Second Chances (119 page)

“Yes. We've got wind turbines based on Mitch's one-meg models,” Jack said proudly, indicating Mitch. Mitch nodded. “They aren't as efficient as his, but they get the job done. We've got a dozen of them now. Each time Sam comes out this way with the blades, he brings the crane with him and we put one up.” He turned to Mitch. “Speaking of which, when is he due again?”

Mitch shrugged. “I don't have the timetable in front of me. I know he's working on the road to Olaf's starting tomorrow, trying to smooth it out and bridge a few creek beds to make it faster and safer to travel.” Evan and Jack nodded. “After that I don't honestly know. I think he's playing it by ear.”

“Is he sticking close to base again?” Evan asked. Mitch shrugged again. “I see.”

“I am not sure. He's been wanting proper roads to the communities. He keeps bouncing around from one project to the next because people complain about this or that. I think he wants to focus, to spend one entire year on one project and see it to completion.”

“Making a freeway is labor intensive. Material intensive...and time consuming,” Evan said thoughtfully.

“Well, he's not working on an LA freeway or anything like that,” Mitch laughed. “He's also not a big fan of one man works while five guys stand around and watch. He's got a pretty good crew.”

“All right,” Evan said, nodding.

The ladies called them to order and then ushers escorted them to the dining area. During the formal dinner, Mitch called a toast. He stood and bowed slightly to his wife and then straightened to address the crowd. “We've started a tradition here, a meeting of the minds I suppose you could say,” he said. “I'd like to thank Anne and the others for putting so much sweat and other bodily chemicals into getting this organized and looking so good,” he said, nodding to Anne. Anne squirmed as the group clapped.

“I'd also like to celebrate another year on our new homeworld. And to you, your loved ones, and to their continued good health and welfare,” Mitch said. He made a show by extending his glass and then took a sip. “Now! Let's eat! I'm hungry!” He said, sitting. That earned a titter of chuckles.

“If it's just the same as you Mitch, Mom, I've got my own announcement,” Cassie said. She rose, dressed in her mother's white dress of the previous year but wearing a blue stole with it. “Mom, everyone, I'm pregnant,” she announced. That news surprised everyone including her mother. Sandra glared at Cassie, but Cassie just smiled a bit as people clapped and cheered. She took Vance's hand, blushing at the public display of approval. Vance rubbed it with his thumb and then brought the hand up to her lips and kissed it. She smiled tenderly to him. Sandra pursed her lips and banked the confrontation Mitch noted. Yes indeed, his red headed wife did hold a grudge he judged. Fireworks of a different sort were going to fly the moment the two ladies were alone. Until then they were going to have to be separated somehow. At least until their company left.

After dinner those adventurous or just in need of burning off the excess calories made their way to the dance floor. Leanne was there with her band as was Jewel from Copper Town. The two put on a bit of a show singing and dancing. Cassie dragged a reluctant Vance out to the dance floor. Mitch snorted, but then looked at his wife. “Don't even think about it. It's too early,” he protested. She pouted a bit, sticking her bottom lip out. He snorted. “Save the last dance for me will you dear?” he asked, attention on another couple. His tone dropped a bit, making her blank out. She turned to see what he was looking at. Colonel Dunn was approaching Rozerita from behind.

“Easy honey,” Sandra murmured. “Don't rush in,” she warned.

“I'm not. But I think she needs backup,” he said, moving off. Sandra frowned, then saw Ciara. The woman glanced her way but then picked up a guitar near Leanne and strummed it.

------*------

“You look lovely this evening,” a familiar voice said behind Rozerita. “Care to dance,” he asked. She froze, terror ripping through her. She turned to see the colonel standing there, smirking at her coldly.

“I...”

“That's okay; I can find other partners,” the colonel said. “We heard you left so abruptly. One wondered why until Jolie announced you gave birth. Funny you didn't tell Jorge you were leaving or that you preferred the medical care here,” he said smoothly.

Rozerita bit her lip. He knew of her pregnancy and birth through Jolie's radio news report; the young woman announced every birth and death.

