Written for Steemit: A love story occurs during a time anomaly. A woman from today somehow steps into an

anomaly and meets a cowboy asleep on his ranch, in his bed, in the 1850's. ©Jeff Kubitz 2016 - 2017 All Rights Reserved.

Bunkers - Chapter 7 - Song of Angels, Book III

Mindy Woczlewski courtesy of Nastya Muratokova

Song of Angels - Book 1 - Table of Contents
Birth - Book II -Table of Contents

Book III Previous Chapters:
Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6,

“It would doubtful that you could make or have made rifles, pistols, or ammunition like this for quite some time.” Mindy answered General Scott’s question as to whether or not the weapons could be made by craftsmen. “The steel used is a high density alloy not invented until 1996, rust and corrosion resistant, stainless, and requiring diamond machining processes due to the strength, shear, and tensile strength of the alloy. The tooling to do this was not invented until around 1978 or so.”

“Anything lesser that we could make like it?” General Scott asked.

“The colt revolver company starts up fairly soon somewhere on the northeast coast.” Mindy answered.

Addressing Cyrus Scott said, “We will take the weapons and draw the designs of them in exchange for a pardon of any criminal charges in the death of our scouting platoon, Agreed?” Lewis Holt sighed with relief when he heard that. Cyrus remained himself, yet Mindy noticed the slight relaxation of his right hand near his pistol and he replied happily,

“Agreed.”

“Who is this approaching?” General Scott asked as horses were heard riding up from the area below along with chatter and good natured talk, including feminine voices.”

“That giggle sounds like my youngest sister Senette, we call her Sissy, My mother, and it sounds like the whole family is almost here.” Cyrus answered.

“Shall we rise to greet them?” Scott asked as he stood. “Gentlemen,” He turned to his officers.

Everyone at the table rose as Colonel Mereweather rode up next to Captain Falworth, Ma, or Mrs. Mereweather was to his left with Billy driving the surrey in which she and Senette sat.

Behind Captain Falworth was the cavalry honor guard and behind Ma and Pa was the entire Mereweather family, with hands, some sixty strong. Captain Falworth cantored forward, halted his horse, saluted and reported to General Scott,

“Sir, they accepted the truce, honor guard reporting as ordered.” Colonel Mereweather cantored right behind Falworth and halted before the Scott. After Falworth spoke he said,

“I’m am here to parley, Colonel Mereweather, Queen’s Fusiliers 139th, retired.”

“Excellent, we are only here to seek information about events that happened some time ago and wish to interview all the witnesses to the ‘fighter jets incident’. Do you know of what I speak?” Scott asked.

“If that is all you are after, I see no need for a truce. Why don’t we just agree to civilized behavior and make it a social gathering?” Colonel Mereweather dismounted his horse, a giant shining black stallion of 18 hands, and held forth his hand to General Scott.

General Scott took his offered hand, shook it and introduced himself, “Agreed Colonel.”

“I could use a shot of whiskey after a ride like that, You?” referring to General Scott, Colonel Mereweather said, “The old bones ache just a bit.”

“Yes, they do.” General Scott laughed. And the two entered into a long conversation after Pa handed Cyrus the reins to his horse,

“Go help your Mother to join us, and should we butcher a steer for this?”

“I have three quarters hanging.” Cyrus answered.

“Oh good we will have a fine party and a feast for our family reunion.” Colonel Mereweather’s voice rejoiced, “Agreed General Scott?”

“By all means, let’s make our way to the table, be seated, and get to the whiskey.” The two did just that while Cyrus walked over to the surrey to help his mother exit.

Cyrus tied the reins of the stallion to the cart and then helped his mother out, she was getting older. “Oh thank you dear.” She said as she hugged him.

Cyrus helped out Senette, “Good to see you Sissy.” She was becoming very pretty with her long brown hair, hazel eyes and buxom figure. She was just a shy under fifteen years but stood five foot nine, “Maybe we should celebrate your birthday during this reunion?”

“It is so good to see you, Cyrus.” Sissy hugged him. She took his left arm while Cyrus offered his mother his right. Mindy was there and hugged both ladies then said hello to Billy. Who said hi to Cyrus.

“Why not take this down to the barn, Billy? Then you can help us set up a spit to roast the steer.”

“Sounds good to me.” Billy clucked the horse and drove the surrey down to the barn.

Mindy took Mother’s right arm and they walked her to the table, “I think I need to walk around a bit rather than sit.” She said. “I know they need a little more time, your Pa and the General.”

“Oh understandable,” Mindy said, “Cyrus, I think Myra is safe to come out, don’t you?”

“Sissy help Ma.” Cyrus put Ma’s arm into Sissy’s.

“Ma let’s talk to all those handsome soldiers.” Sissy said.

“There will be time enough for that after we go into the house and freshen up, dear.” Ma said as Cyrus opened the play yard gate and marched through to the door – knocked.

“It’s Cyrus and the family is here Myra.” He said loudly. After a moment, he heard the bolt taken out of the door. He stepped back as Myra opened it to make way for Mindy, Ma, and Senette who entered immediately.

“Oh there’s my grandson!” He heard Ma say as he turned to greet the rest of his relatives. It took a while of his time but during the greetings with his brothers, uncles, cousins, aunts, and so on he managed to also talk to Holk and tell him not to worry and to tell Myra that, if Mindy had not already.

“I expect Mindy told her.” Holk shrugged, “Or she figured it.”

“Yeah, it must be so.” Cyrus agreed. “It looks like we have enough men to set up what’s left in the hanging shed to roast after they set their horses in the corral.”

“I meet everyone over there at the roasting pit so we can get dinner on long before dark hits,” Cyrus said saw and heard agreements so he turned toward it while the others went toward the barn and corral. “Holk, we’ve left our horses out here.”

“I’ll get them put in their stalls.” He answered and then moved off down toward the barn after the others with the two horses. Cyrus continued to the roasting pit.

The roasting pit they used mostly in the summer months so it was clean and ready to use upon checking. He walked over to the ricks and began to gather up wood, kindling, and tinder for the roasting fire. Before long, some of the others returned from below. Cyrus took the spit, long and strong enough to roast a whole steer and carried it to the hanging shed.

The others grabbed the beef, three-quarters of a steer, and hauled it out of the hanging shed. Wrapped in its blanket they laid it down and together they skewered the beef.

They picked it up and carried it to the spit forks where they set it in place. Within two minutes, all was laid for the fire and the blanket was removed from the carcass. The fire was lit. The steer roasting began.

The crowd gathered around the steer was jolly and happy telling jokes. After all, they were all family and they took turns turning the spit. Cyrus was laughing among the men folk when a soldier walked up to him, “Excuse me sir.” He said to Cyrus, “General Scott wishes to talk to you about where he can deploy us for tonight.”

Cyrus nodded and followed the soldier back to the table. Where, Cyrus joined the conversation and the drinking with the officers and his father. Soon, places were decided where the troops could bivouac and General Scott gave his orders. Afterwards, a lot of laughing, jokes, and war stories followed. Pa said,

“Son, go see if your Mother is ready to be introduced.” Cyrus rose up to the task and he carefully made his way past the play yard and all the women into the house where Ma and Mindy were, with Senette, and more women. Soon, all were outside to meet the general and his officers after Ma gave orders on food preparations to the various women she passed along with encouragement.

Three Lieutenants, the Captain all became very engrossed in Senette when she was introduced. “Everyone calls me Sissy and you very handsome gentlemen may call me Sissy too.”

“Senette!” Ma said.

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