Chapter Ten: The Farm

On Wednesday, we were up early and on our way at dawn. Our goal was to make the outskirts of Nenzel before dusk. That was a joke. Nenzel's outskirts and village center were basically the same buildings. We decided to stick to Highway 20 to make better time than we could on the Cowboy Trail.

When we reached Nenzel, we found it deserted. Several buildings were burned to the ground, but the St. Mary's Catholic Church was unharmed and open. Lights were on and we were able to use the phone there to check in with Sheriff Naile.

We walked around and checked on houses until we decided on one for our overnight stay. Interesting, all the refrigerators were empty of perishables, so we made do out of cans and jars from several pantries.

Dinner was from a large jar of Prego Spaghetti Sauce, doctored with canned mushrooms, black olives, a jar of roasted peppers, and some hard sausage from a gift box. All were diced to add flavor and texture. Together with a pot of angel hair pasta, it wasn't exactly gourmet, but tasty all the same. We definitely needed the calories, and there wasn't a teaspoon remaining.

We slept well in a very comfortable king bed doing our imitation puppy pile. A shared hot shower before bed and again in the morning put us in a happy mood. Such fun washing each other's naughty bits. My ladies were especially naughty!

Having assured that all our cell phones were fully charged, we checked reception about every fifteen minutes along the way. We began to lose bars about three miles out of town, and when we checked in with the marshal or the sheriff, breakups and dropped calls started. In some ways it didn't much matter, as the continued cloud cover eliminated obtaining information from satellites or even over flights. Around noon, we lost contact as a light snow started. My ladies and I were really on our own.

We had passed burned out homes and buildings. All the ashes were cold, and there were a few bodies. We cautiously walked up driveways and roads that entered the highway. Early on, some homes were intact, but as we progressed, all we found were signs of violence.

It was mid afternoon, and we were trudging along Highway 20, still many miles from Valentine. Snow continued hissing down, but the small flakes were beginning to turn to sleet, and a thin crust of ice was forming on the road. With the temperature dropping, we had on ski masks and had raised the hoods on our parkas. I was beginning to fear that we would be spending another night huddled in a shed or yet again between the large rolls of hay we still saw along the road.

I was tired of finding burned out homes. The thugs Marshall Pope described were definitely around this area, and Sheriff Naile's suspicions were validated. It was increasingly likely that the lack of phone service and the vandalism were related.

I continued on point with Rachel and Cathleen behind covering our flanks. We walked closer than usual, the weather making it unlikely bad guys would be about. With any sense and a warm place to hold up, neither would we.

I smelled smoke. Fearing my assessment of reduced thug activity was wrong, I signaled to my ladies that we were heading left - north - to investigate. I had some hope the smoke was from a fireplace, as a large fire would reflect off the low clouds.

No road or driveway was visible, but the wind was blowing from the north. We headed across the fields and over the hill, following the occasional whiff of smoke. Our feet crunched through the ice crusted snow, and the ice covered stubble wet the bottoms of our pants. I was beginning to think I was crazy, hiking over hills, following that wisp. I sure as Hell was cold, and my coat was beginning to feel clammy. Dangerous. We needed shelter, and we needed it soon.

We topped a hill, and there below we glimpsed the light from a door opening then closing again. As we descended, we saw a ranch-style house accompanied by a barn, two old silos, and various outbuildings. I could only hope we had found an untouched home and not some hideout for local trash.

We decided to have Cathleen knock at the door, then step back and to one side. She was the smallest and least likely to intimidate an innocent but alarmed occupant. She lowered her hood, removed her knit hat and ski mask, and stuffed them in her pocket along with her right glove to leave her trigger finger free. With her braided hair high on her head, she looked small and vulnerable.

Rachel and I were slightly behind and to either side. Any bad reaction, and Cathleen was to drop to the ground so we could respond as needed.

Cathleen stepped to the door and used the door knocker, then seeing the lighted doorbell, pressed it. Stepping back, she raised both empty hands. In a moment, darkness passed over the light from the peephole. Then came the sounds of a bolt retracting and a withdrawing latch chain. The door flung open, and before Cathleen could utter a word, her arms were filled with a sobbing, tiny blonde bundle of teen beauty.

Cathleen held and stroked her, then whispered. "There are three of us, and we're safe. Do you think we could come in and get warm?"

Brilliant blue eyes looked up through the tears, and the girl responded. "Of course! Come in and take off your coats. I started the fire a little while ago, because I was lonely and needed something to cheer me up. It will be wonderful to share.

"My name is Hannah Masters," she introduced herself as she held Cathleen's hand, dragging her into a large room with a roaring fire.

We gave our names as well, then Rachel asked, "Do you have a working shower? We haven't been clean for ages, and I'm afraid this heat will make our smell less than bearable if we don't take care of it."

"Of course," came the response. "There is almost a winter's supply of propane in the tank, and with the windmill and backup diesel generator, I almost didn't notice when the power failed. Let me show you."

She led us to a large master bedroom with an oversized multi-nozzled shower in a huge ensuite bathroom. "This is my parents' room. They went to shop in Valentine two weeks ago, and I haven't heard from them since."

Hannah held in a sob, and offered, "I'm afraid they aren't coming back, but if they do, they certainly wouldn't mind your using their shower and bedroom. I'll get some towels."

While she was gone, I returned to the entry and retrieved our packs. I knew we each had one clean change of clothes remaining.

