|
Post by udwe on Jul 14, 2022 13:17:11 GMT -6
Well, now need to get guys for the other girls!
|
|
|
Post by ncsfsgm on Jul 14, 2022 18:40:00 GMT -6
Chapter 84
Clay watched as they began pumping the concrete into the form. The plumber stood by to make sure there were no blowouts at the pipe. Seeing no problems Clay told the crew chief he had to run to Springfield to see about some equipment and if they needed him to call.
When Clay arrived at the dealer, he told the salesman what he needed and was shown the compact tractors they had on hand. After looking at the models, Clay selected the Model 4066M with a bucket loader, drawbar, rear blade, box blade and a 3-Point debris blower. The would deliver the tractor and implements on Saturday. Being a “Country Gentleman” was expensive! Finding the trailer dealer, Clay found an all-terrain trailer but was wondering how he was going to tow it home when the salesman said they had receivers with pintle hooks that would fit the hitch on his Jeep. He bought the receiver with hook and the trailer and headed home.
When Clay arrived back at Piney Creek, a forklift was off-loading 2x10s to build the floor. They were stacked to the side of the foundation and covered with a tarp. Clay parked the trailer in the garage and walked over to watch the workmen troweling the concrete at the tops of the forms. Boring. They wouldn’t actually start building the floor until the following Wednesday and he had to occupy his time some way until then. The thought about setting up some targets and doing some shooting but that might disturb the workers so he decided to go to the gun shop and rent some time on their range. Getting his range bag, he climbed back into the Jeep and headed to town.
Gene finished the detail on the right front paw and turned the carving to the left. Taking the magnifiers off, he rubbed his eyes and stood up. Going over to the coffee pot, he poured a mug of coffee and walked outside. It was overcast and looked like it might rain soon. He saw the leaves were beginning to turn and the forest would soon be colored in shades of red, brown and yellow with spots of the green cedars mixed in. His thoughts were interrupted by a large truck shifting gears and slowing down. He turned his head toward the drive a saw the large dump truck pulling up.
“Where do you want them?” The driver yelled.
Gene waved and motioned for him to follow. Gene trotted over to the far end of the yard and pointed to the ground. The driver turned around, backed up and dumped the whole load there. When the bed dropped down, the driver locked it down and waved, then drove away. Gene pulled out his phone and dialed Hank.
“The tires are here.”
Clay was going to the gun shop every morning. The fifth day he was running low on ammo. When he walked into the shop to buy a couple of boxes he glimpsed at the reloaders on display. Walking over, he began looking at the different models.
“That’s the Dillon XL750.” Jessica said. It’s a high-speed progressive reloader. When you pull this handle, this plate that the cartridges ride on rotate and can remove the primer, put in a new primer, add the correct amount of powder, the add and crimp the bullet. The finished bullet then drops into this bin. With this machine and the right dies you can load common rifle and handgun cartridges from .17 Hornet though the common belted magnum cartridges in rifle and .32 ACP through .500 S&W in handgun. You can buy these plate separately and pre-mount your dies and then all you have to do is take this plate out, slide in your plate, say for 9mm, and your dies are already correctly set. All you have to do then is adjust you powder setting to the correct amount. The bin up top holds your brass and automatically feeds the brass down to loading plate. This tube here holds you primers.”
“Nice setup. What does this run?”
This particular model, the way it is set up, is $1500.00. That’s with the machine, powder check assembly, Low Powder Sensor, Roller Handle Assembly, Strong Mount, Bullet Tray , Toolholder with all the wrenches you need to make adjustments, Case feeder Base Assembly, Small and Large Primer Pickup Tube assembly, Case feed Plate Assembly for Large and Small caliber Pistols. We’ll throw in your first set of dies for free.”
“And all that’s before you add in primers, cases, bullets and powder?”
“Yes, If you shoot a lot it will pay for itself in no time. Reloaded rounds will be almost half the cost of new rounds.”
“Hmmmm, for $1500 dollars I would need a discount on reloading supplies.” Clay said.
“I think we could manage a 20% discount on your first purchase.”
“Okay, I’ll take it.”
“Yes sir!” Jessica said, going around behind the counter. “What dies will you need?”
“9mm.” Clay replied.
Jess went in the storeroom and brought out several boxes and stacked them on the floor.
“What reloading supplies do you need?”
I’ll need 5 pounds of Hodgdon Ramshot Silhouette, 500 9mm 147 Grain Full Metal Jacket bullets and 1000 small pistol primers. Oh and I'll need one of those Dillon CV-750 Case Cleaners, cleaning medium and a bullet puller.
Jessica turned red in the face.
“You were pulling my leg again, weren’t you?”
“No ma’am. I already knew what I wanted. I just like to hear your voice.”
Jessica turned red again. This time not in anger.”
“Oh, and I need three boxes of 9mm FMJ and an hour on the range.” Clay said.
Jess rang him up and helped him carry the boxes out to the Wrangler. She watched as he walked down to the range with his range bag.
“Jo! Can you watch the front? I’m going down to the range.”
“Sure Jess.”
Jessica grabbed ear and eye protection and walked down to the pistol range. She stopped short of the firing line and watched Clay. He loaded three magazines and put two in ammo magazine holders at his waist. Loading the last one in his Glock, he chambered a round and holstered the weapon. He took his cell phone out and did something to it and laid it down on the table, then raised his hands head high in the “Surrender Position.” An alarm went off on his phone and he drew and fired, placing two rounds in the center of the chest and one in the forehead on the silhouette. He kept doing the same drill until his mags were empty. Clay took off his ear protectors and laid them on the table. Jessica walked up.
“You’ve shot IDPA?”
“Yeah, at the club I belonged to in Illinois.”
“That’s pretty good shooting for a banker.”
“Investment Manager, but banker is kinda close. I still played with other people’s money.”
Clay began reloading again but only loading six rounds in each magazine. Clay holstered the pistol and walked down range to place another silhouette in the target holder on the 7 meter line. He set his phone up again and assumed the surrender position. At the buzzer, Clay drew pushing the gun forward in his right hand, his left hand clenched on his chest, emptied the gun into the center of the silhouette. He set up again and did the same drill with his weak hand. Not one bullet was outside of the 3 ring. Jess was impressed. Clay picked up his brass and put it in a ZipLock bag he placed in the range bag.
The next morning the fuel tank arrived and the installation crew buried the tank and installed the pump. A tanker would be out the next day to fill the tank. One of the guys said he was to ask if he wanted PRI-D added to the fuel. The tanker driver would bring it out and show him what to do. Clay told him yes, he knew what PRI-D was and asked them to bring out 5 gallons. That was enough to treat 10,000 gallons.