“Jorge wished he could come but he was busy. He had a hard winter without you,” the colonel said. “He'd like to at least see some pictures of his daughter. I suppose you'll have to work out custody and visitation rights eventually,” he said, smiling maliciously at the terrified Hispanic woman. She paled, stepping back in fear.

“He's not coming here!” Rozerita said frantically, shaking her head.

“No, he's not,” Mitch said, coming up behind her. He rested a hand on her shoulder. “The girl has been adopted by a loving couple and is no longer here,” Mitch said firmly. “He has no business here,” Mitch finished coldly.

“Well, he can always father more I suppose,” the colonel said, smiling coldly as he twisted Rozerita a bit. He saw her gasp. He also noted Chamber's eyes narrow in anger. Good, he thought.

“Drunks, abusers and rapists do tend to get around in your neck of the woods. Pity someone doesn't do something about it,” Mitch said coldly. He pulled Rozerita away. The colonel stood there, clenching his fists and let them go. He felt Ciara take his own arm. He looked at her and noted the amusement in her eyes. He nodded slowly.

------*------

Mitch came in to the great room with Anne's twins later the next morning. Just about everyone was sleeping off the late night partying. He'd ducked out early so he was his usual chipper self and therefore helped Ester handle the brat pack.

Ester had kicked him out with the twins to hunt Anne down. He had Allen under his left arm facing forward, and Mirrim under his right arm facing the rear. The two toddlers giggled as he bounced and spun them about. “Delivery!” He said.

Anne looked up and snorted. “Send em back. No deliveries today,” she said with a deadpan expression.

“Mom! Mommy!” The twins protested.

“Well, okay, I guess I'll just go dump them in the garbage,” Mitch said, turning about to leave. The kids protested, giggling and kicking.

“Okay, fine,” Anne mock sighed. “If you insist I'll take them.”

“Tickle penalty for delivery,” Mitch said.

“That I don't mind,” she said. He made a show out of trying to figure out who to set down first. He tipped forward to set Allen down but Mirrim protested she didn't want to be set down on her head. She bent backwards but then Allen protested. He snorted. “Well, I can't stand here holding you two all day! Why don't I just drop you?” he asked. He pretended to let go, but they squealed and hung on as they dropped an inch. He chuckled. Finally he leaned to the left and let Allen go, then to the right and let his sister. Once Mirrim had settled she blew out a breath, adjusted her hair with poise, then turned and promptly kicked Mitch in the shin.

“Owe! Why you little minx!” he said as he lunged for her. She giggled and took off like a jet, Allen on her heels. Mitch chased them for a second and then came back, limping slightly.

“Gottcha, did she? Serves you right,” Anne sniffed, nose elevated.

“Watch it lady. I could always sick the little mongrels on you,” he growled as he took a seat and rubbed the offending leg.

“You just tried remember? It backfired,” she said, smirking. “What's up?” She'd heard about the encounter between Mitch, Rozerita and Dunn. She was pretty sure Mitch wouldn't bring it up with the kids. Even cryptic talk tended to bleed through to the kid's awareness in body language and tone eventually.

“She's getting way too much like Terror Tera,” Mitch grumbled. Anne snorted. “I was wondering if everyone’s settled in?” he finally asked diplomatically.

Anne shrugged as she brushed imaginary lint from her dress and apron. “They are fine. The Dunns bitched about their quarters. From what I've heard from Paul, Sam, Maggie, and the others, he should shut up. Everyone else is happy as pigs in shit. Or not in shit, since they've been using up a lot of hot water in the showers,” she said.

“Wasn't um, yeah, wasn't Jack supposed to be making tankless water heaters?” Mitch asked, looking up at her.

“He was, or is, but not many. They just got on it. They started late when Dunn went and offered the old style water tanks. He said he'd cut a deal with Mike for the tanks, and his people were going to do some glass lining and stuff on their end. It didn't work out,” She said, shaking her head.

“Ah,” Mitch said, happy the colonel had failed. “Why would it throw Jack off though?”

