The Journal: Crimson Skies: (The Journal Book 3) Read online

  The Journal

  Crimson Skies

  By Deborah D. Moore

  A PERMUTED PRESS BOOK

  Published at Smashwords

  ISBN: 978-1-61868-571-1

  ISBN (eBook): 978-1-61868-572-8

  THE JOURNAL: CRIMSON SKIES

  Copyright © 2015 by Deborah D. Moore

  All Rights Reserved

  Cover art by Matt Mosley

  This book is a work of fiction. People, places, events, and situations are the product of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or historical events, is purely coincidental.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author and publisher.

  Smashwords Edition, License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Permuted Press

  109 International Drive, Suite 300

  Franklin, TN 37067

  http://permutedpress.com

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  I’d like to thank my Beta readers, Tom M. and Pam O. Even though I can’t use your reviews, your insight, opinion and critique mean everything to me.

  The ladies on my Women’s Group have been key to keeping me going and keeping me writing. Ladies, your encouragement is priceless.

  Thank you to my son Eric, who has kept me straight and honest with everything military. Your twenty plus years dedication to Uncle Sam makes me so very, very proud.

  And a big thank you to my other son, Jason, who has helped with all my construction concerns and for putting up with my wild ideas on what and how something could be built with very little.

  I could never forget to thank Felicia Sullivan, my editor, for straightening out some of my more chaotic thoughts and for smoothing the rough edges of this story.

  And last, but not least, thank you to my readers. Without your continued support, I wouldn’t be writing yet another glimpse into the life of Allexa Smeth. Book #4 is coming!

  The Inertia of Glue

  We prepare for what ever

  may come our way

  Hoping to survive just

  one more day.

  We buy, can, do, get, until there's

  Room for no more

  And when the stress goes up,

  it's back to the store.

  Swimming in glue -

  Can't move onward, but don't dare stop.

  Not going forward, but can't go back.

  (what did I forget? what do I lack?)

  Questions and doubts settle like a cool fog,

  tightening the grip.

  Where do we go from here?

  What do we do now?

  The inertia of glue.

  You prep

  You lay plans

  Never knowing if they're the right plans

  Because you want to never use them,

  or do you?

  We tell them...

  I'm prepared to be wrong ~

  Are you?

  By Deborah D. Moore

  This one is for my Mom and Dad. I miss you both.

  Table of Contents

  Crimson Skies

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  CRIMSON SKIES

  The nation was brought to its knees in early November with the devastating earthquake that ripped the country apart at the New Madrid fault line. Thousands of lives were lost and the actual count would never truly be known. When the shipping lines were completely cut off from west to east, everyone felt the impact, especially small towns like Moose Creek. The final blow came when the power was cut in the middle of winter. Allexa Smeth was activated in her once quiet role of township emergency manager. Nothing would ever be the same for her again.

  Spring brought relief from many problems that plagued Moose Creek during that long and cold winter; gardens were planted; children went back to school; life resumed. But Mother Nature wasn’t done.

  The New Madrid earthquake was devastating, but the quake that woke up the seething caldera beneath Yellowstone National Park was massive, and the results were nothing short of catastrophic. The ash clouds that drifted across the country killed hundreds of thousands of humans and animals alike, in a matter of a week.

  Allexa’s heart ached when John left again and he knew that would happen. He also knew that Dr. Mark Robbins was secretly in love with Allexa, and asked him to stay with her during the dark time ahead.

  Allexa Smeth was once again struggling to save what was left of her family and her town.

  CHAPTER 1

  JOURNAL ENTRY: July 29

  I woke early, depressed that the ash from the Yellowstone eruption has moved back in. While I was in the kitchen making coffee, I was startled by the bright sunlight coming through the glass door. Apparently the ash clouds last night were a fluke or very small, either way I was delighted to see the sun shining.

  *

  “What an amazing day it is!” Mark proclaimed with unbridled enthusiasm, looking out the door to admire the bright sun. He was suddenly somber. I turned to him, questioning his unusual silence.

  “Marry me,” he stated in all seriousness. “I know it seems sudden …”

  “Yes.”

  “… but it’s not sudden to me. I— what did you say?”

  “I said yes, Mark. I’ll marry you. Conditional on your answer to two questions: Do you love me? And will you promise to never leave me?”

