#224
There was more activity in the grocery, than had happened all year. Mark gave every adult a thousand dollars. It was unexpected and astonishingly welcome. Every one had a list of necessary items that they needed.
Milo had drug his feet getting back to the clan and seeking out Honey, but her welcoming smile melted the icy lump in his throat and they went back outside to have another talk. Milo gave a look and a nod to Mark to let him know they would be going along.
George and Millie had a deep heart to heart talk, George was excited and sure about moving the grocery to Belnap. "and look at it this way, there is a perfect building there that had been a store, arranged very similar to this one, the shutters will have to be moved, but other than that, it's perfect."
"Does it have an apartment," Millie asked nervously, wondering where they might live.
"Oh, did I forget to mention that?" George teased. "Yes there is a one level apartment at the back of the store. About a third bigger than what we have now, but very handy. I also put dibs on the store building and a building next door for Donny and family. I take it, from what you said, she doesn't want to head out with the wagon train."
"No, she and the children are very frightened at the idea of heading out into the unknown, they are going to be such a wonderful family George." Millie patted his arm, "I need Grandkids to bake cookies for and read stories to, this life is a blessing beyond all blessings. Thank you for loving me and coming up with this idea; it's falling into place so nicely, it has to be God approved."
George nodded his head, he was very satisfied with the blessings, and he gave thanks every day.
There were harsh words between the sisters, when Pricilla and Reva discovered independent Miss Dory wasn't going along to work at the Inn. They hired Chuck to carry groceries out of the store and drive them to Belnap to begin the next chapter in their life.
Chuck and then Gary freighted supplies and people to Belnap. Trish, Bruce and family, Phoebe, Seamus and family were in the second wave of clan headed for new places. As each family left, they carried out supplies from the store, bringing deep smiles to George and Millie.
Andy and Corbin moved their families, and came back for Donny and his crew. It was a stressful journey for Donny and he arrived white lipped and sweating heavily. Trish came to their house and did what she could to ease his pain with aspirin, asking if he wanted to come to the clinic.
Donny declined, saying that Sally and Cotton were the best nurses and helpers in town and they would help him. Trish agreed and quickly scooted back to their new place to get supplies for the clinic settled and put away.
As people left, Mark noted that Dory wasn't taking advantage of offers to move her, so generously tendered by the leaving members. He started scowling and acting short tempered when the realization hit him that Dory probably intended to join the wagon train. Muttering under his breath, Mark was avoided by the rest of the remaining clan if at all possible.
Gary and Chuck came back, tired and sore muscled from moving people and their scant belongings.
It was Chuck that grabbed a cup of coffee from the store pot, "Mark, I deeply appreciate you so generously sharing money with me, but I'm not going to Belnap, neither am I going on with the wagon train. I believe I'm going South and maybe West. Just wandering, going no where in particular; no time table and no specific destination, except for having a look at the Grand Canyon."
Mark nodded, he wasn't surprised. But, he was surprised when Gary re-affirmed that he was going on with the wagon train. Somehow, he hadn't expected it of Gary, but Mark guessed it was alright.
Chuck went through the store and outfitted himself with a bare bones camping outfit, easy to cook foods and warm clothes. He went out to the wagon circle and found his horse, snagged another horse to use as a pack animal, loaded up and was out the door by mid late afternoon.
Mark then remembered that Dory was most likely going, and that turned his stomach sour. The look Mark had on his face, was reminiscent of a thunder cloud, and twice as unhappy.
Looking around the now half empty store, Mark had Toby and Rennie, Milo and Honey, Tess and himself and Clora, and belatedly remembered Dory and Gary; to come fill lists and move the supplies out to their wagons. "Get what you need, I'll pay for it, so stock up well."
Sounds of "thank you's" filled the air, as the store's stock dwindled to almost nothing as the families prepared for the unknown.
"Keep buying," George urged jovially, "there's not so much to move if you clean me out. And, believe me, these old bones appreciate that."
Millie was flitting around, bagging up sacks of candy for the mama's to hide in the mounds of supplies. There wasn't a child in the store that didn't have their candy radar whirling actively, keeping the whereabouts of the candy sacks in sight.
George was smiling broadly, as the kids in the store were some of his favorites. He kept nodding at Millie to add more, and she obliged willingly.
Tess walked by and shook her finger at the unrepentant storekeeper, earning a hearty laugh from him. "I'm gonna miss you guys so much," he boomed out.
His loud voice startled little baby Mia and she protested with all her might.
"Oops, sorry," he boomed out almost as loud, and Mia hollered again. "I can't win," he tried for a softer tone; "I'm gonna miss seeing her grow up. Especially if she has red hair like her daddy. Speaking of red hair, what are you gonna do with that red headed little punk over in the bunk house?"
"Send him back with Corbin's men when they go back for another load of supplies, that's the best I can think to do. From what I hear, they don't claim any relation to us, and would just as soon shoot as be civil." Mark didn't want the obligation of a prisoner on the upcoming trek.
George looked like he thought that was a cold attitude to have, but Millie caught his eye and shook her head no. George relaxed, Millie must have some information he didn't have, so he would find out later.
It was disorganized confusion until the supplies were hauled out to the respective wagons. Both Gary and Dory were unpleasantly surprised to find the other loading wagons very close together. Gary was snarling and Dory spit at his feet..
Gary was sufficiently shocked to stop muttering, but that didn't stop Dory from turning on her heels and flouncing off to the inside of her wagon.
The wagon train left the next morning about 10 am. Clora in the lead, Gary in the rear.