Odd Billy Todd (49 page)

Which reminded him that Danny couldn’t ride a horse. Something else he needed to take care of. These days, people had to know how to ride. They didn’t have a finite supply of fuel, and they couldn’t waste what they had running around here on the farms.

He’d have to teach Danny to ride. Fortunately, there were some new saddles and tack they had picked up at the Tractor Supply in Columbia. They’d be able to outfit the boy. Even had some boots. There’d be a pair in there somewhere he could wear. He’d have to add clothes and weapons for the two kids to their caches, he realized with a start. And up the amount of food in them.

And that reminded him that his own caches weren’t out, yet. Which in turn reminded him again that the equipment from the armory was still sitting in a barn lot. . . .

He reined Samson around with a sigh, shaking his head at himself as he headed home.

He had way to much to do to be out visiting.

*****

“Whatcha doin’?” Danny asked, finding Billy in the barn. Billy had only just closed the floor door and recovered it when the boy popped in.

“Just workin’ some,” Billy told him. “What you up to?”

“Nothin’ at the moment,” Danny shrugged. “Miss Rhonda sorta ran outta things for me to do, so I got while the gettin’ was good.”

“Smart boy,” Billy nodded in approval.

“You need any help?” Danny asked.

“As it happens, reckon I do,” Billy told him. “We need to get you outfitted.”

“What’s that mean, ‘xactly?” Danny asked.

“C’mon and I’ll show ya.”

“Well, look at you!” Rhonda exclaimed as Danny came into the yard. He was wearing a pair of Carhart overalls, a wide brimmed Stetson, and Durango boots. He was also carrying a saddle, complete with rope, saddle bags, and rifle scabbard. Beneath the overalls was a deep blue denim Carhart shirt. Billy was carrying bags which apparently held other clothes for the boy.

Danny blushed under the scrutiny.

“Danny, you look mighty handsome, all dressed up like that!” Rhonda praised the boy. Danny’s face got even redder, and he looked at the ground, scuffing his right boot along the ground.

“Aw, cut that out,” he protested.

“You go and put your things away, Danny,” Billy told him. “Tomorrow, we start teachin’ you to ride.”

“Oh boy!” Danny enthused. He almost ran to the barn to store his saddle. He was back in a flash, gathering his new clothes and streaking toward the house.

“Ain’t gonna make tomorrow get here no quicker, runnin’. And you trip and hurt yaself, you ain’t gonna be able to ride!” Billy yelled, laughing.

“I’ll be careful!” Danny promised, never slowing, or turning. Rhonda laughed as the boy ran out of sight. She turned to look at Billy.

“I thought you had stuff to do today?” she remarked.

“I do, and I did,” Billy nodded. “I got stuff to do right here. That boy needed outfittin’, and he needs to learn to handle and care for a horse. And he needs a new gun, and learn to use it. Mary does too, for that matter.”

“Plus, we gonna have to redo them caches, makin’ allowance for the to o’ them, and then get’em hid. And there’s work to be done here, that I ain’t been gettin’ done.”

“So that’s changin’ as o’ now. I’ll be spending a while at home, for a change.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Rhonda smiled beautifully at him.

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

Danny Tatum did not enjoy flying. Rather, he didn’t enjoy landing, once he had been sent flying by the mule headed gelding he had picked for himself from the herd of horses gathered from the surrounding area.

“Ooofff!”

“Git up, and try it again,” Billy ordered.

“That’s five times already!” Danny protested, getting slowly to his feet an brushing himself off.

“Be six, you don’t stay on’im this time,” Billy said flatly. “Ain’t his fault, it’s yours. Horse is saddle broke, and has been near on two years. He ain’t been rid in a while, so he’s starchy, but you can’t just heave up on a horse, and ‘spect him to allow you to be givin’im orders. You got to take charge, and be confident. Horse can smell fear, same as a dog can. You’re showin’im fear, and he’s dumpin’ ya cause of it. Now git back on.”

Danny muttered under his breath as walked to where the horse was standing. How could he show confidence? An idea came to him, suddenly. He reached the rein, and pulled it in, taking the halter in his left hand and pulling the horse’s head toward him. He looked right into the gelding’s eyes as he spoke.

“Now you listen here, you glue factory reject,” he said, voice soft but stern. “I’m tired o’ this. Me and you, we gonna be friends whether you like it or don’t. So the best thing you can do is stop all this flighty nonsense, and learn who’s the boss. And that’s me, case you ain’t got it yet, hear?” The horse snorted, but Danny held it’s gaze. The horse was the first to look away, stamping the ground as it did so.

“Billy, is this safe?” Rhonda asked quietly, concern plain in her voice.

“‘Bout as safe as wrasslin’ a wildcat,” Billy nodded, never taking his eyes off Danny. “But he picked the horse. And that paint is a good horse, too. Danny needs to get’im under control. Once he does, that horse’ll be a fine mount for him for years to come.”

“What if he get’s hurt?”

