Chapter Seven: Two More Deputies

As it happened, Sunday was not a good day for Rachel. After that early, felicitous start, her mood became somber, and she suffered bouts of sobbing. She was wracked with guilt and missed her dead husband.

Cathleen and I took turns holding her on our laps, cuddling her, and offering what consolation we could. It was truly a sight watching my tall, dark lady cuddled lovingly in the arms of her smaller, pale companion, her chin resting on top of Cathleen's red head.

We managed to get hot tea into us all, followed by a heartier breakfast. Rachel struggled to eat while choking back sobs.

Finally, about mid-morning, back in my arms, Rachel began to speak. "I loved - no, still love - Jack. He's dead less than two days, and I make like a fuck bunny and sleep with another man - twice." Sniffling, "That's not me, and it dishonors everything I felt for him and he for me. What's wrong with me?"

Cathleen and I remained silent. I pulled her tighter.

Shortly, Rachel continued, "The world changed overnight. We hoped that the Sa'arm was just a boogeyman story - but they're real. I miss Jack. I'm scared. I'm embarrassed that I'm attracted to you. Actually, I crave you. I need you both. Is it wrong to have such a strong need for comfort and protection?" She shared her fears and needs and wants and shame.

Rachel looked at her left hand, and asked pitifully, "Can I keep Jack's rings? Will it dishonor him to wear them while I'm with you? Will you care? Will it hurt you?" Those worries spilled out with her tears.

We offered the comfort that we could - hugs, soft kisses, whispered reassurances. Cathleen consoled, "Honey, Jack will always be a part of you - you must wear his rings. Nothing about that takes away from us."

That might have continued all day, but I turned on my cell phone to check voice mail, and it rang immediately. It was Marshal Pope. "Listen!" he started, "There are lots of new developments. I got your voicemails. Where are you? Are your ladies still with you?"

I put him on speaker and explained about holing up in the cabin while the snow made it difficult to travel. I told him that both of my ladies were still very much with me.

"Okay - quick Swarm update. We found out that that ship had something to do with the hive landing up north near Manitoba. It crashed almost due east of Hot Springs by about 50 miles. We have seen sorties of Sa'arm feeding both west and south of the landing and expect more. The damn things move like army ants, and they move damned fast.

"So, If they are willing, I want to deputize your ladies. From your description of their backgrounds and actions, they are capable of providing the help I think you are going to need. Ms. Masters sounds like she can be hell on wheels, and even if Ms. Cassidy started as victim, they are both going to need legal backing while traveling with you and becoming involved in whatever mess you encounter. Besides, I did some quick background checks. One of your old commanders told me that you are the real deal, and a couple of Ms. Cassidy's old ROTC buddies vouch for her. And brother, she has a real fan club back at the hospital where she kicked ass!"

My ladies listened, eyes wide, and Cathleen turned cherry red.

Marshal Pope went on, "Before they decide, let me explain what I meant by 'new developments.' We are concentrating on this nearest Sa'arm incursion, but we are also having to prepare for their movement out of Canada and the expected turn in our direction. You may know by now that the government is trying to evacuate non-combatants to areas south of I-80 and to the east of Valentine and North Platte. It's not likely they will be the final lines, but that seems to be the most doable at this time.

"The various armed forces are on the move, but I'm not privy to much information on that. Simply put, you are to stay the hell out of their way. They have enough problems dealing with panicked civilians, militias, Earth First clowns, and even elements of the EDF. You know that's the Earth Defense Force, right? Some are barely organized and as of yet, more of a pain than a help.

"You folks still with me?" he asked, and when we all chimed in that we were, he ploughed on. "Okay, if you let me deputize you, I'll have each of you swear in on your own phone and record it like we did with Michael. Further, I now have formal appointments, complete with recent photos. I will email these, and you can use them on smart phones to identify yourself. If you can find a working printer, you can have paper copies ... .

"One other factor you need to know. We already have reports of armed individuals attacking, robbing, and raping civilians. Some are even presenting themselves as marshals or sheriffs. What I'm about to tell you is only being communicated via cell phone - not any form of radio. There are others like you who have been deputized. To identify each other at a reasonable distance, tie a blue bandana or cloth on your upper left arm. No blue bandana, not the real deal. Got it?

"So, here is what I need. Get down to Hot Springs and then to Chadron. They are being or have been evacuated, but there are probably strays - especially out of town. I expect a 'scorched earth' tactic against the Sa'arm, so try to convince anyone you can to move east or southeast. Be careful if you travel through Custer State Park, as the buffalo herd is likely to become attractive to the Sa'arm, just as cattle herds will be in other places.

