Endless Flames (Surviving Ashes, Book Four) (4 page)

How did one become a mother? Maxie’s own mother had died long before any memories could be made, leaving her with a father who had tried to fill two roles. Did she even know how to be a mother? The doubts that had been plaguing her for these last few months returned full force as she tried to make herself turn and walk out the door to the courthouse down Main Street. It was then that Jacob’s face appeared behind her closed eyes, staring at her with absolute trust in those wide blue eyes of his. Absolute and unshakeable trust in her ability to be everything that he needed. That sweet, now one-year-old boy believed in her and she wouldn’t let him down after all he’d been through in his short life.

“I’ll keep—”

“Jean, is Sheriff Ross in his office?” Berke Daniels asked, walking up to stand beside Maxie at the counter. “I need to speak with him now. It’s urgent.”

Maxie studied the resident military hero in the eyes of many, although he claimed to be anything but. It was obvious that something was wrong and she swore she could feel the tension radiating off of his muscular body—one she’d admired from afar, but had never acted on her desires. He’d made it clear through his actions that he hadn’t quite settled down enough to be serious and she wasn’t a woman who played games with boys who had yet to become men.

“Berke, is there something I can help you with?” Maxie asked, standing to her full height. She was rather petite, and Berke had her beat by a good eight inches. She’d see what he needed before walking over to the courthouse to finalize the paperwork, ignoring the little voice inside of her head that was telling her she was only delaying the inevitable. “I—”

“Need to get going,” Jean finished the announcement with an arched brow while pointing toward the door. “Go. You’re on maternity leave and I’m sure the sheriff can handle this.”

“You’re right,” Maxie agreed, slapping the countertop with determination. She turned on the heel of the new flats she’d purchased just for this occasion. She was usually either in her uniform black leather shoes or her favorite rough side-out boots, but today called for something with a little more class. She ran her palms down the front of her black slacks before closing the distance to the door, pushing aside the doubts that she was doing the right thing. “I’ll—”

“Wait.” The abrupt command Berke issued wasn’t simply a suggestion and Maxie turned back around with a semblance of surprise. It was almost a military issued order and she didn’t like being treated as if she was under his command. She’d admit to acquiring somewhat of a superior attitude that came off as arrogance to some, but she’d worked hard to be treated as an equal in the law enforcement community and demanded respect. With that said, she did as he asked only out of curiosity. “You’ll need to hear this too.”

“Has something happened?” Jean asked, reaching for the mic on the radio that was positioned next to the monitor on her desk. “I’ll call Deputy—”

“Jean, I don’t have time to wait for someone else,” Berke said, brushing past Maxie as he made his way through the open layout of the sheriff’s office. There were four desks facing the front of the building, all of them cluttered with papers, files, coffee mugs, and personal items collected over the years. It wasn’t like they had a high turnover of employees. “Sheriff, are you back there?”

“What the hell?” Maxie muttered underneath her breath, glancing at the large clock on the wall. The plastic face that had been manufactured by the Bureau of Prisons had seen better days and had a small crack in the corner that had been there for as long as she could remember. She literally had five minutes before she was due at the courthouse. “Berke, I really need to go. I’m not officially on duty anyway.”

“What’s all the commotion about out here?” Sheriff Ross asked after he’d opened up his office door, sans his usual Stetson El Presidente that had to be at least ten years old. His grey hair was cut short and his square jawline was set with displeasure. He’d taken over for Maxie’s father about that time too, right after Beau Denikin’s first heart attack. It was the second one that had finished the job. “Daniels, what the hell is going on?”

“I know this is going to be hard to believe, but you need to evacuate the town and tell all of the residents to head east.” Berke’s claim was met with stunned silence and all three of them watched as he reached for the framed map of the United States that somehow had coffee ring stains all over it. He moved some files to the middle of Deputy John’s desk, who wouldn’t be too pleased with the careless gesture. It was a good thing he worked the night shift so Jean could put things back in order. “Now see here. The Yellowstone caldera is getting ready for a major eruption. It’s only a matter of time and the townsfolk are going to look to you for answers.”

