James Mullins - The Winter Sniper

Mom frowned. She met her husband’s unrelenting glare and said sharply, “Fine.”

Before Hale had a chance to ask what was going on, his family shuffled out of the room and closed the door behind him, That was weird. What’s with them?

A few seconds later the door opened. Standing in the doorway was a young lady with red hair, green eyes, and a huge smile on her face, “Nea!”

Nea ran to him and they embraced, “It’s so good to see you Hale. I’m so happy your coming home!”

He looked down into her green orbs and lost himself. He leaned his head down toward hers and her lips eagerly found his. They kissed for nearly a minute fervently exploring each other’s mouths with their tongues. Breathless Nea took a step back and said, “Let me get a look at you. Where are you hurt?”

“In the right shoulder.” Hale replied.

His eyes slowly looked Nea up and down. His pulse quickened at the sight of the woman he loved. Everything was as he remembered, the log red tresses which touched her perky bosom, narrow waist, rounded hips, slightly bulging belly. Bulging belly, oh my God!

Nea saw Hale’s eyes widened as they came to rest on her mid-section, “Surprise!”

Hale stood still for a moment stunned at this turn of events. As Nea’s brow furrowed and her features began to contort into a look of worry Hale dropped to one knee, took her hands in his, looked up into her eyes and said, “Nea, will you marry me?”

Nea, with tears streaming down her freckled cheeks said, “Yes, Hale.”

The door flung open and Aina ran into the room, embracing them both, “I’m going to be an Aunt!” She exclaimed.

Hale’s parents stepped into the room smiling and said in unison, “Congratulations!”

Hale’s mother, Jenna, turned to the couple and said, “We must plan the wedding quickly, so we can get it done before you have to go back. People will start to talk if Nea gets any larger. Luckily, it’s winter time. With her coat on you can’t tell she’s pregnant yet. Otherwise we would have had to keep her hidden on the farm.”

“Could we go to the church right now and do it?” Hale asked.

“No Hale, I want my parents to be there too when we are married. Perhaps tomorrow?” Nea replied.

“We should at least stop by the church and talk to the preacher about tomorrow.” Jenna added.

Hale’s Father, Raynar, looked down at Aina, “Are you sure she’ll be ok under the blanket if we ride back in the dark?”

“It’s plenty warm under the blanket, she’ll be fine.” Jenna replied.

“I suppose, if you think it is necessary to talk to the preacher today.” Raynar replied testily.

“It is. We have to give him some warning that he will be expected to officiate a wedding tomorrow. Hopefully he’ll agree.” Jenna replied.

“He will. I’m sure of it. We don’t know how long Hale’s going to be with us.” Nea said.

“The Doctor said I’ll be fit for combat in about a week.” Hale replied.

“Do you think the Army will be able to hold? We’re south of the Mannerheim line here. The Government has been warning us to make ready to flee.” Raynar asked.

“They’ve got us badly outnumbered. The first time I witnessed the regular army making a stand, they held.” Hale paused for a moment before adding, “Barely.”

“I’m sure our brave men will keep us safe.” Nea said.

“We’ll try our best, but the Red Army seems to have a bottomless pool of men to sacrifice. Plus, the Russians have modern weapons like tanks, artillery, and air planes. We don’t have those things.” Hale replied.

Raynar frowned, “That’s not entirely true. When I fought in the Civil War against the Reds, we had some artillery. Plus, what about those tanks we bought from the French several years back?”

Hale quickly fell into a familiar pattern and disrespectfully rolled his eyes at what his father had to say, “Yes, I’m sure we have some artillery, but I’m hearing the Russians have thousands of guns. We have maybe a few hundred and not much ammunition.”

“Still, that is something, is it not?” Raynar replied.

Hale held up his PPD 34, “Look at this. They have thousands of guns like it.” Hale handed the weapon to his father and continued, “That gun can fire thirty rounds in thirty seconds. Now look at what I have to fight with.” Hale picked up the rifle that Raynar had given him for his thirteenth birthday.

Raynar’s cheeks began to turn crimson, “There’s nothing wrong with the rifle I bought you.”

“No there isn’t. It’s a fine weapon that has served me well for the last five years, for the purpose it was designed for, killing animals. On the modern battlefield it’s simply too slow. It can only fire six rounds in thirty seconds.” Hale replied.

“I see, but why does that matter? Aren’t you a sniper? Surely a small gun like this, no matter how fast it fires, doesn’t do you much good as a sniper.” Raynar replied.

“That would be correct, if the Soviets were nice enough to stand off and trade rifle shots with me all day, but they aren’t. I’ve had to use the PPD 34 several times, just to keep from getting overrun.” Hale said.

The conversation continued as the family emerged from the hospital onto the street. Nearby, tied to a post was the family’s horse. As Hale’s father untied the horse he said, “We can talk about this later.” He paused and threw the women a glance, “Alone.”

“As you wish father.” Hale replied.

The family, Hale, and Nea, climbed into the sled. After he finished untying the horse, Raynar took up the reigns. He pulled on the right one, and cracked the whip in the air above the family’s horse, Liv, “Let’s get going old girl.”

Liv snorted in displeasure, but dutifully obeyed the command. Her hooves made clomping noises as she began pulling the sleigh, and the family along with it, down the road. Hale relaxed as Nea leaned into him. Everyone remained silent, lost in their thoughts, as the sleigh slid over the snow-covered main street of Perkjarvi. It took but a few minutes to reach the church. Raynar pulled back on the reigns and brought the sleigh to a halt in front of the structure.

The family shuffled out of the sleigh as Raynar tied Liv up to the post in front of the church. The church, was a simple wooden structure with a squat square shaped steeple made of wood and painted white. Having weathered many harsh Finnish winters, the paint on the church, was cracking and chipping in many places. The only signs of life from the structure was a billowing cloud of smoke that emerged from a small chimney set in the back.

Hale opened the red front door and stepped into the sanctuary. Memories flooded his mind from the many Sundays he spent here, struggling to stay awake during the long service. His eyes scanned the sanctuary looking for the preacher, Oskar. The rotund old man was nowhere to be seen, “Hello?”

As Hale stepped forward to give everyone else room to enter, a plain wooden door opened in the back of the sanctuary and older bald man entered the room. Oskar was as big around as a barrel. His eyes widened slightly at the sight of the Korhonen family standing by the front doors. Remembering himself, he asked, “How can I help thee?”

Hale put his arm around Nea and said, “We’d like to get married.”

Oskar, his thoughts focused on his dinner that was now growing cold, frowned, “Hmm I see. Right now?”

“Tomorrow.” Nea said, and then added, “I want my parents to be here too.”

Oskar let out a breath relieved. He didn’t realize he had been holding it, “Very good, I have a funeral in the morning. The Heikkinen’s lost their eldest son in the fighting. I’m giving a service tomorrow morning here in the sanctuary.”