“Try putting your feet down, Megan,” Wyatt instructed.
She fought against the current to bring her feet below her. She managed to do so and stumbled the last few feet out of the river.
Wyatt picked her up and held her tight not worrying about getting wet.
“You're freezing,” he said, rubbing her arms up and down.
“Yes, I am. Let's get Chase across and get out of here,” she said through her shivering and chattering teeth.
Wyatt quickly untied the rope from around her waist and tossed it back to Chase and they started the process again. It went much faster. Chase's height and strength made it easier for him to cross.
Once he was out of the water, it was time to move.
“Let's go see how the dike is holding up,” Megan said. She was cold, but she had to see if the threat was over.
Wyatt grabbed her hand and together they all started back down the trail they had made with all the trips up to the dam.
It was a tough walk. Megan's limbs felt numb, but all she could think about was whether the wall was holding up. All their efforts, Garrett's death and Evan's injury would be for nothing if it failed.
28
Megan touched the mud wall and breathed a sigh of relief. It was holding. There were some wet spots on the other side from where the water had splashed over the top of the dike, but it was doing exactly as they had hoped.
“Good job,” Wyatt said standing close to her.
“It wasn't me,” she said. “This is the result of some serious teamwork. I am amazed it held up. Did you see that water?”
Wyatt grimaced. “Yes, I did and I had no idea where you were.”
“I'm sorry,” she automatically said, feeling bad for worrying him. “We tried to make it back in time, but couldn't make it.”
“I know. I’m fairly sure I aged ten years in the time it took to find you.”
“Me too.” Megan hugged him. “Now, let's get to the lodge. I want to see Caitlin,” Megan said, suddenly feeling anxious again.
They made their way down the hill.
“I think they are probably on the orchard hill still,” Wyatt said when there was no sign of anyone at the lodge.
Megan hollered for Caitlin. There was no answer.
Wyatt ran inside the lodge and quickly returned with a note.
“They went to the power station,” he said.
“Why?” Megan asked. His expression told her something was wrong.
“The water was getting close, I guess.”
Chase groaned. “So, they put themselves in danger?”
Wyatt crumpled the note. “We better get over there and make sure everyone is okay.”
When Megan started to head off, Wyatt gently grabbed her hand. “Change really fast. You will get sick in all that wet clothing. Chase, you too,” Wyatt instructed.
Megan rushed inside, stripping off the wet clothes as she went. She threw on what she could find and put on her tennis shoes and was back outside within minutes. She had managed to beat Chase.
“Let's go,” Chase said, pulling on his dry shirt as he walked.
They rushed to the power station.
Megan's eyes widened in surprise when she saw the group. The adults each had shovels and were furiously digging a ditch on the side of the power station closest to the oncoming water. She could see water flowing on the ground beyond the fence line.
Her dike had protected the lodge, but was flooding the power station, like she had feared.
Wyatt rushed over and took the shovel from Rosie's hand and started digging. As the trench lengthened and deepened, it filled with water.
“It's fine, Megan,” Wyatt assured her. “This is very little water and the ditch is slowing it down.”
She nodded, suddenly too overwhelmed to speak.
They all stood there watching the water recede.
“It worked,” Megan breathed.
“The power station wasn't destroyed. The lodge is fine,” Wyatt told her as the others nodded in relief.
Despite their success, there was no rejoicing. Death had struck again.
Megan looked around and could see the emotions on each and everyone's face. It was hard to feel relieved to have a nice house to live in when someone had to die to ensure it. In fact, it was more than Garrett who had given his life to protect the lodge and its inhabitants. She couldn't bring herself to tell them about Emma. She doubted she ever would.
Chase came to stand beside her. “You did the right thing.”
He said it in such a low voice, she barely heard him. No one else did.
“I hope so,” she whispered back.
“Should we head back to the lodge?” Rosie asked. “We have dinner to cook and tomorrow is going to be another day of gardening, building and planting. No rest for the weary,” she said, slowly moving towards the lodge.
Everyone fell in line behind her. Shoulders were slumped and faces were long as they trekked through the forest. The sound of shovel blades hitting rocks as they dragged across the ground accompanied the sound of water flowing downhill.
Megan took a deep breath. The smell of mud and wet foliage usually invigorated her. Now, she knew it would remind her of this day. She would always equate it to death and the loss of innocent lives.
Wyatt once again took her hand, pulling her back out of the crowd moving forward. Once everyone moved on, he turned to look at her.
“What happened up there?” he asked her in a gentle voice.
She shrugged and looked away. She couldn't look him in the eyes.
“Don't say, nothing. I know something shook you up. Tell me,” he said with more force in his voice.
She took a deep breath and met his eyes. “I saw Emma.”
She couldn't hold back the tears.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“Before I blew the dam, I scanned the area and I saw Emma downstream. She was playing in the stream. It looks like Harry and Linda set up camp over there.”
Wyatt leaned back, exhaling deeply.
“Oh no,” he breathed. “Are you sure?”
