne and Toby.
Wayne and Millie were stunned to get the check. Wayne picked up the paper and waved it in the air, "Hey man, we never expected this. I mean....thank you!; but are you sure? This is one heck of a wad of money for a fourth."
"We're sure," Mark spoke for them both. "A deal is a deal." Mark had a settlement sheet and had Warren fix a statement that Wayne and Millie signed. He showed Wayne the same sheet and check for Toby. "I'm going to take this to them, I don't trust it going through the mail." Mark rubbed the back of his neck. "The only thing Clora and I would like to know, if you have any idea why Toby and Meg have cut us out of their life. We are very hurt and distressed over this."
Wayne looked at Millie, Millie looked at Wayne. "Ahh....., most of what we know is entirely circumstantial," Wayne tried to say something, without saying anything. "Most of it concerns......ahh, has to do with...ahh."
Mark finished the sentence. "TJ."
"Yeah," Wayne said with relief. "It sorta came out one day when they were having a shouting match in the store office. "TJ is a month younger than Claire." Wayne rushed the sentence out of his mouth, the implication that Toby had two ladies with child at the same time.
"We were aware of that," Mark said calmly. "Aware and disappointed as all get out. TJ is a great kid, we have adopted him and Toby prepared the papers, back dating the adoption to TJ's actual birth date. I don't get the problem with Meg. After all, Claire is by a different mother and Mandy had a different father, blended family's are much the norm these days."
"Toby got slapped with a paternity suit, as soon as his DNA went through the system. Interested people were looking for him." Wayne held up two fingers.
"What does that mean?" Mark asked, "Two ladies or two children?"
"It sounds like it was two ladies, and nothing was said about the number of children." Wayne hated the sorrowful look both Mark and Clora had. He and Millie had debated if they should tell Mark and Clora; and decided they wouldn't cover up any facts, if, they were asked. But only if they were asked.
"Oh my," Clora was looking out the window at nothing. "That makes my heart hurt."
"Is there more?" Mark asked, steeling himself because Wayne looked like he was keeping more information from them.
"Uh...well...yeah; when Meg was sick and took to her bed, she...uh...she had... an infection and gave it to Toby." Wayne thought this was one of the most difficult things he had ever had to do.
Mark and Clora looked and acted devastated at the news. Mark reached for Clora's hand and they held on tight.
"I've been all over the world and I realize these things happen, but Toby." Mark half whispered. "I had faith that he had the right mind set to avoid situations like this."
"He must not have been thinking with his mind," Clora was angry.
Wayne snorted. "Obviously," he said dryly.
Clora was shaking her head slowly. "No wonder he told Mark that we were not invited into their problems, I hope he feels deep shame."
"Not only shame, but a lot of money for child support. I can't figure out why he would do a DNA test if this was lurking in the background. He should have known there was a possibility," Mark was puzzled. "I certainly don't condone him skipping out, if he is proven to be the father."
"Well....he's already home free on one child because he got his parents to take over, so you might get ready for more." Wayne dropped the hints, but the couple looked so shocked, he wasn't sure they had heard. Mark heard.
"Oh my," Clora said again. "I'm having a hard time processing this."
"I was going to run this check to them tomorrow, now I think I need to think about this some more." Mark was troubled and heartsick, the same as Clora.
"Ya know, if I was you, I'd just send it." Wayne advised. "Save myself a boatload of unhappy."
Mark nodded. That was probably good advise. The way he was feeling right now, would have him tearing strips of Toby's hide. "Dang that kid, anyway." Mark spoke aloud. "I didn't expect that type of behavior from him. And then to act like such a shyster about it."
Mark's last sentence said it all. Nobody expected that kind of behavior from Toby.
It took three days for Mark and Clora to pray and then send the check by registered mail. Mark didn't want to be responsible for what he might say, if he saw Toby and Meg in person.
It wasn't but two days later, that Toby sent the check back. "I won't accept this," he had written on a post it note. "Send TJ to school." And he had sent the partnership agreement back with 'cancelled' in big red letters on it, signed by both he and Meg.
