Page 21 of Conri

“Once a year, we’ll clean out the foodstuffs and use it for giveaways.There are a lot of families that show up for it, and it all goes to good places.”She asked him why they stored the food at all.It seemed silly when there was a store not too far away.“I thought about that too, but there are times when we use it for making up dinners for someone who has had a loss in their family.That way, no one is out a bunch of money for food.Also, we store things like vouchers and gift cards in there.”

“I don’t like that at all.Something could happen to them if there was a fire.But it’s better than having them in the house where we could be robbed.I guess you can think up a better place for them so that we’re not taking the chance of them being destroyed.”

“I’ll give it some thought.I’m assuming that they’re in fireproof containers.”He said that they were.“Good.At least, that’s something.Maybe we can put them in the bank in a safety deposit drawer or something.No, that won’t work.We won’t be able to get to them on the weekends or after five.I think you have the best solution for them.”

They also made up a menu for the next pack meeting.And a list of those that would have to mow the area off when it was closer to the meetings.The last group that had done it did a shitty job, and Conri had to take them to task.It was good to see him not cutting them any slack when it came to doing things for the pack.But it was a lovely ceremony.She got to meet so many of the pack that night.

She’s been really nervous about the meeting.But she had all of the brothers there with her, and Conri, so she needed not to worry so much.Her mom had been invited as they were going to talk about the next meeting being on the new land, but she wasn’t ready to face that many people at one time.She didn’t blame her; there were over four hundred pack members at those things, and it was a little scary for her to know that they could all change into wolves whenever they wished.None of them would hurt her, of course, but she was still a little nervous.

“There are some things being delivered on Thursday.Are you going to be around the house?”She told Conri that she didn’t have any plans that would take her away.“Good.I need someone to sign for them.They’re new computers for the pack house.I guess the kids at the schools need a place where they can get on the internet and rather than buying a lot of computers for everyone that needs one, I thought that we could put them in the pack house for everyone to use.It certainly would make it easier for them to be used there instead of in the houses.”

“I like that idea.How many did you get?”He told her that he’d gotten ten computers and three printers.“That’s wonderful.You’re such a brilliant man.”

“I feel like you’re buttering me up for something.Or did I do something that you need to talk to me about?”She told him not to be so paranoid that she was just complimenting him.“You can butter me up when you want something.I’d give it to you anyway because I love you that much, but I’d love to be able to figure out what I’ve done so that I can worry a little.You make it too easy to be your mate when you’re so agreeable all the time.”

“I don’t want to fight with you.It’s nice just having you around all the time.I especially like that I can talk to you whenever I like.You make me feel good.”He told her that it was his pleasure.“Thank you for that.I have some things that I need to get done if I’m going to be home for supper.There are two meetings that the pack women are having that they want me there for.I think they invite me because they’re afraid of you.But I don’t mind all that much.It’s nice of them to have me around too.One is about the food for the next meeting and the second one is about daycare for the little ones.Did you know that the older generation watches over the little ones two days a week to help out the mothers?It’s nice they said because they can teach the kids the old ways and stories and the moms can get their house cleaned up for a few minutes before the kids mess it up again.”

“I think that I did know that but forgot about it.You’ll learn that they can’t do much without asking you or me for permission.It’s not always needed, but they ask me all the same.They’ll ask you now, too.Just go with your gut on some of the things, and it’ll work out.”She said she’d have to remember that.“All right.Be on your way, and I will, too, or we’ll end up in bed again.Not that I don’t love having you there all the time, but I’m getting behind on my work chasing you around the house.Go now before I change my mind.”

She was still laughing when she went out the door to her car.They had been spending a great deal of time in the bed, the kitchen, and the dining room.Anywhere there was a sturdy surface, they’d make love several times a day that way.It was exhilarating and relaxing at the same time.

Chapter 10

Kendrick locked up his house and made his way to the car.He was closed up today and had plans that were going to take him out of town.At least, that was his plan right now.He could barely go anywhere without someone asking him what a mark was on their hand or if they needed stitches in a cut.Being a doctor had its ups and downs, but today, he was going to be out of his doctor wardrobe and into fun clothing.

“Hey, Doc Kendrick?Whatcha doing today?”He told the little Shaver boy that he was going out of town.“Who you got covering for you?Momma said you’re the only thing that keeps us kids from the hospital all the time.”

“I don’t need anyone to cover for me, Sammie.I’m going to have myself an adventure today.”He looked at him strangely.“You’ll be fine for a few hours, but do me a favor, don’t get into trouble while I’m gone.You’ll have to hold off on your own adventures today.”

