Chapter 14 Cam #2
“Thanks,” said Cam. “I could use a full night’s sleep in an actual bed.
” There’d been little sleep his last night in a bed.
The image of Lissa and their lovemaking flashed through his mind.
He shook his head to clear it, his gaze resting on a stove much like the one he and Lissa had installed, which heated the cozy guard station.
He sighed. A wave of homesickness for her and her place rushed over him.
Walker poured Cam a cup of hot tea and set it on the table. “Take a load off.”
He dropped his pack in the corner and sat, propping his sore foot on another chair. Sergeant Walker stirred something on the stove and pulled out a pair of bowls and spoons. Whatever he was cooking smelled delicious.
Cam’s stomach gurgled. “What have I missed? Lots can happen in two months.”
The sergeant turned. “As expected, Christopher Winters is the new mayor. He’s perceptive and has worked with the different factions, smoothing out some of the hard feelings stirred up by the campaign.
” Walker shot Cam a look. “The former mayor and your brothers haven’t been seen since, choosing to stay underground in their bunker.
I suspect it’ll be spring before they emerge. ”
Cam exhaled heavily. That was one less immediate concern. He’d seek them out, but should have time to do it on his terms. “And the Clarks?”
Kory nodded, an expression of satisfaction on his face.
“They moved into a bunker the day after you left. They’ve been a great fit, and assets to the community.
The old couple have already made several notes on how we can improve our food production next year and have a full list of buyers for piglets to raise next spring. ”
That was a relief. “Have the Slains come looking for them?”
Walker shook his head. “But I’m sure their leaders know the family’s here.”
Cam nodded. “Has anyone else gone missing?”
“Just you. But now you’re back. I still need to call the captain and let him know you’ve returned. I expect he’ll want a full report about what you saw outside.”
Cam nodded, unsurprised. That was standard procedure.
Walker crossed the room and picked up a walkie-talkie. “Outpost to Wilson. Over.”
A crackling sound emerged, then words. “Wilson here, Outpost. Over.”
“Cam Montgomery just returned. Should I send him on? Over.” Kory looked at Cam and grinned, almost baring his teeth. He shook his head. As if the captain would insist on a night like this.
“With the storm coming, keep him there tonight. I’ll drive out in the morning with the next shift. He can ride in with us. Over.”
Wilson’s orders made sense, even if Cam would have preferred his own bed tonight to the bunkhouse. Neither bed would have Lissa, so it didn’t matter.
Walker dished up stew, setting two steaming bowls on the table.
Cam sat at the rectangular table in the main room, which served as an office, a kitchen, and a dining area for whoever was stationed here.
The Outpost had been well-outfitted to keep the duty from being onerous, and the bunkhouse also had a stove and would be fine for overnight.
The buildings, barrier, and gate were recent additions as part of xTerra’s security.
His hands tingled in the warmth. He leaned forward, spooning in chunks of venison, carrots, and potatoes.
“What happened out there?” said Walker as they settled in at the table. The tall man handed Cam a plate with fresh bread, the smell making Cam’s stomach growl again. He’d skipped lunch and pushed hard to make it this far. Grabbing a chunk, he slathered it with butter. He sighed at the first bite.
While he would explain to the captain, he didn’t mind sharing the short version with Walker. “I fractured my foot and had to hole up while it healed. I was near Fort Robinson, Nebraska.” For now, he left Lissa out of the story.
“Any trouble with the Slains down there, or their allies?” Walker sat across the table, shoveling in his dinner.
Cam shook his head. “Not there. Though they had a temporary hunting camp when I arrived. I stayed out of the way, and they left a few days later. Nothing special.” He shrugged.
His first meeting with Lissa flashed through his mind.
She couldn’t be dislodged from his thoughts.
“More encounters over the last few days.”
“Your foot must be killing you after snowshoeing back. Make sure you check in with Medical tomorrow.”
The windows rattled with a strong blast of wind.
“Like I said, just in time,” said Sergeant Walker.
***
“You’re right,” said Luke Wilson. “The Slains’ presence is a problem we have to deal with, sooner rather than later.
We think they’ve stationed themselves on the roads in all directions to prevent anyone else from joining us.
Come spring, or next summer at the latest, we’re going to push them out.
I’m glad you’ve returned. We need another steady hand like yours, and I’d like to offer you a promotion.
We’ve elevated Walker to lieutenant and promoted three others to sergeant. You’d make four.”
Cam nodded. “If it isn’t a problem, I’d like to be stationed out here on a semi-permanent basis this winter.
After spending so much time out of xTerra, I’d prefer the quiet.
” At least here there would always be one other person.
At home, even in his downtime, he’d be alone and would dwell on wishing he were elsewhere.
Wilson nodded with an easy smile. He glanced at Walker, who also nodded.
“Sounds good. Kory will be relieved. His wife is expecting again, and I’m sure he’d rather be home with his family more often.
Plus, we want to keep someone senior out here in case the situation heats up.
Based on your information, we’ll station a few more people out here so they can’t overwhelm the gate.
” He hesitated. “I understand you want to clear the air with your mother as well.”
Cam shrugged. “I don’t have high hopes, but it’s important to try.
Give me three days in xTerra, then consider this my post for the rest of the winter.
We can re-evaluate in the spring.” He wanted to get the next part off his chest. He exhaled.
“Once we’ve done what we can next year to push the Slains back, I plan to return to Nebraska. I met someone.”