Mark and Clora had to hold each other for a long while, to swallow the lump in their throats."
"It was a week later that Clora was thinking about all their children, and asked Mark if Warren would look over the legality of all the adoptions. She was getting a bad feeling.
Texican
Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
Now just what type of infection could Meg have given Toby????
Seems both have not been true and honest with each other....
Eeemmm, when Clora gets a feeling, people better pay attention and quickly....
And the hotel/home is working out for all.... And on a lake to boot....
Thanks Pac for saga....
Texican....
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#260b
"Yeah. I'll ask Dad; I can hear him out on the lake right now." Mark walked to the front door and listened for the 'put-put' of the little kicker motor.
"Something I've been thinking about," and Mark held the door open so Clora could walk out into the front parking lot. Then they walked to the edge of the road. "I'd like to get ecology blocks and put them about here," and he drew a line with his foot in the sandy gravel. "I'd like to have the protection against a car driving into the front of the hotel. Maybe we could get Hank to make a wooden box cover and have places for flowers, or something. They wouldn't look as ugly that way."
"Sounds like a good solution, how are you going to keep the blocks from skidding across the gravel if they're hit?"
"Right now, I'm thinking a concrete base in the ground. They're heavy, at least 1500 pounds a piece, but a car carries a lot of force if they were hit. I'm about convinced that we need them here right away, the rest of it can come next Spring." Mark was pacing off the length he wanted protected, using a three foot rule of thumb to each stride he was taking.
"I think I'm going to take a portion of the money that Toby sent back and order the blocks tomorrow." Mark had his rough estimate, and pulled his pocket note book out and wrote the numbers.
"Mark, that's a question I've wanted to ask. Is Toby's sending the money back; good or bad? Is that a refusal to have anything to do with us, or an acknowledgement he needs to take responsibility for TJ's well being?"
"For the life of me, I can't answer that Clora." Mark drove his fingers through his hair in frustration. "Before all this information came to light, I would have said it was responsibility. Now, I don't know. I just never thought Toby would act this way."
"I'm clueless," Clora admitted. "Disgusted and heartsick. And that's another thing, what in the blazes is going on between your Dad and Joy?"
Mark took Clora's arm and they walked across the road to the old bench by the path to the lake. "I'm guessing it's a bit of professional jealousy and one-upmanship. I have to believe each thinks the other was put here to do an evaluation on their abilities to work for the 'business.' One thing about it, they sure strike sparks, don't they? I thought when people got older, they got more mellow."
"The kids have asked about it, and you know it's very apparent when Gary and Lou ask what's going on. To change the subject for a moment, are you satisfied with Lemmie and Hank and their work?" Clora looked out across the lake.
"I am, have you noticed a problem?"
"No, I was wondering if we should offer them a raise? They have settled in and done wonders." Clora was appreciative of the couple's work.
"Probably should, what are you thinking, another dollar an hour apiece?" Mark was thinking ahead.
"Yes."
"Tell me, how is your ankle feeling? Any problems?" Mark could hear a car coming and he moved so his gun hand was free. It was just habit, to be ready for anything that might happen
It was Bill, the other part time Deputy, driving by to check on Lemmie and Hank.
"It's about the time Lemmie bakes cookies for the after school snack." Clora whispered. "Bill likes cookies." They watched the Deputy wave and go inside the hotel.
Mark chuckled. "Clora, do you think Wayne and Millie will stay, now that they have the store money?"
Clora lifted both hands up and let them fall back in her lap. She shrugged and said, "no idea. I haven't seen any evidence of problems or dissatisfaction, and they did finish the remodeling of their apartment. I wish I could go up and see it."
"You know what the Doctor said, the more you stay off it, the quicker it will mend." Mark put his arm around Clora and tugged at a lock of her hair.
"I know, but there's a certain amount of walking necessary here. My ankle feels better. There was something wrong with that first repair, it hurt constantly and I could never get any relief. Mark, have you been in the basement here? Is it useable as a tornado shelter? We haven't put anything together since we've been here for tornado supplies, and I'm thinking we should."
