American Revenant (Book 2): Settlers and Sorrow by John L. Davis IV Page B

twenty miles from Hannibal, in Bowling
Green, and it was a favorite of many in the group.
                “Tell
me there’s a Machine Shed Stout in there, please.”
                Jimmy
laughed, knowing that would be the first thing Mike said.  “It looks like a
sampler box, four or five different brews in here.  I guess luck has its part
to play in everything, doesn’t it?”
                “We
are not leaving that here, even if I have to carry it all the way back,”
Mike told his companions.
                “I
think we will be more than willing to help get it home,” Sam told him.
                Jimmy
placed the case of beer on the table, “Well, let’s do the garage and call it a
day.”
                The
other men groaned loudly, ready to head home with their days loot.  “Let’s get
it done, I want to get back, put those in the river for a couple of hours and
let them chill.” 
                Sam
and Jimmy simply nodded in agreement.
                Mike
opened the connecting door to the garage, noticing that there was no natural
light.  The room was dark except for the light from the house, which seemed to
get just inside the door and stop.
                All
three men clicked on the flashlights they carried, shining them into the room. 
They stood there for a moment, absorbing what they saw.
                “That,
my friends, is a 1949 De Soto Custom.”  Sam went straight to the car, as the
other two men swept the garage. 
                Standing
in front of the car, Sam stroked his hand over the dark maroon colored paint, feeling
the coolness of the metal in his palm.  “This is a classic piece of car right
here,” Sam said, slowly walking around it.  “This thing looks all original, I’d
even bet the engine is too.  Damn this is sweet, someone put a lot of work into
this, really took care of it.” 
                “It
looks like Sam has finally found himself a woman.”
                All
three laughed, even as Sam told Jimmy to “shut it.”
                They
found a wall rack with keys hanging in the kitchen, and Sam picked out the key
he knew would fit on the first try.
                Slipping
in behind the wheel, Sam took a moment to run his hand over the upholstery and
steering wheel.  “This thing is so sweet.”
                “So
you’ve said, see if it starts,” Mike told him.
                Sliding
the key into the ignition, Sam paused for a moment, saying a quiet little
prayer that the car would turn over easily.   His prayer was answered when he
turned the key.  The car grumbled to life, its low rumble giving Sam goose
bumps.
                The
group cheered, ecstatic over the find. 
                “Shut
it down Sam, you’ll draw every gut-sucker within four blocks if you don’t.” 
                Sam
cut the engine, though he still wore a huge grin on his face.  “I think we should
load up the car with everything we can take that might be of use, and head
back.  Having this car will make our Grab-n-Stab runs a lot faster.”
                They
took their time searching the house, loading everything they could think of
into the back seat and the massive trunk. 
                “You
have to wonder why someone would just leave the car, even if they left in a
hurry,” Jimmy told the others.
                “There
you go again, Jimmy, punching a gift horse in the mouth.”
                Laughing
loudly, Jimmy said, “Punching?  Mike, anyone ever tell you that you have a
unique way with words.” 

 
    Chapter 13
                Work
continued to progress quickly on the wall, reaching the end of the ditch
Jonathan had dug two days before the car was found.  The railroad ties looked
impressive and imposing standing darkly