“They had the floor built by late that afternoon. During the day, the crane arrived along with trucks hauling the logs. The numbers on the logs where checked and laid out next to the foundation in preparation to start stacking them in the morning. Clay was fascinated at how coordinated they were. Of course, they should have been. They had built a lot of log homes. Clay would have gone nuts sitting around watching them work, so he played with his tractor, trailer and chainsaw and cleared deadfall on the property. He still needed to go to the Ranger Station and get a firewood permit, but the way it looked, He would have more than enough firewood for this winter right here on his land.
Carol called Clay and said she had a packet put together and could he come to the office and review it. Clay made a 10:00 appointment for the next day. Clay spent the rest of the afternoon adding and subtracting items on his “To Do” list while occasionally watching walls of his house get higher and higher.
Clay liked what Carol had come up with. He handed her a debit card that would more than cover the total she gave him. He told her if she could get cheaper prices, the difference would go to her as a bonus. When he left the office, he took the southern route around the lake and decided to head for the range before he went home.
Pulling into the parking lot he remembered he needed more ammo and got three more boxes.
“You haven’t started reloading yet?” Jess asked.
“That is way down on my “To Do” list right now.” Clay said, picking up the ammo.
Jess waited until he was about half way through his drills, got two Mountain Dews out of the cooler and walked down to the pistol range. She sat there watching him picking up his brass and storing it. Clay gladly accepted the cold drink when offered. “What do you do for fun?” Jess asked.
“Shoot my pistol, haul firewood, rake the yard….”
“No! I mean FUN! Do you go out, date….what do you do for fun? Have you dated anyone around here?” Jess asked.
Clay leaned against the table. “Do you really want to know that?”
"Yes, I do, I’m curious as to what you find attractive in a woman. You probably dated a lot of those glamorous women in Chicago, yet here you are, way down here in Missouri living in the woods like a hermit, why?"
"Oh boy," Clay said with a chuckle. "The honest answer is that In Chicago, I didn't really know what I wanted, but the girls I dated definitely didn't fit the bill."
"What do you mean?"
"I like strong, intelligent, independent, sexy, beautiful women, but I never did find a woman with all of those things in the six years I lived in Chicago. Mostly, I’d find two or three out of five of those things, at rare times four out of five but never all of them in the same person," Clay said, feeling a little awkward.
Jess didn't say anything for a few minutes, she just looked down the range.
"Is that why you don’t date here? Don’t think you’ll find what you want?" she finally asked. "That's some of it, I just got sick and tired of all the games and drama," Chase answered. "I just couldn't see the point in wasting everyone's time anymore.”
"I see...have you even TRIED dating around here?”
"Jess, I’ve dated a lot of women. A LOT of women. I’ve remained friends with most of them because they were basically good people, they just weren't what I was looking for. I really hope that you don't think less of me for that."
"I don't think less of you, not at all. You seem to be aggressive when it comes to finding what you want and you aren't willing to settle, I can respect that. But..." her voice trailed off.
"But what?" Clay asked.
'It's just that the two of us have spent a lot of time together. You’ve been coming to the range and we’ve spent some time together but you seem to act….well, I'm beginning to wonder if you're not attracted to me."
“Let me be clear, Jess," Clay interrupted. "I am very, very attracted to you. You are everything that I have ever wanted and more. Out of respect for you, I have chosen to go slow, to let you take the lead. The last thing I want is to go too far too fast. I never, ever would want to hurt you,"
She was silent for a few more minutes, playing with the lace on her sneaker.
She took a deep breath. When she let it out, she began to speak again. "Clay, I'm beginning to have feelings for you and I'm afraid that something will happen, and I'll drive you away. You give me feelings I have never felt before. They are exciting yet frightening. It is beginning to scare the hell out of me! The thought of losing you to one of these Country Cuties around here in cut-off jean hot pants terrifies me and has been the cause for some sleepless nights."
"I gotta be honest with you Jess, I'm not falling for you. I've fallen for you already. I told you that I couldn't find what I was looking for in a woman in Chicago. The truth is, I had to move all the way down to the Ozarks in southwest Missouri to find everything in one beautiful package. I find you very attractive. I’m going to let you set the pace on whatever relationship we have because I don’t want to drive you away.”
Clay stood there turning an empty brass cartridge over and over in his fingers. Finally, he glanced over at her and those green eyes were fixated on him.
“You need to ask me out on a date, Clay.”
|
|
|
Post by gipsy on Jul 14, 2022 20:07:25 GMT -6
And the hook is set. Thanks for the update.
|
|
|
Post by udwe on Jul 15, 2022 20:38:09 GMT -6
Good job, Jess!
|
|
ydderf2
Member
"I'm from the government and here to help" hahahaha
Posts: 321
|
Post by ydderf2 on Jul 16, 2022 9:57:11 GMT -6
So, where can I find one of those green eyed cuties? Thanks for the update.
|
|
|
Post by freebirde on Jul 16, 2022 10:46:41 GMT -6
|
|
|
Post by ncsfsgm on Jul 17, 2022 6:05:49 GMT -6
Chapter 85
Clay drove away from the gun shop in a daze. Well, he opened his big mouth but he spoke from the heart and now he had a date Friday night with Jessica, and she liked him too! When he got back to the property, the walls were almost done. He was told they would be starting on the roof in a couple if days, which was great because up to now, there had been no rain. It had threatened, but nothing yet. But he was told it would come.
Gene dyed the shady areas first. The Labrador Retriever had been suggested in one of the comments on the website. Overall, it had been easy except for the dog’s expression. He wanted a curious look on the dog’s face and he thought he had it captured. He would lit the piece dry before continuing. As Gene was going to the house, the UPS driver showed up with a shipment. There were three 5-gallon buckets of honey and six cases if LTS products. After the driver left, Gene carried everything down into the shelter. He marked the items off the running inventory checklist and stacked the cans on the shelves. Gene remembered they had used the last of the tomato powder to make the lasagna sauce, grabbed a can off the shelf and added it to want list. He added two packages of freeze dried onions and took them upstairs to begin the spaghetti sauce.
Clay and Jess had decided to keep the date casual on Friday night so they went to Rolando’s in Springfield. It specialized in Peruvian. Jess ordered the fryer rabbit half and Clay ordered the Lomo Saltado. For dessert, they shared a Torta de Askinosie, a kind of chocolate cake soaked in coffee with Askinosie caramel fudge frosting, whip cream and had coffee to drink.
“Clay, what exactly do you do for a living?” Jess asked.