"I'd say it's acceptable. I've never looked through the whole thing, only went as far as the kitchen sink drain when we had to replace that."
"OK, and what about a couple of items for the Kubota. Like one of those bush hog mowers for the back yard and a rotovator for garden work."
" Certainly doable," Mark agreed, "and probably a good idea. Where did you get that idea from?"
"The machinery paper that Benny brings home. It's got all sorts of nifty machines listed for sale." Clora was chuckling. "Benny was pitching both, claimed they would be a real time saver. He sure is interested in anything mechanical, and I think the rotovator might be the starting point for a money making business scheme he is cooking up."
"More power to him," Mark approved. "He's a real self starter. I think we can probably make that happen."
Bill came out of the house with full looking cheeks and a couple of cookies in his hand. He waved and drove on to complete his patrol.
"Do you know Clora, except for Helga and Karl, it's been more than a year since we've had......"
Clora put her finger on his lips. "We don't say those words out loud," she whispered. "That's a bad jinx."
The bus pulled up to a stop and let off the rambunctious Linderman kids and mailman pulled up right behind the bus. He put letters in the box and waved. "It was a good thing, coming here to North Carolina," Mark helped Clora up. "This is a good place."
Clora agreed.
"Yeah. I'll ask Dad; I can hear him out on the lake right now." Mark walked to the front door and listened for the 'put-put' of the little kicker motor.
"Something I've been thinking about," and Mark held the door open so Clora could walk out into the front parking lot. Then they walked to the edge of the road. "I'd like to get ecology blocks and put them about here," and he drew a line with his foot in the sandy gravel. "I'd like to have the protection against a car driving into the front of the hotel. Maybe we could get Hank to make a wooden box cover and have places for flowers, or something. They wouldn't look as ugly that way."
"Sounds like a good solution, how are you going to keep the blocks from skidding across the gravel if they're hit?"
"Right now, I'm thinking a concrete base in the ground. They're heavy, at least 1500 pounds a piece, but a car carries a lot of force if they were hit. I'm about convinced that we need them here right away, the rest of it can come next Spring." Mark was pacing off the length he wanted protected, using a three foot rule of thumb to each stride he was taking.
"I think I'm going to take a portion of the money that Toby sent back and order the blocks tomorrow." Mark had his rough estimate, and pulled his pocket note book out and wrote the numbers.
"Mark, that's a question I've wanted to ask. Is Toby's sending the money back; good or bad? Is that a refusal to have anything to do with us, or an acknowledgement he needs to take responsibility for TJ's well being?"
"For the life of me, I can't answer that Clora." Mark drove his fingers through his hair in frustration. "Before all this information came to light, I would have said it was responsibility. Now, I don't know. I just never thought Toby would act this way."
"I'm clueless," Clora admitted. "Disgusted and heartsick. And that's another thing, what in the blazes is going on between your Dad and Joy?"
Mark took Clora's arm and they walked across the road to the old bench by the path to the lake. "I'm guessing it's a bit of professional jealousy and one-upmanship. I have to believe each thinks the other was put here to do an evaluation on their abilities to work for the 'business.' One thing about it, they sure strike sparks, don't they? I thought when people got older, they got more mellow."
"The kids have asked about it, and you know it's very apparent when Gary and Lou ask what's going on. To change the subject for a moment, are you satisfied with Lemmie and Hank and their work?" Clora looked out across the lake.
"I am, have you noticed a problem?"
"No, I was wondering if we should offer them a raise? They have settled in and done wonders." Clora was appreciative of the couple's work.
"Probably should, what are you thinking, another dollar an hour apiece?" Mark was thinking ahead.
"Yes."
"Tell me, how is your ankle feeling? Any problems?" Mark could hear a car coming and he moved so his gun hand was free. It was just habit, to be ready for anything that might happen
It was Bill, the other part time Deputy, driving by to check on Lemmie and Hank.