“He get’s hurt,” Billy shrugged. “Life’s like that. What if somethin’ happened to you and me tomorrow? Sure, the rest will help’em, but these two gonna be on their own for the most part. They got to learn.” Rhonda could see the sense in that, but she was still worried as Danny stepped into the saddle again.

Once seated, Danny took the reins, and nudged the big gelding’s flanks with his heels. The horse tried to buck, but Danny was ready this time, and grabbed the saddle horn with one hand while yanking the horse’s head up with the other. The gelding fought him, and tried to turn, but Danny had seen that move too, and instantly pulled the reins in the other direction.

The gelding surprised him then, going with the reins, only faster. Danny almost went flying again, but managed to dig his feet into the stirrups, which coupled with his death grip on the saddle horn helped him stay on. As the gelding floundered for a second, Danny quickly wrapped the reins around the saddle horn, and used his now free hand to smack the horse soundly between the ears.

The gelding’s ears went flat, and he bucked. Or at least he tried to. With the reins around the saddle horn, the horse was unable to get his head down enough to buck sufficiently hard enough to dislodge the teenager.

Billy watched with approval as Danny met the horse halfway every time the gelding tried to move. After what seemed like an hour to Danny, but was actually less than five minutes, the gelding suddenly stopped, whinnying slightly in defeat. Danny held him a bit longer for good measure, then reached down to pat the horse’s shoulder. Reaching into his coat pocket, the boy produced a quarter of an apple, which he leaned forward and offered to the horse. The gelding sniffed at it, the carefully took the offered fruit, munching it loudly.

“Good boy,” Danny patted the shoulder again, stroking the horse lightly. The horse’s tail flickered, and he whinnied again, this time more friendly. Danny rewarded him with another piece of apple, then nudged the big gelding slightly, guiding him to where Billy and Rhonda sat watching.

“How ‘bout that?” he grinned, and Billy nodded in satisfaction.

“I think you’ve convinced him,” he said, leaving his perch. “Now, let’s see can you ride him around the farm ‘thout him givin’ ya the heave.”

*****

Once he had mastered the gelding, Danny wanted nothing more than to ride every minute of the day. He paid careful attention as Billy showed him how to care for the horse, and made sure he repeated Billy’s motions. He rubbed the horse down faithfully when he rode him, made sure he was clean and healthy. And every now and then slipped him a slice of apple.

“What are you gonna call’im?” Billy asked, as Danny was saddling the gelding for a ride over to the gravel pit.

“Call him?” Danny asked. “I hadn’t give that no thought at all.”

“Reckon you ain’t got to name’im,” Billy shrugged. “Most do though.”

“Hmm,” Danny hummed thoughtfully.

Billy left the teen to ponder the question while he finished loading their gear. He and Rhonda were taking the two kids to the gravel pit today. Rhonda had produced one more CAR-15, which would be going to Mary. Billy had selected an M-4 for Danny, albeit one of the civilian models. Both had holographic sights on them now, as well as slings. The M-4 also had iron sights, and Billy saw no reason to remove them. The CAR didn’t have iron sights, being a ready for optics model.

They had looked long and hard at handguns for the two. Mary’s small hands had presented a problem, at least for now. She would eventually, probably anyway, grow into a larger pistol, but for now her choices were limited. Rhonda had one 3906 S&S, a single stack nine millimeter, which Mary had been able to hold comfortably. It was on the large size for her, but the single column mag meant that the grip was much smaller than say a model 59 variant. They had also chosen a pair of revolvers for her.

The first was a 2 ½ inch barrel Model 66 Smith. It was heavy, but the grip was good in her hand. It was chambered for .357, but would also take the less powerful .38 and .38+p rounds. The other was an even smaller Tarus model 85, a 2inch barrel five shot revolver. Both would be well within her ability to use now, and would still be fine when she was older and stronger.

Danny would get a pair of SIG pistols, model 229's, that they had found in the shop at Cottonwood. Both were nine millimeter, and his hand was already large enough to hold them. He also received a SIG .380, gotten from the same source, to use as a back up or hide out weapon.

The selection process was rounded out with a shotgun apiece, an 870 12ga for Danny, and a Mossy .410 pump for Mary. Billy had chosen a nice Remington 700 chambered for .270 for Danny as well, as a hunting rifle.

All in all, it was quite a load. Billy had decided to take a pack horse this time, since they would need a good bit of ammo, and would be gone much of the day. Finally packed, he waited as Rhonda and Mary ‘got ready’ and made their way out.

“Thor!” Danny exclaimed suddenly, and Billy turned to look at him.

“What?”

“I’ma call’im Thor!” Danny said proudly. “My horse, I’m gonna call’im Thor,” he added, at Billy’s look of confusion. Billy thought about that for a moment, then nodded.

“Good strong name,” he approved.

“Here we are!” he heard Rhonda announce.

“And ‘bout time, too,” Billy muttered under his breath, where Rhonda couldn’t. . . .

“I heard that!” Rhonda shot back, sticking her tongue out at him. Shaking his head, Billy mounted up.

“Rommel, Dottie, lead off,” he ordered, pointing in the direction he wanted to go. The two Rottie’s obediently took off, Rommel as usual in the lead, while Dottie stayed closer to the horses.