“Technically, you can say I retired myself. I made out good as an Investment Manager. When I did good for my clients, I got a piece of the pie. I spent a lot of money living in the big city but I invested too. One day I woke up and looked around and saw through the fakeness, It’s like playing roulette, when you’re on top, get out right then because if you stay in the game you’ve got a better than even chance of losing it all. The way our government is borrowing and spending money, it has nowhere to go but down. Most f our GDP goes to paying interest on debt. When the crash comes, you will see all hell will break loose. Riots will break out when the welfare stops, the dollar will be good for toilet paper only. Food shortages will break and the people won’t be able to pay for it anyway. A lot of people are going to die from starvation if they are not prepared. It won’t be long after the crash that people had realized that their safety and security are their own responsibilities. There will be no help coming from a government. They’ll be too busy hiding and saving their own butts.”
“How did you end up in southwest Missouri?”
“I inherited the property. I figured it was about as remote as you could get without going to Alaska or somewhere in the desert. I don’t care for the cold all that much and definitely like four seasons, especially the Fall when the leaves begin turning.”
“I do like Cassville.” Jess said. “It’s a small town with friendly people and within easy access of bigger towns and cities.”
“What about the drug dealers they ran out of here?” Clay asked.
“I think the operative phrase is ‘ran out.’ I believe it shocked a lot of people around here and they are more vigilant. The Sheriff said they are getting more calls on their ‘Report A Crime’ line than ever before. People are even driving more carefully because they know the law means business.”
“I wish the locals would pay more attention to the Democrats’ agenda then.”
“Well, people most of the Democrats are blue-dog and don’t agree to the path the party has taken in recent years. I think most of them secretly vote Republican and only vote Democrat in local elections.”
“Well, you want to take a walk? We probably need to walk off this meal.”
Jess smiled. “I’d love too.”
There was a mall a block down so they walked to it and window shopped. Jess held on to Clay’s arm.”
“How long will it be before your house is finished?” Jess asked.
“Three maybe four weeks depends on whether any of those ‘Country Cuties’ in hot pants want to move in.” Clay said, grinning.
Jess pinched his bicep.
“I’d like to come out to see what they’ve done so far.”
“Come on out anytime.”
“How can I find it?”
“Just take the 76 out toward Cape Fair. After you turn onto 76 from 39, you go about 4 miles and you’ll see a cell tower. My place is about a half mile down on the left.”
“Do you mind if I come out Sunday?”
“I said anytime.”
The walked a while longer then headed back to the Wrangler. On the way back, Jess asked Clay what he was doing in the morning.
“Well, the crew is going to be there to start installing windows. I’m going to work in the shop setting up the reloader, but first I need to run to Sam’s in Springfield and get a 72” rolling cabinet and a table with butcher block tops. I’m going bolt the hard mount for the reloader to the top of the cabinet.”
“Need someone to keep you company up there and back?”
“I thought you had to work.”
“Tomorrow’s my Saturday off.”
“Sure.
“Clay, where are you from, originally?”
Well, until I was 7, I grew up outside of Steubenville, Ohio. My mother died when I was 7 and my father Harold sent me to Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne Pennsylvania. I don’t remember any other living family if there were any and my father never said anything. He died just as I was graduating from Valley Forge so I had my lawyer liquidate everything and add it to my trust fund. I received an Associate in Business Administration degree and instead of accepting a commission in the Army, went on to finish my Master’s at Penn State. I’ve never been back to Steubenville. What about you? Where are you from?”
“My family has a farm outside of Buhler, Kansas. My father and four brothers still live and farm there, my Mom died a few years ago. There’s nothing to do there but grow corn, soybeans and oats. I was delegated to cooking, cleaning and washing for the men but wanted more than that. We bird hunted a lot and I decided to go to gunsmithing school, so I left.”
“No old boyfriends left behind?”
Jess snorted. “The pickings were slim. What would I have to look forward to? Life on another farm cooking cleaning and washing?”
“I sure there were other things you could do.”
“They wouldn’t even let me drive the tractors or combines.”
The talk died down as they neared Cassville. When Clay drove up next to Jo’s house. There were still lights on. Clay parked and they sat there for a second.
“I had a great time tonight, Clay.”
“So did I. What time do you want me to pick you up in the morning?” Clay asked.
“Why don’t I just come out to your place? We can leave from there so you don’t have to drive all the way in to Cassville.”
“Well, If you can make it out around 8:00, I’ll cook you breakfast before we go.”
“Great! 8:00 it is!”
They got put of the Wrangler and Clay walked her to the door where Jess turned and gave Clay and sift kiss.
“Good night. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Good night.”
Clay waited until Jess hand entered the house and closed the door. Jess was suddenly met by to excited women in their pajamas.
“We want to know EVERYTHING!” Erica said.
Matt Richards was playing semi-pro baseball was about to go up to the majors when his wife, Sarah, succumbed to an aggressive type of ovarian cancer. His heart just wasn’t in it any more. Sarah had been his cheerleader, his support mechanism and kept him on an even keel. After that, He took some time off and came out to Missouri worked on his grandfather’s farm. The farm was in a secluded area bordered partially by a national forest with the only access being a fire road the forest service maintained.
Matt’s grandfather had 288 acres, much of it in open hay fields that his grandfather cut, baled and sold each year. His total income had been enough that his Social Security check was barely enough to keep him in his Pabst Blue Ribbon beer. Grandpa had made a lot of money over the years selling hay to cattle growers and dairies through the Midwest and sometimes as far as Texas and Arizona when the droughts hit. Grandpa was in his 70’s when Matt came out, lost and despondent. He put Matt to work and, slowly over time, a hint of the old Matt returned.
|
|
|
Post by gipsy on Jul 17, 2022 6:45:55 GMT -6
Thanks for the update.
|
|
|
Post by CountryGuy on Jul 17, 2022 8:19:51 GMT -6
Coupling up already... cupid apparently lives in Cassville.
Love the nod to Penn State...
|
|
|
Post by jpr9954 on Jul 17, 2022 10:43:57 GMT -6
After looking up Cassville on the map, I wonder if it wouldn't be easier to go to a Sam's Club in Bentonville, AR than in Springfield. It is about 20 miles closer.
|
|
|
Post by ncsfsgm on Jul 17, 2022 12:46:59 GMT -6
After looking up Cassville on the map, I wonder if it wouldn't be easier to go to a Sam's Club in Bentonville, AR than in Springfield. It is about 20 miles closer. Actually, the could, however Springfield is actually 7 miles closer than Bentonville, with a lot less curves in the road. Piney Creek is 18 miles ENE of Cassville. Plus, you would have to consider the possible loss of self-esteem if they went to Bentonville.
|
|
ydderf2
Member
"I'm from the government and here to help" hahahaha
Posts: 321
|
Post by ydderf2 on Jul 17, 2022 14:05:59 GMT -6
Thanks
|
|
|
Post by ncsfsgm on Jul 17, 2022 19:34:29 GMT -6
Chapter 86
Hank woke up and Diane was already up. That was unusual; he normally awakened when she got up in the morning. He slipped on some sweatpants, T-shirt and moccasins and went into the kitchen. Diane was feeding a slice of bacon to Maddie. She took a cup down and poured Hank a cup of coffee and told him to take a seat. Hank sat down and Diane set the coffee mug down along with an EPT. Hank looked at it then up to Diane.