"It's about the time Lemmie bakes cookies for the after school snack." Clora whispered. "Bill likes cookies." They watched the Deputy wave and go inside the hotel.
Mark chuckled. "Clora, do you think Wayne and Millie will stay, now that they have the store money?"
Clora lifted both hands up and let them fall back in her lap. She shrugged and said, "no idea. I haven't seen any evidence of problems or dissatisfaction, and they did finish the remodeling of their apartment. I wish I could go up and see it."
"You know what the Doctor said, the more you stay off it, the quicker it will mend." Mark put his arm around Clora and tugged at a lock of her hair.
"I know, but there's a certain amount of walking necessary here. My ankle feels better. There was something wrong with that first repair, it hurt constantly and I could never get any relief. Mark, have you been in the basement here? Is it useable as a tornado shelter? We haven't put anything together since we've been here for tornado supplies, and I'm thinking we should."
"I'd say it's acceptable. I've never looked through the whole thing, only went as far as the kitchen sink drain when we had to replace that."
"OK, and what about a couple of items for the Kubota. Like one of those bush hog mowers for the back yard and a rotovator for garden work."
" Certainly doable," Mark agreed, "and probably a good idea. Where did you get that idea from?"
"The machinery paper that Benny brings home. It's got all sorts of nifty machines listed for sale." Clora was chuckling. "Benny was pitching both, claimed they would be a real time saver. He sure is interested in anything mechanical, and I think the rotovator might be the starting point for a money making business scheme he is cooking up."
"More power to him," Mark approved. "He's a real self starter. I think we can probably make that happen."
Bill came out of the house with full looking cheeks and a couple of cookies in his hand. He waved and drove on to complete his patrol.
"Do you know Clora, except for Helga and Karl, it's been more than a year since we've had......"
Clora put her finger on his lips. "We don't say those words out loud," she whispered. "That's a bad jinx."
The bus pulled up to a stop and let off the rambunctious Linderman kids and mailman pulled up right behind the bus. He put letters in the box and waved. "It was a good thing, coming here to North Carolina," Mark helped Clora up. "This is a good place."
Clora agreed.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
thank you dear lady.PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#260c
The warm happy feel good atmosphere lasted until Mark and Clora got to the mailbox. The crudely printed death threat, had Clora looking over her shoulder for attackers lurking in the shadows. The note said... you are going to die for what you did to my family...it was signed, Sincerely Charles.
They both read it several times and Mark turned the envelope over to make certain the letter was intended for them. Quietly, he refolded the paper and put it in his vest pocket.
Clora sighed hard. "I just knew this was too good to be true. I think this is the first time we've gotten a note, however."
"One is one too many," Mark growled, his eyes hard and flat. "Now we have to figure out who Charles is. Any guesses?"
"No, over the years how many people named Charles might we come in contact with. A Father, brother, Uncle, nephew, cousin? Although I would think the flood might have limited the search to a person from about here. That's all I can come up with." Clora reached in Mark's pocket to touch the envelope, "there's a lot of evil feeling about the paper, so I'm guessing it's real, and not a prank."
Frustrated, Mark grabbed his fingers together and popped his knuckles.
"Oh, that sounds so bad," Clora shuddered. A shiver ghosted over her, something that hadn't happened for a long time. "Humm, is that a bad omen," she asked and Mark shrugged his shoulders.
The sound of Warren's boat grew louder and he coasted into the dock. Cutting the engine, he reached to tie up the small skiff. A heavy string of fish landed on the old weathered boards, and Warren reached for the hand rail and climbed out.
Warren smiled at Mark and Clora, and gave the hotel a sour frown. 'That' woman's car was still parked in the lot; and Warren had been hoping she had gotten bored and left. He was really having rotten luck getting rid of her. He might have to go out fishing again, just to get away from her.
As his father walked across the graveled road, Mark chuckled and that got him a sharp glare.
"Well it's not like I couldn't read your face," he offered. "Why don't you go get a bottle of wine and get her drunk? Maybe you need common ground, or a common enemy."