Hannah arrived with large fluffy blue towels while I was laying out our clean clothes. She looked at them and said, "Those look awfully warm to wear inside. While you shower, I'll get some robes that should fit, and you can throw them over your under things. Take your time, there is plenty of hot water."

Rachel and Cathleen were already in the bathroom, letting loose their hair, stripping, and setting the water for a hot shower. Hannah looked at me, clearly expecting me to join them - and when she left, I did.

Let nobody tell you different. Heaven is a long, hot shower with your two beautiful ladies, and enough water and time for grab and tickle. No sex, no orgasms, just gentle washing each other from top to bottom with a few naughty side trips thrown in. I washed Rachel's hair while she worked on Cathleen's. Then they teamed up to do mine.

The shower had a tiled bench, so I took the opportunity to shave and trim their pubic hair following barely discernible original borders. They grabbed me, removed my facial stubble, then turned their attentions to my pubis.

Shower and trims complete, the ladies wrapped their tresses in towels, and as Hannah had suggested, we donned the provided robes over our underwear. Hannah had been right, there was plenty of water and time.

We bundled all our dirty clothes, headed towards a heavenly aroma, and found the diminutive Hannah in the kitchen stirring a large pot of chili. A stack of cornbread muffins sat on the table in a basket style bread warmer. She looked up, smiled and pointed to a door. "Washer and dryer are through there. Get those filthy clothes started and let's eat."

Never has chili and cornbread tasted so good, and it wasn't just hunger adding the sauce. Add a bottle of ice cold Dos Equis, and I would die to protect that table ... and the cook. I said as much to Hannah, and she blushed a delightful shade of pink. 'Glowing', I think you call it.

We ate silently and groaned when Hannah produced a deep dish apple pie and a bowl of obviously fresh whipped cream.

Stuffed to capacity, we helped clear the table, and Hannah pointed to a dishwasher. Holy molely! We were back in a world that seemed to die weeks ago.

Hannah led us back to the fire, poked it, and placed new logs on top. "I know having smoke is dangerous, but as I said, I was very lonely. Instead of marauders, God sent me you." Her face lit with happiness.

We sat on two facing loveseats, and a small calico cat crept out, sniffed Cathleen's fingers, and settled into her lap. "That's Baby," explained Hannah. "She's particular, so you should feel flattered."

Cathleen beamed, and carefully stroked her new friend.

We took turns telling Hannah about ourselves. I explained our mission and our destination. Rachel told her about our hopes and our commitments to each other. Hannah listened avidly, hunger clear in her moistening eyes.

When we had run down, we turned to Hannah.

"You know my parents went to town and never came back. It was the day that the Swarm crashed near Hot Springs. I tried to call both cell phones but got no answer. I heard that the Confederacy notifies family when folks are in a pickup, but I heard nothing. That's why I am so afraid they are dead." We nodded.

"A week ago, I got a call from our neighbors two miles north of us. They were being attacked by a group of around six men. Jimmy Wilson and I were in a lot of classes together, and he wanted to warn us. I never heard another thing, so a couple of days later, I snuck cross country to see what was happening. Their house was a smoldering pile. I could see tire tracks, but there was no movement, and I was afraid to go close.

"I figure geography and chance saved me. Our driveway is over a mile long and curves along a hill as it joins the road. Our mailbox is further down that road where it joins Highway 20, so you pretty much have to know we are here if you are going to find us. The Wilson's weren't lucky that way.

"Me, I'm a farm girl, only child of farm-raised parents. A real, certified, card carrying, 4-H type. I turned sixteen last July, just after I finished high school. I hunt and fish for the table - mostly deer, rabbit, and pheasant. My buddies and I raft the Niobrara River down to the Snake and sometimes beyond. Sometimes we are lucky and get hired as guides. I guess you'd call me a real Tomboy, except I have been kissed." She blushed.

"Wait a minute," demanded Cathleen. "You're sixteen and out of high school? What's that story?"

"I hope you don't think I'm bragging." Hannah blushed again. "I'm smart. Starting my freshman year, I took advanced placement courses at our local high school and over the Internet from several colleges. I want to be a botanist, and I was trying to get as many college classes as possible under my belt while they were paid for by the high school. A farm's cash flow can be rather iffy."

Cathleen stifled a yawn, followed by us all. I looked at the clock, it was after 9 o'clock, and we'd risen at six. A cold hard day, followed by a huge meal, and more warmth than we'd felt all day - we were ready for sleep.

And sleep it was going to be. We were TIRED. We stripped naked and crawled into the Masters' king bed. Luxury! Skin to skin in our new array - Rachel spooning me and me spooning Cathleen.

Shortly, before we could doze, the door cracked, and a timid voice asked, "Can I be with you tonight? You can fuck me or not. I'm not asking for commitment. I'm just terribly alone and need to be with someone tonight."

Cathleen looked over, raised the covers, and said,. "Get naked and get your sweet butt in here."

The already naked Hannah scrambled over and was promptly enfolded by Cathleen, who rolled over to deposit our new friend between us. I turned on my back, gathered Hannah under my arm, kissed her forehead, and fell into a deep sleep with her pussy tight against my thigh.

Sometime during the night, I roused slightly when a fur ball made her way across my head on the way to snuggle her new friend, Cathleen. For tonight, all was right with my world.