"Don't try to stop looting, those towns are probably gone forever. On the other hand, if you can stop people-to-people violence, please do.

"Oh, and once you get near Hot Springs, the snow accumulation is only an inch or two, not like what you are experiencing where you are now.

"Rally points are being established in Valentine and North Platte - Cheyenne, too , for that matter. Point folks in those directions."

"What's all that going to mean?" interjected Rachel.

"For one thing, folks will be moved further away from the Swarm incursion," replied the marshal. "There is also some Confederacy guy named Matthews visiting the reservations and recruiting Native Americans. He is playing on the warrior spirit and offering them perfect health and then the opportunity to return to fight in defense of their homeland. I'm betting the same offer will be given to many other folks as well - at least those without the CAP to be extracted.

"I want you to turn on your cell phones every day for my call at 10 AM and PM to exchange news. Check your voicemail more frequently if you can do that without running out of battery. Now if you ladies are willing, let's get you sworn in."

They were. He did. Then he was gone.

"I'm not real sure how far we are from Hot Springs." I said. "I'm guessing about a twenty to thirty minute drive. From there to Chadron is somewhere between fifty and sixty miles. I think we should get Cathleen's stuff from her uncle's cabin and then get ready to head out first thing in the morning."

The walk to get her gear was instructive. Even in that short time, we learned to move together comfortably, my ladies with the two M-16s. Rachel was again watching right, with Cathleen now watching left and me bringing up the rear with an ancient, but well-maintained, lever-action Winchester we found hidden in the cabin.

We arrived with no incident, and Cathleen divided her belongings into two piles. She was abandoning non-essentials - that was most of it. She packed two large envelopes of documents, warm clothes, underwear, toiletries, and her camping gear. She also kept a nice semi-automatic .22 magnum pistol, her target rifle, cleaning gear, and ammunition. At the last minute, she thought of and retrieved a grocery carton containing travel/camping food.

Cathleen turned to us and suggested, "Let's use my car to ferry this stuff down to yours and bring Rachel's and mine back here to leave. Possessions aren't going to mean anything unless they relate to survival, and I don't plan to come back for any of this stuff. I'll write a note to Uncle Carl and also try to call him. I doubt he will be back either."

We did as she suggested, leaving the keys in both vehicles and the cabin door unlocked. The world was certainly different. We did drain the pipes so they would not freeze and turned off the heat. Some other needy traveler might need shelter. With my Sienna now containing all the possessions that my ladies wanted or needed to keep, we drove down to the access point for our current refuge.

Once there, we devoted time to bringing in all our gear and clothing and sorting once again. We made up ready packs that we could grab and run at need. They contained survival essentials like clothing, trail food, water, first aid kits, sleeping bags, ponchos, tarps, ammunition - everything we could think of that would let us survive on our own for at least three weeks. I made sure to add a huge bottle of ibuprophen and some ice packs for when my knee inevitably spoke to me.

Two concessions to modern technology were my iPad, loaded with books and maps, and my portable GPS from the car. I had long ago acquired a portable solar charger that would work for all my electronics.

Once the Sienna was loaded to our satisfaction, we returned inside and started final preparations for an early morning departure. We cleaned and returned everything, including the Winchester, to where we had found them. We kept out the necessities for breakfast and a comfortable night's sleep, and I brought in extra firewood.

I wrote a letter to the cabin's owner, explaining the circumstances and the bodies in the shed. I made out a check for two thousand dollars and put both in an envelope on the counter by the sink. I had over thirty thousand dollars in cash that Mom had stashed around her house, but I felt cash might be needed later. The check was good, and I felt it served just as well - assuming the owner ever returned.

The remainder of our time in the cabin was bitter sweet. We would never again see the place we had come together.

We discussed our future together; short term head east - providing what help we could to others; longer term head further east to my home in Georgia; eventual term family life with kids.

Our talk turned to our feeling about each other. The questions of love, sex, sexuality, leadership, and a myriad of other relationship details that couples and families learn over time, but had been jump started with us.

Cathleen gently eased into the topic of sex. "I never imagined that I would be sharing a man, and especially not feeling affection for the woman who would share with me. I've never been sexually attracted to another woman - not once - and I'm not now. BUT I am so comfortable with you Rachel, and I feel no shame or need for privacy when we love."

Rachel blinked back tears. "It's the same for me, Sweetie, the same for me," she continued, "and the amazing thing is the complete lack of envy or jealousy when Michael is loving on you."