“Are you pregnant?”
“Yes. I don’t know what the due date is yet but I’d guess sometime in late October.”
Hank got up and hugged his wife. “I hope it’s a boy this time.” Diane said.
“Whatever. I love you.” Hank said.
“I love you more.” Replied Diane.
Clay had just finished frying the bacon and was doing the hash browns when Jess arrived. He opened the door to the trailer and invited her in.
“I'm afraid this place is a bit basic, probably not what you're used to.”
“Well, it looks like it has everything you need and looks comfortable.”
“Sit, I’ll pour you a cup of coffee.”
Jess sat down and sipped her coffee as Clay finished with the hash browns, put two slices of buttered bread slices in the pan and toasted them.
“How do you like your eggs?”
“Scrambled is fine.”
Clay took the toast out of the pan, added a little bacon grease and scrambled four eggs, adding a touch of milk to them. When the eggs were done, he plated everything and set the plates on the table. Laying some serviettes on the table, Clay sat down and they ate their breakfast.
After cleaning up, Clay hooked the trailer up and they headed to Springfield. The morning was crisp, requiring light jackets but it was sunny. One more day without rain, which Clay was grateful for. They would start putting in the windows and doors in Monday. I would be a relief once the house was dried in.
They rode quietly for a while, then Jess spoke, “I was attracted to you the second you walked through the door of the gun shop.”
“You were?”
“Of course. You are a handsome man and you looked as though you had a great body. A woman would have to be a fool or blind not to notice you. And I’m neither. But there was something about you….you’re, I don’t know…confident? I don’t know how to explain it. You ticked me off at first when you didn’t tell me everything, making me think you had deceived me. Since then, I’ve made sure to ask questions differently.”
“Well, I’m sorry I’ve not been very open. In Chicago I guess I got used to holding my cards close to my chest.”
“Well, sweety, you aren’t in Chicago anymore!” Jess said, grinning.
They talked back and forth until they reached the Sam’s Club. Clay was able to maneuver the heavy boxes onto the flat cart but had to have a store assistant help him load the cartons into the trailer.
On the way back, they had lunch at the Village Pottery and Café and both had Reuben sandwiches with fries. They pulled down the street and Clay wheeled into Heady BBQ Company and got a pound of smoked pulled pork, rolls and a pint of Cole slaw for later.
Clay took the long way home to go by the Ranger Station in Cassville to obtain a firewood permit. He read the lengthy sheet of what he could do and not do, what he could gather and not gather, then signed two copies and kept one. Clay walked out with the sheet and his permit and they went back to the property.
Clay backed the trailer up to the shop, opened the top box and carried the butcherblock table top inside. Jess helped carry the lighter parts in. They had the table assembled in about 15 minutes and opened the cabinet box. They used the schematics to lay the pieces out on the floor and assembled them. It too somewhat longer but they got it together. Clay took the hard mount out for the reloader and traced the mounting holes onto the cabinet top at the right end of the cabinet. After getting the mount bolted down, Jess guided him through the assembly of the reloading machine.
“What are these extra boxes over here?” Jess asked.
“Oh, I ordered extra die pates and stands for .45 caliber, .308 and 5.56.”
“You have those guns?”
“Not yet, but I’ll be buying them soon from 3-G.”
“Why?”
“Being prepared.”
Clay usually woke up at sparrow’s fart. That Sunday was no different. What was different was he had awakened with Jess’s head nestled on his shoulder with her arm across his chest.
”I definitely could get used to this!” Clay thought.
Clay heard her breathing change and she started rubbing his chest.
“I’ll give you the rest of your life to stop that.”
Jess giggled. I’ve got to go tinkle.”
“Crawl over me.” Clay replied.
“I’m libel to tinkle on you if there is any more pressure on my bladder.”
Clay rolled over and stood up, holding out his hand to help her up. Jess took his hand and stepped off the bed then walked quickly to the bathroom. Clay slipped on a pair of sweatpants and made coffee. Clay heard the sink run then Jess came back out.
“Clay, can you get my other bag out of the CJ? It’s got my walking moccasins in it.”
“Sure.” Clay said, taking a pair of moccasins out of a drawer next to the door.
Clay brought the bag back in and handed it to her.
“Do you mind if I take a shower?” Jess asked.
“Go right ahead. I’d join you but it will have to wait until the house is finished. What do you want for breakfast?”
“Pancakes?” Jess said.
“At your service, m’lady.”
Hank adjusted the drip waterers and pulled a half dozen carrots for the beef stew. They were using the last of last year’s beef so Hank had ordered a side of beef. Normally, they got 4 - 5 Porterhouse Steaks, 8 - 10 T-Bone Steaks, 10-12 Ribeye Steaks, 6 - 8 Sirloin Steaks,4 - 6 Delmonico Rib Eye Steaks, 6 - 8 Top Round Steaks, 10 - 12 Packages Cube Steaks, 4 - 5 Sirloin Tip / Rump Roast Combos, 4 - 6 Pot Shoulder Roast Combos, 6 - 8 Chuck Roast / Eye Round Roast, 80 ground beef patties, 10 - 12 Packages Boneless Beef Stew Meat, 4 - 6 Packages Charcoal Steaks (2 per package), 60 lbs. Ground Beef, 5 - 6 packages Beef Short Ribs, 2 packages Beef Soup Bones and 3 packages of BBQ Ribs. Diane boiled the beef soup bones and made stock which she canned. The softer bones where passed to Max and Xena. Deer season would open soon and Hank would get a deer and turn it all into as much jerky as he could. Diane liked the elk meat better than she like venison, so he would get an elk for her. Some of the roasts Diane wanted to cube, freeze dry it and store it away. It would keep a long, long time if stored correctly and free up freezer space. If needed, Hank could always get a smaller one.
Curious, Hank went down to Clay‘s after lunch to see what progress had been made. As he drove up, Clay and a woman came out of the front entry. She looked familiar but he couldn’t place her.
“Hey Hank! What do you think?”
“It’s a beautiful house Clay. You should be proud.”
“Oh, I am. I had a diesel tank put in also. Come on, I’ll show you.” They walked down to where the tank was buried.
“How long would this last you without refilling?” Hank asked.
“If I’m just using it for the tractor, 4-5 years. If I fill my Jeep, maybe 3 years.”
“Did you add any stabilizers to the diesel?”
“Sure did.”
