Home Coming (The Survivalist Book 10) A. American (read after .txt) 📖

edge. Some went for a swim and others just sat in the water. Dave and Sarge moved chairs down to the water’s edge and sat with Kay.

The oppressive heat of the day was starting to release its grip and it was cooling off a bit. Being close to the water helped too. Thad and Mary pulled chairs up beside me and sat down. I looked over and asked, “You aren’t going swimming?”

“No. I’m good. My belly is full, all I want to do is sit for a minute.”

I leaned forward so I could see Mary and said, “You should get him in the water.”

She smiled. “I know. I tried. But he wasn’t having it.”

“The water feels great. You should go for a swim even if he doesn’t want to.”

“I think you’re right.” She stood up and stripped off her t-shirt to reveal the bathing suit beneath. “I think I will go for a swim.” She leaned over and kissed Thad before running into the water. Of course, she was swarmed by the kids who were excited to see any adult get in.

Fred and Aric walked by holding hands and waded out into the water. The kids wanted to play with them as well, but Fred said she couldn’t play, leaving Aric to deal with them on his own. He managed to shoo them away and wrapped his arms around Fred as they moved around in the shallow water. Gina and Dylan were sitting in the shallow water at the edge of the lake. Dylan had a steak in his hand that he was ripping large chunks from and chewing on.

“Those were some damn good steaks,” I said.

“The burgers were good too,” Thad replied.

“And those fries,” I said.

“Fried in fat like that; damn they were good.”

“Make sure you get the seed potatoes before leaving.”

He grinned, “Already in the truck.”

“Good man.”

Mel came up and held out her hand, “Come on. Let’s get in the water.”

I was surprised. Mel never wanted to swim. “You want to swim?”

“Yeah, come on.”

“Looks like you’re going swimming,” Thad said as I got up.

We walked down to the lake and sat down in the shallows beside Ted and Janet. They seemed to be getting along pretty well. I found it kind of funny. To be invited over and Mike and Ted both manage to hook up. I hoped it didn’t look bad though.

Taking Mel’s hand, I said, “Babe, I’m thinking about going to go see if I can find Mom and Dad. Hopefully bring them back here.”

“You think they’re alright?”

“I hope so. Being on the river, I’m sure they’ve managed to get by. I’m just worried about other people that may have showed up there.”

“You’re going to take a boat up the river?”

“I think it will be a lot safer than trying to drive.”

“I’m not trying to ease drop,” Janet said, “but where are you taking a boat?”

“My parents live on the river over in Debary. I want to go check on them. Now that things are kind of calmed down, I can do it.”

“Do you have a boat?”

“We have a bass boat.”

“You should take ours. It’s a big aluminum thing. Dad used it for duck hunting. It’s got the camo skirt and all on it.” Janet pointed towards a large pole barn. “It’s over there if you want to go look at it.”

“How many people can it hold?” I asked.

Thinking about the reply, she answered, “Ten. It’s a pretty big boat.”

Ted stood up and said, “Come on, Morgan. Let’s go look at it.”

I patted Mel’s leg. “I’ll be right back.”

“Take your time. We can talk girl-talk.”

Ted and I walked over to the pole barn. Janet was right, it was a big boat. Eighteen feet as a matter of fact, and it had a mud motor mounted to the transom. Mud motors are a great little invention that allows a boat to be operated in shallow weed-choked waterways. The motor will cut through the vegetation and also allow the boat to run in mere inches of water.

“This would be a lot better than that bass boat,” Ted said.

“Yeah it would. We could take more people, more security.”

“And have room for your parents on the way out.”

“Yeah. If they’ll let me borrow it, I’ll take it.”

We walked back to the lake where a rousing game of chicken was going on in the water. Jess was up on Doc’s shoulders. Erin was on Travis and Danny had all three kids on his shoulders. All of them were splashing in the water. Mike and Crystal were swimming towards the mass of bodies and swirling water to get in on the fun.

I dropped back down beside Mel and asked, “You want to get on my shoulders out there?”

“No. You’d just drop me.”

“Good, I don’t think my back could take it,” I replied as I rubbed my lower back, feigning pain.

Mel slugged me in the shoulder, “I’ll show you pain!”

“What’d you think of the boat?” Janet asked.

“If you’ll let me use it, I’ll gladly accept. It’s much larger than the boat we have, and that mud motor will ensure I can get down the river.”

“The bottom is slick-coated as well. It’s pretty fast on the water. You’re welcome to it, especially if it will help with getting to your mom and dad.”

We hung out on the lake until the sun started to dip towards the horizon and the skeeters came out. They were the real reason we left the water. Because when they showed up, they did so in force! It wasn’t long before people were running towards the house, arms flailing at the tiny pests.

I backed the Suburban up to the boat and connected it before pulling back around in front of the house. Dave was out front with Sarge when I got out.

“That’s a fine boat, Morgan. She’s pretty fast too,” Dave said.

“I appreciate you letting me use it. It’ll make what I have to do a lot easier.”

Dave shook his head. “I don’t envy you the task. But anything we