His eyes looked over to Xandra, her cheeks pink with good heath, her face filling out with weight. She’d lost that hallowed eyed look. Her dark hair glossy and healthy. When he looked in the mirror now, he saw a tan strong man looking back. A man, who was satisfied, no, more than satisfied with his life. It was like he’d found his purpose, his calling. He’d never even known it. Before, he was just existing, going through the motions. Now, he felt he was truly living.
Ӝ
The air had a crisp bite to it. Fall was officially here. The leaves had started turning and Emma and Paadi were working hard every day to can the produce that was coming ripe. Brian and BJ were gearing up for another hunt. They had gotten a boar and they’d smoked it and made jerky out of it. It had been a juvenile, so it wasn’t that big. Their larder was getting full and they had cheese that Emma had made. The goat was pulling her weight, keeping the grass cut and eating left over veggies. Today Jeff and his group were coming by. They were going to have a cook out and Jeff was bringing some beef.
They had slaughtered a cow and were bringing some of that to Brian and his group. They were trading it for two of the pups, when they got a just a little older. All were thrilled. The women had talked about canning much of the beef. BJ had voted that they also smoke some as well. Brian walked into the shed that held all their canned foods. There were hundreds of jars, lined up neat. He was amazed at what the women had done. It was hard to believe that they’d grown that much food, but they had. Both women were saving the seeds of the biggest and best vegetables. They’d be used the next year. Barb was also bringing seeds by as well to add to their supply. There were boxes of shelled beans drying, and they would store the dried beans for soups and chilies. Also, for next year’s planting.
He saw the children gathering wood, even Dillan and he grinned. The puppies were following, pulling at the children’s pants. He laughed. He walked over to where they’d planted the fruit trees and he touched one of the apples. It wasn’t big, but it looked good. His fingers itched to pluck it, but he knew Emma or Paadi would skin him alive. They had plans for the apples.
Emma had picked all of the peaches, there weren’t many, but she was making a peach cobbler for the gathering, and using the sun oven. He grinned when he saw BJ following Paadi, her mouth was going faster than a runaway horse, he was sniggering at something she was saying. Brian’s eyes triangle into humor. He saw romance in their future. He looked at the beach, Daisy and Buddy were laying by the water. They’d been chasing the puppies earlier and they were pooped.
Emma walked up to him and nudged him with her shoulder.
“You okay?” She asked.
“Yeah, just looking around. I feel a chill in the air. Winter isn’t far off.” He shrugged.
“Yep, woke up this morning and had to put a pair of socks on. It will be nice though; the leaves will start turning and I think it will be pretty. We’ve got plenty of food put away now, so we don’t have to worry. The hen has gone broody again, so I think we’ll have a few more babies.”
“Hum, maybe next year we’ll have enough chickens to have a baked chicken from time to time.” Brian said, liking the idea.
“That’s what we’re aiming for. Barb said they were going to clear more land and start planting wheat, so that way, we can barter for flour.” Emma said happily. Brian grinned down at her. Emma was always thinking about cooking or making food. She’d made goat butter and goat cheese, both were good.
“That’s good to know. We just don’t have the land for planting that. We do have a bumper crop of potatoes though and I’m looking forward to French fries today.” He said, rubbing his hands.
“Sure, we’ll get that done. I’ve also made potatoes salad. The shed really keeps things cool and that’s where I keep the mayo. Also, it helps having that small refrigerator. Barb has a recipe for mayonnaise, so I might be trying that next.” Emma grinned. Brian couldn’t help it and reached over and hugged her.
“What was that for?” She laughed.
“Just for being wonderful. For taking good care of all of us. I mean that. You and Paadi do so much. You keep us whole.
Emma hugged him back hard.
“Hey, you started this rodeo, remember? When I got here, you’d already started it all. Thanks to you, we’ve all come together and made a home, made a life and made a future. We now have hope, where once we had only the prospects of an extinction and a life alone.” She said, a soft smile on her lips and tears in her eyes. Brian felt his own eyes tear up. She was right, they now had a future and hope.
EPILOGUE
FOUR YEARS
