The government’s tight hold on information was puzzling. Why didn’t they want anyone to know the locations of the dead zones? It just didn’t make sense. He let that thought vaporize as he turned and took Laura in his arms and held her firmly to him. He felt her arms slide up and around his neck as she pulled him closer to her. The cow’s soft lowing broke the spell and they pulled away, smiling softly at each other. The goats added their voices.
He pulled her knitted cap down, snug on her head.
“You know you look beautiful with all that straw sticking out of your hair.” He grinned. Her hands flew up to her hair and laughed, pulling the bits out.
“Yeah, I can tell you’re kinda warped that way.” She chuckled, then her face cleared, and he saw sadness in her eyes.
“It’s okay to be happy, to laugh, Laura. Trust me.” He smiled gently down at her. The light from the opened barn door highlighted the soft smoothness of her face, her cheeks flushed with heat and health.
“I know. Trying to hold on to the past isn’t working and I don’t think it’s healthy either. I know. I know I’ll never see Hogan again. I hope he can find someone where he is, someone who will care and love him.” She sighed sadly.
“I do too. Life is harder now. It’s also uncertain with all the violence that is going on around us. Luckily, it’s been so cold, that cold, I think that has kept people hunkered down. But it’s starting to warm up, which means people will be on the move again.” He said, pulling her unresisting to him. He felt her arms wrap around his waist. He could feel the heat of her, and it sent heat spreading through him.
“I know, spring will be here soon. Time is going so fast, yet, ironically, going slow as well.” She sighed.
“It will be planting time soon. Your dad is planning to go out to the north field and start turning the soil next week. We have to shovel up that chicken poop and start spreading it around and get that soil ready for spring planting.”
“I know, we’ve got to double the yield this year, to keep us well ahead and plenty of food on hand. Mom is thinking about doing a double planting season. Before the diesel goes, she wants another acre turned. She wants a garden to eat from and a garden to can and preserve. So, we have the best of both.”
“Good idea. It will be nice to eat fresh vegetables without the guilt that we’re digging into winter supplies.” Quinn grinned and leaned his head in for another kiss. She felt so damned good in his arms. He didn’t ever think he could love anyone else but Zoe, but he did. Laura smelled of hay, warmth and syrup. They’d had pancakes earlier. He smiled as he kissed her. He felt like a teenager again.
“You kids need to get a room; we don’t want you giving Wilber ideas. Maggy wouldn’t like him humping her leg.” Bart chortled, walking into the barn. This caused both Quinn and Laura to jump apart, guilty expressions on their faces. Laura’s face suffused in a delicate pink and Quinn could feel his own, flame. Bart continued to snigger, like a naughty little boy. He had a pail of warm water, which he dumped into the low trough. Maggy moo’d her appreciation and began to drink.
“I’ll take the milk; your mother is wanting to make butter today.” Bart grinned widely, his own apple cheeks bright red. He stooped and picked up the bucket his white fuzzy brows waggled, and he turned and walked out of the barn.
“Oorah, Marine.” He called and laughed.
“You know, I think my mother put him up to that.” Laura laughed.
“Yeah, that’s the first time I’ve seen your father carry the milk. Two nosy yentas.” Quinn grinned down at her. They walked out of the barn, closing the door securely behind them. He looked up into the sky. It was just getting bright. He felt the warmth of the sun on his face and he could tell, winter was ending. Soon, they’d be hard at work, getting the fields ready for planting. They’d be planting for their very lives.
Ӝ
Kansas City, MO
Hogan was out in the back field, he could feel the spring sun, beating down on his back. It was still too early to plant, but he and Trish had been turning the soil, getting it ready for planting. They had spent a week cobbling together a greenhouse. She had old windows in the barn, the previous owner having left them behind. He’d found a sunny location and he and Trish had built a good-sized greenhouse. He looked over, she was in there now, watering the seedlings.
“I’m going to try to plant an extra-large garden this year. Honestly, I don’t know how it will go. I’ve used store bought fertilizers, and this time, we’ll be using chicken poop.” She worried.
“My in-laws use chicken manure, they spread it out and dry it, then, mix it into the soil. This soil seems pretty rich here. Lots of earthworms.” He’d said.
Trish had planted the obligatory tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, squashes and pumpkins. They were starting to take over the green house. They would be planting potatoes in a week. Beans would follow. They were marking out sections for root crops, carrots, and sweet potatoes. She had slips growing from several sweet potatoes and those would be transferred when the time was
