“What do you want?”
“I don’t know. To feel strong. Like I matter. Like someone cares.”
Omar looked so small sitting on the floor with Mason standing over him. A child wanting to be loved. “I care.”
Omar rolled his eyes. “I can’t marry you.”
“You really want a wife?”
Omar moved to his bed, lying on his back and staring at the drawing of a woman’s face—a face that looked suspiciously like Jemma’s. “If I don’t find a wife, Father says I’ll starve, since I’m such a bad shot. He wanted me to marry the Jack’s Peak girl so she could hunt for the both of us. Plus, he’s trying to get rid of me.”
“Ignore him. And stop feeling sorry for yourself. I’d trade you Shaylinn for Mia if I could.”
“Really?” Omar pushed himself to one elbow. “Why?”
“Because Shaylinn is kind. I’d take kind over thin or pretty any day. Haven’t you noticed? Mia is just a female version of Father.”
Omar sniffed in a long breath and rubbed his nose. “She’s prettier than Father.”
“Beauty only exists in perception.”
Omar raised his eyebrows at Mason. “You don’t think Mia is prettier than Shaylinn?”
Mason did, but he couldn’t imagine living with Mia’s cruelty. “Jemma once said, ‘It’s beauty that captures your attention, but it’s personality that captures your heart.’ She likely read it somewhere, but I think it validates my point.”
Omar heaved a sigh. “Jemma.”
“Don’t start. Jemma belongs to Levi now, and you’d be wise to take down that drawing before he sees it.”
“Just go away, Mase.”
“Fine.” Mason walked to the doorway and took one last glance at Omar, who’d closed his eyes as if he might go to sleep.
Mason left the cabin and sat on the porch, gazing out toward the square. People had left the hall and were now dancing to music being played by Elder Harvey and Uncle Ethan. A handful of older women stood in a circle around the dancers, laughing and singing.
“Do the twist, do the twirl,
every boy, grab your girl.
Twist and twirl, boy and girl,
whirl and whirl and whirl!”
Levi and Jemma were dancing on the stage. He didn’t see Mia, but she was likely still cross about her first glimpse of what it would be like to marry Mason. Her husband would never dance and would often go into hiding.
Mason prayed Omar wouldn’t do anything foolish, like run away to the Safe Lands or follow Father’s group when they left for Denver City. Papa Eli might think that Omar and Father would be forced to bond if Omar went on the trip, yet Mason didn’t think there could be anything worse than Omar and their father together for two whole weeks.
He was wrong.
CHAPTER
3
The view of the valley from where Levi had spread the picnic blanket at the bottom of the eastern bluffs of Mt. Crested Butte was one of the best in the valley near Glenrock, but Levi couldn’t stop staring at Jemma. He’d gone to Denver City for only ten days, but being apart from her had felt like months.
“I don’t like leaving you,” he said.
The wind made strands of her hair dance around her face, and she brushed them aside. “I don’t like you leaving.”
“I brought you something.” He reached over his rifle and under the edge of the blanket where he’d stashed the little box, and he handed it to Jemma.
She gave him a curious smile. He leaned forward as she opened it, eager to see her reaction.
She gasped and fingered the necklace of pink pearls. “I’ve never seen anything like it.” She handed the necklace back to Levi and twisted her hair to one side.
Levi drew the strand of pearls around her neck and clasped them together, then he kissed the back of her neck and breathed her in.
“Levi.” She giggled and dropped her hair back into place. “Where did you find it?”
He leaned his head over her right shoulder and spoke softly in her ear. “Denver City. I found wedding rings too, but you can’t see those yet.” He settled back beside her on the blanket and offered a coy smile.
“Oh, Levi! Wedding rings too?”
“I know few people wear them these days since we all know who is married to whom and rings are hard to come by, but I thought you’d like to.”
“I’d love to.” She reached her arms around his neck and hugged him. “I can’t wait to marry you. Are you excited?”
He pulled her close. “You have no idea.”
