by Hannah Ross
While the two girls hugged and squealed, jabbering at top speed, Mac got up and gripped the desk for support, trying to conceal his emotion. "We weren't expecting you, Jill."
She turned her glowing face to him and came over to kiss him on the cheek. "We wanted to surprise you, Dad. Where's Mom?"
"She should be here any minute. There's going to be a long meeting in about an hour, and your mother volunteered to provide food and drink for everyone."
Jill turned and held out her hand. "Midnight Fox, come and meet my Dad."
Mac proffered his hand for a shake, his eyes widening slightly as he took in the young man's appearance. "You're with Thunder Cloud's camp, aren't you?"
Midnight Fox nodded. "That's right. Thunder Cloud is my uncle. I am now second to him in the camp."
"That's a huge responsibility," Jill said. "But I expect you know all about this, Dad."
"Yes. Well. Someone had to step into these shoes. Not that I'm doing it all alone, but…"
He was interrupted by Gabby entering with a large tray she nearly dropped with shock of seeing her eldest daughter for the first time in a year.
"Jill!" She set the tray aside and rushed to throw her arms around her. "Jill, my baby. How could you stay away so long?" Her eyes filled with reproachful tears.
"Calm down, Gabby," Mac said, patting her on the back. "We knew Jill was doing fine. Didn't we get news from Thunder Cloud's camp a few weeks ago?"
"That's easy for you to say, Mac. I haven't had a night of sleep without tossing and turning ever since you left," she told Jill. "I hope you're going to stay with us a long, long time, honey."
"That's impossible, Mom. Midnight Fox and I can't afford to stay away from the camp too long. But we'll try to make the most of our visit."
Only then did Gabby spare a glance for the young man dressed in tanned hides from head to foot. "Goodness," she said, offering a smile that betrayed her nervousness.
Jill beamed and linked her fingers with his. "This is Midnight Fox, Mom. We're married now."
Gabby's eyes seemed ready to pop out of her head. "M-married?"
"I really wish you could have been there. It was such a beautiful ceremony, all in the tradition of the First Nations, as much as we could reconstruct it. I never thought I would have such a celebration. And you should have seen how the tribe's women outfitted our teepee."
"Teepee?" Gabby faintly repeated.
"I heard of the traditions Thunder Cloud is trying to reconstruct," Mac said. "And don't get me wrong, I admire that. In our current situation, it's wise to learn the ways of those who lived off the land and prospered for thousands of years. But I have to question if this way of life is not, ah, excessively austere."
"It's great. It's the best, most adaptable way to live in our area. The camp is so comfortable and easily maintained. You should all come to visit when you can."
Gabby looked uncertain. "Well, dear. I'm not sure when that may happen, but it's good to know that you and Midnight Fox are doing well. Have a roll." She gestured at the tray.
Jill didn't need to be asked twice. She took a small roll and crammed it into her mouth. "This is delicious. I've missed your food, Mom. Fox, try one of these. My Mom is the best cook in the world. By the way, where's Darren?"
Gabby made a disapproving sound. "Your brother is somewhere around. Wasting his time," she mumbled.
"Care to tell me what that's about?"
"Nothing too interesting, sweetheart. There's a young woman who… Well, never mind. Darren will be here later, and you two can catch up."
"So how was the winter?" Jill asked, reaching for another roll, while Midnight Fox took the first tentative bite of his. "We didn't really feel it at our camp, but I heard that things here were tough."
A cloud passed over Mac's face. "It was the worst winter I've ever witnessed, except perhaps that first year when we were sent outside the Boundary and were getting sick and dying one by one. Even with the supplies from inside the Boundary, there wasn't enough food, medicine, firewood, or anything else. It was mostly sick and exhausted people trying to take care of those who are even more sick and exhausted. A few died. And there was a time when people were so desperate we had to centralize the entire food storage area and place armed guards around it at all hours. But we got through it, and things are better now. And we learned enough that we'll be prepared for next winter no matter how harsh it is. Hey, guess what. Remember Tony Wayne? He was made sheriff late last year. Took matters in hand very well, too."
Jill's eyebrows arched. "I'd have thought Kate was more likely to be the sheriff."
"Kate's on the council. So is Ben, though some spiteful people have been vocal about a brother and sister being on the council together."
"That's bullshit, Dad. Neither Ben nor Kate would ever take advantage of the situation."
