Chapter 21
The next morning when she rose, she couldn’t believe how well-rested she felt.
Moving with the horses was going to change how they traveled.
They couldn’t travel at night any longer, which presented more dangers.
Plus, horses were now of high value. If someone saw them, it was more likely they were going to be attacked for the animals.
Once they reached her homestead, they could easily take care of the animals, but until then, they had to keep near fresh water.
Over the course of the night, they had used a map belonging to the girls’ mother to locate a stream they’d be able to follow almost all the way to the small town just a few miles from the homestead.
She was beyond anxious to get on the road and finally get to her parents.
If they moved quickly and didn’t stop for any reason beyond sleep and to give the horses a break, they could reach Harmony Homestead in three days.
Grabbing her bag from the bathroom, she glanced at herself in the mirror before heading out into the main part of the house where everyone had gathered.
She was finally going home. Smiling at the others, she took the coffee Harriette offered and listened as the others talked around her.
It was nice to be a part of something larger, especially with everything so fractured in the world now.
With every passing second she was awake, Sarah felt the road calling her more.
Her parents weren’t nearly as prepared with guns and youthful vigor.
They needed her to get back to them. Fighting to keep her patience, Sarah tried to focus on what Harriette was telling Adam about the towns they’d be crossing through.
The woman was a wealth of knowledge about the coast running to Canada.
“My late husband was a truck driver,” she explained. “I traveled with him on and off.”
“Are there any areas you think we should worry about in particular?” Sarah asked.
“Heading up north the way you’re planning to go, I think the only place I would worry about is New York City. If it is at all possible, steer clear of the whole damn city.”
“How much time do you think that will add since we’re on horseback?”
“Honestly, I think it will take you about a day. Moving around an entire city like that is going to add some extra time, but at least you’d be alive to talk about it.”
“How long would it take if we didn’t go around?”
“You’re looking at about twelve hours to go straight through, and that’s on horseback.
It will be too dangerous to take the horses, let alone yourselves,” Harriette said.
“People are going to be looking for an easier way to travel, and you’ll be riding through one of the biggest cities on exactly what they're looking for.”
“I agree with you about that,” Adam said. “The people out there will do anything not to have to walk anywhere, and we’ve already run into some bad characters. Who knows what we’ll find in New York.”
Sarah knew they were both right, but the only thing she was thinking about was getting to the homestead and seeing if her parents were okay.
The longer it took to reach her parents’ home, the more concerned she grew about their well-being.
There was no telling what they would run into along the way, and the fact that they were heading around one of the most dangerous cities in the world, was another thing she needed to worry about.
“Well, if that’s the case, we need to head out as soon as possible. We’re already running ahead of schedule, but I’d like to get there and check on my parents.”
Sarah hadn’t planned on cutting through New York City, but the idea had most certainly been dancing around in her mind.
After all, she wanted to take the most direct route, but Harriette made sense.
It was way too dangerous to go on horseback.
On foot, they might be able to slip from building to building without being seen, but the horses made that impossible.
The time they’d lose taking the long way was still worth taking the horses.
They had cut their trip time in half despite detouring around New York City.
The group quickly headed outside, where a gloom clouded the skies.
She didn’t like the sight of the rainclouds but wouldn’t postpone the journey because of them.
Along with the trio of women, Adam and Sarah headed for the barn and started getting their horses ready.
One thing after another was loaded onto the animals until Sarah was sure they had enough supplies to last them for a month on the road.
When they led the two horses out of the barn, she felt her heart tugging at her once again.
The three women had been so good to them.
She hated leaving them there despite knowing how well they were prepared for the hard months ahead.
Turning to the others before climbing onto Ginger, Sarah wasn’t surprised to find the two young girls ambush her into another embrace before she could get away.
Despite how hard she fought them, the tears started falling again.
After hugging Harriette and promising to check in on them after they got her parents settled in Maine, Adam and Sarah mounted up and slowly started to trot away from the farm.
Sarah wiped the tears from her cheeks as Adam gave her a smile.
“Hey, is everything all right?” Adam asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m really worried about the girls and Harriette. I’d hate to see anything happen to any of them, but the girls are young, and even in this craziness, they have a lot of life to live still.”
“Well, if it makes you feel any better, I promise we can come back and check on them once we get settled in at your parents’.”
“Would you actually do that?”
“Do what?” Adam asked.
“Would you seriously ride back down through here with me just to check on these people?”
“Of course, Sarah. I’m actually having the time of my life right now. Between being with you and having this freedom—even with everything going on—feels better than I could have ever imagined.”
“I didn’t think about that part of it,” Sarah said. “I know this isn’t what you were originally expecting when you looked forward to being free.”
“No, but I think this is better. No live television telling lies about me and no phones to keep everyone’s attention from what’s happening right in front of them. Plus, you’ve been a blast to hang out with and learn from.”
Sarah smiled. “That’s good. I’m really enjoying this time, too. I’m happy I’m finally going to get to the homestead. I look forward to seeing my parents.”
“Well, for what it’s worth, I look forward to seeing the homestead and meeting the people who raised you. I never thought this would be what my life would be, but I’m happy to see your parents’ place.”
“It’s truly amazing. I think it’s going to make you feel like you’re right at home. I just hope we make it there with no other issues.”
“We’ll be all right. I trust your judgment.”
They rode on in silence as the beautiful scenery unfolded around them.
It was truly a fantastic morning for a ride.
With the sun hidden behind the clouds, they weren’t being burned in the sweltering rays like days before, nor were they chilled by the torrential downpour that had hit them on the second day of their journey.
All Sarah could think about was getting home to her parents.
She didn’t want to think about how long it had been since they’d been without power.
By her count, they were on day eight. The homestead was equipped with everything they needed to survive until power was restored to the world.
The ranch home had skylights throughout that made using lamps something they only did at night anyway.
The large stores of propane, gasoline, and kerosene would already be filled thanks to her father’s diligence, and the fuel would last a while given the now uselessness of the machinery they once powered.
Wicks for her mother’s antique lantern collection could quickly be made, and everything they grew was heirloom organics.
What they didn’t have, they could barter for and hopefully establish some reliable trading routes with the locals and villages.
She was excited to get home and get started, but the trepidation remained in her gut.
They had been alone for eight days. Eight long days where anything could have happened.
Her parents were old hippies—lovers and not fighters.
If anything had happened to them because she’d taken too long to reach them, Sarah would never forgive herself.
Gently putting pressure on Ginger’s sides, she urged the horse to move faster.
Sarah knew she wouldn’t rest easy again until she was back at the family homestead.