The sun hung low in the sky. From where they sat on their picnic blanket on the lower hills of Mt. Crested Butte, the whole valley lay before them. Green and brown mountains stood guard on all sides, the Slate River glimmered in the distance, but the bell-shaped walls that traced the outline of the Safe Lands scarred the beauty of this place. A concrete and barbed-wire reminder that all was not right in the world.
Jemma leaned against Levi, head tucked under his chin. “Tell me about Denver City.”
“It’s huge, Jem. Buildings sit side by side for miles, and in the center, they’re five times as tall as the ones in the Safe Lands.” He pointed to the cluster of buildings at the top of the bell in the distance. “When you stand in the middle of Denver City, you can see nothing but towering buildings, Old vehicles, streetlamps, traffic signals … There are a few trees on each street, and patches of grass and saplings grow in cracks in the asphalt, but the ground is pretty much concrete for miles.”
“Traffic and asphalt … those words sound so odd. And I find it impressive that those tall buildings are still standing.”
“They have deep foundations. And they’re built of steel, not wood. Someday I’ll lead my own scavenging expedition to Denver City, and I’ll stay longer. So many houses have never been scavenged. The things we could use! Toys for the children. More gifts for you.”
Jemma fingered the pink pearl necklace and beamed again.
Levi bumped his shoulder against hers. “I knew you’d like it. Found it in a store filled with jewelry. Father has enough treasure to trade for years.”
“I can’t begin to think how people made such things.”
“Gold and silver are just metals people melted down and reshaped. And Mother once told me pearls came from the oceans. They grew inside the mouths of sea creatures.”
“And people captured the creatures to steal the pearls from their lips?” Jemma bumped her shoulder back against Levi’s. “It sounds like a children’s story. Like the one with the tiny world that lived on a flower.”
“Horton Hears a Who! I love that one. Oh, Jem! We found a bookstore too. Father only let me stop a few minutes, but I was able to grab some of the books with the horses on the —” A plume of dust rose like chimney smoke on the road, and Levi straightened. “Someone’s coming.” Jemma drew in a sharp breath as Levi grabbed the rifle and looked through the scope. “An ATV.” He lowered the weapon and the tone of his voice. “Omar. And he’s driving my rig.”
Omar was supposed to be the village’s lookout all morning. He better not have left the perch empty. When Levi needed Omar, the boy couldn’t be found. But when Levi wanted to be alone, Omar was always the first to find him.
“I wondered what was taking him so long.” Jemma smiled. “Our picnic is almost over.”
Levi set down his rifle and groaned. “Why must he follow me everywhere?”
“I’m sure it’s important if he’s driving your cart.”
“Omar invents trouble.”
“He admires you. Perhaps you should encourage him in some way.”
Levi looked to Jemma. “You think I’m cruel?”
She cocked one eyebrow. “I know you don’t intend to be, but a sharp word from you sends Omar sulking like a chastened puppy.”
“I just don’t think he should look up to me the way he does.”
“Why wouldn’t he look up to you? You’re his brother. And you’re perfect.”
If she only k
new.
Jemma snuggled against Levi’s side and took hold of his hand. “I feel badly about what happened with the Jack’s Peak girl. Do you think she’ll reconsider?”
“No.” And if Levi had known which girl Elsu had been trying to marry off, he never would have gone along. The whole thing had been terribly awkward.
Jemma frowned and sent Levi a pleading look, as if he could force some girl to marry Omar. “But if she can find no husband among her own people, why refuse ours?”
Levi coughed on his own breath. Because this girl only wants me. “I don’t know, love.” He squinted down the valley. The trail of dust from the ATV was larger now. Omar was rounding the final switchback that led up to the ridge.
“Poor Omar,” Jemma said. “He’s not that awful, you know. I considered him once.”
Levi’s gaze jerked to meet hers. “Did you? When?”
“The day my mother said, ‘You chose the best of the brothers, Jemma.’ I thought it over, and I had to agree.”
Levi chuckled. “And what about Mason? Did you consider him too?”