“The basic rule for fuel storage is the more highly refined the fuel, the shorter its storage life. That means that kerosene will store for fifteen years or more, diesel stores for eight to ten years, and gasoline normally has only about a two-year storage life. Beyond that, it degrades and is almost useless. The storage life of all liquid fuels can be extended by PRI-G for gasoline and PRI-D for diesel. Both delay the decomposition. You should keep plenty on hand. The best way to store fuels is in a completely full, sealed underground container."
“So, you think I should get an gasoline storage tank too?” Clay asked.
“That’s up to you, just keep in mind how you store it.”
“Well, If I want to keep my gas-powered equipment running, I might put a tank in. If I have plenty of extra replacement chains, bars and oils, I could last a long time.” Clay said.
“Well, think a little on that Clay. Those chain saws make a lot of noise that might bring unwanted attention if you want to keep a low profile. You might want to invest in hand equipment, like crosscut and bow saws. You’ll need axes, wedges and mauls too.”
“Well, you just made my “To Do” list a little longer, Hank.”
Hank grinned. “My pleasure!”
|
|
|
Post by udwe on Jul 17, 2022 20:14:38 GMT -6
Hank did bring up a good point, If you want to go unnoticed, get the hand equipment!
|
|
|
Post by gipsy on Jul 17, 2022 20:20:23 GMT -6
Thanks for the update.
|
|
|
Post by solo on Jul 18, 2022 7:29:04 GMT -6
I love weekends... When I get to work Monday, that means I have two or three of your offerings in two stories waiting for me to read... My only Monday Bliss.
|
|
|
Post by cedarlake on Jul 18, 2022 7:41:06 GMT -6
Hank did bring up a good point, If you want to go unnoticed, get the hand equipment! Definitely will need the hand tools anyway and spare handles for them. Might want to take a swing by the nearest Stihl dealer and check out the battery powered chain saws. Amazingly quiet machines . Batteries can be charged back at his shop with a Honda generator or a solar panel. Hondas are fairly quiet machines.
|
|
|
Post by ncsfsgm on Jul 18, 2022 22:57:57 GMT -6
Chapter 87
Matt stood by the grave and studied the aluminum marker. Well, Grandpa went the way he would have wanted, working his farm. The medical examiner said he had suffered a massive stroke while moving a hay bale with the tractor. The tractor had caught a tire on the edge of a drainage ditch, flipping over and throwing him clear but the M.E. said he was more than likely dead by the time he hit the ground. A few of the people who had attended the funeral were still hanging around, paying their respects. Matt didn’t feel like talking to anyone right then and turned to return to the farm. He sat on the porch for a while then looked over to his right. A Cattleman’s COOP in Colorado was sending 5 trucks tomorrow to pick up 150 of the 5’, 800 pound bales. It would be a busy day for his three workers and himself. With the buckets on the tractors replaced by hay spikes, they could get it done quickly by loading both sides of the trailer at the same time. Matt shook his head. The drought out west was causing the cattlemen to sell off their stock. They needed the hay to keep a seed herd to re-establish their herds. Matt hoped they started getting the rain soon, although it was a boon for the hay business. There were actually bidding wars for hay. Matt didn’t deal with that. It was nice to get the money but not at the expense of some family’s ranch. He sold to them before he sold to a conglomerate. Matt was lucky they had the creek running down the edge of the property. When the rains didn’t come, they pumped water to irrigate the hay fields. The money didn’t mean a lot to Matt as long as he made enough to pay for fuel, maintenance and fertilizer with a little left over. He knew Grandpa had left substantial assets but wouldn’t find how much until Monday. Mr. Graham said there was no hurry but be prepared to be a little shocked.
“This is going to be beautiful!” Jess said.
“The doorway to your right leads you to a short hallway with the laundry room on the left and at the end of the hall, the master bedroom with large walk-in closet and master bath. The hallway to the left goes to two bedrooms, a bathroom and the stairs to the basement. Straight ahead is the dining and kitchen area. There will be a big island right here where I am standing. Down through here is the Great room.”
“I love the stacked stone on the fireplace and the front of the house!”
“I got that up in Ozark. I liked the color.”
“I like it too!”
“Okay, you saw the covered entry, the French doors at the back of the Great Room will lead outside to a covered patio. Actually, the back side of the house is basically a flagstone patio. Over here on the right of the Great Room the patio will have a hot tub and seating area, on the left side will be an outdoor living area with an outdoor kitchen. I got that Idea from Hank. I love grilling and he has a smoker that makes ribs melt in your mouth.”
“As I said, it’s going to be beautiful.” Jess said.
“Let’s go in and I’ll show you the design packet Carol put together.”
Hank had put up the playpen and a frustrated Maddie didn’t like it. She wanted to be out playing with Xena, but Hank and Diane didn’t want her running around while they were cutting up the elk. Diane cut the meat above the hooves and Hank cut them off with the bone saw. From the knee down they could cut the lower leg into pieces that could be boiled for broth and the remaining meat used for elk tacos. The rest of the legs were cut up into roasts. Once they had the elk cut up, Hank carried the plastic tubs of meat to the house and began washing the meat down. Diane was using paper towels to pat the meat down for them to vacuum seal. Hank got out two stock pots and they placed the bones into the pots and set them to boil. Even though it was cool outside, they had to open windows and doors to keep the house at a comfortable temperature. Hank had to get one of the 6’ folding tables to finish laying the meat out on after patting it dry. Diane cleared a space out to put the vacuum sealer and put a new roll of bags in. When they had finished packing the meat, They had almost 175 pounds of meat. Diane was ecstatic! Hank carried half of the meat down to the shelter freezer and half in the chest freezer in the pantry. He still had room for the boars he was going after. He, Earl and Gene were going to thin out some of the feral pigs down around Willow Hollow. Hank wanted a couple of big boars and turn most of it into sausage, bacon and lard.
Clay watched as they began installing the windows. The electricians were wiring and putting in temporary light fixtures so the workmen had light in the house. Clay got fidgety and left to go to the fuel dealer and order a 1000 gallon underground gas tank and maybe stop by at the gun shop. Hell, he was definitely stopping by the gun shop! After he arranged to have the tank installed and dosed with PRI-G, he had time to go to the gun shop and maybe take Jess out to lunch.
When he got to the gun shop, Jo was at the counter helping a customer that had a problem with the safety on a double-barrel shotgun. Jo took the gun apart right there, took a dental pick and cleaned the crud out, sprayed a little Gunslick Gun Flush in the action, wiped it down and reassembled the gun. The man picked up the gun and tried the safety. It worked.
“How much do I owe you?”
Jo slapped two 12 gauge bird loads on the counter.
“Take it down to the range. If it doesn’t work, nothing. If it works, $20.”
