Chapter Fifty-three

The last day of August started out like any other; breakfast was followed by the construction crew consisting of the majority of the men, heading off to the site where the lodge was in progress. So much had been accomplished and the entire community was excited about their new home nearing completion. Along side the main structure was a large barn, several smaller buildings and the start of a more extensive infirmary.

As the planted fields now required little care, more men became available to move the work along faster. This allowed for a well and underground cold storage room to be dug.

Every able-bodied man was called upon to do his share. Even Nathan, Quentin and Yancey put aside their normal duties as often as possible to pitch in. Lakota too, taking extra precautions to avoid injuring his hands.

The livestock had been cared for and the laundry, which according to the newly implemented schedule was only done every second day while under Yancey’s supervision, was in progress. These chores fell mostly to Galen, Raythe, Spyke and Levi.

With the morning meal behind them, Walker got fresh bread rising while Thad and Jordan began preparations for lunch. It fell on the shoulders of a few of the less physically proficient men to do these chores, that were rotated regularly to avoid any complaining about the monotony of doing the same thing every day.

Of course, the medical team remained ready should emergencies arise, and two days a week Nathan continued his on-going work of keep everyone furnished with proper clothing as some were toning up with the manual labor and others slimming down. Quentin now only updated his inventory once a week. Troy carried on the daily duty of maintaining a good supply of fresh water and firewood.

When time permitted, the men would take turns to find rest and relaxation at their favourite swimming hole. This gave each man something to look forward to other than incessant toil during the daytime hours, especially on the warmer days.

Mid-afternoon found Walker tending to his herb garden. He glanced up when he sensed someone behind him. His fellow councilman had just recently returned from his daily check of the fields.

“Hi, Thomas. How are the crops doing?”

“Very well. We’ve been getting just enough rain to keep them flourishing. I am confident we will have a good harvest.”

Only three men were still working in the mess hall. Spyke, Jordan and Galen finished packing up the two baskets containing biscuits, jam and cheese for those laboring at the building site.

“Let’s get going. We want time to swim. Thad and Larry are expecting us to join them. Guess there’s no use in asking if you wanna come with us, is there Galen?” Jordan inquired, grabbing up a basket and one of the containers of coffee. He sighed resignedly when his friend sent him a negative shake of his head.

“You should know better than to fuckin’ ask, Jordan. We all know he’s not allowed to leave the camp without Thomas by his side.” Spyke picked up the remaining basket and coffee urn, Seeing the unhappy expression on Galen’s face, he gave him a sympathetic smile and apologised. “Sorry, kid. Didn’t mean to make your dilemma thornier than it already is.”  

“It’s alright,” Galen shrugged. “I’m getting used to entertaining m-myself.” His shoulders slumped as he watched his friends leave. He wished he could join them.     

Walker once again observed the scene playing out in the large tent. It was one that had taken place many times during the summer. He put a restraining hand on Thomas’ arm to prevent him leaving and accompanying the two lads.

Fully aware of being about to interfere in a matter that probably shouldn’t concern him, he purposefully decided to do so anyway. “Hang on a moment, Thomas. I want you to see something.” At the questioning look on the other man’s face, he determinedly made a suggestion. “I think you may be interested in learning how young Galen spends his afternoons, but I strongly recommend you don’t let him know you’re watching him.”

“Hmm, I wonder where he’s off to,” Thomas frowned when he saw Galen run behind the sleeping tents.

“Rest assured he’ll be right back shortly. Just wait here.” With that, Walker left. He entered the mess hall at the same moment Galen reappeared carrying a basket of clean laundry. Busying himself putting a snack together, he kept a prudent watch over the young man’s activity.

Galen neatly fold the freshly dried clothes, placed them in piles according to which tent they were to be dispensed to and then sent about delivering them.

“Come take a break, Galen,” Walker requested upon the lad’s return. He placed two mugs on the table, one of coffee and another of milk, along with a plate of cookies. “So, where is everyone?” he asked once they were seated. He had made sure they were within hearing distance to Thomas with their backs towards him.

Galen swallowed before glancing up at the older man and smiling his appreciation for the unexpected treat. “Ah, let’s see. M-most are w-working at the lodge, including Yancey and Brodie. I don’t suspect Brodie of doing m-much m-more than resting though; what w-with his b-broken ankle and all. Raythe has run off to find Brock. It’s sewing day, so Nathan and Wes are in the tailor’s workshop, but I b-bet they’re not getting m-much sewing done. They gotta m-make up for lost time, I suppose.”

Walker chuckled at the observation, not at all surprised at the possible truthfulness of it. “And the others?” he prodded.

