Chapter 15
It wasn’t long before they were settling in for the night.
Their bellies were full, and the hard day of riding was behind them.
The morning would bring with it another harrowing leg of their journey, but Veronica hoped it would be the last. She still held her reservations about returning to the family homestead, though she knew it was her best chance for survival.
Not only that, but she also had to know her siblings were okay.
Despite her exhaustion, Veronica struggled to fall asleep.
Every noise outside reminded her that there was no law and order anymore.
Anyone could come bursting through the barn doors and attack them.
There was no number to dial for immediate help, nor would there be for quite some time.
Even the most basic medical procedures could no longer be safely performed.
They had to act with caution in everything they did.
There were little things she was thankful for, though, like the warm weather outside.
Neither of them would be chilly as they slept through the night.
Settling down, she snuffed out the fire for the most part but left the embers burning to keep away the wildlife.
In the darkness, she could hear Bella tossing and turning.
She knew it had to be challenging for the young woman to be sleeping next to someone again after being on her own for so long.
Veronica closed her eyes, trying to slip off to sleep despite the noise Bella was making, but it was proving impossible.
She, too, had slept alone for so long that it was strange to be sharing the barn with another.
It certainly hadn’t been part of her initial plan, but she was happy Bella was with her, nonetheless.
“You’ve told me very little about the farm we’re heading to. Basically, I know it’s your family’s and it’s in Colorado. Can you tell me a little more?”
Veronica smiled. “I’d be glad to tell you all about it. It’s a fairly decent-sized farm but nowhere near one of the largest in the state. It’s about fifty acres, and it sits in the heart of the national forest. We live right outside of a small village called Dodger Run.”
“I can’t say that I’ve ever heard of it before.”
She laughed. “That doesn’t really surprise me at all. Dodger Run was settled by people who were moving west during the gold rush. It was originally designed to be a small stop for people who were making the long journey to California.”
“At least it has an interesting background,” Bella said. “I like learning about the history of places I’m going to and have been.”
“That’s definitely something else we have in common.
When the original settlers first got started, they found that the soil was primed for fruits, vegetables, and several different trees that could sustain them for their year-round stay.
They were originally heading west as well, but when they saw how perfect the area was for settling, they decided to stay and make it a stopping point. ”
The property was truly a paradise to outsiders.
As someone who had grown up there, though, Veronica knew just how stifling an environment it could be, especially when you were viewed as a troublemaker who didn’t appreciate the laid-back lifestyle.
Veronica had never wanted to remain in Colorado.
There was far too much of the world for her to see, to be content simply being someone’s wife and working the land.
It wasn’t a lifestyle she would pick for herself.
She didn’t begrudge those who stayed behind and truly found happiness there.
Her stomach rolled as it fought to process the canned dinner they’d had.
Soon, they would be back at her childhood home, where good meals and interesting company abounded.
She tried to let the conversation die, but Bella sighed dramatically.
Veronica chuckled. If the child needed to hear a few stories before falling asleep, it was the least Veronica could do to make her feel safe.
Thinking back to the lessons she was taught as a child, Veronica recalled the villagers’ colorful past. They, too, had struggled in a harsh world not yet ready for humans.
Now, generations later, Veronica and her family were facing some of those same obstacles.
“In a place like that, I imagine there are still some people related to the original settlers living in the area.”
“You would definitely be right about that. Most of the people who still live there are, in fact, direct descendants of the original settlers of the area. Obviously, growing crops is a major thing that happens in the town, but there is plenty of hunting for both elk and deer. A lot of the families who still live there pass the time by hunting big game.”
Bella chuckled. “I’ve never even gone hunting before, but with the way you talk about how exciting it can be, I’m certainly starting to look forward to learning how.”
“Oh, it’s an absolutely amazing feeling when you get your first kill. Keep in mind, it’s not for everyone, but it surely is a lot of fun if you know what you’re doing and or are with the right people.”
“Is it still a busy little area?”
Veronica shrugged. “I suppose it depends on what your idea of busy is, but I can tell you one thing for sure is that when winter hits, the entire area can become impassable at times.”
“Does it really snow like that?”
“You bet your ass. There was one year we got so much snow we didn’t see anyone trying to make it up the road to Dodger Run for a solid two months. It was definitely one of the craziest winters I have ever witnessed.”
Veronica could still remember the joy she had always felt as a child when they would hear the first rumblings of snowplows trying to clear the pass.
It always meant that soon, spring would be coming, and a way to escape would appear once again.
Even as a child, Veronica never had wanted to stay put in Dodger Run.
It simply felt like a prison to her. For a split second, Veronica thought Bella had finally dozed off.
The silence was short-lived, though, as the young girl started to talk once more.
It was hard to believe that anyone could be excited about going to Dodger Run, but Veronica wasn’t going to dampen her excitement.
She had every right to find joy in the little things, especially with the world now in turmoil.
Veronica could only hope that when they did finally reach her family’s homestead, Bella’s enthusiasm would continue on.
Even if they reached her childhood home and the reception was cold, Veronica was certain they could restock their supplies and have shelter for a few days before coming up with a new plan.
She refused to stay somewhere she wasn’t welcome.
“It kind of sounds like the town is prepared for long winter months. If that’s the case, then I feel like they are ready for whatever is happening out there in the world.”
Veronica nodded. “They should be well prepared for everything that life is throwing at us right now, but just because they live in an area that is going to be easy to transition without power doesn’t mean that I’m not worried about them.
I’d like to get there as soon as we can, so I think it would be best if we got a little sleep before we have to ride out in the morning. ”
“Between being in an unfamiliar place and the idea of getting to where we’re going, I don’t think I could sleep if I tried. It doesn’t feel like I’m tired even a little.”
“That excitement is going to wear you down slowly. I can promise you one thing, though, and that is that you’re not going to be so excited when the sun comes up in the morning.”
“I don’t know about that,” Bella said. “I know you’re probably not as excited as I am since you have lived around Dodger Run, but from the way you made it sound, I think it’s close to something like heaven.”
Veronica chuckled. “For you, I could see the excitement of making it to a place like that, but getting to the farm isn’t what I was talking about. You’re going be excited about getting there, but I don’t think you’re going to be so excited about getting back on the bike again.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Well, there’s a lot of people who have their first ride ever, and it always leaves the rider sore as hell the next day. You’re going to feel all of it through your legs and hips.”
Finally, after a long moment of silence, she heard Bella’s rhythmic snoring emitting from the other side of the fire embers.
Veronica let out a sigh of relief, knowing she would be able to sleep with Bella safely off in dreamland.
Yet as she closed her eyes once more, Veronica was plagued by the memories of her last trip back home.
In her mind, it was true what they said. There was no rest for the wicked.