The man walked down to the range and they watched out the window as he fired two rounds down range. He walked back in and gave Jo a $20 bill and left.”
Clay grinned. “The man just got a $20 cleaning lesson.”
“That was an old Stevens 5100. I have never seen anything broken on one, not even an extractor. Usually if the safety doesn’t work it's just gummed up. What can I do for you Clay?”
“Looking for an AR. I want to build up my work arsenal.”
“What kind of work do you have for an AR?”
“Nothing, yet.”
“Well, we've got a PA-15 M4 Carbine in 5.56 NATO built by Palmetto State Armory. It's a good personal defense weapon.”
“Tell me about it.”
“It has a Chrome Moly steel barrel chambered in 5.56 NATO, with a 1/7 twist, M4 barrel extension, and a carbine-length gas system. The barrel is finished with a standard handguard, F-Marked gas sight base, and A2 flash hider.
The upper is machined to MIL-SPECS and hard coat anodized. The upper includes forward assist and dust cover. These uppers are made right here in the USA by a mil-spec manufacturer.
It has a full-auto profile bolt carrier group with a shot-peened, mil-spec Carpenter No. 1588 steel bolt. The gas key is hardened to USGI Specifications, fastened with Grade 8 screws and staked Per Mil-Spec. The 8620 steel M-16 profile carrier is chrome lined and phosphate coated.
The forged lower is quality made using 7075-T6 aluminum and are marked ‘MULTI’ for caliber. Finish is hardcoat anodize. The Mil-spec diameter 7075-T6 buffer tube is hardcoat anodized, has 6 adjustment positions and is fitted with a PSA M4 Carbine Stock. The fire control group is a PSA mil-spec finished, single-stage assembly.”
Jo cocked her head and grinned.
Clay shook his head. “That all went right over my head, but sounds like just what I was looking for!”
Jo grinned. “Will that be cash, check or credit card?”
“I’ll do a card.”
Jo went to the storeroom to get the original box for the carbine as Jess came out of the back. Clay filled out his 4733 and pulled out his CCW.
“Hey Clay! What can I do for you?”
“I just bought a Pa-15 from Jo, but you can sell me a thousand rounds of Magtech First Defense Tactical 62 Grain FMJ and 100 30 round magazines, oh, and cleaning supplies.”
Jo had just walked back to the counter when Clay had given Jess his order. She stared at him.
“Don’t pay any attention to him Jo. He does that to me all the time. Clay, we only have 500 rounds of the Magtech and 25, 30 round magazines.”
“Well, can you order 5.56 bullets in 62 grain, primers, powder and cases to load 2000 rounds and 94 magazines? I’ll take six for now.”
“Yes, but it will take a few days.”
“Okay, please order them then. I’ll go ahead and pay for everything now.”
Jo rang Clay up and Jess agreed to go to lunch with him, but wanted to bring chicken fried steak dinners back for Jo and Erica. Forty minutes later they were back at the gun shop and the four sat down at the table to eat their lunch.
Hank worked the hide under Diane’s supervision. Diane usually did the hides but he didn’t want her to strain herself in any way. Diane knew she could have done the hide with no problem but thought it was sweet that Hank would think of her like that. Hank was enjoying the work though. Diane said he was finished with that side and they would put it back in to soak and remove the hair tomorrow.
Matt and the three workers, Joe, Craig and Bill, helped strap down the bales. The Rep from the COOP handed Matt a certified check and shook his hand, asking about the other 98 bales that were lined up along the field.
“Sorry, we…I like to keep some on hand if anyone around here runs into problems. If you get into trouble later, contact me and I’ll make a decision then.”
The man thanked him and led the convoy of trucks down the road. Matt watched them and looked at the check. He’d gotten $180 dollars a bale where normally he sold it for between $120 to $140 a bale, and they got three cuttings a year. With the drought, the price had jumped and many were selling it for much more. Matt just didn’t like to profit off someone else’s misery.
|
|
|
Post by paulk on Jul 19, 2022 6:21:46 GMT -6
More please!
|
|
|
Post by gipsy on Jul 19, 2022 6:34:56 GMT -6
Thanks for the update.
|
|
ydderf2
Member
"I'm from the government and here to help" hahahaha
Posts: 321
|
Post by ydderf2 on Jul 19, 2022 11:58:28 GMT -6
Thanks
|
|
|
Post by ncsfsgm on Jul 19, 2022 19:14:55 GMT -6
Chapter 88
Diane watched as Hank pulled, stretched and pulled the elk hide over the 6” maple pole to break the fibers before smoking it. It took a lot of effort but the hide was ready. Hank looked at the maple pole. It was polished slick from numerous hides being drawn and stretched on it. The hide would feel the pole again after smoking, to bring back the softness. Diane had plans for the hide.
Hank went down to his big smoker, which had been relegated for hides since he had the one at the patio grilling station. After getting the coals like he wanted, he spread the hide out inside the smoker chamber and added wet chips to the coals. Every 15 minutes he rearranged the hide to make sure every nook and cranny received sufficient smoke. Diane came down to watch and when the hide was of the color she wanted, she had Hank to pull the hide out. They took it back up to the maple breaking pole and re-stretched the cream colored hide until it was almost like felt. Diane helped him roll the hide up and Hank carried it up to the house for her.
The carpenters were putting up the walls and the electricians were running wire. Clay got out of their way and went into the basement where no one was working. He keyed the combination on the door and went into the shelter. There were a lot of things to be moved down there and as soon as the workmen left for the day, he’d get started, but first, he had shelves to put together. Clay opened his toolbox and began putting the racks together. The walls had pre-drilled holes already in the walls for the shelves and cabinets so getting them put up was only a matter of screwing the supports in. He had most of one wall done when he stopped for lunch. Going back upstairs, he saw they were installing the oak flooring in the bedrooms. He was having oak flooring installed throughout the house. They were just one step closer to finishing the house.
Carol Martin slowed her car as she saw the rally flag on her GPS creeping closer. She came around a curve and saw an SUV pull into a drive in front of her and showed. Her GPS indicated she was there. She followed the drive up through the trees and came to the house. Clay was standing there talking to a woman standing next to the SUV.
“Oh, hi Carol!”
“Good afternoon Clay. I wanted to find out where that place was you said had the wall décor.”
”I wonder why she didn’t just call THEM?” Thought Jess.
“Well, I can show you. It’s just about 4 m…….”
“Honey, I can show her. You’re busy with the crew and I have time.”
Clay looked at Jess suspiciously as she led Carol to her K5 and they left.
”I guess she has green eyes for a reason.” Clay thought.
“How long have you and Clay been seeing each other?” Carol asked.
“A few weeks now. He really likes the furniture you picked out.” Jess commented.
