Their equipment ran off the biodiesel and the property had several enormous holding tanks for the fuel. Flynn had been amazed at the operation and had told her all about it and she’d smiled at his enthusiasm. He seemed to be blossoming here. After a large breakfast, he’d leave and she’d not see him until lunch. Then he’d leave and she’d see him at dinner. There were a few chores after dinner, but then the evening was theirs.
She was up around four and went to the house to start making biscuits and bread for the day. Sarah seemed to have boundless energy. She was upbeat and Xandra liked her very much. She was learning so much. And she was feeling more and more at home here.
Along with the corn, they also grew wheat, oats and potatoes. The farm boasted of an orchard of apples and peaches. Sarah also had her own personal garden, that was where Xandra helped her. It was a three acres garden with every kind of vegetable she’d ever seen.
Xandra was learning how to can the vegetables as well as how to kill and pluck chickens. She’d not enjoyed the process, but had loved the end result. There was a large chicken lot with a long building that housed the chickens. There were hundreds of chickens, pullets and chicks. The mount of eggs was staggering. No wonder they age eggs for breakfast. She was getting good at making the biscuits and she smiled at that.
The farm had seven farm hands, three of which were married. They lived in three other cottages. Those cottages were bigger since they had children. Cliff had two sons, Jake and Randy, who were in their thirties along with their wives, Beth and Mary and their children. The large farmhouse was full of people and laughter. Xandra was learning how to cook and how to take care of the garden, pigs, goats and chickens. Cliff’s daughters-in-law also helped Xandra. She liked both of the women, though they were a little older than herself, they’d taken her under their wings. They had pushed food on her, trying to feed her up.
“You’re just too thin. The wind will blow you away.” Beth had hugged her. Beth wasn’t fat, but she had meat on her. She bloomed health as did Mary. Both women worked hard, alongside Sarah. The married farm hands ate in their own homes. Their wives taking care of their needs, as well as their children. There were eight children on the farm, ranging from three years to twelve. The older children were given chores as well. The women of the farm workers helped in the garden along with keeping all the animals. There were no idle hands at the farm.
That said, food was plentiful and meals were loud with laughter and planning. The first lunch had been a solemn affair, since Cliff had asked Flynn and Xandra to tell everyone of their time after the virus struck. All had been shocked, especially at the lack of people as well as the lack of help from the government or military.
“I honestly don’t think there is anyone left to help.” Flynn had said.
“My goodness, I’m so thankful we didn’t leave the farm when this whole mess started. How did Claus seem?” Sarah had asked.
“As far as I could tell, healthy and fine. His people were inside the house, but there were a few of them. I think that anyone who stayed away from the public, survived.” Flynn had speculated.
“Perhaps I’ll take Jake and Randy and go visit our neighbors. Stop by to see Claus.” Cliff had wondered aloud.
“I’d go armed sir. It’s a different world out there, and perhaps because everyone is so separated, more survived in this farming community. Just be careful of the lawless.” Flynn warned. The heads around the table nodded solemnly.
Cliff and his sons had left the farm, Xandra had heard it all second hand from Sarah and Flynn. There were several Amish farms that had been affected by the virus. The surviving Amish farmers had been absorbed by other Amish families and farms if they could not run their own farms. One of Cliff’s neighbors, the Ziegler Farm had lost everyone. There were no survivors. The others were fine, and no loss of life. They too had isolated themselves when the virus had shown up. That had saved them. Now, months later, it would seem that they were all in the clear.
Turning off the water, she grabbed a towel. It felt good to be clean, every day. She showered in the morning and again at night. She couldn’t seem to be clean enough. She’d also put on weight and was happy about that. It was difficult not to pile her plate up, but she was encouraged to eat seconds, if she were so inclined. Most of the time, she did. The fear and the worry for food were slowly fading.
Wrapped up in a thick robe, she walked into the living room, she saw Flynn reading a book.
“Whatcha reading?”
“Stephen King, 11/22/63. It’s good.” He grinned.
Sitting beside him, she leaned into him. He’d not made a move on her since they’d been there. He was kind and sweet but she knew he was waiting for her to make a move. He’d told her early on, he’d not take advantage of the situation. She owed him nothing. And he didn’t want her to feel like she had to have sex with him. She knew she was falling in love with him, because she’d not been pressured. She loved the man for who he was, someone who was honest and caring and hardworking. He’d put her needs before his own.
She placed her hand over his and he
