Read Braving The Storms (Strengthen What Remains Book 3) for Free Online

Minneapolis, Des Moines, Jefferson City, Little Rock and in central Louisiana.
    “The Constitutionalist forces are centered near Bismarck, Pierre, Omaha and Topeka. The Texans control both banks of the Sabine River and western Arkansas.”
    “Are the Texans fighting with us?”
    “Texas fights for Texas, but their governor says they will fight with us when the war comes.”
    “ When the war comes, not if it comes?” Someone asked.
    Harwich nodded. “I suspect the Kern flu will incapacitate both sides for the next few months. Millions may die this winter, but either a vaccine will be found or spring will come and the flu will wane. Then the fight will begin.”
    “So you think there will be full-scale war?” asked a young second lieutenant.
    “I think you can count on this,” General Harwich said slowly. “If you’re in uniform, and survive the Kern flu, you’re going to be fighting a war.”

Chapter Six
    Hansen, Tuesday, September 22 nd
    Zach strolled down the quiet streets of Hansen toward the address DeLynn had given him the evening before. She had been secretive about it, just saying that her father wanted to talk with him. Mr. Hollister’s attitude had changed since the shootout at the ranger cabin, but he wasn’t looking forward to “a talk” from the father of his girlfriend. And why did he want to meet in downtown Hansen?
    All Zach could see were empty shelves when he looked in the windows of the hardware store. A line stood outside a grocery market several blocks ahead. Something special, like meat or fresh fruit, must have arrived.
    When he turned the corner, Zach realized the meeting was at the Lewis Hotel. That just added to the mystery. The seven-story, brownstone building had once been the grandest hotel in the county. It was empty now, and had been for several years. Zach knew about a backdoor that looked locked, but wasn’t. Many times he had pulled on the broken latch to open that rear door. This was one of the places he got things that he needed for trade.
    He pulled on the front door and, for the first time, it swung open. The inside was dark. He scanned the lobby wondering if DeLynn might be there, and noticed a well-dressed woman sitting on a crate in the shadows. As he approached, he recognized Mrs. Hollister. On numerous occasions DeLynn had spoken of her mother’s problems. As the world spiraled out of control, she had sunk in a whirlpool of despair. Like his own mother’s depression, Zach struggled to understand her despondency. She had a loving husband and daughter and enough to eat. Why was she so sad? Busy with the task of surviving, he had rarely seen or asked about her lately. “Hi, Mrs. Hollister. DeLynn asked me to meet your husband here.”
    An expressionless face stared at him.
    “Do you know where he is?”
    She pointed. “Standing in the middle of the street.” Her head slumped.
    Zach walked out a side door and found Kent Hollister staring at the building from the middle of the road. Since there was no traffic, Zach joined him.
    “I bought it.” Kent said with a smile.
    “You did?” The outside of the building was drab, but Zach knew the inside looked like a construction project, or perhaps a destruction one. “You think this place is a good investment?”
    “Yes.” The older man nodded. “The building is sound and it is near the only place in town with a thriving economy—the library park market. I needed a location near it and this was the cheapest building for sale that met the criteria.”
    Yeah and I know why it was so cheap. It’s a wreck.
    “I can tell from your face that you think it’s a bad idea, but that shop there on the corner of the hotel was once a bakery. I’m going to fix it up. I know where I can buy flour. Bread and pastries will sell well.” He pointed to another corner. “Fifty years ago that was a general store. It can be again. We can make this block bustle.”
    “Okay, sir, I’ll help you fix it up.” It’s your money.
    “I