Free What Survives of Us (Colorado Chapters Book 1) by Kathy Miner

were already spoken for.  Think about that while you guys are twiddling your thumbs for the next 14 days.”  He pointed down the right fork in the two-track.  “Head down to cabin six.  You’ll have to pump your water and there’s no electricity, but there’s a wood-burning stove and plenty of wood stacked outside.  Outhouse is right behind the cabin.  Do you need food?”
    Noah’s face was still burnished with embarrassment.  “We’re good for a day or two.”
    “We’ll drop off supplies on the edge of the clearing tomorrow, along with a walkie-talkie.  If either of you get sick, let us know.  I’ll keep you posted on Dad.”
    And without so much as a goodbye or another glance in Piper’s direction, he turned and walked up the left fork in the two-track.  Piper watched him go, then turned to look at Noah. 
    “’Spoken for?’”  She didn’t need to ask if Levi had been serious.
    “I’m sorry.”  He wouldn’t look at her, focusing instead on bumping along the rugged two-track.  They passed several cabins, numbered in reverse order:  Eight, seven, then six.  Noah pulled up close to the door, then shut the engine off and stared at the steering wheel for a moment.  The cooling engine ticked in the silence.
    “Piper, I’m sorry.  Best-case scenario, this is just a short-term situation.  We’ll get you connected with your folks, and figure out how to get you to them.”  He looked at her finally, and his grim expression made the hair on the back of her neck prickle.  “But just in case that’s not how it works out, I should fill you in on the group dynamics.  I’m not sure who all is here, but I’m pretty sure they’re not your kind of people.”
    Piper frowned.  “Meaning what, exactly?  That I’m a snob?”
    “No.”  Noah gave her an impatient look.  “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.  They’re not my kind of people, either.  Look, let’s unload and settle in.  We’ve got two weeks to fill, and explaining this could take most of ‘em.”
    The next day, following the delivery of their promised supplies, Noah had used the walkie-talkie to both check on his father and ask Levi for a complete list of the compound’s current inhabitants.  Noah’s father was still alive, but reading that list had returned the grim look to his face.
    “Except for Jenny and her husband, all of these people are military or former military.  Army and Marines, mostly, three of them special forces.  And besides Jenny, there’s only one other woman – Ruth Mitchell.  She’s a medic, did tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and Pakistan.  She put in 30 years before she got out.  I know her pretty well – she’s alright.  But some of these guys…”  His voice trailed off and he shook his head wearily.  “I’m not sure what Dad was thinking.  This is a real testosterone fest - so many alpha males living together is bound to cause problems.”
    “Is that why Levi said it would be better if I were ‘spoken for?’”
    “Yeah.”  Noah looked miserable.  “Look, we can still hope this will just be short term.  Have you tried your folks lately?”
    “No signal.  And my cell is just about dead.”  Piper went for a reassuring tone, not sure if she was trying to comfort Noah or herself.  “I grew up in Colorado Springs, Noah – Fort Carson, Peterson Air Force Base, NORAD, the Air Force Academy.  It’s not like I haven’t been around people in the military.”
    “I know.  But you knew them from a civilian perspective, in non-combat conditions.  This is different.  We may not think of this as a war, but you can damn sure bet they do.”
    “True.  So.”  Piper took a deep breath.  “Let’s talk about the contingency plan, then.  Say I’m going to be here a while.  Should we present ourselves as a couple?”
    Noah looked up swiftly, analyzing.  Softly, he asked, “In name only?”
    “Yes.”  She would not insult him with an apology.
    Noah