An Inland Sea Part 4

Travis and his Dad stood on the front porch looking at the water that surrounded the house. It had been raining steady and hard for two days it was tapering off now but the water continued to rise. Sarah had called earlier and said the businesses along the street where their hotel was were flooding. The hotel moved all perishable foods to the second floor ballroom where there was a kitchen of sorts but they were safe and sound.

Travis talked with Tee who was now wearing somebody else’s clothes. He wished he was home where he could look after him. "I don’t like this," he said finally. The heifers are wading in water I’m afraid for the calf shed.

"It’s been a long time since I’ve seen this much water…wish I could just pull the plug." Bill said.

"Yeah sandbags would be nice too. I’m worried we’re gonna get wet."

"Well we ain’t got none so we’ll just make do…if we get wet we get wet," Bill turned and went back in the house. Sitting around watching water rise was getting to him.

Jan came outside, "Travis, Jimmy just called he’s got water in his house I told them to come up here I hope that’s all right."

Travis put his arm around her waist, "thanks Jan that was the right thing to do, we’ve got room…we’ll make it Jan…somehow."

"I know," she sighed, "I’m safe as long as I’m with you…I trust you Travis to make whatever decisions we need to make here…if we need to swim out or whatever." She looked up at him and laid her head on his shoulder.

"I hope it doesn’t come to that honey and I hope your faith is not misplaced. I haven’t a clue Jan…just I know I have to keep us all safe and together. The station is flooded out…I have no idea what shape the cattle are in up on Kymbaloo…it’s wet in the barn…I’m about to be defeated here."

"You…defeated? I don’t think so Travis you just dig a little deeper into that courage vault you have."

"Ha I think it’s about empty I’m looking to you for refills. Ah Jan," he said pulling her tighter, "nothing wrong at the station that money can’t fix…I just hate it...that’s all."

"We’re on an island here…water all around…I wonder if the plants and flowers will survive it was such a beautiful garden around the house."

"It will be again…what drowns drowns…it can be replanted. I’m thinking when we can get out of here I’m going to buy a boat…build a shed for it so we’ll be prepared should this ever happen again. I don’t like not being able to get out…like if we had an emergency or something."

"We’ve already had one…you."

"I’m fine Jan it would have been a waste of time."

"You will never know what a fright I had when they brought you in with blood all down the side of your face and you unconscious…I nearly died Travis."

"But you didn’t you did what you had to do…that’s where I am right now…I’ll do what I have to do for us all to survive the flood."

"I love you Travis," Jan kissed his cheek.

"I know…and that’s what keeps me going…your love." Travis kissed her mouth.