Anthony Newman - American Survivor

The short letter had tears and a couple of smudges on it, so she knew their visitor had already read the sweet letter from his Grandmother. The note made Joe look like a great guy, and stirred Cobie’s interest to find out more about the man who was helping them, so she opened the next letter.

Dear Joe:

Almost four weeks should have passed since you started reading my daily letters from the grave. You should have found all three cabins, the large creek, and the deep pool. Your Grandpa and I used to have picnics by the stream and went skinny dipping in that pool when we were much younger. We loved that property and enjoyed it for over 60 years. Please don’t ever sell it or let anyone build condominiums on it. That would spoil it forever. Remember money isn’t worth spit in the end, but love lasts forever. I hope you find your one true love and you two enjoy the property for another 30 years like Grandpa, and I did. I know it’s a bit early for you to be thinking about women yet because of how Gwen treated you but don’t give up on love. Love and companionship are two of the most important things in this world, and true love can’t be purchased.

Well, I ramble on and am getting a bit tired. This disease is kicking this old girl’s butt, and I need a nap. Goodbye until the next letter.

Cobie had tears flowing as she read the letter and felt the pain this young man must be suffering from the loss of his beloved Grandmother and some kind of problem with a woman. Cobie placed the letter back in its envelope and had Cloe, put it back in his backpack.

“Mom, you were crying. What was in the letter that caused you to cry?”

“Baby girl, I shouldn’t have read the letter. This man has suffered several losses and is trying to find himself. He just inherited a huge tract of land when his Grandmother died and has had other personal problems. Be gentle with him. Please.”

“Mom, that letter doesn’t prove that he isn’t a pervert. Those Senators and Hollywood types were well thought of in their communities, and they still were pedophiles and attacked women and children several years ago,” insisted Cloe.

“Cloe, give it a break. You have a pistol and me to watch over you, so I don’t think he will attack you,” her mom said.

As he walked to the women’s cabin, he wondered why any self-respecting terrorist would be stuck in Ashland Oregon where there are no important targets. The entire situation didn’t make sense, but he knew the tires on that vehicle made the tracks back at the golf course, and these men had Madison. He would find them and kill every one of the bastards. He prayed Madison was still alive.

He arrived at the cabin and shouted to make sure little Annie Oakley didn’t drill him when he walked into the cabin. Cobie was on the couch with a pillow behind her head, and the young girl was making her drink some water.

Joe opened the bottle and offered Cobie two of the pills, which she washed down with the water and said, “Sorry about my manners, “This is Cloe, and I’m Cobie Simms. I saw you at Cobbs, and I believe you walked up when that man and I were in a heated discussion.”

Joe took his hat off and replied, “I’m Joe Harp, and I remember you from that day. I remember thinking that you were beautiful and mad as hell at that man.”

Joe immediately blushed when he realized he had told her that he thought she was beautiful. He gazed at her laying there and couldn’t break contact with her alluring eyes. He smiled and listened to her response.

“Well, thanks for the compliment. Now down to business, will you be evicting us from your land? I’m sorry about squatting here, but we were unfairly evicted from our apartment and had to quickly find a place to stay until we found something,” the beautiful black haired lady said with tears streaming down her eyes.

“No, you can stay here as long as you want. I have a nice snug cabin and don’t need this one,” Joe smiled at Cobie.

“I’ll bet its snug with that blonde snuggled up against you like back at the creek,” Cloe exclaimed.

Joe stared at the young girl and said, “That blonde was only a friend needing help, and she was kidnapped by the same people that are looking for you two. I saw one of their vehicles up on the road on top of the ridge, and the same vehicle left tracks where Madison was kidnapped. We were in town scavenging for supplies, and they found her while I was gathering things we needed. Oh, and it’s not nice to spy on people.”

Cobie said, “We need so many things, but I was afraid to go into town. I got shot trying to help a woman escape this gang and my daughter had to rescue me when they killed the woman and shot me.”

Joe replied, “I’m going to carry you to bed so you can get rested and I will stay with you two until you get your strength back. It’s the least I can do for two cowgirls stranded by the apocalypse.”

Cloe replied, “We don’t need…” when her mom interrupted and said, “We do need your help, and you can sleep on the couch. We don’t have much, but Cloe is a good cook.”

“Joe laughed and replied, “You concentrate on getting better. Cloe and I will call a truce and try to get along. I brought some food and other supplies from my home to keep me from being a burden. Cloe, please unpack that green bag and find something to fix for supper. Please.”

Joe picked the small woman up in his arms and started to the bedroom when suddenly there was a squeal from behind him. Joe turned with the raven-haired beauty to see Cloe beaming with delight.

“Mom he brought toilet paper, soap, tampons, and candy bars,” Cloe was delighted.

Cobie’s very red face was only inches away from Joe’s face when she replied, “My daughter has struggled with the leaves and catalog paper. You are her new hero.”

Joe replied in his best cowboy voice, “Mam, I’m just a simple cowboy trying to bring comfort and joy to two cowgirls in need of help. I gathered those supplies the other day, and I think you can use them more than I can.”

“Boy, that sounded fake. You need to work on the cowboy accent,” Cobie chuckled.

Joe placed Cobie on the bed and covered her with a blanket before leaving to join her daughter in the kitchen. Cobie watched them make peace for a few minutes and fell fast asleep. She felt safe for the first time in many weeks, and perhaps this old cabin wasn’t the worst thing that could have happened to them.

Joe sat by the fireplace that night after Cloe had gone to bed and pulled the two letters from his Grandma out of his pack. He read the second letter and laughed when he read the words about women and not giving up on love. Joe started to put the letters away when he noticed a smudge in the ink. He brought the letter closer to the fire and could see where drops of water had been on the letter. He examined the envelope and didn’t find any water stains. This made him search his pack, and he was confident someone had searched through his belongings.

He was furious at first but then calmed down and tried to put himself in their place. Two women all alone with a stranger in their midst would be suspicious and want to know more about the man. Then he blushed because he remembered what they saw in the letter.

Cloe was up early and closed the door to the bedroom before she began rattling the pots and pans in the kitchen. She started a fire in the cook stove and then made sure Joe was up for the day by sending him outside to fetch some water. She cut up a freshly caught rabbit, added canned potatoes, and carrots to the pan and set it on the old wood-fired cook stove. Joe marveled at how industrious the young girl was for this early in the morning and did his best to help her get their meal prepared.