*****

“Well, that should do it,” Billy nodded. The sun was much further along in the sky now. Both teenagers were busy collecting their empties. The lessons had gone well, and both had shown very god proficiency with the new weapons.

“I’m proud of them,” Rhonda nodded from beside him. “Especially Mary. She took to it very well.”

“She did,” Billy agreed. “Danny wasn’t kiddin’ when he said he was a fair shot. Once he got the sights right, he was all x’s. Boy’s a fine shot.”

“Yeah, he is,” Rhonda said, almost wistfully.

“What is it?” Billy asked, turning to look at her.

“I hate this,” she admitted, looking up at him. “I hate that these kids have to learn this.”

“Good for’em,” Billy shrugged. “I don’t hate for’em learnin’ to shoot. Ever body ought to know how. But I know what you mean,” he added. “I hate to think they’ll have to use’em for anything ‘cept huntin’ and sport.”

“I’m afraid they will, though,” Rhonda said softly. “I don’t know why, but I’m afraid. Things have gone entirely too well, for us, Billy. And you know that.”

“Well, I think things has gone well, considerin’,” he nodded. “That don’t mean it’ll change, though. We been mightly careful. I mean, sooner or later somebody’s gonna find us, or we’re gonna tell’em where we are. Reckon we can’t stay hid out forever.”

“That don’t mean it’ll be bad, though,” he went on. “Just means we’ll need to have a good plan for it. Like ever body here knowin’ how to defend themselves, and the place.”

“I hope you’re right,” Rhonda sighed. “I really, really do.”

They rode home in silence. The two kids cleaned their weapons under adult supervision, while hearing lectures on safety and security. Both teens soaked up the instructions like a sponge. They had been through rough times already. They had no need to be taught how bad things were, or how bad they could get. They knew all to well from first hand experience.

“Reckon we’ll get supper on,” Rhonda announced as she and Mary finished up.

“We’ll see to the horses, and make a round, make sure ever thing’s okay,” Billy agreed.

Supper was a quiet meal, with the teens chattering away about their exciting day, while the adults thought about their discussion.

It was almost normal.

*****

Billy spent the next week working all over the farm, with Danny right alongside, learning as he went. Billy showed Danny how to care for the stock, how to see when something was wrong with the cattle. He told him about warning signs for sickness, the dangers of ticks and other parasites, whether to horse, cow, dog, or human.

Billy taught him everything he could think of, in fact. He took his own notes and read them off to him, going over the things that needed to be checked every day, or every week. He showed the teen the battery bank for the solar system, teaching him how to check the meters, and the batteries. He showed him the generator, how to service it and check to see if it was ready to run, then how to start it, and how to turn the power into the house when needed.

He taught Danny how to use a chainsaw, and the wood-splitter, as well as split wood by hand. He started showing Danny how to track, teaching him the signs that each animal made. He also brought out one of his father’s books on tracking, and another on edible plants. Danny gobbled them up, eager to learn.

Billy presented Danny with an excellent knife, an RTA III, along with a smaller RTA belt knife, and two good multi-tools.

“Why two?” Danny asked.

“Two is one, and one is none,” Billy quoted.

“What’s that mean?”

“I don’t really know,” Billy admitted. “I just always heard my daddy say it, and I kept it to mind. I think it means that having one of anything is just like havin’ none. When it breaks, when you use it up, when you lose it, then it’s gone, and you ain’t got nothin’ else.”

“Make’s sense,” Danny decided after a minute. “Two is one, and one is none.” He suddenly whipped out a small notebook, and scribbled a note to himself.

“What’s that?” Billy asked, not quite frowning.

“My notebook,” Danny said, putting it away. “I write down important stuff, so’s I don’t forget. It helps me, cause I can always go back over it again, and read what I wrote down. Helps remind me.”

“Good thinkin’,” Billy grunted.

“Just good plannin’,” Danny shrugged.

“So it is,” Billy grinned. “Let’s go up to the house, and I’ll show you how to sharpen them knives.”

“Neat!”

*****

“Howdy neighbor!” Ralph called as Billy rode into the yard. “Haven’t seen you in a while.”

“Been keepin’ busy,” Billy admitted, stepping down. “Had a lot to catch up on.”

“I imagine,” Ralph nodded. “Don’t think anyone’s strayed too far from home last week or two.”

“How’s George?” Billy asked.

“Fine. Needs to sleep more, but I don’t blame him none for that. Deb’s doing better, but going through a rough patch at the moment. Amy says it’ll pass, but just takes time.”

“Glad she’s doin’ better,” Billy nodded. “Got a favor I need,” he went on. He held out two bundles.

“Whatcha got there,” Ralph said, taking the two parcels and placing them on the table in his shop.

“One’s a calf hide I tanned,” Billy told him, as Ralph was pulling the hide out.

“Nice,” Ralph complimented. “Very nice work. What you want done with it?”

“This is a coat of Rhonda’s,” Billy told him, holding out the other parcel. A waist length denim coat. “Think you can make her a coat from the hide, usin’ this as a pattern?”