  Mark took my hands and searched my face. “Yes, Allex, I love you deeply, so much so it surprises me. As for leaving you, it will be ‘until death do us part’.”

  I grinned with excitement. “Then yes, let’s get married.”

  “I do need to ask, Allex, why me? You turned John down, after all you two had been through together.”

  I didn’t need to think about my answer. “I believe that as much as I loved John, and I still do, John is a wanderer. I’m still not sure why he asked me, because he knows he always leaves – always. Some part of me felt he asked out of gratitude for taking him in last winter, and that’s not a good reason to get married. I knew
deep in my soul it wasn’t a forever thing, and I want forever. With you it’s different. We will have a life together. Does that make sense?”

  “Perfectly! When shall we do this?”

  “Let’s go and talk to Pastor Carolyn tomorrow, if that’s okay with you,” I replied. “Tonight we celebrate.” I kissed the man that would become my husband. “Oh, and we need to tell the boys.”

  ~~~

  “Your m-mother and I… h-have made a decision,” Mark stuttered.

  “Mark asked me to marry him and I said yes,” I finished.

  Both Eric and Jason looked shocked, but not as shocked as Amanda.

  “Well, say something!” I said, aghast and somewhat offended at their silence.

  “Isn’t this rather sudden, Mom?” Jason said. “I mean, you haven’t known each other very long, and have dated for what, two weeks?”

  “We’ve known each other for three months and you can’t call living in the same house dating. The world has changed, or haven’t you three noticed? I’m going to grab onto this happiness I’ve found with Mark,” I said, disappointed at their reaction.

  “What if John comes back?” Amanda asked in a small voice.

  So that’s what this was about. “If John comes back, which I don’t think he will, then he’ll find out that his leaving had consequences. I love Mark and he loves me, and we’re getting married. Now, do you three want to help us plan a wedding?”

  Eric stepped forward on his crutches and gave me a hug, while extending his hand to Mark. “If you’re happy, Mom, then we’re happy!”

  CHAPTER 2

  July 30

  “It does feel like we’re moving fast on this, doesn’t it?” Mark commented over our lunch of soup.

  “Having second thoughts?” I asked, worried that he might be trying to back out.

  “Oh, no, not at all!” He set his spoon down, stood and coaxed me into his arms. “It’s overwhelming, you know? It’s all happening so quickly.”

  “I know it is, Mark, and this new world is very tenuous. I want every bit of happiness we can find, and I want to hold on to it. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, and I don’t want to miss a bit of today!” I stroked his smooth cheek with my palm. “Would you rather wait a week or maybe a month?”

  “No! I want you as my wife, now if I could. I want you to be sure,” he said.

  “Oh, I’m sure. If you’re finished with lunch, let’s go talk to Pastor Carolyn.”

  ~~~

  It was another beautiful day with clear skies and a steady temperature around seventy-five degrees, a good ten degrees cooler than normal. We even drove with the windows down.

  As I got closer into Moose Creek, something felt different… off. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it until we saw the military truck turning the corner several blocks ahead of us. Fortunately it was heading in the same direction and turned away, out of sight.

  “I’m guessing that’s not a good thing to see,” Mark commented.

  “Not as far as I’m concerned it isn’t!” I made a quick right turn, pulling into Bob and Kathy’s long hidden driveway. I stopped in front of their large storage barn and parked. Normally I’d pull closer to the house, but I wanted to make sure the car wasn’t visible from the road and the huge building hid it well.

  “Follow me,” I said to Mark, edging my way along the side of their house where it was sheltered with shrubs. I moved quickly along the emerging wall of the walk out basement and was soon looking at their screened in lower deck with the upper deck facing the lake. We were in luck; they were sitting up there enjoying the day.

  “Hey up there!” I called out, and Kathy peered over the side.

  “What are you doing down there? Why didn’t you come to the front door?” she questioned.

  “Because we’ve got company! Is this door open?”

  “No, I’ll be right down though.” She backtracked through the house and came out near us, unlocking the glass door, and then unlocking the screen so we could come in.

  Bob was right behind her looking worried. “Who is the company, Allexa?” he asked.

  “The military!” I said once we were inside. “We were coming here to see Carolyn when we saw a truck turn up Dutch Street. Once they turned I pulled in here and parked up near the barn.”

