purchased a few cases of ammo at a discount at the same time, only our budget just wouldn't allow us to purchase a better weapon.
When I made eye contact with the women, I saw serious questions in their eyes, so I continued, "Now, Tom and I will help each of you load a magazine, show you how to operate the safety, and provide you some basic shooting information."
We moved among the woman and began teaching. In less than an hour we'd completed our training and while condensed, we'd covered the major headings.
Vickie, with a grin on her face asked, "When do we get to shoot our pistols?"
I frowned and replied, "We don't have enough ammo to practice with, and I wish we did. Have any of you ever fired a weapon before?"
As expected, Vickie replied, "I used to hunt rabbits and squirrels with my dad, but it's been a few years. We'd always get a mess of rabbits. Why, one time the two of us shot over twelve rabbits one morning."
I knew Marty had been taught to shoot by her husband and now Vickie admitted she'd done some hunting, so that left only two to be concerned with, Alisa and Carol. I'll have to keep them under a close eye until we need their help, and then I'm not sure how much good they'll do.
CHAPTER 9
T he next morning dawned cold, with clouds so low it looked like I could reach up and touch them, but they were dark and that concerned me. I walked into the woods, did my morning toilet, and made my way to the fire.
"Looks like snow," I said sitting on my heels.
Tom laughed and then asked, "When was the last time you saw snow around here?"
I chuckled and replied, "Okay, even if it does snow, it'll not amount to much. I don't know the temperature, but guess it's below freezing."
"I agree. Listen, we need to do a little scouting."
I picked up my cup and poured some coffee as I replied, "You and I are thinking alike. We've been a here a while, and I'd like to know if we've been spotted or if anyone else is in the area."
"Finish your coffee and we'll run a recon. I think the women will be safe enough, don't you? I mean there are six of 'em and I'll leave Dolly with 'em."
"I'll speak with Sandra before we leave and make sure she's got a handle on it. Do you want to take any of the daughters with us? It might help to give one of 'em some experience."
After a dry chuckle, Tom said, "The only one out of the whole group that has any grit that I trust is Vickie. We can take her if you want."
"Okay, Vickie it is. While I talk to Sandra, you give our new troop a briefing of why we are going and what's expected of her. Make damned sure she understands when to shoot and when not to shoot."
"I'll brief her, so don't worry about it."
*****
An hour later we were walking an ever enlarging circle, moving slowly as we looked for any sign of others. So far we'd found nothing, but then Tom stopped and motioned for us to get down. I fell in the grass and saw Vickie do the same. She'd not been a problem yet, at least after I'd told her we were not to talk as we walked. At first I think she thought we'd just stroll down the road talking, picking flowers, and scratching our asses. I'd broke that illusion for her with just the tone of my voice. On a more positive note, the temperature was going up and the threat of snow was gone.
Tom, turned his head and indicated he'd seen movement. I knew we were close to an old timber road that ran parallel to the fence line, but I saw no movement.
Long minutes passed and then I heard a loud curse followed by a laugh. An unknown voice suddenly ordered, "Cut the chatter and laughing! You two keep playing grab ass and I'll see your whiskey ration cut tonight."
"Chill, man, there ain't nobody around but us and we're the meanest bunch of bastards in the state."
"I said shut your damned mouth, Thomas, and I mean now."
I glanced toward the road and saw a long file of men moving away from our position, heading north. Some were wearing parts of military uniforms, but most wore jeans and civilian
When I made eye contact with the women, I saw serious questions in their eyes, so I continued, "Now, Tom and I will help each of you load a magazine, show you how to operate the safety, and provide you some basic shooting information."
We moved among the woman and began teaching. In less than an hour we'd completed our training and while condensed, we'd covered the major headings.
Vickie, with a grin on her face asked, "When do we get to shoot our pistols?"
I frowned and replied, "We don't have enough ammo to practice with, and I wish we did. Have any of you ever fired a weapon before?"
As expected, Vickie replied, "I used to hunt rabbits and squirrels with my dad, but it's been a few years. We'd always get a mess of rabbits. Why, one time the two of us shot over twelve rabbits one morning."
I knew Marty had been taught to shoot by her husband and now Vickie admitted she'd done some hunting, so that left only two to be concerned with, Alisa and Carol. I'll have to keep them under a close eye until we need their help, and then I'm not sure how much good they'll do.
CHAPTER 9
T he next morning dawned cold, with clouds so low it looked like I could reach up and touch them, but they were dark and that concerned me. I walked into the woods, did my morning toilet, and made my way to the fire.
"Looks like snow," I said sitting on my heels.
Tom laughed and then asked, "When was the last time you saw snow around here?"
I chuckled and replied, "Okay, even if it does snow, it'll not amount to much. I don't know the temperature, but guess it's below freezing."
"I agree. Listen, we need to do a little scouting."
I picked up my cup and poured some coffee as I replied, "You and I are thinking alike. We've been a here a while, and I'd like to know if we've been spotted or if anyone else is in the area."
"Finish your coffee and we'll run a recon. I think the women will be safe enough, don't you? I mean there are six of 'em and I'll leave Dolly with 'em."
"I'll speak with Sandra before we leave and make sure she's got a handle on it. Do you want to take any of the daughters with us? It might help to give one of 'em some experience."
After a dry chuckle, Tom said, "The only one out of the whole group that has any grit that I trust is Vickie. We can take her if you want."
"Okay, Vickie it is. While I talk to Sandra, you give our new troop a briefing of why we are going and what's expected of her. Make damned sure she understands when to shoot and when not to shoot."
"I'll brief her, so don't worry about it."
*****
An hour later we were walking an ever enlarging circle, moving slowly as we looked for any sign of others. So far we'd found nothing, but then Tom stopped and motioned for us to get down. I fell in the grass and saw Vickie do the same. She'd not been a problem yet, at least after I'd told her we were not to talk as we walked. At first I think she thought we'd just stroll down the road talking, picking flowers, and scratching our asses. I'd broke that illusion for her with just the tone of my voice. On a more positive note, the temperature was going up and the threat of snow was gone.
Tom, turned his head and indicated he'd seen movement. I knew we were close to an old timber road that ran parallel to the fence line, but I saw no movement.
Long minutes passed and then I heard a loud curse followed by a laugh. An unknown voice suddenly ordered, "Cut the chatter and laughing! You two keep playing grab ass and I'll see your whiskey ration cut tonight."
"Chill, man, there ain't nobody around but us and we're the meanest bunch of bastards in the state."
"I said shut your damned mouth, Thomas, and I mean now."
I glanced toward the road and saw a long file of men moving away from our position, heading north. Some were wearing parts of military uniforms, but most wore jeans and civilian
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