Jemma took Levi’s other hand so that she was holding both. “I love your brothers well enough—as brothers. But I’m worried for Mason. Mia will rule him like an evil queen. They’re a poor match, and his agreeing to marry her makes me question his sanity.”
“And how was he to refuse after Father announced it to all of Glenrock? Mason will find a way to make it work. He’s smart.”
“Book smart. Have you seen him try and talk to girls? Information about poisonous mushrooms and rashes doesn’t exactly warm a girl’s heart.”
Levi smirked at the idea of Mason showing Mia which mushrooms to avoid. “You’re full of opinions on my brothers today, Jemma of Zachary. I’m not sure how to feel about this.”
“Feel blessed to have found true love in a world with so little of it, farm boy.”
“As you wish.” He kissed her hand, and Jemma giggled.
Omar arrived then, stopping Levi’s ATV with its attached cart three feet from the picnic blanket and sending a cloud of dust over Levi, Jemma, and what remained of their food. He was wearing Old jeans, his blue and yellow striped shirt, and his Old policeman hat. Without the hat, he didn’t look all that different from Levi and Mason. Just younger.
Omar dismounted and walked toward their picnic blanket. “Hello, Jemma,” he said, his voice airy as usual whenever he was in her presence.
Jemma offered him a sympathetic smile. “Hello.”
Levi didn’t budge from Jemma’s side. “What are you doing here, Omar? Who’s at the lookout?”
Omar wiped a hand under his nose, which never ceased to water. “Penelope took my place. A message came in from Beshup over in Jack’s Peak. He has some ammo he thinks you’ll want to see.”
Ammo. How had Beshup come into such a trade, and why did he want to share it? Levi mumbled, “We are low on ammo. The Old stuff is more accurate than any we make ourselves.” He glanced at Jemma. “Do you mind if I go?”
“Nonsense!” She reached up and ran her finger down his forehead. “Come see me when you get back?”
“Of course.” He jumped up and helped Jemma stand. “But I don’t want you going back alone. We’ll drop you at the village, then Omar and I will go meet Beshup.”
“That’ll take too long,” Omar said, sniffling.
“And we’re closer to the cabin now,” Jemma said.
“I can take her back on the motorcycle,” Omar said. “You don’t need me there to trade with Beshup. I’ll just be in the way.”
“A ride would be nice,” Jemma said, nudging Levi’s side. He could tell by the look on her face that she wanted him to be nice to Omar.
Levi sighed. “Give us a moment, Omar.” He took Jemma’s hand and pulled her a few steps away from his brother. “I don’t like sending you off with him. If by some chance you encounter a mountain lion or a bear, he’s not the best shot and tends to panic in a crisis.”
Jemma brushed Levi’s hair out if his eyes with her free hand. “Our village needs ammunition. I’ll be fine.”
“Still …” He threaded his fingers with hers and frowned. “I have a bad feeling.”
She squeezed his hand. “You always have a bad feeling. Don’t worry so much. I’ll see you tonight at dinner.”
He slid his hands around her waist and pulled her close. “Two more days.”
Her gaze sank into his.
“This is true love, Jemma of Zachary,” Levi said. “You think this happens every day?”
She smiled. “You’re like a fairy-tale prince. We shall live happily ever after.”
“Yes. Just like the prince. But I dress better.”
She stepped back and took in his appearance. “I don’t know. You might look nice in a doublet and tights.” Before he could respond, Jemma stretched on her tiptoes and gave him a quick kiss. If Omar hadn’t been staring, she would’ve been more generous.
Jemma quickly packed their picnic. Levi helped her fold the blanket, then roped it and the basket to the rack on the back of the motorcycle.
Levi walked to where Omar stood beside his ATV and they traded keys. “Drive slowly. And watch out for mountain lions.”
“Don’t worry, brother. I won’t let anything happen to your precious Jem.”