  “I wonder where they were going, or what they’re looking for,” Bob wondered out loud.

  “My guess is they’re looking for survivors, maybe to help, but maybe to take them to the ‘Relocation Center’. Either way, I don’t want to be found, at least not until we know for sure.”

  “But we really came to see Carolyn,” Mark told them. “Is she around?”

  “She’s spending some alone time at her house at the top of the driveway. I guess we can be a bit overwhelming at times,” Kathy chuckled. “Is it something important? We can go get her if you want.”

  “Well, we think it’s important,” I said, smiling. “Go ahead, Mark, tell them.”

  My two friends turned to him.

  “Allex has agreed to marry me,” Mark announced. “We want Carolyn to do us the honors.”

  Bob looked shocked, and Kathy was all grins. “Oh, that is just wonderful! When is this going to happen?” she asked.

  “As soon as we can make all the arrangements, but we’re thinking Thursday.”

  “That’s three days away!” Kathy exclaimed.

  “I know, we would rather it be this afternoon, but August second is the day we decided on.”

  Mark and I had discussed that John asked me to wait two weeks for his return, and though we were both sure he wasn’t coming back, and it wouldn’t matter if he did, it was a symbolic gesture. August second was the end of the two weeks, I didn’t feel the need to share that with Bob and Kathy just yet.

  “That’s not what I meant,” she laughed. “Three more days is really soon. Is that enough time to do everything? To get all the preparations done? What about a dress? And a reception? And that means food. Are you sending out invitations? Oh my.” She dropped down into a chair. “What can I do to help?”

  I had to laugh. Kathy is the most organized person I’ve ever met, however, she likes having time to make everything just right.

  I took my friend’s hand. “Kathy, we don’t need much. We would like our friends to be with us that afternoon, to witness our joining. After Carolyn performs the ceremony, we’ll have an early supper. That’s all.”

  “That’s all?? What about food? What about a gift?” she was more nervous about this than I was.

  “No gifts. Your presence is our present,” I told her. When I saw she had that look of determination on her face that I’ve come to know, I said, “Look, if you want something to do, make a dish to pass. And come early to help me set up and then get dressed. Okay?” That seemed to satisfy her.

  We left the car beside the barn while we walked up to Carolyn’s house. It was an impressive log house to begin with, shining with its deep glow of amber stain, now even more so with the addition of a matching garage and loft apartment, all attached by an enclosed two-story glass breezeway. All of that space and she lived alone. I never understood the need for all those rooms. She answered on the first ring.

  “What an unexpected surprise! Come in, Allexa, Mark. What can I do for you?” She was now in her best pastoral mode.

  I got right to the point. “Well, Pastor, Mark and I want to be married and we would like you to perform the ceremony for us. This Thursday at four o’clock in the afternoon. We will be providing a buffet dinner afterward. Will this fit in your schedule?” I asked with a slight snicker, knowing she probably didn’t have much going on.

  She smiled broadly at us. “It would be my honor and my pleasure.” Mark and I were holding hands, so she took hold of our free hands, completing a circle. “This is wonderful, Allexa, it gives me hope for a future; a future I haven’t been too sure about lately.”

  ~~~

  “I think I heard that military truck drive past while we were in with
Carolyn,” Mark mentioned on our walk back down the driveway to the car.

  “I heard it too, so it’s probably safe to leave. Damn! I hate being so paranoid. They might want a head count to send some supplies in,” I sighed.

  “You don’t really believe that, do you?” he said to me.

  “No I don’t,” I sighed. “Sometimes it pays to be paranoid.” I started the car and backed up. “I’d like to stop and see Pete and Lenny, tell them about the wedding. Is that okay with you?”

  “Of course.” Mark leaned over and gave me a quick kiss. “They’re our friends, part of our circle.”

  ~~~

  Pete’s white and maroon bungalow sat on a corner lot and was only a block away so we saw the smoke immediately. I pulled in on the side street, where we saw the overturned grill, wood chips spilling out, singeing the brown grass. No one answered our calls, so we got some water from the rain barrel and doused the fire.

  “What do you think happened, Allex?” Mark asked absentmindedly as we left Moose Creek.

  “I’m not sure. Did you see any food on the ground?” I asked.

  “No, I could smell that something had been cooking though,” he answered.