She nodded, unable to talk around the huge, painful lump in her throat. Tears streamed down her face as she released the anguish she had been holding in for the past few hours.
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in close. He didn't say a word. He simply held her while she cried. It was all so similar to what they had gone through a few short months ago when they lost Jack.
“I killed her,” she gurgled. “I killed that poor little girl. They lived through something so horrible only to die by my hand.”
“You didn't kill her, Megan. You did what you had to. There’s a chance they survived. I know it sounds impossible, but you have to put this behind you. You can't dwell on this. It will eat you alive. You have a lot to live for,” he said softly.
She nodded. “I know. I never thought I could be so callous. This world has changed me in so many ways. This is not something I am proud of. I don't want to be a killer. I don't want to be the person who sacrifices others to save my own skin.”
“You aren't that person. You are the person who makes some of the most difficult decisions to save others. You saved all of us. You saved your daughter. I know this is awful and I am so sorry you had to do that, but I am also so grateful that you did. You saved my sister-in-law, my mother and my two nephews.”
Megan rolled her eyes at the last part. When she looked at him, he had a sly grin on his face.
“Your niece and nephew,” she mumbled.
Talking to him, getting his reassurance and feeling his strength was helping. He always had a way of taking away the hurt.
“Thank you, Wyatt. I feel a little better, but it will be a long time before I put this behind me. I don't think I will ever truly forgive myself. I think once everything settles down, I will go over there. I have to know for sure,” she said.
“I'll go with you, but Megan, you need to be prepared for the worst. There is no
thing you can do to change what happened. Think of all the good that came from your decision. Focus on that. I know it will be tough, but you have us and we are all glad you did what you did.”
She nodded, still struggling to come to terms with it all.
“Now, let's get back. Our family is waiting for us.”
He grabbed her hand and they slowly walked back. When the lodge came into view, they stopped and took it all in. The kids were playing in the yard. Duke was racing back and forth, barking and wagging his tail. The goats were lying in the sun, chewing their cuds like they normally did. It was as if tragedy never struck. Life had returned to normal for the kids, but Megan knew the adults inside would still be grappling with Garrett's death.
They had enough on their plates. She would never tell them about Emma, Harry and Linda. She would give them the luxury of thinking the threesome had moved on to some nice new home and were living happily ever after. Her secret was safe with Chase and Wyatt.
EPILOGUE
Megan finished washing up in the stream and was slowly making her way back to the lodge. Now that the adrenaline of the day's events had faded, she found herself exhausted. She had felt the weight of the world on her shoulders for days. Now that burden was gone. Now, there was a new weight, but she knew, with time, it would lighten.
“Mom! Are you ready to eat?” Caitlin called out, running towards her. “Rosie and Willow made a big potato soup with lots of bread. I'm starving! Hurry up!”
Megan smiled. Seeing her daughter healthy and happy was exactly what she needed.
“I'm coming, sweetie.”
She slowed her walk and took in the view. She loved the lodge. It was beautiful and it always made her feel so safe. Now that the threat of the dam had been taken care of, they could rest easy—for now.
Misty ran up to her, waiting to be have her neck rubbed. Megan reached down and gave the goat what she wanted rubbing up and down and scratching between her horns. The goat didn't move a muscle. She loved these rubdowns and always stayed perfectly still.
“Okay, Misty. I need to go get my dinner. Go play!”
She walked in the back door and was instantly taken back by the sight before her. The room was warm. There was a soft glow of candles and the aroma of freshly baked bread surrounded her. Everyone was seated at the table with a few at the breakfast bar.
Evan and Tara were huddled together at one end of the table. She looked at him and gave a knowing smile. He was struggling with Garrett's death, but was putting on a brave face. He seemed to be doing much better than when she saw him last. He too had taken a bath to wash away the blood and there was color in his cheeks.
“Saved you a seat,” Wyatt said, patting the chair next to him at the table.
“Great, let me put this stuff away and I'll be right back.”
She quickly deposited her dirty clothes in the bedroom and headed for the table. Rosie was dishing up soup into bread bowls. The thick chowder smelled delicious. Megan was ready for a hot meal that would leave them all satisfied.
It was comfort food. Even in the middle of a major disaster, comfort food was important. It had become their best coping mechanism. After a devastating loss or a trying time, they would all sit down to a big hearty meal. It helped restore their strength and served to bond them closer together. They could talk things out and simply enjoy being in the company of people who had been through a horrible experience together.
“Feel better?” Wyatt asked close to her ear.
She smiled leaning her head against his shoulder. “Yes. Even though my little jaunt across the river left me chilled to the bone, I needed a bath, cold water or not.”
“I could have gotten you a hot bath,” he reminded her.
“I know. I needed to be alone for a few minutes and a quick dip in the stream always makes me feel better.”
He nodded. He knew her well and hadn't argued when she requested to take her bath alone. It was something they often shared.
“Your arms look a little better. Are you sure, you don't want my mom to make up a salve or something? Some of those cuts look deep,” he asked her.
She looked down at her arms and shook her head. The pain from the cuts had kept her alive by giving her something to focus her energy on rather than the pain that still lingered in the back of her mind.