Cathleen looked thoughtful. "So no need for separate rooms or schedules to assure equal attention. I think we have just agreed that we are past partnership and into love. My, that happened fast," and she extended her arms to gather us in for a major hug.

That night, we retired early, and the loving was gentle and sweet. Rachel spooned against Cathleen's back and nuzzled her neck while I gently kissed my red headed beauty. She responded slowly but steadily, her breathing deepening. When I licked her ears and neck, then continued, down to her breasts, her hold on me tightened.

I loved sucking on her nipples, and Cathleen loved that too, so I stayed a while. When I continued south again, I found a change of scenery at my destination. My lady had taken time to remove the stubble. She had the beginning of a red landing strip above her lips, but was otherwise smooth and bare. If I hadn't been in lust before, I surely was now!

Repeating my earlier success, I licked - lots of licking. Then, I inserted my tongue into her passage and alternated between licking and thrusting. This was a VERY good thing! Cathleen whined her appreciation, and I had to hold on to her thighs to keep from being tossed aside.

Rachel had followed me down the bed to watch, and she kept up a running commentary. "Oooh, that looks good. Did you see her twitch? I WANT that when it's my turn. Lick a little more, then suck her clit - hard!" So I did.

I don't think Cathleen heard a word, but I was both entertained and stimulated. My assault on her clitoris launched Cathleen off the bed with her first cum of the evening.

Knowing the evening needed to be short and that I had another lady waiting, I drew myself up and entered her. We quickly found our rhythm, with Cathleen pulling me to her with her heels behind my thighs. I thought to save myself for my later need, but it was not to be. My climax roared forth like a freight train with no brakes. Cathleen screamed her pleasure and kissed me wildly. We collapsed, with Rachel cooing in our ears and kissing us gently.

We three lay quietly for some time sharing an occasional thought or question. I have no memory of what was said. At some point, Rachel bestirred herself and fetched the now standard warm, wet cloth to clean us.

Then, with a wicked gleam, she dove under the covers and attacked my cock with her mouth. It turned out not to be too soon, and I was quickly fully engaged and at full attention. She brought me from limp to full staff in a matter of minutes, then kissed her way up my belly, sucked my nipples, and planted a major liplock - her tongue probing for mine.

That spoiled my best laid plans! I had thought to use my recovery time to worship Rachel as I had my other love. Oh well.

Not wanting to appear repetitive, I began with Rachel's beautiful cup cakes. I nuzzled and licked between them, then nibbled and licked all around each, avoiding her nipples. Rachel groaned, moaned, whined, grabbed my ears and tried to force my attention to those luscious buds standing at attention. When her keening reached peak volume, I suddenly turned and lightly scraped one nipple with my teeth, then gently pulled on the other with my lips.

No question that I had her number and address. She crushed me to her breasts while wailing out her orgasm. When she released me, I headed south. An interested Cathleen followed.

Like her new sister, Rachel had found time to pay attention to her stubble. A new speculation: maybe they had found time to help each other. I hadn't thought it possible, but I hardened beyond steel.

Rachel's pussy was now bare with a heart shape of short hair in the same area Cathleen had her landing strip. Her aroma drew me in, and remembering her earlier comments and instructions, I repeated the pattern I had used on Cathleen.

Rachel was impatient. She humped, thrashed, and pulled, trying to get me to her clit. When I resisted, she cursed and then thrashed some more. Cathleen started giggling and was soon laughing so hard tears ran down her cheeks.

Her commentary was lewd rather than instructive. "Serves her right. Don't be pussy whipped - tease that cunt! Make her wait. She doesn't know what she wants. Delayed gratification is good." On and on, face close, and laughing wildly.

When I finally ran my tongue around Rachel's clit then scraped it lightly with my teeth, I swear her whole body rose off the bed.

I rolled away and pulled her on top of me. Cathleen must be a mind reader, because she helped shift Rachel then lifted her into cowgirl position. Strong lady, my Cathleen, and I'm sure her nursing experience helped. Rachel found my saddle horn, notched it, and rode for glory. She walked, trotted, cantered, and galloped to more climaxes than I can remember.

Cathleen continued her explosion of comments punctuated with frequent 'Talley Ho's.'

Finally, I felt my imminent release, thrust upwards, and clutched Rachel to me as I came.

My ladies were laughing, crying, and clinging to me and each other as we began to calm. Cathleen cleaned us, and we collapsed together in a pile that resembled sleeping puppies. As I drifted off, I thought of Rachel. 'She must have been a champion equestrian in a former incarnation. That would explain it all.'

Then, 'My ladies are FUN!'