“I’d never thought I’d have to ask this, Berke,” Sheriff Ross said with caution while looking over Berke with suspicion, “but have you been drinking?”

“No,” Berke stated with frustration, pointing toward their location on the map and then dragging his finger straight across the southern coast only to stop when he reached Florida. “This is the route they need to take. You need to tell them to pack up what essentials they’ll need, such as water and food, and leave everything else behind. There will be FEMA camps stationed all along the East Coast, but it’s best they reach it quickly and then make their way south by boat if need be.”

Sheriff Ross wasn’t looking down at the map Berke was studying, but rather at Maxie. He was indicating that they might have a problem on their hands when he went to restrain Berke, for the sheriff truly believed he was drunk. Either that or he’d lost his handle on reality. Maxie glanced behind her, wishing Deputy Boyega would make an appearance. Where was he, anyway? She didn’t want to have anything to do with this considering she was about to adopt a little boy today.

“Berke, why don’t we get you some coffee and—”

“Sheriff, I didn’t have to waste my time coming here to tell you this,” Berke said with resignation, straightening his shoulders and being smart enough to keep his hands directly at his sides to indicate he didn’t want any trouble. The holster he was wearing was a staple and so was the model 1911A1 in it. He was the proud owner of Daniels’ Gun Range and a model citizen, but something had to have happened for him to be talking off the cuff this way. “I came because these residents deserve better than to wait until it’s too late for them to travel. Have you turned on the news this morning? Last night? Have you seen the reports coming out of Yellowstone regarding the tremors that are swarming the area?”

The sheriff exchanged looks with Jean before shifting his lower jaw in thought. He did that often, almost as if he didn’t think something was worth his time. Maxie was torn between leaving him and Jean to deal with this or actually believing what Berke was saying, but she couldn’t quite lean toward the latter. She did the next best thing to satisfy all who were concerned.

“Here,” Maxie declared, reaching for the remote on Deputy Boyega’s desk. She pressed the button a little too hard, wanting this to be over with so she could still make it to the courthouse on time. The picture finally turned on and revealed one of the local anchors, although the man was usually on in the evening. There was a strip at the bottom of the monitor that continuously updated with news alerts and there wasn’t anything of concern that Maxie noted. The tension gathered in her shoulders eased. “Tremors. That’s all it is, Berke.”

“Look, son,” Sheriff Ross started out in a manner that caused Maxie to cringe. Everyone was well aware that Berke grew up with an uncle who hadn’t been the best role model and had died well before Berke had joined the Corps. The condescending nickname wasn’t going to go over all that well. “Why don’t you—”

“Sheriff, with all due respect,” Berke stated in warning, his dark gaze narrowing, “I came here to warn you out of courtesy. I actually spoke with someone I know personally at the USGS, who confirmed that an eruption is inevitable. They aren’t going public for fear of mass hysteria, but they are already preparing for the worst. What you do with that information is up to you, but I now feel as if I’ve done my civic duty. Good luck and goodbye.”

Berke left Deputy John’s desk disarrayed as he nodded in Jean’s direction, but he stopped short when he was shoulder to shoulder with Maxie. She stilled her movements as both of them turned to look at one another. The genuine concern in his expression caused her heart to tighten in unease. What if he was telling the truth?

“Maxie, I know you’re about to shoulder a huge responsibility today by adopting Jacob. Do yourself and that little boy a favor—leave town immediately and head east. You’ll regret it otherwise.” Berke appeared to want to say more, but he slowly shook his head in what seemed to be sorrow. “Good luck.”

Maxie wasn’t the type of woman who feared easily, but the undertone of Berke’s voice certainly did the job. He wasn’t known to ever dramatize or exaggerate circumstances, even during the time Wilson Stewart had gotten drunk and decided to sneak his way into the gun range to fire off a few shots…only he’d actually been
in
the gun shop. Her stomach turned in a manner that had nothing to do with nerves and everything to do with panic. She quickly glanced at the television, hoping for some answers or at least confirmation. That’s when she noticed the local anchor’s facial expression as he tried his best to keep his emotions under control while announcing that the President of the United States was about to address the nation.

