“No, I’m good. Let Adela ride.”
“Old Willy might be old, but he can hold you both. Now get on up there.”
I walked to Willy’s side and held out my hand to Adela. “You first.”
“Here, Adela, step up,” Cooper said, holding his hands low and together to hoist her up. Then he turned to me and did the same. I stepped into his hands, glad Cooper was there to help.
Cooper actually had running water, so we were able to take showers in one of the bathrooms that survived the quake. The small room was missing a wall so Cooper hung up a sheet for privacy. The water was cold, so they were extremely quick showers, but man, it felt incredible to have clean skin again. After my shower, I walked out to see a chicken Cooper killed from his own coop sizzling on the barbeque grill. Rice simmered in a pot on a camp stove.
Cooper gave us some clean clothes. The black jeans he lent me were a little big around the waist but I tightened the belt all the way to the last notch. Adela wore a black sweater and a clean pair of jeans. She was lucky; Cooper’s wife had been around her size. Her hair was still damp. She looked amazing.
We sat by a fire set in the ground with rocks positioned in a circle around it, just like camping. Adela and I were pretty hungry. It had been four days since we’d had anything other than soup and wine. Adela ate one whole breast and leg by herself and a plate full of rice. I managed to down a thigh, a leg, a wing, and a breast.
“Adela, you can take the bed inside. I’ve been sleeping outside in the barn since the quake. I just can’t bring myself to sleep inside without Lisa.”
Adela glanced at me. “Thanks, but I think I’d like to stay out here with you guys. After being trapped in the cellar, I …” she lowered her gaze toward the campfire in front of her, chagrin written all over her beautiful dirty face.
“I understand. Well, there’s plenty of hay space. I’ll go grab some blankets. Court, if you want to stoke up that fire, we can sit around and talk for a while before hitting the hay.”
“Literally.” I chuckled, glancing at Adela, so glad she spoke up and said she wanted to stay with me.
Cooper dropped off some blankets and pillows by the door of the barn and joined us by the fireside. We sat on blue-and-white-striped fold-up beach chairs around the fire, watching the flames dance around, as sparks flew into the night air. I turned my injured side away from the fire’s intense heat and huddled into the jacket Cooper had given me, pulling the zipper up to my chin. I glanced at Adela who had already done the same with one of Cooper’s wife’s ski parkas. She looked like a real snow bunny ready to hit the slopes and I swore if, no, when we got settled again, I’d take her up the mountain and show her off to all those jocked-up snowboarders. Providing the ski resorts had survived the earthquakes. Who really knew how much damage that nine-point-plus earthquake had done?
I glanced at Cooper. “Have you heard anything about FEMA?”
Adela peeked up from inside the collar of the parka she had her face shielded in. “Right, that Federal Emergency Management Agency. Have you heard about any of their camps?”
Cooper shook his head. “Just that there are some up north, none around here. I don’t think they realize just how bad it is here since we are so far out in the boonies.”
I had a feeling that was going to be his answer and I nodded. “Do you know how scientists rate an earthquake’s magnitude?”
“Well now, the way I understand it is, the earthquake’s ‘magnitude’ describes how much the ground moves and measures how much energy an earthquake releases.” Cooper paused, looking at us thoughtfully, and then poked a stick at the fire before continuing. “Funny thing, after that first quake we had, I decided to do some research and I believe it goes something like this: a magnitude one earthquake releases the same amount of energy as thirty pounds of TNT exploding. A magnitude five earthquake packs the punch of a moderate nuclear weapon. What we had was a nine-point-one, something they call a megathrust earthquake. Now, if an earthquake of, say, twelve hit, the force of the jolt could put a crack all the way through the center of the Earth.
“All these little aftershocks we’ve been having? Well, the strongest one was seven point three, and was probably the one that finished cracking that tree trunk in half and made the mudslide down the hill and into the cellar. My guess is the tree had already been stressed from the major quake, and the extra jolt or jolts set it and the ground in motion.”
“It was a good thing you came by when you did,” Adela said. “We were almost out of water.”
“Well, I figured something was wrong when none of you kids came back here looking for food or anything. I’m surprised Max didn’t stop by here before taking off the way he did. I would have expected him to come and tell me or ask if I wanted to go with him. I hope he is okay.”
I glanced at Adela. She didn’t seem to mind where the conversation ended up and shrugged. “Stupid Max. I don’t know why he needed to run off. We argued for a while. He wanted me to go with him, but I didn’t feel right about taking off and leaving Court alone when he was in such bad shape.”
All of a sudden, Cooper smiled as if a light went off in his head and he jumped up. “Hey, you kids want some hot chocolate? I have some of those little packages you can mix with water. Lisa liked to have them around for when her niece and nephew came by. I have marshmallows, too. We can make this like a camp-out.”
“Sure,” I said, and then waited for Cooper to get out of earshot. “I think he’s enjoying having somebody to talk to.”
“Yeah, poor guy, losing both his wife and brand new baby girl. She was only three days old.”
Cooper came back carrying three cups, a teakettle, three packages of hot chocolate mix and a bag of marshmallows.