“I'll be fine. They'll heal in no time. My legs, though. I probably won't be doing any hiking in the next few days. They feel like rubber.”
He laughed. “Sounds good. I will wait on you hand and foot.”
“Oh, I like the sound of that,” she told him giving him a light kiss.
“Let's eat!” Albert said once everyone was served.
Brenda had been pulled in off guard duty. They had decided everyone needed to be together, even if it was for a short while. They had to pull together and work through yet another tragedy.
The conversation centered on plans for the garden. Hunting was brought up, which inadvertently reminded everyone of Garrett. A quiet settled over the room. No one ate.
Wyatt stood. “Every one of us is going to miss Garrett. We will remember him and honor his sacrifice by moving on. He gave his life so we could all be here. Garrett was far too young to go, but we will always be grateful for what he did.”
Albert stood, grabbed his cup of water and raised it. “To Garrett,” he said.
Everyone stood, raising their cups and repeated the words, “To Garrett.”
Wyatt sat down and everyone followed suit.
“Are we gonna have a funeral for him?” Ryland asked.
Willow looked to Wyatt. “Of course. We'll put together a cross for him and have a small service. It's the right thing to do,” he answered.
They returned to eating and eventually the conversation picked up again.
“I don't think I can eat another bite,” Megan said, leaning back in her chair. “The soup was delicious, Rosie.”
Rosie beamed. “Thank you. Willow helped as well, even though I told her she needed to get off her feet.”
Megan looked around at all the smiling, tired faces. This is what she would dwell on when images of Emma flashed in her mind. She had sacrificed Emma to save the others. It was three lives for fourteen. She knew it made her sound cold and callous, but she accepted it. Sometimes, she was going to have to let others down for the greater good. It was a harsh reality she would have to live with.
“Before everyone heads off to bed, I would like to say something.” Wyatt stood.
Megan turned to look at him, wondering what he had up his sleeve.
“Garrett and I had been working on a very special project over the past week or so. The kid is, was, a man of many talents. One of those talents was metalworking. I wasn't even aware of how talented he was until yesterday when he presented me with the finished product.”
Everyone watched as Wyatt dug into his pocket and pulled something out, but hid it in his closed hand.
He used his free hand to push his chair back from the table. Then he dropped to one knee in front of Megan's chair.
Her mouth fell open.
“Wyatt?” she breathed.
There were gasps all around the room.
Wyatt opened his hand to reveal a shiny metal band. He picked it up with his fingers and held it up for Megan to inspect, before grabbing her left hand.
“Megan, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
She couldn't speak. She could only watch as he slid the ring onto her finger.
He looked at her.
She nodded; still not sure she could say the words the man was so desperate to hear.
“Say it!” Caitlin shouted.
Everyone burst into laughter.
“Yes, Wyatt. I will marry you,” she said, pulling him towards her.
He leaned in and they embraced. When he pulled back, Megan pulled her hand up closer so she could inspect the ring.
It was stunning. It wasn't like a traditional engagement ring with a big fat diamond or so
me other precious stone in the center. This ring was simple, but elegant.
“He engraved it,” Wyatt told her.
She pulled it off her finger and held it up to the candlelight to see it better.
“Forever and always,” she read aloud.
She heard a small sob and looked up to see Rosie fighting back tears. Willow had lost the battle and was openly sobbing.
Megan grinned. “Pregnancy hormones are vicious, huh?”
Willow giggled through her sobs. “Yes, they are. I'm so happy for you both.”
Caitlin started to jump up and down. “I want to be the flower girl.”
“Me too,” Amy chimed in.
Before Megan knew what was happening, the group started to plan her wedding. Everyone made their way over to congratulate them on the upcoming nuptials. Megan knew the marriage would be in name only and wouldn't be an actual legal marriage, but in this world, that was all she needed.
She had always wondered if she would ever marry again. She could have never imagined meeting the man of her dreams in an apocalyptic situation, but here she was. The world had gone to hell and she had found happiness.
Wyatt was sitting beside her at the table, his hand on her leg. Every once in a while, he would squeeze it and smile at her. They had remained quiet for the most part while everyone else talked about the upcoming wedding. It was like having ten wedding planners. She wouldn't have to lift a finger.
“Oh!” Willow gasped. “Oh! Oh, ow!”
Rosie rushed to her side. “What is it?”
Willow didn't answer immediately.
“Nothing,” she finally said. “It was a sharp pain. I'm fine.”
Rosie eyed her carefully. “Are you sure?”
Willow started to nod her head, and then stopped. Her eyes widened as big as saucers.
“Ow! Wyatt, you may be right, this might be a boy the way he’s kicking up a fuss.”
“Girls can be great kickers too,” Megan chimed in. “In fact, if the baby is kicking with any accuracy, then you know it’s definitely a girl.”
Willow laughed before wincing again. “Boy or girl, I don’t care so long as he or she stops kicking me in the ribs. Ow!”
Dark Destruction (EMP Lodge Series Book 4) Page 18