Kiamichi Refuge Read Online Free PDF Page A

inventory list, a list of where guns were stashed in the lodge, and the map. The cave evidently continued toward the east on the far side of the cavern, and the map indicated a smaller cavern further in. It also showed another cave that branched off from the northwest corner of the big cavern, going west for a short distance and ending with a question mark.
    Interesting, Erin mused. I really don’t want to investigate this by myself. What if I get hurt or lost, and nobody can find me? But Uncle Ernie always said not to tell people about prepping secrets. No one can go with me to see the caves without going through the cavern and seeing all the supplies. I guess I may have to go it alone, but I don’t like the idea at all.

Chapter 3
    Late April
     
    Lydia Clark unlocked the door of her shop and turned on the neon “Open” sign, then pushed back a strand of dark brown hair that had come loose from her ponytail. Straightening some bottles of shampoo on an end cap, she glanced around the modest store with a sigh of satisfaction. This was what she had always dreamed of doing. The town had needed a new business, and she needed to stay busy. The retail trade was in her DNA, with both parents employed as grocery store managers in Paris, Texas.
    After going through a nasty divorce, Lydia needed to get away from her ex-husband and his pregnant girlfriend, who was less than half his age. In her early forties, Lydia set out for the first time in her life to be truly independent. The divorce settlement gave her the cash to start over, and when she passed through the quaint town of Kanichi Springs, she knew she had found a home. She saw the “For Sale” sign in the window of the vacant building and after an inspector assured her that the place was old, but sound, she bought it. She also bought a charming little house just a few blocks away.
    Filling her diffuser with distilled water, Lydia added a few drops of Peace and Calming essential oil blend. Along with a complete line of quality oils, the shop carried diffusers, high-end toiletries, and unique gift items, many of them created by artisans in the area. For being in such a small town, the shop was doing well, with a few people coming from McAlester and even Fort Smith to shop for unusual gifts. During the fall tourist season, when people came through town on the way to the famous Talimena Drive, the shop got really busy. Lydia was considering hiring someone, perhaps a high school girl, to help out part time so she could have some time off.
    The little bell over the door jingled merrily as the day’s first customer strolled in, scanning the displays. Lydia looked up to see a young, pretty stranger in jeans, with a coral camp shirt over a white tank top. She had a beautiful complexion and big brown eyes. Lydia smiled and started toward the front of the store.
    “May I help you find something?”
    “Yes, several things, in fact.” Erin grinned and offered her hand. “Hi. I’m Erin Miller. I just moved here from Tulsa. Your shop is lovely.”
    “Thanks. I’m Lydia Clark. I’ve only been here for a couple of years, myself, but I love it. If you’re anything like me, you will never want to move back to the city.”
    The two women chatted as Lydia helped Erin find almost everything on her list. There were only three things that she needed that Lydia did not keep in stock.
    “I can order those items for you, if you’d like. They’ll be here in a few days and I’ll call you when they come in.”
    “That would be great. I could order them online, but I doubt that the FedEx guy could find my place. It’s pretty secluded,” Erin laughed.
    “Wait. You said your name is Miller, and you live outside town. You’re Ernie’s niece, aren’t you?”
    “Guilty. Uncle Ernie left me the lodge when he passed. I’m loving it out there, so peaceful and relaxing,” Erin replied.
    “I knew him. Not well, but I liked him a lot. I’m sorry for your loss, for the town’s loss. We all