"I know, but there you go. They'll be sorry to miss you. They're all spending a few days on Daniel and Rebecca's farm, for Ian's birthday."
"Perhaps we can ride over, if it's not too far," Midnight Fox suggested.
Jill saw how her mother's face fell. "We've only just arrived, Fox. The horses need some rest, and so do we."
* * *
On the snug little farm, a long, heavily laden trestle table was spread under the open sky. Three-year-old Ian, in honor of whom the celebration was being held, weaved excitedly between the chairs under the watchful eye of his mother. Priscilla sat with her feet propped up and her hands resting on the swell of her belly. The warmth of the mellow afternoon made her feel even more hot and languid than was usual for her these days. She closed her eyes, reveling in the familiar sounds – the clatter of knives and forks, the merry tinkle of glasses, laughter and conversation.
She felt her husband's touch on her arm. "You better get a move on, Pris, or there'll be no roast chicken left. Do you want me to get you a plate?
She smiled. "Thanks, Ben, but I'm not really hungry anymore. Your mom outdid herself. I felt like I couldn't take another bite once we were done with the salads. And with this belly, you know…" She looked down. "…I have to be careful not to stuff myself too full or I won't be able to sleep with the heartburn."
"Well, alright then. Can I get you a glass of water?"
"Thanks, honey, that would be great." She patted him on the arm. "Have you seen Trevor?"
"He's out there with the other kids. Seems to be enjoying himself."
They looked to where a group of youngsters was busy building a fort out of brushwood and a stretch of old canvas. Things looked very merry there. Trevor, who was sitting on top of the fort, caught their eye and waved at them.
"I told you he's fine, Pris. He's a big boy. You don't need to worry about him so much."
After things settled down a bit after the war, Ben and Priscilla did their best to look for members of Trevor's family, but to no avail. They took the orphaned boy with them from Thunder Cloud's camp to their cabin in the woods, where Trevor became Ian's older brother. His grief and loneliness now behind him, he was happy and healthy.
Once the rigors of the winter were left behind and the days grew longer and warmer and more promising, the settlers felt the need to let out some steam. Rebecca came up with the idea of taking advantage of Ian's third birthday to throw a big celebration. She invited not just family, but many of the friends who became so dear over the years. The farm was a happy mess today, with children running about, playing and laughing, and Rebecca begging everyone to keep the little ones away from the pond.
Priscilla looked with an indulgent smile to her left, where Tony was bouncing Ian on his knee. "Looks like he's having fun, doesn't it?" she said to her husband.
An excited Kate came over. "Mom's bringing out the cake! Come on, everyone!"
The cake looked scrumptious – three tiers tall, covered with thick white cream cheese frosting and adorned with flowers made of pink sugar. Three candles burned on it. Everyone broke into applause as Ian inhaled a great lungful of air and extinguished the candle
s with one well-aimed blow.
After the birthday boy was honored with the first slice, everyone crowded over with their plates to get a piece. It wasn't just a delicious cake. It was a small miracle, after a long winter of sparse food. Though Daniel and Rebecca never went hungry, and were even able to donate food to the Resurrection Town food bank, they had to do without many things.
It was tough for the newcomers to understand the concept of everyone contributing their share of food production. It didn't matter if one used to be an accountant or a salesman, a factory worker or a bank clerk within the Boundary. Even the doctors tended a vegetable patch in their spare hours.
The stores of medicines, fuel, and supplies from the Boundary, though crucial, were still far too thin to be used profusely or taken for granted. Even the sheriff, despite his initial misgivings, used a horse much of the time.
Ben and Priscilla had their hands full, and it was unclear if or when Priscilla would see her mother and sister again. Ben rather thought she was thinking about it as she toyed with the cake on her plate, barely tasting a morsel. He sat next to her and slipped his arm around her shoulders.
"You alright, Pris?" he asked.
She nodded. "I've never been better. This is perfect." She gestured around at the happy people celebrating more than a birthday. They were celebrating a rebirth that seemed nearly impossible not that long ago. "A different kind of perfect, of course, but I don't wish for any other."
33
________________________________
Eight Years Later
Trevor and Ian burst through the door shouting, "Dad's back."
"Thank you, boys." Priscilla closed the ledger with a happy smile.
"How was the funeral?" she asked as he stepped onto the porch.
He shrugged. "So unnecessary."
"Did you learn how it happened?"
