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Kennedy…
Mr. Johnson came onto the porch where Kennedy was curled up, reading a book on her phone. “I was glad to hear that everything was fine with the baby. Have you told the other fathers yet?” He sat down in his favorite rocking chair.
“Not yet. They’ve been a little hard to reach. Jeremiah sent me a weird, cryptic message about Wolf jewelry and the Wolves as a group. Their community never agrees on anything.”
“Bears don’t do much better.”
“David’s been demoted to tracking with a tween named Blossom.”
The man chuckled. “That can’t feel good.” He settled his elbows on his knees and steepled his fingers. “I want you to know that no matter what happens, you and your men are welcome here. Terry has a gift with livestock. He is wasted in town tending to cats and goldfish.”
Kennedy grinned. “I’m not sure he handles fish.” She placed her phone upside down on her lap. “He catches them and eats them, but I don’t think that counts.” Kennedy hesitated. “Thank you for giving us a safe place to stay.” She dampened her lips. “Are you about to say that we have overstayed our welcome?”
“No. We like you right good enough, but the further along you get, the more likely you will want to feel like you are at home.” The smile he offered her was kind. “Or… that’s the way our wife has always been.”
“Your family couldn’t have made us more welcome.”
“I got wind that some things were going on down at Terry’s family cabin.”
“Has there been more trouble?”
He reached over and gave her arm a pat. “The exact opposite, and I thought you might want to know. I’d hoped the two of you would swing over there today on your own when you went into town.” He rocked back in his chair and the board under one runner creaked. “Now, I might ruin a surprise. But it’s not that far. I wanted to tell you first before I spoke to Terry to get a feel for how you’d want to handle things.”
“Just tell me.”
“That tall, rangy fellow with the red sprung hair. Your man that got hurt so bad. He and some of his friends are fixing the barn on Terry’s property.”
A flush of surprise and joy flooded through her. She’d assumed the barn had burned to the ground with the cabin. “How in the hell is he doing that?” She clapped her hand over her mouth and mumbled an apologetic, “Sorry.”
“I don’t have all the details, but I thought maybe you and Terry should set aside your chores and drive down there tomorrow.” He gave a shrug and sat back in his rocker. “It might cheer up your man. He’s been fretting about David and Jeremiah.”
“He’s been worried about Red, too. We tried to go visit him yesterday when I went for my checkup, but nobody was at their place. I didn’t think to drive up to the cabin.”
“Maybe you should.”
*
Kennedy had shoved Terry into the truck just after sunrise. Her curiosity was driving her crazy, and Red would not answer his damn phone. She’d had trouble going to sleep the night before. That Red felt good enough to work on the barn was a huge leap forward. The stubborn goat of a man had been surly and ignoring them since Jeremiah dropped him off at their mom’s house. Jeremiah’s mom hated technology. If Kennedy wanted to hear from her, she was going to have to write her a letter.
Terry was pouting next to her, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. He hadn’t wanted to leave his projects today at the farm, but when she’d told him she’d just drive her self down, he’d put on his nice boots. He’d been grumbling the entire drive. Silent and sullen, he hadn’t even let her put on the radio for the duration of the trip. The farm was close to Buck’s gap at the edge of the Bear territory. Doc Terry was making it pretty clear two trips into town in one week wasn’t to his liking.
“Maybe your mom will bake us cookies.”
He slanted his gaze at Kennedy and scowled. In response, she folded her arms across her chest. Kennedy knew how to be stubborn and grumpy right back. If Mr. Ted was right, he was going to be glad they went down.
*
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Red…
Red whistled to get the attention of the roofers laying down the new tin roof. “What do you need?”
“Another extension cord. I’m at the end of mine.”
That he could manage. Red limped toward the gathered pile of supplies people had brought. Ladders and nail guns, extension cords. He’d tried to thank everyone yesterday when they stopped for lunch, but he just couldn’t get the words out.
Ma had put her hand on his arm, and said, “We just want to thank all of y’all for your generosity and kindness. Any baby would be lucky to be in a shelter brought back together by so many kind hands.” A whoop had risen from the gathered folks. Red’s rock heart had felt hot in his chest with gratitude. When wetness gathered in his eyes, he’d blamed it on sawdust and turned from the group to give himself a moment to compose himself.
Red bent down and his body erupted in unpleasant opinions about that motion. He scooped two of the extension cords and took them to the bucket. Hand over hand, the men on the roof drew the supplies up to the roof. “That’ll do.”
A loud creak sounded down the drive and he stepped out to look. Pierson’s sons came around the curve in their old solid pickup, pulling an ancient travel trailer behind them. Her sway bars squealing. Red stepped out into the grass, shading his eyes. “What the hell?”
