Page 8 of Almost There
“Get out of here you mangy mutts!” Caterpillar growled, waving his arms in the air like a fan and sending them scurrying off through the crowd. He turned to Tessa with a sad smile. “Sorry about that. We don’t take monogamy that serious here. I don’t think they meant any harm.”
Tessa released the pistol and zipped up the pack. If Arthur trusted Caterpillar than she did too, but this place was definitely not her vibe. She glanced up at the mountains to the west, hoping she’d calculated correctly. “I think it’s about time to get back to your radio.”
“Mom, Moose has blood on him.” Mason knelt on the dirt floor pulling his hands away from the dog and stared at the sticky substance that clung to his fingers. Moose nudged his palm, wanting more pets, and then rolled to his back with his tongue hanging out as he begged for a belly rub.
Tessa rushed to his side and ran her hands through his coat as she frantically checked for wounds. Around his massive jaw, his fur was drying with something else’s blood. He panted with his eyes rolling back, kicking his leg in the air when Mason scratched his sweet spot.
“He seems fine.” She rocked back to her heels and scanned the area to see what he’d gotten into.
“Maybe he should stick around.” Caterpillar clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth as he surveyed the yard beside her. “There’s usually a pack of mutts here around this time looking for scraps. I’m thinking he’d make a good guard dog. What’ll you trade for him?”
Tessa looked down to Moose as he wiggled in the dirt on his back with all four legs sticking straight up and the kids who were scratching his belly. “He’s not for sale.”
“I said trade.” Caterpillar winked, moving over to the HAM radio and adjusting a bulb so it was positioned above it. “But that’s probably for the best. Kids need a good dog.”
Robin was still tense and quiet. She stared at the massive radio like it was going to explode. Tessa wished she could do something to help her feel safer and hoped the woman wouldn’t always be this afraid. But she has every right to feel fear after what she went through. She reached for her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze as the call sign and Arthur’s voice came over the air waves.
“Arthur!” The kids left Moose in the dirt and ran to the table, telling him stories about the night like he was on speaker phone and could hear them. Tessa put a finger to her lips and they both settled down as Caterpillar returned the call sign.
“Are they there?” Arthur immediately asked, his tone urgent and demanding. Tessa felt her heart swell with hope and silently prayed for the millionth time today that he had some good news about Landon. We could still turn around and go back. Caterpillar motioned her forward and pressed the transmitter into her hands.
“We’re here.” She released the button.
“Good. Good,” he rushed out the words. “Are the kids alright? Sally is beside herself with worry.”
She laughed and waited for the silence before responding, “Yes. We’re all fine.”
“That’s good to hear,” Arthur continued. “Your next stop is in Beatty. It’s a long stretch, but you’ll be taken care of there.”
“About that.” Caterpillar reached for the handset and she gave it over with a frown. There were more questions to ask and she didn’t want to be interrupted. Please let him be home.
Caterpillar sighed, running his ringed fingers over his head and glancing to the kids who were listening to every bit of the conversation. “You know I love you, Art. But we agreed to fifteen gallons for the trade. You didn’t tell me she was driving a tank. There’s no way they’ll make it on that.”
Tessa’s cheeks flushed and she took a step back, trying to think. It was a nineteen-gallon tank and got twenty miles per gallon. There were at least four hundred miles to Beatty. She crunched the numbers in her head. It won’t be enough.
“Now listen here, you dirty hippie. We said fill her up,” Arthur’s voice broke through the speaker.
“You said about fifteen gallons and a deal’s a deal,” Caterpillar spoke over him, both voices getting lost somewhere in the void.
“Let’s make a trade.” Tessa glanced down at Robin’s hand that had reached out to grab her arm. Caterpillar looked over his shoulder with his eyebrows raised. Apparently, trade was the magic word in this place, and she didn’t know what deal Arthur had made, but she’d be damned if he was to give more on their behalf.
“What kind of trade?” Caterpillar’s gaze moved to Moose who was laying there licking his paws.
She stepped into his line of sight and blocked his view of the dog. “I need ten more gallons than what you promised Arthur. I’ll trade you water for it.”
“Ten gallons of water.” His eyes widened slightly and she knew she had him. He turned down the volume as Arthur began a turbulent rant over the air waves.
“You’re crazy, but not that crazy.” Tessa shook her head. “Out here in the middle of the desert? Water is worth more than gold. I’ll give you five gallons of treated and drinkable water for ten more gallons of gas.”
“You drive a hard bargain.” Caterpillar pretended to think, scratching his chin to hide his smile. “Make it eight gallons of gas and I’ll accept.”
“Deal.” She thrust out her hand and he shook it. Technically, she only needed five more gallons of gas. But the extra three were a bonus.
“Quit your complaining, Art,” Caterpillar spoke into the handset. “We made an agreement and it’s all taken care of now.”
“I swear on my life I’ll…” Static broke the line.
“Come again, NA6E.” Caterpillar chuckled.