The New Year started with blue skies and glorious sunshine, and the memories of last night’s fire.  I reached over to find John’s side of the bed empty, the sheets already cool.  Quickly slipping into sweatpants, my long warm robe, and slippers, I went in search.

He looked up from the table and smiled at me.  “Let me get you some coffee.” We both had started drinking it black; milk or creamer was a luxury I hadn’t factored into my preps. The coffee was welcomed, as I had slept fitfully; no surprise there.

“You’re up early,” as I sat down across from him and sipped the hot brew, thankful for the stove already going and the room warmed.

“I didn’t sleep well, either,” he said. Ah, I had tossed and turned I bet, keeping him awake.

“Sorry I disturbed you,” I frowned.

“It wasn’t you, it was the fire that disturbed me.  We need to think about who would do this.” He was quite serious, even a touch angry.  This part I could understand.  “Trying to burn down a metal building seems stupid, unless it was just a warning; But a warning about what?”

“I’ve been thinking all night and all I can come up with is someone is mad that I pushed for rationing gas; though it doesn’t make sense to use up gas making hand bombs to get more gas.  If anything, I would tighten the rationing!”  I leaned back in my chair, frustrated.  “I think I should go talk to Paul and Donna this morning.”

“I’ll come with you.  I don’t want you out there alone.”  He looked down, then reached for my hand, “you were the target you know, not me, not us, you.  No one knows I’m here except your family, and they wouldn’t hurt you.”

“We can’t both leave.  Someone has to stay here, John.  What if he came back and tossed a gas bomb at the house?  If no one was here, the place would burn down!  Even if we were both here, there could still be extensive damage: the siding is all wood.” Then it dawned on me. “John, we don’t have another extinguisher.  I had only the one!” I slumped back in my chair.  Damn! I should have had a spare! It was a minor item, but is now a major hole in my preps.

Reluctantly, John agreed to me going alone, provided I promised to come right home.  I did tell him about the new patrol car, and that if it was ready I intended to deliver it.  That didn’t sit well, but I still had a job to do and he had to accept that.  As I left the driveway, I followed the snowmobile tracks as far as I could, but since the plow had been by, they disappeared once I hit the main road.

“WHAT??” both Donna and Paul were surprised by the attempted arson last night.  I handed the bucket of ‘evidence’ to Paul.  They were no closer to a suspect than they had been before.  Vinnie had been under constant surveillance so they knew it wasn’t him.  This was the first time, though, that anyone had heard the vehicle. There were plenty of snow mobiles in town, so it narrowed the list only slightly.

“This is the first attack on a personal residence; the other fires have been on unoccupied businesses….” Paul let that trail off. “On the other hand, he might just be getting bolder.  Anyone you’ve ticked off lately, Deborah?”

“Only half the town,” I sank into a chair. “Everyone blames me for the gas rationing.  Not that there is anywhere for anyone to go, and I’ve offered gas to anyone who wants to leave ….. and not come back.  Otherwise, I’ve really tried to help Moose Creek, not hurt it.” This is very frustrating for me.  I looked at the two of them, then asked, “So,….What should I be doing?  Anything special? Different?”

“Well, we know you’re armed, so that’s a good start.  Too bad you live alone,” came from Donna.  So I explained John.  Donna was pleased, Paul wondered if the attack came from a spurned boyfriend.  I just laughed.

“Paul, I haven’t even dated anyone in over a year, and I’ve never dated anyone from town anyway.  Besides, no one knows John is staying with me, except my family, and now you two.”

“Well,” Donna started, “just be extra cautious; aware of your surroundings; watch if anyone is following you.” All standard stuff; I rolled my eyes at her and she laughed.

We left it at that.  They had their job to do, and I had mine.

The paint job was not quite finished on the new patrol car, so I went back home. John was happily cleaning my 20gauge.

There were still normal chores to be done.  I took the pan of half melted ice out to the deck and brought in the other block, solidly frozen, putting it back in the refrigerator.  After putting my boots and coat back on, I took a bucket of water out to the chickens and collected eggs.  Maybe I’ll make deviled eggs to go with dinner.

John had already brought wood in, so I swept around the stove and noticed the ash bucket was full.  On with the boots again to toss the ashes into the garden to help with the soil PH.

Even though I wasn’t limping anymore, my ankle was just a little sore from all the movement; I figured that was a good reason to sit down and do some reading.  I pulled a couple of cookbooks into my lap and worked on menus for the week.  What we were eating was starting to get boring, and I could fix that.

I can’t dwell on the fire, I just can’t!  Cooking is a good diversion