He nodded as they settled into the rockers. "One of the ministers managed to smuggle a gun into the meeting room. No one seems to know how she got it past Tower security. She was a Northern Territory sympathizer. My guess is there are many more in the Tower and certainly in the military, police…all through government. When they all arrived for the meeting, she pulled it out and started shooting. Hit the President in the chest. He was dead before he hit the floor. Ned took one in the shoulder. Andrew in the side. They'll recover." His head shook. "So stupid. Blake paid with his life for Andrew's and Ned's greed."
"Did you see Stephanie?"
"I did. She said to say hello. And…are you ready for this? She mentioned she might someday soon come for a visit now that the lands outside the Boundary are, and I'm quoting, 'at least somewhat civilized.'"
Priscilla chuckled. "I'll believe it when I see her standing in the front yard. My mother and Tilly?"
"Doing fine from what I could tell. Getting old, though."
"We're all getting old."
"Hey. Speak for yourself. Just because you found a gray hair last week—"
"I meant you, not me." She noticed the look in his eyes. "And don't you dare tickle me."
"Where's Anna?"
"Your mom stopped by and took her for the day. We weren't expecting you back until tomorrow."
"Yeah, well, I've never been comfortable inside the Boundary."
"I know. Say… do you think Ned and Andrew will retaliate against the Northern Territory?"
"Not from the way they were talking after the service."
"They weren’t in the hospital?"
His head shook. "Surprised everyone. But to answer your question, I think because we never found it necessary to follow through with our threats, he and Andrew decided it would be business as usual up north. Some of the rumors… Well, never mind. Maybe now Andrew, Ned, and the rest understand that people won't stand for their exploitation and abuse any longer. It would not surprise me if the Northern Territory follows in our footsteps sooner rather than later. Hmmm."
"What? I know that grin. What are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking it might be interesting to put together a small group of ambassadors to travel to the north and share what we've learned about independence. Given their winter climate is way harsher than ours they—”
"I think that's brilliant, Ben. Really. But don't think for a minute you're going to lead the expedition and leave me here with three kids and one on the way to—"
"One on the way? Really, Pris?"
She grinned and nodded. "It's still early, but if I figured right, the new year will bring a new child with it.”
* * *
Hours later, as the sun touched the hilltop, the twittering birds began to settle down for the night. Somewhere across the stream, as they stood on the porch after dinner, they heard the neigh of a wild mustang in the distance.
"This is ours," said Ben, squeezing his wife's hand. "This is all ours. We've earned it."
Priscilla laughed watching the children play tag in the front yard.
"Look at them, Ben. It's kids like ours who will inherit this land. They'll know no narrow limits and crossing points, no repressive rules and restrictions like we did when we were growing up. They are the true Freeborn. They are the future."
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Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading the Wild Children Series. I hope you enjoyed it.
If so, please stop by Amazon or Goodreads and leave a comment or review. It can be just a sentence or two or as long as you like. Reader opinions really do matter, and are very much appreciated!
Thanks again!
~ Hannah
About the Author
Hannah Ross wrote her first story at the age of six and has not stopped since.
Wishing to have a steady profession, she trained as a nutritionist, but the writing bug was too strong and Hannah continued to write fiction in the form of short stories, novels, poetry and plays, as well as many non-fiction essays and articles.
Hannah enjoys a quiet life with her husband and four children. She loves nature, yarn, creative cooking, and quiet retreats with lots of good books.
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Questions for Book Clubs
and Discussion Groups
Did the book engage you immediately, or did it take you time to "get into it"?
What feelings/emotions did you experience as you were reading and what triggered them? For example: amusement, anger, boredom, confusion, disgust, envy, fear, happiness, hope, love, pity, respect, sadness, etc.?
What were the main ideas the author sought to explore in the story?
Could you identify with any character(s)? If so, which one(s) and why?
Which characters are the strongest? The weakest?
Why do the characters behave as they do?
Do any characters remind you of real people that you know? If so, in what way(s)?
Did any characters mature and change as the story progressed? If so, which ones and how?
If you found yourself in the same situation as the characters, do you think you would behave in the same way(s)?
Can you imagine real people behaving as the characters did if they found themselves in the same situation?
Were you surprised by anything that happened in the story?
Did any passages strike you as insightful, profound, or especially descriptive of human nature?
Why do you think the author chose to tell the story as she did?
Were you satisfied with the ending
? If yes, why? If not, why not and how would you change it?
Did you learn anything from reading the story? If so, what?
If you met the author, what one question would you ask her?