Free Sweetness in the Dark by W.B. Martin Page B

Mom would follow them later.
    Isaac was familiar with the old family car. The Chevy Bel Air had been John and Paul’s father’s car forty years ago. Like all good Idaho farmers, he had parked it in a shed years ago when the newer car came home. Eventually it had stopped working, but he had never sold it.
    When Paul and John started preparing, they both realized the value of the old Chevy. They refurbished it with new tires, hoses, a battery and a little work on the engine. John had taken it to Eugene, as he had the furthest distance to go to their father’s ranch.
    Located in Bruneau, Idaho, about seventy miles south of Boise, the ranch had everything they would need. Located by the Bruneau River, they had a source of fresh water and hydro power. Since Bruneau was south of the Snake River in desert country, there weren’t any nearby population centers to contend with in a crisis.
    And the best part about Bruneau, having grown up there, John and Paul knew most of the people in the area. They were all hard-working folks that would defend their property. The kind of neighbors you needed in a time like this.
    “So you got everyone to Bruneau?” Paul asked.
    “Mary still didn’t want any part of it, but I got the kids all loaded and on their way before I told her. She was angry. I told her she could catch them and meet us outside Bend. The pulse hadn’t hit yet so her Toyota Prius was still working fine,” John said.
    “And no Mary?”
    “We waited at the Pine Mountain turnoff on Highway 20 ‘til the pulse hit. We ditched my state-issued university pickup. We had to change out the points on the Chevy like we figured we’d have to do. Then we all headed over to Idaho,” John said. “Brittany was pissed and probably still is, but Mom is dealing with her. I left Tyler in charge with Dad. We siphoned some gas out of the dead cars and headed up here.”
    “Did you go through McCall? We heard it was bad there.”
    “So did we. We came around through Murphy and up to Weiser to avoid any Boise spillover. Payette was a little dicey but we waved our guns out the window and the surly ones backed off,” John said. “I think we’ll head home through Emmett and cut across the farmland to Marsing. Then back to Murphy and Bruneau.”
    “Wait. Did I hear Bruneau? I need to get to Boise right away,” the general said.
    “We can get you to Boise, but first we need to get the kids safely to Bruneau. I haven’t asked, but where are your grandkids parents?” Paul asked. He dreaded the answer.
    Ed’s eyes began to mist up as he fought back the tears. “My only daughter and her husband had finally saved enough money to take their dream vacation. They were in Italy when this all happened, I’m afraid.”
    Everyone stood quiet with the realization of their probable fate. Europe would be in turmoil and they were strangers in a strange land. Who would take them in and feed them? Paul wondered.
    “Well then, the grandkids can be safe at my parents’ house until they get home,” Paul lied. “Then we’ll get you into Boise. They’ll be perfectly safe in Bruneau ‘til things settle down.”
    Ed wiped away the tears that had run down his cheeks. Paul could tell he knew the truth of his daughter’s chances, but he agreed that the grandkids should be out of harm’s way. He would be busy getting civil order back to Idaho.

 
     
     
Chapter 7
     
     
    Tasman Sea, near New Zealand
     
    The Tasman Sea had been relatively calm for this time of the winter. The seas had been routinely in the ten-to-twelve foot swell range with winds in the moderate squall rate. With thirty-to-forty knot winds pushing the forty-foot Cheoy Lee sailboat, the Leffingwell family was making a fast crossing without any mishaps.
    The two older boys had adjusted to life at sea and stood watch during the daylight hours. This left Desmond to take the night watch. He didn’t mind as he got to finally sleep on a routine basis during the day. Only the two young