“Jack's customers all went to Dunn when Dunn offered them the tanks at half the cost of the tankless. Now that he's been delayed, some are getting impatient and going back to Jack. He said he doesn't have the numbers to justify doing a production run though.”

“A...”

“Mitch, they have to do the same thing we do, pull people from one project to finish another. Right now generators, electric wiring, copper pipes, and the stuff we order are his bread and butter. Mainly the stuff from us for the electrical stuff.”

“I see. So he doesn't want to cause a delay until he's got enough orders...or more people.”

“Something like that.”

“Understood. Well, the rest of the world can heat water the old fashioned way or go dirty,” Mitch said. “How are we doing?”

“Well, I think you should have gone with the hybrid design like Henry and big Miguel said. Or at least gone gas,” she said. Mitch shook his head. All his tankless systems used electric heaters to keep things simple. “Other than that, fine. Having all the small tankless heaters and the one cold line running around is okay, but when demand hits we have issues.”

“Which is first thing in the morning,” Mitch observed. He knew from past experience it was a problem. Henry and Miguel had talked with Vance to create reservoir tanks to take up some of the slack but with everything else going on around the base only two had been put in. They also didn't have the room. The base was starting to burst at the seams it seemed.

“We'll figure it out,” he said as he exhaled. “One thing at a time.”

“Figure it out quick. We've got a lot of people,” Anne said. “And we need another hot tub. You know this place is turning into a resort?”

“Should I ask Vance to build a hotel? With a pool and spa?”

“Ooooh, spa,” Anne said reverently just as her brat pack came thundering in. She caught Mirrim before she could inflict more bruises and mayhem on Mitch, tickling her before she plopped the imp on her lap. Allen ducked under the table and started messing with things there.

“If you want to spa, talk with Tina. See if someone can cover for you and maybe you ladies can do a couple days there,” Mitch suggested.

“You are spoiling us,” Anne said, grinning. “No wonder everyone wants to live here.”

“Yeah well, I try. Training,” Mitch said.

She raised an eyebrow at him. He snorted and spread his hands apart. “I'm married now, remember? Spoiling my wife is one way to stay alive...and in her good graces. I think.”

Anne shook her head, eyes dancing. He stood, then sighed when he went to move his feet. “Well, I see someone's gotten good at knot tying,” he said. Allen and Mirrim giggled. Mitch sat again, untied his shoes from each other, then retied them, then triple knotted them. Then his hand darted in and attacked Allen, grabbing him by the tummy and tickling him as he squirmed and laughed.

“Easier to tickle you then your sister. You don't shriek like a banshee,” Mitch observed. Allen grabbed his wrist, trying to fend him off. Mitch dragged him out from under the table, nearly knocking his head on the edge, then plopped the lad in his mother's lap. “Here. Your problem now. Don't forget, it's your turn to tickle them,” he said as he got up and retreated.

“That's right, it is,” Anne said mischievously, hands lashing out as both kids squealed and giggled. Mitch snorted as he left.

------*------

Mitch woke suddenly, afraid. He looked about, gasping. “What's wrong?” Sandra asked sleepily.

“Nothing, nightmare I guess,” he said, unsure of what had just happened. It lingered though, the feelings of dread, pain, and nausea.

“Nightmare?”

“Of being eaten alive,” Mitch said. When he closed his eyes he could still feel it. Revulsion filled him. He forced himself to get up.

“You're getting up?” Sandra asked, lifting her head.

“It's...almost dawn,” Mitch said, checking the clock. The local dawn was close to 7 a.m. “It's an hour and a bit away. I'm not going to try to sleep that period,” he said. He leaned over and gave her a kiss. “And since you are too exhausted,” he teased.

She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Don't be too sure of that buster,” she growled. They heard stirring and then the door opened. Both parents turned in surprise to see Tucker there, rubbing his eyes in his red pjs.

“How'd you get out of bed?” Sandra asked, now concerned.

Tucker toddled forward, nearly tripped on a booty, then caught himself. He grabbed the bedding and pulled himself up onto the bed. “That answers that,” Mitch said in amusement. “Someone's graduated to a big boy bed,” he said, ruffling his son's hair.