“Berke,” Maxie called out, never taking her eyes off of the screen in front of her. She turned up the volume to hear what was being said.
Please let the President say that all was all right and that the public didn’t need to worry about their safety
. “Wait! Come back.”

“My fellow Americans, as I’m sure you are aware, there was an earthquake at Yellowstone National Park yesterday. Unfortunately, the caldera has been showing signs of eruption over the course of the last forty-eight hours, so it is with deep regret that I am confirming what you have…”

A ringing took up residence in Maxie’s ears as she pulled her eyes away from where the President was addressing the nation behind his desk in the Oval Office. He was still talking about earthquake activity and what the seismologists had detected, but she tuned out everything with the exception of Berke. It was as if he was staring a hole through the television, reading something between the lines that everyone else was missing.

“How did you know?” Maxie whispered, still in somewhat shock of what this meant for their future. A supervolcano? That was supposed to be apocalyptic in nature. She’d seen documentaries on the subject years ago, but had never thought in a million years this day would come. So how had Berke? “How did you know to make a call into the USGS and talk to your friend?”

Berke didn’t answer right away as he continued to listen to what the President had to say. She wanted to focus on the directives as well, but something wasn’t adding up and she wasn’t one to let go of something when it could have significance. That’s when she remembered the woman who had been here months and months ago studying the fracking that had been occurring in the area. Hell, it might have been closer to a year and everyone had known about the fling between the two. What was her name? Pam? Paula? Paige. That was it, but Berke hadn’t said that she’d called him. It had been the other way around.

“Berke, what made you call the USGS?” Maxie asked after clearing her throat so he couldn’t mistake her question.

“My old Gunny is what you might call a prepper,” Berke responded vaguely, reaching over and taking the remote from her hand. He turned the volume up even more. “I made the call to ease his mind and came away with something entirely different.”

“…prepare to be on their own for approximately thirty days, if not longer—this includes canned goods, bottled water, first aid kits, and any survival items you deem necessary. For those closer to the affected area, we ask that you immediately vacate to the East Coast or as far as you can travel before visibility is impossible. Unfortunately, a large-scale evacuation within the time parameters allowed will be impossible. Emergency assistance will not be available until the ash cloud has settled and we are left to evaluate the damage. Know this—we will not abandon you. We will send help.”

“Damn, Berke,” Sheriff Ross stated with a cross between remorse and apprehension. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you. I—”

“It doesn’t matter anymore.” Berke handed Maxie back the remote and she found herself looking between him and the television. Why was this happening now? She’d been worried about becoming a mother and now she was not only responsible for seeing that Jacob made it to adulthood…but she had to make sure he lived to see tomorrow morning. “All that counts is you warn the residents. It’s a large county, but try to assemble groups. There will be safety in numbers. You can have whatever firearms and ammo you need from the store. Make sure someone is armed in each of the groups.”

“…provisions of the Federal Emergency Management Act, I hereby declare martial law. Anyone caught looting or acting contrary to the common good order and discipline of the community will be summarily arrested and imprisoned until such time as…”

“Jean, get on the radio with Boyega and tell him to get back to the station ASAP,” Sheriff Ross said, pulling out his phone and most likely calling his wife. It was always easier to concentrate on one’s job when your personal life was in order. “Honey, have you seen the news?”

“…leave you with this…love thy neighbor. Do not panic, do not prey on one another, and do not give up hope. We will come for you. We are American citizens. Our nation remains…”

Maxie was at a loss when Jean quickly made her way to the front of the station where she could radio Deputy Boyega back to headquarters in order to help with notifying the residents. Sheriff Ross walked into his office while Berke finally left her side and started for the exit. Something wasn’t making sense with what he’d said earlier, so she went to follow him when what she saw was something that would forever haunt her dreams.