Next World Series by Ewing, K. (white hot kiss .txt) 📗

and spent an equal amount of time on both Green Mountain and the Rimrock. I know every inch of both, and I would bet it hasn’t changed a bit in 30 years. I see you only marked the lowest parts of Green Mountain but circled the Rimrock almost entirely.”

“We have a working theory that they may come over the Rimrock in a wide band, like locusts to a farmer’s field,” Mac replied.

“I could see that, I guess. Where’s your theory from? Well, I mean originally?”

“Mabel,” said Bill. “You remember her…”

“Of course, Dad. She has pictures of our kids on her refrigerator, and we visit her every time we are here. How is she?”

“Well, she passed recently, and the last thing she told your mother right before she died was that she had visions of them coming over the Rimrock, like locusts. The last words she spoke when Sharon asked her how to defend a group that size was ‘Burn it!’ Those were her last two words before leaving this earth.”

“Not the property, of course,” I replied, “but the Rimrock scrub brush and some small trees. Enough to get hot, but not too high on the fire-hazard list. The timing is absolutely the key… Is that what you’re thinking she meant?”

“Yes, that’s the same thing Mac suggested to us just yesterday,” said John.

“If Mabel said it, then I believe it,” I responded. “I’ve never met a more hilariously stubborn woman, with a huge heart and a closeness to God that I’ve never before seen.”

Lonnie felt more comfortable now, as did Jake and even Vlad. We laid our gun and ammo cards on the table, and Mac did the same.

“I’m not sure how all of this works now,” said Mac. “The weapons we have were donated to the group, although some residents still have their own. We didn’t take them from anybody, before you ask. But unless John or the Council has a better idea, I say you keep yours now, and if we run low, you could lend some out, just until we get past this test headed here.”

“I think we can agree on that—right guys?” I asked. “No point in having a weapon not used if someone needs one.”

* * * * * * *

Chapter Two

Saddle Ranch

Loveland, Colorado

Mac showed the plans they had to dig trenches where possible and a firebreak along the entire front of the Rimrock.

“Our fields are full of wheat, and we can’t bring in the harvest for at least another month,” said Mac. “We mill our own for flour, ending up as breads, pasta, desserts, and more. I’m not interested in burning our own crop; it’s also a dry fuel source between the Rimrock and our homes here. So, we need a firewall three times as wide as the forest fires have, and we will dump as much water on the fields as we can get. As I can personally attest to, the canal is still running high, so I’m not concerned about wasting water yet. Then comes the hard part—a controlled burn started precisely when needed, and praying there is no wind blowing west. Without the Colonel and his soldiers, it would likely be only a temporary distraction for Baker, but if we couple it with their help, it could be enough for a sizable victory, protecting this Valley at least for a while.”

“When do we get started?” I asked.

“First thing after breakfast tomorrow,” Mac replied. “Your families will have a tour of the property today—the basics, really—what everyone should know. Vlad, if you and Sheila could introduce yourselves in the auto shop tomorrow after breakfast, I know they could use the help. If they give you any pushback, tell them both John and I told you to help out. I know you’re both the real deal; you got a caravan of people in all kinds of vehicles here from hundreds of miles away.”

“Eight hundred miles!” noted Vlad.

“Exactly—800 miles! And I’m sure you had your share of maintenance issues, yet here you are. I have a special project for you two if you’re up to it,” offered Mac.

“Special project? What’s that?” asked Sheila.

“Our fire truck. Betty, we call her. She’s old but steady and reliable—until recently, that is. I would feel a whole lot better if she were running well before we set anything on fire!”

“That’s funny,” I said without thinking…getting looks from almost everyone.

“Just Bert and Betty,” I continued. “A tank and a fire truck—sounds like a classic movie of opposites attracting and living happily ever after. I can see the headline now: Bert is a tough and solid man from Russia’s wilds, raised hard and fast. Betty is a sweet old gal who loves to bake pies and put out small fires. Together they will stop at nothing to take on a ruthless enemy whose only mission is to take their Valley. Sorry, everyone,” I said. “It doesn’t sound near as funny as it did in my head. Never mind…”

“It is kind of funny,” said Cory.

Lonnie weighed in with “It’s good to see you brought your smartassedness halfway across the country with you, Lance.”

“Payback!” I said, laughing.

“Back to the tours,” said Mac, shaking his head back and forth but smiling just a bit. “Take the ones with your families this afternoon, and tomorrow morning we will give you two security tours. Those will be on four-wheelers, which I see you have, and we will ride the perimeter, meet all of the guards on duty, and get your take on our defense plans already under way,” he added, pointing outside to a truck passing by with three old cars on a trailer.

“What are they up to?” asked Jake.

“Fortifying the barricades,” said Mac. “They may come over the Rimrock, probably will, but we can’t have them busting through the barricades and bringing trucks or