Jemma climbed on the back of the motorcycle behind Omar and wrapped her arms around his waist. Levi scowled at the smile that spread across his brother’s face. Jemma gave him one last wave before Omar started the motorcycle and drove away.
Levi shook off his annoyance with his little brother and climbed onto his ATV. It was time to trade.
CHAPTER
4
Mason and his mother sat at the table, shucking the peas they’d picked that morning. Father sat in the living room, oiling his gun. It was early afternoon, the hottest time of the day, and a blessing to be indoors.
“It’s been a good year for peas,” Mother said. “I’d like to can at least one hundred pounds this year.”
“You should have more than enough.” Confident with his declaration, Mason hulled the next pod right into his mouth.
“Don’t eat the harvest,” Father said.
Because without that one pea pod, all of Glenrock would surely starve.
“Papa Eli!” Penelope’s voice came from outside, distant and shrill.
Mason cocked his head at the sound then made eye contact with his mother as she stood and walked toward the door.
Her eyes were wide. “Something’s wrong.”
“Papa Eli!” Penelope’s voice was nearer now.
“Sit. I’ll get it.” Father shooed Mother back and opened the door just as Penelope bounded up the steps.
Her cheeks were flushed, and the hair around her face was sweaty and sticking to her face. “Safe Landers are coming, Uncle Justin.” She panted. “Three big trucks.”
Father walked back to the sofa and picked up his gun. “Where’s Omar? Why didn’t he bring this news?”
“He asked me to watch the perch while he got a fresh sketch pad,” Penelope said. “About a half hour ago.”
“Mason, get your gun.” Father walked back to the door.
“I’m not going to shoot any—”
“Now!”
“Yes, sir.” Mason pushed back his chair and walked to the gun rack.
As he reached out to grab his rifle—the one that had accidently taken Joel’s life—Father stepped in Mason’s way and grabbed his shoulder, looking him in the eye. “I need you, son. Just stand beside me and look tough. You don’t have to shoot.”
Mason’s deep breath filled his chest. He nodded and lifted the weapon down from the wall.
“Should I wake Papa Eli?” Mother asked.
“Let him sleep, Tamera. I can handle this,” Father said as he loaded his and Mason’s guns. “But round up the women and children and get them into the meeting hall just in case. If there is a threat, it might be easier to defend one location rather than the whole village. Penelope
, fetch Harvey and Jordan. They should be down at the river. And if you see your dad or your uncle Ethan—any men you see—tell them to get their rifles and come to the square.”
Penelope turned and fled. Mason followed his father out of the house and toward the village square. His heart was beating so hard he could hear it throbbing between his ears. His mother closed the door behind them and followed behind Mason.
“Omar never came for paper, did he?” Father asked.
“No, sir.” Mason had no idea what his brother was up to, but it didn’t look good.
“He’d better not be in the hall playing video games. I always said that thing was a waste on our generator.”
Mason jogged to keep up with his father. A cluster of Glenrock men stood before the stage, guns in hand. There were maybe a dozen—about half the men in the village. Women and children scurried around the rest of the square, most headed to the hall.
“Where’s Sophie?” Aunt Susan ran up to Mason. “Have you seen Sophie?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Sophie!” Aunt Susan ran toward the outhouses.
“We got a man in the perch?” Father asked when they reached the square. “How far out are they?”
“Richard’s up there.” Uncle Colton lifted a handheld two-way radio to his mouth. “Colt to Rich Man, what’s the ETA?”
The two-way radio emitted a string of static, then Elder Richard’s voice. “Well, they’re just getting to the forest now. My guess is you’ve got maybe five to ten minutes.”
“Where’s Levi?” Uncle Ethan asked as he walked toward the group.
“Went off to have lunch with Jemma somewhere,” Father said.
“And Papa Eli?”
Father aimed his gun at the road and looked through the scope. “Taking a nap.”
“I’ll go wake him,” Uncle Colton said.
Father lowered his gun and grabbed his brother’s arm. “We can handle this without Grandpa, Colt. The worry will do him more harm. Let him sleep.”
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