“I think it fits the combination of styles he wanted. I wanted to check out the hangings he had Kacie pick out. I’ve ordered some things from her but have never been to her place.”
“Well, we….are…here.” Jess said as she pulled into the drive.
They got out and as they walked up to the door it opened.
“Hi! I’m Kacie! Clay just called and said you were on the way.”
“Hi Kacie, I’m Jess, Clay’s girlfriend and this is Carol.”
“Well, finally I get to meet you Carol. Come around here and take your pick.”
Carol looked through the “country art” and set aside several things. She took out a copy of the house floor plan, studied it for a second them continued looking.
“Do you have something I could give Clay to hang over his fireplace?” Jess whispered to Kacie.
Kacie walked over to a cabinet and pulled out a flintlock rifle and powder horn with a leather strap.
“What about this?”
“It looks old!”
“It’s a reproduction. Real rifles like this would cost you $5000 to $8000 dollars. This is $350 with the powder horn.”
“I’ll take it!”
“I’ll add it to the invoice.”
“No, I’ll pay for this myself.”
Jaelyn wrote the invoice and accepted payment while Kacie went back over to Carol. Jess took the rifle and powder horn out and laid it in the wayback of the K5 and covered them with a blanket then returned inside.
Jess had to admit, she liked what Carol picked out. She even liked the whitewashed barnwood sign that had “The most MEMORABLE days end up with the DIRTIEST clothes” and had a clothes line with laundry hanging from it stenciled across the bottom.
They took the decorations back to Clay’s and put them in the shop building. Clay was inside watching the workers installing the log beadboard on the interior 2x4 walls, adding fiberglass insulation and resilient channels to deaden sounds. The farther they got along, the faster it seemed the work went. Carol talked to the Foreman and got an update on the timeline so she could figure out when they could start having the furnishings delivered.
“Carol, I’ve got to think about linens and things and the normal furnishings to outfit the kitchen.”
“I’ve got the coordinated bedding, towels and bathroom things but I wanted to get some input before I started outfitting the kitchen.”
Clay looked at Jess. “What are you doing Saturday? Could you go to Springfield with me and help me out?”
“Of course!” Jess smiled.
Carol cleared her throat. “I can have the linens and things delivered as soon as we get the furniture.”
“That’s good.” Clay said. They are going start finishing the floors tomorrow. That will take the rest of the week and gives us to time to get things together.”
Carol got her things together and left.
“I’ve got something for you to hang over the fireplace.” Jess said, smiling.
They walked out to the Blazer and Jess took the rifle and powder horn out.
“Jess! This is perfect. I thought buying one of the Henry Big Boys and putting it up there but this is perfect!” Clay said, kissing her on the cheek.
“Careful! You will likely get more guns if I get a better kiss than that for them.”
“With you m’lady, the kisses will come freely, guns or not.”
They took the rifle, stored it in the shop, and locked the door. “Now that my hands aren’t full, I can give you a real kiss in appreciation.” Clay said, pulling her into his arms.
UPS delivered the extra SPTs which he place aside for now. Hank pressed the intercom button, “Diane, I’ll be working down at the woodshed.”
Diane answered from her sewing room, “Okay. I have my radio here and Maddie is napping.”
Hank was building firewood pallets to fill. It was going to be his “house warming” present to Clay, that and the SPTs. He had marked four lightning struck oaks that he had cut down in the spring and would give seasoned wood to Clay and replace the stocks with the four trees. He wheeled out the wood splitter and raised the first log with a timber jack to start cutting firewood lengths.
“You have the equipment with a value of a little over $800,000; bonds and investments, including CDs with a worth of a little over $300, 000 and interest bearing accounts in these 15 different banks in Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma with a current total of $3,486,726.58.
Matt sat there stunned. “How did he accumulate that much?”
“Your grandfather spent very little money the many years I knew him, except for the necessary farm equipment. He raised his own food, occasionally bought a side of beef or pork or shot a deer. His only vice was a PBR a day in the evening after the workday was done. He could squeeze a penny and tears would come out of Abe’s eyes. Also, he used to own the land to the east, 1200 acres it was, that the government wanted badly for some reason. They gave him more than the timber was worth at that time. I don’t know what the plan was, but eventually it was added to the national forest. Yep, your grandfather might have been frugal, but he was a good steward of the land. He coppiced what woods he had and didn’t worry when the power went out, grew his vegetables and kept to himself. He was one of the old school I’m sorry to say aren’t commonly found these days.”
“Why did he use 15 banks?”
“First he didn’t want any one bank to know how much he was really worth, plus, FDIC only insures personal accounts up to $200,000. There are ways to get around that but he wanted to keep things simple.”
“I’ll probably need your advice in the future.”
“Matt, I’m here whenever you need me.”
|
|
|
Post by gipsy on Jul 19, 2022 19:23:55 GMT -6
Fine update.
|
|
|
Post by ncsfsgm on Jul 20, 2022 8:16:52 GMT -6
Chapter 89
“Come on Tick! Let’s go take a ride!” Hank said.
Diane shook her head and grinned.
Hank put on Maddie’s coat, hat and gloves.
“What’s your name?”
“TICK!”
Maddie took Hank’s hand and they walked out the door, Xena on their heels. Hank strapped Maddie in the Gator and Xena jumped in the back, Max took up his position on the porch. It was eerie as how one of the dogs was always guarding the house when the other was away. Hank rode down the ridge into the hollow, first checking the little pond for beaver, then on down to the glade. Most of the leaves had fallen and the air was getting crisper. Rains had fallen, filling up his water tank at the greenhouse and matting the leaves down. Soon, the land would go into its winter slumber, enticing the game animals to look for food. Hank checked all of his mineral blocks and guesstimated when they would need to be replaced.
The doors and windows of the house were closed. The smoked oak stain had been applied and a mixture of two parts matt polyurethane with one part low-odor mineral spirits was applied over the stain. They would do a total of four coats of the polyurethane. It would take a total of seven days so Clay called Carrol so she could schedule the furniture delivery.
Jess came out early Saturday morning and had breakfast with Clay so they could get an early start. Their first stop in Springfield was Bed, Bath and Beyond. They picked up a stainless steel waste can, pepper grinder, flatware (which Jess picked out), two 16-piece dinnerware sets (Clay was going for plain white dishes but Jess gave him THAT look), a 15-piece kitchen tool set, a set of Pyrex measuring cups, pot holders, oven mitts, a set of stainless steel bowls of different sizes, kitchen towels and the list went on and on. The shopping cart was almost overflowing by the time they reached the checkout. One of the things that Clay wanted and BBB had only a small selection was cast iron cookware. He did pick up an enameled frying pan and a Dutch oven for cooking acidy foods (anything with tomatoes) but Clay wanted a frying pan and anything else he could find. The meals he had eaten at Hank and Diane’s house cooked in cast iron were always delicious. Jess assured him she would take care of him. After loading everything in the Jeep, Jess told him to search for the Bass Pro Shop on his GPS. Clay found it and that’s where they headed next, first stopping to have lunch.