Windows rolled down, they waved to him. “We would not let you go without a shitter while you protect the half wild mother you’re watching over.” They pulled to a stop and fell out of the truck, laughing. “We had to dig her out of the weeds at Dad’s old property.” He struck the side of the metal shell with the flat of his hand. “We used to spend weekends at the lake in this old girl.”
The older brother said, “We grabbed her a new battery from the shop, and she seems to take power okay.” His brother looped his arm around him. “We haven’t tested the water yet, but we brought a hose. Your ma said that there was still a spigot behind the ashes that we could try.”
The younger brother teased, “If all you are going to do is stand there with your mouth open, we could take it back?”
“No, thank you. We will get it back to you as soon as we can.”
“This old tin can? We don’t want it.” He slapped his brother on the back. “Dad would want you to have it, anyway. It would make him smile.”
“So, which way do you want us to turn it? Do you have a view preference?”
The younger brother swung open the passenger side door. “Best that you get in and tell him where to put it. He never listens to me.”
“I’ll tell you where to put it.” He smirked at his little brother.
*
Kennedy…
She’d given up trying to talk to Terry, put on her head phones, and was singing and waggling her head to music he couldn’t hear. She did not care if she was in tune or not. The grumpy butt head next to her was going to get a happy surprise whether he wanted one or not.
Kennedy bounced in the seat as Terry seemed to aim for every single pothole in the long drive. When Kennedy saw the cars in the grass, she turned to look where they had come from. “Did you take a wrong turn?”
Terry’s eyes had gone big. “No.” He pushed down on the pedal and picked up a little speed, coming around the corner into the line of sight of the house.
Kennedy’s mouth dropped open. People were everywhere. A handful of them were swinging hammers on top of the barn. A brand new tin room gleamed silver in the sun. Bright and flashing as a school of sardines. “What in the hell?”
Along the ridge where the cabin used to be sat a tatty old travel trailer that looked like it had been taken on a lot of fishing adventures. She’d avoided seeing pictures of the ash and damage from the fire, afraid the wave of guilt would overwhelm her. How had the antique travel trailer gotten there? Who dared to put some skanky old trailer on Terry’s property?
Face open with shock and surprise, he pointed to a woman dragging a pot of blooming pansies as large as she was up to the front door. It was his mom, and her hair was brushed, her thick braid back to resting on her shoulders. A second planter sat in the back of one truck. Kennedy asked, “Who are these people?”
Standing next to the electric pole, beside a short wide man wearing an electrician’s belt, was Terry’s vet tech. She waved merrily at them and trotted toward the truck as Terry pulled into the grass.
“I was hoping you two would show up.” She threw her arms around him and gave him a bear hug when he rolled out of the driver’s side. “I like the new vet.” She patted his chest. “But she’s not you.” She tugged him forward. “Come see what is being done. It’s kind of amazing.”
“Who are these people?” Kennedy asked. The vet tech looped her arm through hers. “Friends of the fathers.” She squeezed her arm. “And yours.”
“But… I made such a horrible mess of things. Why would you do this for us?”
“Babies are always wanted, Kennedy. Happy thoughts about their arrival brings joy to the entire community.” She pulled them toward the barn. “Red should be the one to show you around. He has been here for two days.”
Kennedy hesitated. She didn’t know what to expect. The last time she had seen him, he could not sit up. On the ridge of the property, Red turned toward them with a two by four balanced on his shoulder.
“God damn bears,” Kennedy whispered.
“What?” the vet tech asked.
“Nothing.” She squeezed Terry’s hand and then headed toward Red, whose eyes were widening. He handed his board to the man beside him and turned toward her. Picking up her speed to a trot, when she reached him, she slid her arms around him and hugged him as tightly as she dared. Kennedy pressed her cheek against his chest. There was a long pause. She held her breath until his arms came around her, cradling her.
Terry joined them and reached out to place his hand on Red’s shoulder. “Brother.” He nodded his approval.
Kennedy whispered against his chest, “Aren’t you just full of surprises.”
He touched her face with his work rough hand. “This is all Ma’s doing.” His smile was fragile. “People like her.”
Kennedy cupped his stubble-rough face and lifted up on her toes to press a kiss to his lips. When she drew back, he sucked in a sharp breath, as if he was surprised. She said, “You are magical.”
Red set her back from him. “Don’t be ridiculous, brat. I can’t even get on the roof. I’m as weak as a baby.”
Kennedy turned and saw the shelter of their mother’s room, returned to whole, still theirs, and she laughed out loud. “Don’t be an asshole.” She smiled back at him. “Say you’re welcome.”