“I imagine Lakota’s on the prowl for m-more herbal m-medicine. You know, the kind that even though it w-works, a lot of it still tastes horrible.” Galen paused to eat the last of his cookie. He washed it down with milk before continuing. “It’s Larry, Spyke. Thad and Jordan’s turn to go swimming.”

“When is your turn, Galen?” Walker knew the lad wasn’t permitted to accompany the other lads, but he wondered how Galen would explain the reasons behind that particular directive.

“I don’t get one.” Galen reached for another cookie.

“Why?”

With a shrug, the younger man mumbled around the food in his mouth. “I don’t have enough life experience.”

“I would think you had as much and maybe more that Jordan or Spyke.”

“I don’t know where they got theirs. I just know I haven’t got enough.” Galen finished off his milk. “Anyway, I guess that accounts for just about everyone b-being as you and I are here.”

“Yes, and why are you not down on the beach? It’s your usual haunt,” Walker teased. “It is a warm afternoon and we may not get many more should the weather take a turn on us.”

“Oh right, ‘cause Levi and Troy w-wanted to w-walk along the shore to cool off and talk p-private.”

“Not anymore.” Walker smiled and pointed at the two men they were discussing. The tutor and his husband were walking past the fire pit.  

“Then I guess I can have the b-beach to m-myself now!” Galen happily exclaimed and jumped up. He grabbed two of the heaviest lined fishing poles leaning against the side of the tent, and a couple of empty buckets. Then he whistled for Walker’s golden retrievers and set off at a run, looking for a bit of fun.

Thomas came out of his hiding spot and approached Walker. The ex-landowner didn’t look to happy. “He spends every afternoon alone? Doing the same thing every day, I wonder.”

“Depends on what chores need to be completed,” Walker intoned as the two men watch Galen disappear from sight.

“I’ve got to do something about this,” Thomas muttered, shaking his head in despondency. Clearing his throat, he offered his hand to his friend. “Thank you, Walker, for bringing this to my attention.”

Galen stripped himself of his only article of clothing and headed for the water. After locating the perfect spot near the rocks for catching larger fish, he baited the hooks, cast the lines and secured the rods by using a few loose stones and wet sand. While waiting for the fish to bite he dug for clams, hoping Walker would make a seafood chowder.

One bucket was almost full of shellfish when the dogs began to bark, once again indicating fish on the end of his lines. He had been lucky and now had four fair-sized codfish.

He picked up his fishing equipment and turned to go back to camp. He stopped when he saw Thomas sitting on a log not far from where he had left his overalls. Unsure of why his mentor was here, Galen slowly made his way over to his dungarees and turning his back to Thomas, shyly slipped on his clothing. Since Thomas had proposed marriage, instead of getting closer, Galen felt they were becoming strangers again.

Thomas frowned slightly when he saw Galen carrying a bucket strategically in front of himself. Why was the young man, who habitually ran naked when on the beach, suddenly uncomfortable with his fiance seeing him unclothed?

“Come over sit with me for a while, Galen,” Thomas invited.

Galen did as he was asked with some trepidation. He was at a lost as to why Thomas was not at the construction site. He sat down next to the older man and glanced up uncertainly. “Am I in trouble, Thomas?”

“Why would you think that, honey?”

“Huh, m-maybe ‘cause I’m out of sight of the settlement.” Galen looked over his shoulder at the trees blocking his view of the main camp. “And I’m alone except for Romeo and Juliet.” He fidgeted anxiously and toyed with a worn area on the knee of his overalls. “You don’t have to w-worry about m-me, Thomas. I know how b-busy you are.”

Wrapping an arm around Galen’s shoulders, Thomas hastened to assure the love of his life that he was not in any trouble. “You’re allowed here, sweetie, as long as you are careful and let someone know where you are. Walker knew you were here, and I’ve watch you taking care. Besides, Romeo would be sure to notify his owner should something go awry.” He dropped a kiss on the curly-haired head now nestling against him. “And I am no busier than anyone else in our community.”

They sat in silence for several minutes reconnecting and finding comfort in each other’s presence.

Suddenly, Galen looked up and solemnly whispered. “I get lonely sometimes, Thomas.”

Thomas studied the beseeching gray eyes and sadly acknowledge his shortcomings that were in the most part responsible for his young fiance’s feelings of abandonment.

“Then we’ve got to do something about that, Galen.” Getting a hopeful smile, Thomas put forth a suggestion. “How about you coming to the construction site with me at least three times a week from now on?”

“Honest?” Galen sounded doubtful. They’d made plans in the past to spend more time together, but those good intentions hadn’t often materialised.

“Yes, from now on it will be a priority and if I forget, you will have to remind me. Alright?” Thomas laughed when Galen jumped up and threw his arms around him. Returning the hug, the older man offered another idea. “And I think we need some time alone. So, would a camping trip appeal to you?”

A squeal of delight was his answer.   

TBC……