Chapter 25
“This is unreal,” Bella whispered.
Veronica grinned as she set the lantern on the bedroom dresser and closed the door behind them.
It was a modest room with everything a guest at the homestead could need, including a private bathroom.
They still had a drainage system thanks to the house’s old build, but running and hot water were now a lot of extra work.
Her mother, ever the hostess, had prepared for guests during the outage.
There were several gallons of water jugs stashed in the shower to use for flushing and cleansing.
Sitting on a stool that had been brought into the bedroom was a small wood stove.
She smiled as the memories came flooding back.
It had been in her room for years before the house had central heat.
In the cold of the winter, the small stove, taking up no more than eighteen inches, could heat a room with nothing more than twigs and straw.
Now, a narrow pot sat atop it with two mugs on the end table to the side.
There was a container of instant coffee and two small jars next to it.
Veronica was certain one held sugar and the other dry creamer.
Mauve had anticipated her daughter’s decision not to sleep in her old room.
Shaking her head, she stripped off her boots and collapsed onto the bottom bunk of one set of beds.
“It’s almost like this whole place is a dream,” Bella said. “Was your entire childhood like this?”
Veronica laughed. “When the house was originally built, it was during a time that there wasn’t any electricity. Most of the lights we had ran off outlets installed later on when electricity made its way up here.”
“I still think living that way would be absolutely amazing, aside from knowing we didn’t have a choice in the power going out.”
“Even before this whole fiasco, anytime there were big storms that would pass through, we would lose power anyway. A lot of the lines they ran up here for the power ended up being overgrown with trees and branches. One strong wind and the branches would snap right onto the power lines.”
“What did you do in situations like that?”
“Most of us just live a few days without power and don’t worry about it or think twice. Some people would run generators for those couple of days or even weeks. The villagers and farmers always were prepared because it was such a normal occurrence.”
Bella laughed. “Yet, here we are now, living without power for the foreseeable future.”
“It’s almost funny when you think of it like that. Everyone is always prepared for the worst, and then something like this happens that makes it impossible to planned for.”
“So, what do we do now? Like…do I get a dress, bonnet, and go start tilling the garden?” Bella asked.
She chuckled and shook her head. “What you wear is up to you. Don’t get me wrong, my family enjoys their technology…
at least, they did before it all went dark.
Mom plays more online backgammon than anyone I know.
Hell, Pops helped build the church’s website.
We’ve always just been ready to go at it on our own.
That’s life when you live so far out in the woods. ”
“Well, thank God that you do. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t cut it in the city,” Bella said.
“Don’t be so sure of that. You’re a badass.
Sorry about my mother’s eight-million questions.
She really does have the best intentions.
Sometimes she doesn’t know how to handle the outside world.
I think the fact that I’m back and that I’ve brought you threw her for a loop.
Just come find me if she gets too overbearing,” Veronica said.
“Now we know there is a lot to do in order to get ready for the winter. What’s the plan for tomorrow? I just want to know what I’m looking at getting into.”
Veronica sighed. “For starters, I’m going to be gone around the time you wake up. We’re going to need to make sure the area is safe. So, Conner and I are going to get up early and walk the entire area to see where our weakest points are.”
“I’d love to get a better look at the property and the area around. I think I’ll get up in the morning with you and scout around.”
“It’s been a long few days, and the journey here was stressful as it is. I think it would be for the best if you got yourself some sleep and didn’t get up at the ass crack of dawn.”
Bella scoffed. “It sounds to me like you’re not as worried about me getting sleep but more worried about the idea of me coming along. If you don’t want me to come with you, then all you have to do is say so.”
“I promise you that’s not the case. I haven’t seen my family in a really long time, and having a good conversation with Conner is something that’s been long overdue. I swear the only thing we’re going to be doing is talking about the protection of the town and the homestead.”
“I understand that, but I still think something else is going on.”
“Not at all,” Veronica said. “I would just like to talk to my brother in private and go over a few things. None of it is anything you should have to worry about.”
She could tell Bella wasn’t happy with her answer as they both started to get ready for bed.
As much as she wanted to climb beneath the sheets and pass out, Veronica was filthy from the road.
Grabbing a washcloth and towel from the nightstand, she ducked into the bathroom and stripped down before washing off.
Veronica had every intention of taking a shower at the barn in the morning, but for a few hours, the whore bath would work.
When she emerged again, Veronica was happy to see Bella tucked beneath the covers of her own bed in fresh pajamas that Veronica had once worn years before.
Wrapped in her own set of pjs, Veronica climbed into her bed and dimmed the light of the lantern sitting next to her.
From the way Bella had crossed her arms, though, Veronica knew the conversation wasn’t over.
When the girl sighed and rolled her eyes, Veronica was ready to get it over with.
“Come on then,” Veronica said. “You might as well tell me what’s on your mind, or else neither of us is going to get any sleep.”
Bella glared at her; the girl’s lips pursed with anger.
“Fine, but then don’t get mad at me for not trying to work it out. I can’t fix things if you don’t work with me, Bella,” Veronica said.
“For as long as I can remember now, people have always treated me like a child who doesn’t know what’s going on. I’m not a little kid anymore, and I can handle the truth. I think you’ve already forgotten that I’m the one who saved us on the road back there.”
“Believe me, I haven’t forgotten that for a single moment.
I’m always going to be grateful that you were there to save us both, but that doesn’t mean I’m keeping anything from you now.
I simply would like for you to be able to get your footing here, and as soon as you’ve gotten some sleep and feel a little more human, I’ll start putting you to work in handling more things as the adult you’re growing into. ”
“I’m not a child.”
“I’m sorry if it feels like I’m treating you like one, but that’s not what I’m trying to do.
I know you’re exhausted from the trip and initially seeing everything here.
I just want to give you the opportunity to catch up on some sleep before I put you through all the hard labor that needs to be taken care of. ”
Bella sighed. “Fine. I look forward to getting my hands dirty, but you better promise me something.”
“Whatever it is you want, just tell me.”
“I want you to tell me whatever is going on when you get back tomorrow. I want to know everything.”
“I promise as soon as I get back, then I will tell you everything.”
The answer seemed to appease the girl. She smiled at Veronica before telling her goodnight and lying down.
With the conversation done, she blew out the lantern’s flame and quickly tucked herself beneath the thin sheet.
Normally, there would be air conditioning moving through the farmhouse, but with no power, all they had was the opened windows and doors.
It didn’t matter. Veronica felt herself slipping into a dream before the smoke from the lantern had cleared away.
Finally, after days of wondering what she would find when she made it home, Veronica could sleep without worrying about if she’d wake up to a gun in her face or not.
Despite the jaded past between Veronica and her parents, it was truly good to be back.