Chapter 24
She smiled at her father as she watched him head back up the gravel driveway.
Turning to look out over the land, a warmth moved through her.
In addition to the gardens, there was a large barn that housed the livestock and a small stream that cut through the property in the heart of the forest. Hunting and fishing were favorite pastimes, though they never truly needed the meat, not with the county store and bartering system.
Now, though, everything was different. The more she thought about it, the more she knew they had to make a trip down the mountain.
The bike wasn’t an option. While it provided them with speed, it was far too conspicuous.
There wasn’t much they could get done so late at night.
Moving to the barn, she smiled at Conner as he led the way.
Her older brother had always been a friend.
Even when she was younger and constantly rebelling against their parents, Conner was the first to broker peace between her and their mother.
As she pushed open the barn doors, happiness surged through her at the sight of their familiar barn cat, Howler, and the nickering of the four horses of the homestead.
They were going to be her ride back down to the city.
“I haven’t seen you like that in quite some time,” Conner said.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, it looks like you’re lost in thought. Is there something you want to share?”
Veronica smiled. “I guess old habits die hard. That wasn’t necessarily, you know, something I wasn’t going to share with you. I was just trying to think ahead and get us into a place I knew would keep us safe and well-prepared. Is Ashar still the quickest of the lot?”
He grinned. “Is that even a question you need to ask? He’s always been the fastest, and he still is. Why do you want to know?”
“We’re going to need a lot of supplies in order to make sure everything goes smoothly. I need to go down to the city to see what kinds of things I can pick up.”
“If you ask me, that sounds like a job for two people to handle. I’ll gladly go with you if nothing more than to keep you company.”
“It might normally be a job for two people but trust me when I say it’s going to be much safer with just one. I’d rather not draw a lot of attention to myself, and I prefer to take on the task alone.”
Conner scoffed. “I don’t think it’s safer if just one person goes, and I don’t think one person is going to be able to carry everything we need along with keeping a good lookout if there is any trouble.”
Veronica hated that her brother was right.
She wasn’t going to let Bella leave again, though, and the idea of Conner or her family members being in danger made her feel sick to her stomach.
The only way she could guarantee their safety was to leave them behind.
Pulling a tarp from the corner over her bike to hide it a little more, Veronica moved to the first stall and stroked the gelding’s head.
She could tell they were anxious to be out in the pasture, but given how hot it had been for the last week, they’d likely been kept inside the cool barn for safety.
Taking anyone with her made her uneasy, but if someone had to go, Conner was the one she’d want at her side.
It wasn’t ideal, but he wasn’t going to drop the issue.
Taking a deep breath, Veronica turned to her brother, who was tossing flakes of hay to the other horses.
She wasn’t going to tell him to stop, though it was killing her not to do so.
They needed to conserve the resources they had, including the hay.
None of the animals were hungry. They were simply bored from being trapped inside.
“Okay. I knew you were right before you even finished that sentence. You should know if you’re going to go with me, we are going to be leaving before dawn.
Again, I’m trying not to draw too much attention when we leave.
Not only for everyone we might run into, but I also prefer to not let any of the other villagers know what we are doing. ”
“I understand. I promise I won’t be a problem. I’ll be awake and ready first thing in the morning, and I’ll meet you in the barn. You probably already know what I’m going to say next, but you know Mom isn’t going to like the idea of us leaving on our own.”
“She’s not the only one who’s going to have a problem with it,” Veronica said. “I know Bella and Bryson are going to throw a fit over being left behind as well.”
“You’re probably right. It would be for the best if we kept everything to ourselves and Pops right now. The fewer people who know about our plans, the less we’re going to have to hear anybody complain about it.”
“I just don’t feel like having the argument and everyone trying to come along with us.”
“So, we’re in agreement. We’ll keep it between the three of us until after we leave tomorrow.”
“I think that’s for the best. Just make sure that you’re ready to go first thing in the morning before dawn. The quicker we head out, the less likely we are to wake anyone. Dad will just have to deal with the rest of them when they all start to wake up.”
Before they could make more plans for the morning, she heard the familiar sound of the dinner bell ringing outside the house.
She cringed instantly. The loud triangle was a beacon for anyone roaming the woods.
They had to talk to their mother about making some changes if they were all going to survive the months ahead.
Conner and Veronica made their way out of the barn and up to the house.
From the slope of the driveway, it was a breathtaking sight to see.
The entire home was illuminated by glowing candles inside.
Mauve had set up the back porch as a dining area with a picnic table.
As she watched the feast being laid out in front of them, Veronica couldn’t help but feel a little sick to her stomach.
Her mother had gone all out with the meal.
There were biscuits and a large brisket accompanied by a half dozen sides and starters.
It was enough to feed the entire village, but she was just cooking for her family.
They had to start conserving resources, and talking her mother into that task was going to be nearly impossible.
Still, Bella looked refreshed and rejuvenated after her bath, her famished eyes moving across the spread.
Just as the family had always done before, Mauve said the evening grace over the meal before everyone started to dig in.
Though it was something she always knew the family had done, Veronica was surprised to hear the prayer before dinner.
After thanking God for the family being back together and for the food in front of them, they all said, “Amen.”
“Bella, I was curious to know if your parents are back in California,” Mauve said.
“Honestly, I have no idea where my parents are. I never once got the chance to meet them.”
“Was there someone in particular that you were living with before the power went out?”
Veronica sighed. “I know you’re curious about where Bella came from, but whatever she has in her past is her own. You shouldn’t be trying to pry.”
“I wasn’t prying. I was simply trying to make conversation and be polite. If she doesn’t want to talk about it, then she doesn’t have to. Are you planning on staying in your old room?”
“No. I know the bunk beds are still in the guest room, and I just figured that I would room with her for now.”
The patio went quiet as they all started to eat.
She wasn’t going to get into another bickering match with her mother, but she knew Mauve was struggling to bite her tongue.
In the time since Veronica had left home, Mauve had turned her old room into something of a prayer den, with posters of the Ten Commandments and spiritual relics covering every square inch except for Veronica’s childhood twin bed.
No, the guest room would suit her just fine.
Despite how wasteful it was, Veronica couldn’t deny that the food was amazing.
Her brothers quickly steered the conversation away from the sleeping arrangements to the happenings in Dodger Run since Veronica had last been home.
While she was thankful for the distraction, Veronica knew an all-out battle was brewing with her mother.