"You're not helpful," Warren grumped. "It would be my luck that she'd outdrink me. Then all I'd have would be a headache. No, then I'd have two of them."
That really did make Mark laugh. "Seriously Dad, we have a problem," and he pulled the letter from his pocket. Warren handed the string of fish to Mark to hold, and Clora tried to move them out of the middle of the road.
"It's not brilliant to stand in the middle of the road, no wonder I have so much trouble with the triplets. Dad and Grandpa do it."
Warren went to lean against his parked Range Rover. "Chicken hearted bastard," he said roughly as he tapped the paper with his fingers. "The lowest form of harassment there is."
Warren and Mark stood together and decoded the letter, looking at the slant of the letters, their shape and pencil pressure.
Clora went slowly inside, where the loud and noisy Lindermans were having cookies with the triplets and Joe. Joe tried hard to run in the herd with his youngest cousins, and they and Sam always made sure he was in the thick of the action. Joe didn't act one, he acted and talked like he was three. A long thin child, he was like a miniature Wayne, and the apple of his daddy's eye.
Millie and Wayne sat in the living room side of the over large lobby, holding hands and watching their oldest, wade into the battle for another cookie. "Hey Joe," Wayne used his stage whisper, "bring me one."
Joe looked up and grinned and when he came out on the other side, he had two cookies.
"Good work," Wayne praised and took a big bite of the cookie he was offered. Joe laughed, He had the same gravelly deep voice as Wayne.
"What if the new baby is a girl and she has a laugh like that?" Millie teased.
"We'll teach her to smile, when she brings Dad cookies," Wayne didn't miss a beat, "She'll be pretty like her Ma." he said confidently.
After supper, Mark got Wayne aside and showed him the paper. "Clora says it's a serious thing, and I want you to know if you feel threatened, we wouldn't hold you to staying here."
Joy hustled over to see what they were talking about and snatched the paper from Mark's fingers. "Huh, it doesn't specify which family, how do you know it wasn't meant for all of you?"
"Get your hands off that," Warren snarled, "your the rudest damn woman I've ever seen, walk up and tear a private message out of a guy's hand. Shame." He walked to Mark and Wayne, intending to intimidate and threaten Joy.
"You can have it back," Joy said sweetly, "I'm done reading it." and she smirked at Warren. He had his eyes narrowed and a mean look on his face.
For their own protection, Mark and Wayne moved back out of the direct line of fire, not intending to become a casualty.
Later that night as they were getting ready for bed, Clora whispered in Mark's ear. He looked astonished and shook his head no.
Clora nodded wisely. "I think that's what's happening, she likes him."
"Impossible," Mark defended his father, and Clora laughed a warm, rich sound. She knew better.
The warm happy feel good atmosphere lasted until Mark and Clora got to the mailbox. The crudely printed death threat, had Clora looking over her shoulder for attackers lurking in the shadows. The note said... you are going to die for what you did to my family...it was signed, Sincerely Charles.
They both read it several times and Mark turned the envelope over to make certain the letter was intended for them. Quietly, he refolded the paper and put it in his vest pocket.
Clora sighed hard. "I just knew this was too good to be true. I think this is the first time we've gotten a note, however."
"One is one too many," Mark growled, his eyes hard and flat. "Now we have to figure out who Charles is. Any guesses?"
"No, over the years how many people named Charles might we come in contact with. A Father, brother, Uncle, nephew, cousin? Although I would think the flood might have limited the search to a person from about here. That's all I can come up with." Clora reached in Mark's pocket to touch the envelope, "there's a lot of evil feeling about the paper, so I'm guessing it's real, and not a prank."
Frustrated, Mark grabbed his fingers together and popped his knuckles.
"Oh, that sounds so bad," Clora shuddered. A shiver ghosted over her, something that hadn't happened for a long time. "Humm, is that a bad omen," she asked and Mark shrugged his shoulders.