I glanced up at the majestic view, not a cloud in the sky and millions of stars normally obscured by the city lights twinkling alongside all the others. We sat in those beach chairs drinking hot chocolate and roasting marshmallows out under the starry sky as if nothing had happened, talking about horses, chickens, and wine.
I finally had my fill of marshmallows and hot chocolate and yawned. “I think I need to call it a night. Adela, you want to come?”
“Yeah.” She stood up and took my hand.
Cooper pushed himself out of his chair and walked with us to the barn. He picked up several blankets from the pile he’d left by the door earlier and followed us through the heavy wooden doors. He handed us two brand new toothbrushes and a tube of toothpaste.
“Wow. Yeah, thanks Cooper.” Adela grabbed one and instantly put some toothpaste on the little bristles, shoving it in her mouth mumbling, “I’ve been aching to do this for days now.”
I laughed and did the same. It did feel good to get the scuzzy gunk off my teeth and have a clean fresh mouth—kissably fresh.
“Court, you can take that spot against the wall in between the two stalls.” He pointed to a place in the corner. I walked to the stacked pile of straw, and placed my blanket down. When I straightened to say good night to Adela and Cooper, I blinked at the sight of Adela standing right next to me and was shocked out of my socks when she placed her blanket down right next to mine.
“Adela, you can take …” Cooper turned to show her another spot for her to sleep only to discover she had already picked one. “All righty then,” he said. Clapping his hands together in a sliding motion like he was wiping dirt from his palms, he turned and walked away. “Seems everybody’s set. You kids sleep tight now.”
Chapter 23
~~ Adela ~~
I kept the jacket on that Cooper gave me and burrowed down into the same sleeping bag Court and I had shared in the cellar, snuggling up close to him in the soft bed of hay. His warm body felt so nice.
“I bet in a little while you’re gonna get hot.”
“What?” I asked, not sure what he was talking about because I was extremely cold.
“Your jacket. If you keep it on inside here, you’re going to get too hot.”
“Oh. I
’ll take it off once I get warm. Right now, I’m freezing.”
Courtland rubbed his hands up and down my arms. “I’m glad you decided to lay here with me instead of following Cooper to the other side of the barn.”
“Had to. We only have one sleeping bag,” I said, unable to keep the grin from stretching over my entire face. I was glad it was too dark for him to see it.
“Yeah, the huge pile of blankets Coop carried in here would never have been enough.”
I nuzzled my face against his chest and the heat inside the bag suddenly overwhelmed me. “Yep, you were right again.” I pushed out of the sleeping bag, shrugged off the jacket and sank back in the bag into my new favorite position with my head resting on Courtland Reese’s chest. Never in a million years would I have predicted something like this.
I closed my eyes and thought of Court’s chest, trying to remember every muscle, every curve of his pecs when he had shoveled the dirt in the cellar. Now the memory made me shudder.
“Adela,” Court whispered.
“Yes?”
“We should try to get some sleep so we can get an early start tomorrow.”
“I am trying to sleep.”
“No, you are wiggling.”
“I am?” I didn’t realize it but my toes were jiggling. I tried to clear my mind from thoughts of Court’s naked chest and arm muscles so I could stay still.
“Are you okay?”
“I think so,” I said, still whispering.
“Cold?”
“No.”
“Adela?”
I turned my face up toward his. “Yes?”
“Wanna kiss me?”
Of course I did. Kissing Courtland was my new favorite thing to do. Our lips met, slowly at first, and then the pressure deepened. My mind swirled and my hands roamed up his chest as his long fingers slipped up the back of my shirt. His lips moved slowly away from mine and settled just under my earlobe.
“Better stop,” he whispered with heated breath.
An uncontrollable protesting moan escaped from my lips and I sank my head down on his chest with a huge sigh, licking my lips. I wanted to keep kissing, but he was right. I was enjoying it way too much and besides, Cooper wasn’t too far away and certain to hear everything we said. I closed my eyes, wondering if Court liked kissing me as much as I did him.
“Good night, Adela. I do love kissing you,” Court said as though he read my mind. He had a knack for responding to some things I left unspoken and I wondered if maybe he actually could hear my thoughts. That is absurd. Miwok Indian blood or not, still absurd.
I glanced up at him. “Why did you … never mind. Good night.”
~~ Courtland ~~
I awoke to the sound of a rooster’s cock-a-doodle doo somewhere in the distance. I opened my eyes and reveled in the warmth of the bright sun light filtering in through the open barn doors. Cooper must be up and out already.
I inhaled the sweet smell of the mango shampoo Cooper had in his shower and glanced at the top of Adela’s head still on my chest and wished I hadn’t had to stop kissing her last night. Now, with my injuries almost healed, the mere touch of her lips on mine sent my mind to places it had no business going. Yet.
I stroked my hand over the top of her head as she stirred beside me.
“Hmmm …” She fisted her hands under her chin and squirmed closer against me. Having her beside me like this was absolutely surreal and I blinked my eyes, then softly touched her hair just to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.
When I was certain she was real, I whispered, “Wake up, sleepyhead. We have people to find.”
She slowly sat up and rubbed her eyes, her hair, a tousled mess of knots, hung around her face and shoulders. She ran her fingers through the tangled curls, pulling them up off her neck and letting them fall loosely back down her back. She was beautiful.
