Ninety Degrees Out

Anya locked the door to the infirmary and said, “Follow me. We’ll head over to the kitchen. How are you for hungry?”

Deborah shrugged her shoulders. “I could eat. But then again, I can always eat these days. I’m trying to watch my intake, mostly vegetables we’re growing and the berries around us. I’m limiting anything with a lot of flour or rice in it. Seems to be doing Earl some good too. He’s lost a few pounds.”

“You haven’t gained too much weight. Dr. Mike says he expects most mothers to put on about thirty pounds overall. You’ll lose most of it while you're nursing and trying to keep up with a newborn.”

“You mean I only feel like a whale?”

“It’s hard out growing your jeans. We’ll see if we’ve got some sweatpants for you around here. They’re all I wore when I was pregnant with Erik.” Anya climbed the three steps up onto the veranda in front of the main entrance of the lodge.

Deborah opened the door and sighed when they went inside.

“It’s cooler in here. You have enough power for ceiling fans? I’m surprised.”

“When Erik invited me up here, he said others working here did the same for their families. Everyone has brought equipment and other necessities. There’s Akira, she had the foresight to bring the battery banks from both their Tesla’s. Her son scrounged up two miniature wind turbines. They do the job. The only problem was finding wire. They brought a couple dozen high efficiency solar panels as well.”

“That’s why Hakan offered us one of them. We’re working off an ancient old-fashioned windmill.” Deborah came to a halt when she spotted Bear.

“Down, boy.” Akira pointed at the floor and her Tibetan Mastiff lowered himself obediently.

Anya introduced her patient to the tiny Chinese woman as the side door to the dining room burst open. Dr. Mike was quickly followed by Edward, Erik, and a group of six children. The hollow cheeked woman who wobbled in after them collapsed onto the nearest chair.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Mike went straight back into the kitchen to raid the fridge for water bottles. Thank God for the fresh spring water and the high water table for the well. Cradling ten bottles in his arms he went back into the dining room, heading straight for Becky. The woman was a trooper, but she was close to the end of her rope.

“Here, my dear, drink slowly. The cold water will help you cool down and rehydrate at the same time. Are you pregnant? I thought I heard you muttering about something to that effect.” He kept his voice down to a whisper as Erik, Anya, and Edward dealt with the bottles he dumped on the long meeting table in front of the south facing windows.

“I haven’t even told Edward yet. How are supposed to take care of a newborn out here? We haven’t got a stitch to our name. Nothing. No where to live, no where to go. From what we can tell our house on the base is gone. Wrecked and burned down when the big one happened down in California.”

The words poured out of her in a hopeless rant.

“Well, you are in a good place now. We don’t leave people to suffer. We’re going to put in rooms here in the lodge. Akira, over there, is in charge of keeping up with the cleaning and upkeep of the rooms, so I’m going to assign you to help her once you’re feeling up to it. So, you have something to do, to contribute. Your husband is going to work with me. We need more staff in the field clinic across the way over there.” He pointed to closest camouflaged tent.

“It can’t be that easy,” Becky protested.

“It is. Akira’s husband is designing a school program for the kids around here. We’ve got a few. Even your oldest adopted boy will have a chance at learning a skill or if he’s bright enough, I’ll train him in medicine.”

Their heads swiveled when Akira’s voice took command.

“Okay kids, I’m taking you up to your rooms. We’ve got two bedrooms upstairs with a bathroom attached to each. They’re at the end of the third floor hallway. You’re climbing stairs, there’s no elevator in this lodge. My husband will join the boys to help them out. He’s already looking through our stock of clothing. I’ll help you, girls. Let’s leave your mother to talk to the Doctor and let your father catch his breath.”

The littlest girl asked, “Do we each get a bed? Or do we have to sleep altogether like in the woods?”