At Bass Pro, Clay saw a lot of interesting things but what drew his attention was the display of Lodge cast iron cookware. He ended up getting a couple of different sizes of skillets with lids, a deep covered skillet, a wok, two different sizes of Dutch ovens, two bread pans, a round griddle, a rectangular double-burner griddle and a bacon press.
“As you go along, you can pick up more pieces if you want. You have everything you need for right now. I’ll show you how to season them when we start putting the kitchen together.” Jess said.
”I like what she said about‘…we putting the kitchen together’.” Clay thought.
Just as they got back to the property, a UPS truck pulled in behind them. Clay went to talk to the driver and the truck was fill with just Clay’s delivery. Clay helped unload the boxes and cases into the shop. When the driver left, Jess looked at the labels on the boxes. She turned to Clay.
“You’re a prepper?”
“Well….I guess.”
Jess walked over to Clay and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“I love you more every day!”
Kacie was thrilled at the wrap on the new trailer. A more picturesque scene in the Ozark mountains and the business logo covered the sides and ramp of the 7x16 foot trailer. There had been times when they could have used more room to bring things back from sales and they just didn’t have enough room. Friday, they would get to use it for the first time. Before she and Jaelyn had left Springfield, she had bought an assortment of rachet straps and filled the custom-built cabinets in the front with moving blankets and miscellaneous padding to protect items as they carried them back to the shop. There was a sale at least once a week somewhere. She was now on the notification list of a number of auction houses and auctioneers throughout Missouri and northern Arkansas. Many she didn’t attend because of items advertised or distance, but they were still operating in the black. The website was getting thousands of hits a week that insured a rapid turnover of items they posted and they were just uncovering the surface of what was on hand. She and Jaelyn talked and decided to bring on a couple of employees and train them to free themselves up to take care of things in their own lives. The kids were needing more attention these days as they grew older, and there was Jaelyn’s advancing pregnancy. She was three months pregnant.
The first lady they interviewed, Roberta Maker, had worked at Rapid Robert’s down on 39 near the lake. She was fired because she “didn’t follow the established policies” of the owner. She had shot a punk who thought he could hold them up, not that he could have gotten much because they had a drop-in floor safe that they could drop cash envelopes into when the register got an set amount of cash in it. Roberta didn’t like the riff-raff coming through stealing everything that wasn’t nailed down. Kacie didn’t say it out loud, but Roberta was built like a fullback and was strong. She was used to lifting heavy cases at the convenience store. She had a pleasing personality and both Jaelyn and Kacie liked her. Carla, Carla Princeton, was a pretty 26 year woman who would draw the eyes of many men. In fact, that was the reason she was out of a job right now. She had been a receptionist at an insurance agency and one of the married salesmen had caught her alone and decided he was a lady’s man. The last he saw of her was her back as she carried her purse out the door as he lay moaning on the floor from a hard knee to the jewels. She too was strong at about 5’ 10” and seemed to have a perpetual smile on her face. Kacie hired them both and they quickly fell into the established routines of the business. Jaelyn started to get a little breathing room.
Matt had finished preparing the equipment for the winter and stood next to the equipment barn and gazed around. He got in the old truck and rode around on the farm roads, thinking. His grandpa had been one hell of a man but his tastes in living accommodations weren’t in line with Matt’s. The house he had, now Matt, lived in hadn’t seen a coat of paint since probably the 60s. It was kept in good repair but reminded Matt of a sharecropper’s house. He wanted to build something better and was going out and see what was available. Going inside, Matt cleaned up and changed clothes. He got into the old Tahoe he had bought when he was in the minors. He sighed when he looked at the empty passenger seat. Blinking, Matt started the engine and drove slowly down the long drive to the highway.
Diane and Hank examined the enamel top work table. It was in really great condition. Normally, you would see several places where the enamel had been chipped off but this one was in pristine condition and Diane wanted it.
“How much do you want for this table, Kacie?”
“That table is in excellent condition and it needs a new owner, but I couldn’t sell it. Money just wouldn’t do.”
“What? Why?”
“I don’t need the money, but I need split firewood. Earl’s shift changed and he just doesn’t have time to get it done.”
Hank grinned. “Would two cords buy it?”
Kacie rubbed her chin in an exaggerated motion. “Well, I was thinking more like three.”
Hank frowned. “I don’t know, that seems kinda steep.”
Diane elbowed Hank in the ribs, almost hitting Maddie’s leg. “We’ll take it!”
Kacie and Hank laughed. Kacie tossed a “Sold” card on the table.
“I’ll come back with the trailer and pick it up.” Hank said.
“No, I can have the girls run it down. Oh! You haven’t met my new employees! Roberta, Carla! Can you all come up front?”
Two women came from the back of the big building.
Roberta, Carla, these are my dearest friends, Diane and Hank Tyson and their little Munchkin, Maddie. Diane this is Roberta Maker and Carla Princeton.”
“Pleased to meet you,” the two women echoed.
Can ya’ll load the enamel table in the van and follow Hank and Diane back to their house?”
The women picked up the table.
“I’ll go load the wood and come back.”
“That’s fine Hank.”
Robert and Carla followed the Tysons back to their place and were impressed by the house hidden in the woods. They carried the table to the covered deck in back and praised the house. Diane took them on a tour while Hank used the tractor to load a pallet of wood in the back of the truck, hooked the trailer up and loaded 5 pallets on it. He pulled the truck and trailer back up to the house and got out just as the women came out with Xena and Maddie.
“You really have a beautiful home.” Roberta said.
Hank grinned and shrugged. “It’s home.”
The women left and Hank turned to Diane. I need you to drive the truck down to Kacie’s and I’ll drive the tractor down.”
“Okay. Can you strap Maddie in?”
Diane followed Hank at his top speed of 35 miles per hour and was at Kacie’s in about six minutes. Hank off-loaded the pallets from the trailer and placed them in the woodshed while Diane and Maddie went in to visit. He disconnected the trailer and got the final pallet from the truck bed. Hank reconnected the trailer and went into the building.
“Come on, let’s go before you buy something else! Let’s go Tick!”
Hank picked Maddie up as Kacie took a mug off the shelf.
“Here Diane. That old grouchy bear needs a Grouchy Bear mug!”
“BEAR!” Maddie said, pulling Hank’s ear.
|
|
|
Post by gipsy on Jul 20, 2022 11:00:24 GMT -6
Thanks for the update.
|
|