“That’ll be hard to do.I like adventures.”He got into his car before the little bugger hurt himself and delayed his trip.He was still standing in the street when he pulled onto Main Street to get out of town.

Stopping to get gas, he hurried through the process and paid.He didn’t want to be caught now that he was almost out of town.As soon as he was back in his car, his brother reached out to him.

“Whatever it is, I don’t want to deal with it.It’s my first trip out of town in a couple of years.I kid you not, I’m going out of town today and find something that interests me.”Conri laughed.“It’s not funny.I’m serious here.I need some me time, or I’m going to quit being a doctor and become a monk or something.”

“I was going to invite you to hang out with Cass and me.We’re going to go to the flea market in Rainersville today.They had all kinds of fair food we’re going to have.”He asked when they were leaving.“We’re leaving the house now.Why don’t we meet up in the little town and drive together to the market?It’ll be fun.”

“I’ll do it.But I’m not taking my cell phone in.I’m off today, and I have my service directing everyone to call 911 if they need assistance that bad.”He told him it was a good idea.“I’ll meet you at the gas station right inside of town.”

It was an hour’s drive from Dresden to Rainersville, but it usually was well worth it.They had sales on everything from ducks and rabbits to guns and ammo.And everything in between.The last time he was there, he’d gotten some really good deep-fried pork rings.And he’d been able to pick up some really nice flowering baskets for his front porch.Now that he had a destination in mind, he was about as excited as he’d been when he left his house this morning.

Pulling into the gas station, he filled up his car and got permission to leave it on the lot, out of the way, so that he could ride with his brother and Cass.Getting him a couple of bottles of water, the humidity of the day making him doubly thirsty, he drank the first one down too quickly and felt a little off.Careful of the second one, he watched as the people got their gas and sodas while in the little convenience store that was in every small town across the state.

Conri pulled in about twenty minutes after he did.By that time, he was finished with his second bottle of water and needed to use the restroom.While they got drinks to take the edge off, Cass said, he went to the bathroom and washed up his face.He was still excited about his day but was being careful of the heat and humidity of the day.A person could get really sick on days like today if they didn’t take care of themselves.

The first half hour, they walked around the booths.People were selling all kinds of junk—to him, anyway.But there were some nice treasures in among the things that they were selling.He founda nice knife that he could carry around for five bucks.There were tools galore that you could pick up for less than ten bucks.He found L.E.D.lights that he got so that he could line his kids’ office.They would change colors with just a twist of a dial that came with it.Then they got to the trees that shaded the animals for sale.Mostly, it was chickens and hunting dogs that were under the trees, but there were other things as well.

Someone was selling eggs.There were also rabbits and ducks.He wanted some ducks for his pond on his land, but he didn’t want to purchase them here and have to lug them all the way back home in his car.And guns.There were so many young people carrying guns that he noticed that they were far more careful with them than they were keeping an eye on their children.

When they decided to have lunch, he knew just what he was getting.A bucket of fries and a hamburger to go with it.There were so many fries in his bucket that he was glad to share them with his family.Then, the fire department for the area was having a bake sale, so he got him some cookies to go with it for dessert.The lemon shake he got hit the spot better than anything else he’d been drinking along the lanes of tents and caravans put up.

“I’m getting me some of the leather straps that the guy over there is selling.I’m going to use them to hang up things in the yard.He said they were durable.”Conri told Cass that they would dry out in the weather and the things would fall to the ground.“Oh.He didn’t say that part.Mean old man.”Then she laughed.“I’m going to get them anyway.I can use them for one season and come back next year for some more of them.”

The only thing that he’d bought so far was drinks, and he’d gotten a lot of those.He knew better than to be dehydrated in this kind of setting and was making sure he didn’t get sunstroke.He was also making sure that Cass and Conri didn’t either.Encouraging them to stand in the shade when they could and to drink as much as they could.

He enjoyed the rest of his afternoon, and when they were ready to call it quits, he was ready as well.Going to two of the booths that he’d wanted to get some flowers from, he was able to get a better deal because it was the end of the weekend for most of the people here.He got his flowers at both booths for half price and picked up some planters too that he was going to fill with fall cabbage, too.It was turning out to be a better day than he’d thought he’d have today when he left home.

Getting back to the gas station where he’d left his car, still there, thankfully, he put his purchases in the back of his car and went into the store to thank the woman who had let him park there.As soon as he was in the line, he knew something was going on.He could smell blood.And lots of it.

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