The sound of Warren's boat grew louder and he coasted into the dock. Cutting the engine, he reached to tie up the small skiff. A heavy string of fish landed on the old weathered boards, and Warren reached for the hand rail and climbed out.
Warren smiled at Mark and Clora, and gave the hotel a sour frown. 'That' woman's car was still parked in the lot; and Warren had been hoping she had gotten bored and left. He was really having rotten luck getting rid of her. He might have to go out fishing again, just to get away from her.
As his father walked across the graveled road, Mark chuckled and that got him a sharp glare.
"Well it's not like I couldn't read your face," he offered. "Why don't you go get a bottle of wine and get her drunk? Maybe you need common ground, or a common enemy."
"You're not helpful," Warren grumped. "It would be my luck that she'd outdrink me. Then all I'd have would be a headache. No, then I'd have two of them."
That really did make Mark laugh. "Seriously Dad, we have a problem," and he pulled the letter from his pocket. Warren handed the string of fish to Mark to hold, and Clora tried to move them out of the middle of the road.
"It's not brilliant to stand in the middle of the road, no wonder I have so much trouble with the triplets. Dad and Grandpa do it."
Warren went to lean against his parked Range Rover. "Chicken hearted bastard," he said roughly as he tapped the paper with his fingers. "The lowest form of harassment there is."
Warren and Mark stood together and decoded the letter, looking at the slant of the letters, their shape and pencil pressure.
Clora went slowly inside, where the loud and noisy Lindermans were having cookies with the triplets and Joe. Joe tried hard to run in the herd with his youngest cousins, and they and Sam always made sure he was in the thick of the action. Joe didn't act one, he acted and talked like he was three. A long thin child, he was like a miniature Wayne, and the apple of his daddy's eye.
Millie and Wayne sat in the living room side of the over large lobby, holding hands and watching their oldest, wade into the battle for another cookie. "Hey Joe," Wayne used his stage whisper, "bring me one."
Joe looked up and grinned and when he came out on the other side, he had two cookies.
"Good work," Wayne praised and took a big bite of the cookie he was offered. Joe laughed, He had the same gravelly deep voice as Wayne.
"What if the new baby is a girl and she has a laugh like that?" Millie teased.
"We'll teach her to smile, when she brings Dad cookies," Wayne didn't miss a beat, "She'll be pretty like her Ma." he said confidently.
After supper, Mark got Wayne aside and showed him the paper. "Clora says it's a serious thing, and I want you to know if you feel threatened, we wouldn't hold you to staying here."
Joy hustled over to see what they were talking about and snatched the paper from Mark's fingers. "Huh, it doesn't specify which family, how do you know it wasn't meant for all of you?"
"Get your hands off that," Warren snarled, "your the rudest damn woman I've ever seen, walk up and tear a private message out of a guy's hand. Shame." He walked to Mark and Wayne, intending to intimidate and threaten Joy.
"You can have it back," Joy said sweetly, "I'm done reading it." and she smirked at Warren. He had his eyes narrowed and a mean look on his face.
For their own protection, Mark and Wayne moved back out of the direct line of fire, not intending to become a casualty.
Later that night as they were getting ready for bed, Clora whispered in Mark's ear. He looked astonished and shook his head no.
Clora nodded wisely. "I think that's what's happening, she likes him."
"Impossible," Mark defended his father, and Clora laughed a warm, rich sound. She knew better.
stjwelding
Veteran Member
Thanks for the new chapters Pac. Very Vary Good!!!
Wayne
Wayne
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Crap Charles is going to play games 
.
.
Nature_Lover
Wait! What?
Thank you Pac!
I'm pretty sure Charles was the guy who talked to the truck driver who had moved them to their current town.
Then he worked for the grocery store until it burned down, he had cuts on his legs from the explosions, and took till money before the store burned. I have no idea who his family was.
I'm pretty sure Charles was the guy who talked to the truck driver who had moved them to their current town.
Then he worked for the grocery store until it burned down, he had cuts on his legs from the explosions, and took till money before the store burned. I have no idea who his family was.