“Come on.” I stood and held out my hand. “Let’s go find out what Cooper is up to. Maybe we can get some more clothes and supplies.”
“Some breakfast would be good. Another shower, too. Even cold, it was fabulous.”
Cooper sat poking a stick into a fire he had made. The teapot rested on a grill over the flames.
“Morning,” Cooper said, glancing up at us. “The teapot’s full of hot water here if you want some instant oatmeal. There’s that, and some bread that’s still good.”
“I’ve gathered up some clothes for you and found a couple of old backpacks you’re welcome to use.”
We ate some oatmeal. Adela grinned as she took her first spoonful of the creamy substance. “It nice to actually have breakfast food at breakfast.”
I nodded, swallowing the warm mixture of brown sugar and cinnamon.
After scraping every single morsel of oatmeal from her bowl, Adela washed the dishes and I dried them. Unable to tear my eyes away, I stood watching her as she brushed her hair and fashioned the strands into one long braid down the middle of her back. She was perfect.
Cooper gave us each another pair of pants and some sweaters and we stuffed them all into the bag Adela carried. I carried the heavier one with the water.
We stood in front of Cooper ready to leave, packs hanging from our shoulders. The sleeping bag hung snugly below my pack.
Adela rubbed her nose and then, “Ahhhhhchoo. Hmmm … I think the hay got to me.”
“I know I can’t talk you into staying, not with you needing to find those kids, so you two take care of yourselves out there. Try to find shelter at nighttime. The temperature is supposed to drop to below thirty degrees. When you locate the twins, make sure you find them adequate clothing and jackets. I put some of the instant hot chocolate and oatmeal packs in your bag, Adela. I also gave you two metal cups you can place right on the fire to heat water in. Try not to burn yourself, Court.”
“Ha-ha,” I said as Cooper patted me on the shoulder, laughing.
“I joke, but truth be told, I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Thanks, Cooper, for everything.”
“Here, take this.” Cooper placed a hand-tooled leather sheath in my palm. I grabbed onto the white mother-of-pearl handle and pulled out a six-inch hunting knife with a serrated blade. “You might need that out there. You never know what you’re going to find. You’ll need it for food and maybe other unpleasant things. It’s not much, but I hope it helps keep you safe.”
“Thanks, Cooper. Thanks a lot.” I nodded, smiled, and stuck the knife securely in my belt. It would definitely come in handy.
“If you find those kids, you can bring them back here if you want. You’re welcome to use whatever I have.”
“Will you be here?” Court asked.
“I’ll be around for a while. I’m not sure what I’m going to do. There’s no one here for me now, but I’m having a bit of trouble leaving. If I do, I might head up north. Not really sure yet.”
“Well, thanks again.”
“Cooper, thank you so much for everything.” Adela stood on her toes and hugged Cooper, kissing him on the cheek. “I hope everything works out for you and I hope we see you again soon.”
“You take care, young lady, and be careful where you make your bed.” He held his hands out with his palms facing Adela. “I’m just sayin’.”
“She’s safe with me,” I said and gave Cooper a hug.
Adela sneezed again and walked toward the road. Cooper pulled out of the embrace and said, “Here. Take these.” He held his hand out, revealing several packs of condoms.
I blinked, trying to hide the chagrin clearly showing on my face as an uncontrollable heat crept up my cheeks.
“No need to say anything. Just take them.”
I nodded, stuck the little plastic pouches deep inside my front pants pocket and walked away.
We headed down the road in the direction we hoped the preschool still stood. With any luck, the kids and teachers would all be sitting around in a circle singing songs while they waited for someone to come and get them. I knew luck was just a dream. The chances that thos
e kids would still be at the school were slim, but maybe, just maybe there would be a note or some clue as to where they were, if they were alive.
A flock of geese flew overhead in an almost perfect V-shape, one side slightly shorter than the other. I smiled at the good sign in the blue cloudless sky. Adela sneezed again. “You okay?”
She nodded and wiped her nose with her hand but sneezed again.
“Hmmm … at least we’ll have clear weather for the time being.” I took Adela’s hand in mine, squeezed it and out of the corner of my eye, saw her lips curve up slightly. I knew her mind was on her brother and sister but it was good to know I had some effect on her. At least I wanted to think I was the reason she smiled.
~~ Adela ~~
I almost choked when Cooper told me to be careful where I made my bed. What the hell did he think we were going to do, sleeping only a few feet away from him? I thought about it and supposed it did seem a little odd that Court and I shared that sleeping bag, but I told myself it was the best way to stay warm. And it was. I wondered though, if Max had been with us, if I would have shared a bed with Court. Most likely not.
I liked the way my hand fit into Court’s larger one and smiled when he squeezed his around mine. My nose tickled and I had the sniffles. My eye sockets ached when I pressed my fingers to them to try to clear the cloudy feeling in my head. Switching my focus to Ambie and Aaron, the image of Ambrosia’s concerned little face bloomed in my mind as I remembered her screams during the very first earthquake and her load of questions afterward.
“Earthcracks,” I blurted out.
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