Nathan Jones - First Winter

Trev felt like a third wheel during most of the interviews that took place over the next few hours. He had a few questions to ask about fighting experience, of course, but most of these refugees were being brought in for other skills besides combat experience and marksmanship.

From what he could see most of the potential recruits were exceptional people who tended to have a full college education and/or extensive medical schooling. They’d been picked out by Lucas and Ben from among thousands, not only for their skills but also for their integrity and hardworking nature. Most tended to be older, in their late twenties at least, since a formal education combined with work experience in their field took some time to gain. But there were some exceptions.

One of the applicants, a lovely woman in her early 20s named Hailey Nelson, had roughly the same level of education as Trev. Her draw for the town was that she’d grown up in a family that raised goats. They’d processed the milk into homemade cheese, soap, kefir, and yogurt, which they’d made a modest business of selling to satisfied customers. They’d also butchered excess animals for meat and made rugs out of their hides. More importantly, they’d harvested and woven goat fibers, and Hailey’s resume spoke to her skill working with wool as well.

Her knowledge of what could be done with the animal products was far more extensive than the Watsons’, who’d mostly just bottled the milk and slaughtered the animals. She’d also personally assisted with every task involved with the family business, including preserving the meat and making the rugs, as well as assisting with kidding and tending sick animals.

After quizzing her on her practical skills Chauncey was very enthusiastic about inviting her in. Being able to process and store what the goats and sheep produced long term would be important, especially in the summer when refrigeration wasn’t available. And it was better to know how rather than resorting to trial and error, even if Lewis had books on the techniques to help out.

Hailey’s family had raised other animals at various points as well, similarly doing their best to get the most out of what they produced, and that was another plus. They’d also had an extensive garden, including seasoning and medicinal herbs, and being from Gunnison she was familiar with raising plants in the dry, poor soil of this area.

Although the young woman’s skill set wasn’t quite as vital as, say, Dr. Langstrom’s, she seemed earnest and hardworking. It also helped sell her case that her family had been killed in the chaos and her situation in the refugee camp was very tenuous. With none of her skills useful in that setting she’d helped with the camp’s cooking, using her knowledge of edible plants in the area and her family’s frugal spending habits to make decent meals with what was available. Still, she seemed desperate to get out and find something more stable.

Other applicants ranged from a dentist to a professional farmer to an OB/GYN with decades of experience in childbirth who Matt immediately threw his support behind. In the end Trev and the rest of the committee settled on 22 people to invite into the community, all of whom they were satisfied had far more to contribute to the town than the resources they’d require.

With the decision made they returned to the pavilion, thanking those who hadn’t made the cut and wishing them a safe trip back to the refugee camp. The rejected applicants were all disappointed, of course, and many complained bitterly about being led on, but none tried to start any trouble.

After the other refugees started on their way home Matt faced the group of new Aspen Hill residents. “For those of you who still have possessions or family waiting back at the refugee camp, we have a handcart we can send to help you bring them back. As for lodgings, we’ve found people willing to take you in temporarily until enough houses can be built for everyone. Is there anything you need to know right now?”

There was a bit of hesitation as the group tried to figure out what qualified as an urgent question, which lasted long enough to indicate no one had any. Matt smiled. “In that case welcome to your new home.”

There were some cheers at that, from the former refugees as well as the townspeople, and then the two groups began mingling as the new townspeople were introduced to the families who’d be taking them in, as well as to their new neighbors.

As part of the committee as well as leader of the town’s defenses Trev felt it was his responsibility to go around personally shaking hands with all the new residents. They all thanked him profusely, much to his embarrassment. Especially Hailey, who held his hand longer than was strictly necessary and told him she hoped for a chance to get to know him better.

Trev noticed that Deb, waiting nearby as one of the defenders he’d assigned to unobtrusively watch the pavilion in case of trouble, glared at that. To reassure her he immediately went over to ask her how things had gone while he’d been interviewing everyone.

While the brown-haired woman reported on the afternoon’s events, Trev noticed that Matt had immediately singled out Margaret Johnson and was ushering the OB/GYN away. Presumably to give Sam a much needed checkup and reassure himself that the pregnancy was going smoothly.

Within fifteen minutes the impromptu party started to die down as everyone got back to work and the new residents dispersed to their temporary homes to settle in. Trev expected that would include baths and laundry, and hopefully even new clothes in better condition than their current rags, gifted from those with plenty to spare.

Rick came around to chat with him and Deb for a while. Apparently while giving his tour of the town to the applicants, the younger man had invited anyone who was asked to stay to come to his wedding.

“How are you and Alice doing, anyway?” Trev asked. “I’ve barely seen you around lately.”

His friend grinned. “Great. We’ve just both been super busy. Alice and my mom have been getting ready for the wedding, while I’ve been working hard to make sure our married life is comfortable.” He glanced between Trev and Deb. “On a completely related subject, Trev, I hear you’re making a bachelor pad for yourself.”

Trev did his best to hide his embarrassment. Deb knew about his building project, but they hadn’t really talked about it. Also where had Rick “heard” that?

“Yeah, I’ve started on an extension to the cabin,” he admitted. “Although at the rate I’m going it’ll be done by Christmas if I’m lucky.” He glanced at the pavilion, which was now nearly empty. “Speaking of which, I’m going to get in touch with the lookouts to make sure the refugees are well on their way, then I’ll probably get back to work on it.”

Rick nodded. “Sounds like a plan. There’s always more venison to smoke and acorns to gather.”

They parted ways, Deb walking beside Trev as he briefly contacted the lookouts. Once he was finished the brown-haired woman glanced at him sidelong. “So I guess once you finish your room we’ll have a place to hang out when we’re not working, huh?”

“Yeah.” Trev cleared his throat. “Or, you know, if I’m busy doing something and you need some peace and quiet you’re welcome to hang out there yourself.”

She gave him an odd look, and he wondered if the off the cuff offer had come off as weird. “Sure, okay.” She glanced up at the sun. “My shift’s starting soon. Good luck building.”

He waved her off as she started for the eastern ridge and her lookout position on that side. She had the late afternoon to dark schedule, when Trev was usually busy helping with house building. Or, in this case, building his own.