“There’s three beds. A single bed and a set of bunk beds in each of the rooms. Come on, bring your water, and we’ll go see what Mr. Kelton has found for clothes and then you can take turns cleaning up. I’ll bring the first aid kit and we’ll clean up your scrapes too.” Akira turned toward the hall leading to the stairwell. She pulled down the first aid kit and tucked it under her arm.

The middle girl ran over to Becky and asked, “Are you okay Mom?”

“I kind of feel like Goldilocks. Is there a bed that fits? Yes, I’m okay Belle. Go on up and get cleaned up. Let this wonderful lady take care of you.” Akira crossed to them as they talked.

“I really like her dog. His name is Bear, and he’s the biggest I’ve ever seen,” Belle said.

Becky looked up at Akira and said, “When it comes to Belle, all it takes is a dog to make you her favorite person. My other two are Mandy who’s the oldest, and Jenny, the little one.”

Each of the girls nodded when their name was mentioned. No one could miss the fact they were sisters. Each of them had their father’s hair, and their mother’s amber eyes.

“Go with Akira, all of you. Get clean. I know it hasn’t been easy, but we’re in a good place now. Harry,” she looked at the gangly teen who was about to speak, “I’m trusting you to take care of the younger boys. Not always. Just this time. There are all sorts of things to learn here. Riding horses, hunting, building, even flying once the fuel supplies come back.”

“Is she right?” Harry’s sullen voice betrayed his feelings. “No one thinks I’m old enough to know how bad this is. Or to be anything more than a babysitter.”

“Harry, you’re going to be back in school. Kelton and Akira Stroman are both teachers. If you have a subject or something you want to work toward, they’ll make it happened. Around the ranch, the guides and the stable hands will teach you to ride. You might be able to get Kanti Stargazer to teach you to fly. The possibilities are endless.” Dr. Mike looked the adolescent boy straight in the eye.

“I don’t know. I guess I’ll give a try. Not like I have a choice.” His bitter voice spoke of rebellion and grief.

“That’s all we ask. Now here comes Kelton. He’ll go up with you and help you settle in.”

“Okay, boys?” Kelton and his velvety voice soothed the tension. “Bear is coming up with us. We’ll leave the doors open so he can get between the rooms.”

“Yeah, those two are Greg and Peter. Their parents are dead too.” Harry straightened his shoulders. “Let’s go kids.”

“Who said you’re the boss,” Greg challenged.

“He’s not. I am.” Kelton said. “Come on, Bear. My wife will be with the girls.” His quick glance at Dr. Mile brought a nod.

Mike watch the group straggle down the hall and into the stairwell. “They’re in good hands. Akira has senior first aid qualifications and Kelton is made of gentle steel. Harry doesn’t stand a chance against him.”

Becky nodded, sipping more of her water. Edward dropped into the chair beside her and reached for her hand. He brought to his lips and kissed the roughened brown skin. Before he could lower it, Becky spoke. “I’m pregnant again.”

“Then we’ll have to make a new home here. Erik over there? He’s a Coast Guard vet. Dr. Mike and Dr. Anya help in the clinic and I heard you will find things to do here in the lodge. Maybe even teach again? I think there’s another pregnant woman here too. She lives in the hills somewhere not too far from here.”

“I saw here over there, maybe I should go say hello,” Becky said, and tried to stand up. “Maybe not. I seem to be a bit dizzy.”

“Anya!” Dr. Mike’s shout brough the slender blonde woman over. Deborah followed.

“Let’s take Becky over to the clinic. Do you want to stay here or come with us, Deborah?”

“Akira asked me to watch the ovens. She’s got moose roasts in for dinner. I’ll take kitchen duty for now. Becky, you’ve got the best here. Let them take care of you. Baby Goldstein here is happy with them. You’re going to be fine.”

“All right. Bases covered then. Come on over to the medical tent. Our clinic is in there and so is the infirmary. It can double as a hospital if we need it. You’re coming too, Edward. Might as well get familiar with what we have.” Dr. Mike shooked his head. It never rained. It poured.